Vehicle Occupant Detection System Using Multi-Sensor Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle alert systems fail to effectively detect and respond to passengers left inside vehicles, particularly in extreme temperatures, due to lack of integrated and reliable sensing technologies connected to the automobile's computer system.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle occupant detection system comprising at least one weight sensing pad, one infrared sensor, and one motion sensor, all in operational communication with the automobile's battery and computer system, which can activate various vehicle functions or initiate wireless communications when a passenger is detected, including sounding the horn, alerting a user, starting the engine for temperature control, and contacting emergency responders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensing technologies (weight sensing pad, infrared sensor, motion sensor) are integrated into the vehicle occupant detection system, then the reliability of passenger detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing technologies (weight sensing pad, infrared sensor, and motion sensor) into a single integrated occupant detection system. These sensors are merged to work together, with their signals processed by a computer system to determine occupant presence, thereby improving detection reliability while managing system complexity through unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is designed with multi-functionality, where the computer system processes inputs from multiple different sensor types and can trigger various responses (horn, alarm, engine start, power windows, wireless communications). This universal approach allows a single system to handle diverse detection scenarios and response actions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system integrates multiple sensors and communication capabilities, then the ability to respond to detected passengers is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: weight sensing pads integrated into seats, infrared sensors positioned in the vehicle interior, motion sensors, a computer system for signal processing, and communication modules. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested separately before integration, improving ease of manufacture despite the system's versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The computer system serves as an intermediary that receives signals from multiple sensor types, processes the information, and coordinates the various response actions. This intermediary component simplifies the integration complexity by providing a centralized processing point, making the overall system easier to manufacture and assemble.
3Reliability
If the system is operationally connected directly into the computer system of the automobile, then the reliability of the system is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the automobile's existing computer system as an intermediary for operational communication. By interfacing with the vehicle's established control architecture, the detection system achieves reliable integration without requiring separate standalone control systems. This approach maintains reliability while leveraging existing vehicle infrastructure to reduce installation complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents accidental leaving of children or pets in vehicles by reliably detecting occupants and triggering appropriate responses, such as alerting owners and initiating engine start for temperature regulation, thereby ensuring passenger safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least one weight sensing pad disposed within a seat member of at least one seat of an automobile
Implementation Method 2
at least one infrared sensor medially disposed on a dashboard of the automobile
Implementation Method 3
at least one motion sensor disposed on an interior roof of the automobile
Implementation Method 4
the engine of the automobile will self-start, either the air conditioning or the heating system of the automobile will turn on
Implementation Method 5
the engine of the automobile will self-start, either the air conditioning or the heating system of the automobile will turn on
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle occupant detection system including at least one weight sensing pad, at least one infrared sensor, and at least one motion sensor disposed within an automobile. Each of the at least one weight sensing pad, the at least one infrared sensor, and the at least one motion sensor is in operational communication with each of a battery and a computer system of the automobile. The computer system is configured to activate at least one of a horn, an alarm, an engine, at least one power window, a wireless communication with a remotely disposed fob, a wireless text communication with a remotely disposed personal electronic device, and a cellular communication with an emergency responder when at least one of the at least one infrared sensor, the at least one weight sensing pad, and the at least one motion sensor detects a passenger disposed within the vehicle.