Vehicle Occupant Detection Using Multi-Region Presence Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupant detection systems in vehicle cabins face accuracy degradation due to obstacles like human bodies, which affect the reception intensity of radio waves used for detecting occupant positions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs multiple detection units and an occupant presence determination unit to accurately determine the presence of occupants in specific regions within the vehicle cabin by analyzing detection results from multiple antennas, rather than calculating occupant positions based on reception intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple antennas are arranged in the vehicle cabin to detect occupant positions based on reception intensity, then the detection coverage is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle cabin is divided into multiple predetermined regions, and the detection function is segmented across multiple detection units. Each detection unit independently determines occupant presence in specific regions, avoiding the need for a single complex positioning system while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of precisely calculating occupant positions, the system performs partial action by simply determining whether an occupant is present in each predetermined region. This reduces computational complexity and hardware requirements while still providing sufficient information for air conditioning control.
2Loss of information
If reception intensity is used to calculate occupant positions, then position information is obtained, but accuracy degrades due to obstacles like human bodies affecting radio wave propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary information (occupant presence) from the detection data, rather than attempting to calculate precise positions that are degraded by obstacles. By removing the position calculation step and focusing solely on presence detection in predetermined regions, the system avoids the harmful effects of radio wave attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the limitation of obstacle-affected radio waves into a benefit by not relying on precise position calculation. The presence of obstacles that degrade position accuracy does not affect the binary presence/absence detection in each region, turning a harmful factor into an acceptable condition.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise position calculation is performed to determine air conditioning regions, then accurate control is achieved, but the number of antennas and system complexity must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial action by determining only occupant presence in predetermined regions rather than calculating precise positions. This partial information is sufficient for air conditioning control, reducing the need for complex hardware while maintaining adequate control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Each detection unit serves multiple functions: it detects occupants in its assigned regions and contributes to overall system decision-making. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed compared to a system requiring precise position calculation for each occupant.
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant detection apparatus includes a first detection unit, a second detection unit, and an occupant presence determination unit. The first detection unit detects an occupant present in a first region or a second region, among the plurality of regions. The second detection unit detects an occupant present in the second region or a third region, among the plurality of regions. The occupant presence determination unit determines whether an occupant is present in each of the first region, the second region and the third region, based on a first detection result obtained by the first detection unit and a second detection result obtained by the second detection unit.