Vehicle Occupant Detection Using PIR and LIDAR Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Children, adults, and pets are at risk of heat-related injuries or deaths due to being unintentionally trapped in vehicles, with existing systems failing to detect their presence and initiate timely responses.
Innovation Solution
A detection and monitoring system using a combination of passive infrared and LIDAR sensors, along with pressure and momentary switches, to confirm the presence of occupants within a vehicle and trigger emergency actions when critical temperature conditions are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to detect and confirm occupant presence, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple different sensor types (passive infrared sensors for thermal detection, LIDAR sensors for distance measurement, pressure sensors for weight detection) into a single integrated monitoring system. This merging approach allows the system to cross-validate detections across different sensing modalities, significantly improving reliability while managing complexity through unified system architecture and centralized control logic that processes inputs from all sensor types.
2Loss of time
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then safety response time is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring at predetermined time intervals rather than truly continuous monitoring. The control unit activates sensors at scheduled intervals to check for occupant presence and temperature conditions. This periodic approach maintains adequate safety monitoring while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation, as sensors and processing units can enter low-power states between monitoring cycles.
3Reliability
If automated emergency responses are triggered, then occupant safety is improved, but false alarm risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously monitors sensor inputs and adjusts system responses based on confirmed conditions. When an occupant is detected, the system monitors temperature and presence conditions, triggering automated responses (such as unlocking doors or activating alarms) only when predefined thresholds are met and conditions are confirmed persistent. This feedback loop reduces false alarms by requiring multiple confirmed inputs before initiating emergency actions.
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
Effectively detects and monitors the presence of occupants in vehicles, initiating corrective actions such as rolling down windows or contacting emergency services to prevent heat-related injuries or deaths.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensor is a passive infrared sensor
Implementation Method 2
the second sensor is a LIDAR sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a system for use in detecting and monitoring an occupant in an environment, such as within a vehicle interior. A first sensor detects the presence of the occupant within the environment, while a second sensor confirms the presence of the occupant. Once the presence of the occupant is confirmed by the sensors, the system enters an active mode and monitors the environment for a triggering event. If a triggering event is detected, the end user is notified, and immediate action is taken by the system to abate the triggering event. If the presence of the occupant is not detected by the first sensor and confirmed by the second sensor, the system remains in inactive mode and does not monitor the environment for a triggering event.