Occupant Detection Using Thermal Imaging and Attitude Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupant detection systems in vehicles face increased costs due to the need for wide detection range sensors, which are expensive, and require additional attitude detection sensors, such as rotation angle sensors, to accurately position infrared temperature sensors for scanning, thereby increasing system costs.
Innovation Solution
An occupant detection system that uses an infrared temperature sensor with a narrow detection range, where the attitude of the sensor is estimated based on information from thermal images generated by the sensor, eliminating the need for separate attitude detection sensors by utilizing a correspondence relationship between temperature boundaries and sensor attitudes stored in the system's storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wide detection range sensor is used to detect occupant states across the entire vehicle compartment, then the detection coverage is improved, but the system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle compartment is divided into multiple detection zones, with each infrared temperature sensor responsible for a specific zone. The sensor scans its assigned zone by changing attitude, and the control device synthesizes information from all zones to achieve full compartment coverage. This segmentation allows using multiple low-cost narrow-range sensors instead of one expensive wide-range sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared temperature sensor is made dynamic by enabling it to change its attitude (rotation angle) to scan different areas within its zone. The photographing position changer actively adjusts the sensor's orientation based on control signals, allowing a single sensor to cover its entire assigned zone sequentially rather than requiring simultaneous wide-angle coverage.
2Measurement precision
If rotation angle sensors are added to accurately position infrared temperature sensors for scanning, then the measurement precision of sensor attitude is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared temperature sensor serves dual functions: it detects occupant temperature in its zone and simultaneously provides feedback information about its own detection results. The control device uses this feedback to determine when the sensor has completed scanning its entire zone and can return to the initial position, eliminating the need for separate rotation angle sensors to track sensor position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the infrared temperature sensor's detection results are fed back to the control device. Based on this feedback, the control device judges whether the sensor has completed a full scan of its zone and controls the photographing position changer to return the sensor to the initial position, achieving precise positioning without additional sensors.
3Measurement precision
If the infrared temperature sensor scans the entire vehicle compartment, then the temperature distribution analysis accuracy is improved, but the detection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle compartment is divided into multiple detection zones, with each infrared temperature sensor responsible for scanning its assigned zone. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different zones, reducing the total detection time compared to a single sensor scanning the entire compartment sequentially. The control device synthesizes temperature distribution data from all zones to achieve complete compartment analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared temperature sensor performs periodic scanning of its assigned zone, repeatedly changing attitude to capture temperature data from different positions. This periodic scanning ensures comprehensive temperature distribution coverage while maintaining efficient detection cycles, as each sensor focuses on its specific zone rather than the entire compartment.
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
This configuration allows for accurate detection of occupant states across a wide range without additional attitude detection sensors, reducing overall system costs while maintaining effective temperature distribution analysis for air conditioning control.
Implementation Method 1
measure the surface temperature of the occupant or the like by an infrared temperature sensor and appropriately control air conditioning based on the temperature distribution shown on the obtained thermal image
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant detection system may detect a state of an occupant in a vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may photograph the vehicle compartment and generate an image. The occupant detection system may change an attitude in order to change a position of an imaging region within the vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may estimate the attitude based on information included in the image and control an operation based on the estimated attitude. The sensor may be provided by an infrared temperature sensor. The image may be provided by a thermal image showing a temperature distribution of the vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may store a correspondence relationship between a position of a specific temperature boundary included in the thermal image and the attitude. The occupant detection system may estimate the attitude based on the correspondence relationship.