Vehicle Occupant Positioning via Anthropometric Inference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detection devices in motor vehicles have a limited detection range, making it difficult to detect the spatial position of all body parts of a vehicle occupant, which can lead to suboptimal adjustment of comfort and safety systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a detection device and an anthropometric data model to determine the spatial position of body parts outside the detection area, allowing for the accurate control of various vehicle functional units, such as seat belts, air conditioning, and airbags, by inferring the position of undetected body parts based on detected parts and anthropometric data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a detection device with limited detection range is used to detect body parts, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of body parts outside the detection area is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an anthropometric data model as an intermediary to bridge the gap between detected and undetected body parts. The model serves as a mediator that translates partial detection data into complete spatial position information by providing anatomical relationship data, allowing the system to infer positions of body parts outside the detection range without expanding the physical detection device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy or representation of the complete body spatial configuration by combining actual detection data with anthropometric model data. This virtual model allows the control device to work with complete spatial position information even though the physical detection device only captures partial data.
2Measurement precision
If the detection area is expanded to cover all body parts, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the spatial position determination task into two parts: direct detection of visible body parts and indirect inference of hidden body parts using the anthropometric model. This segmentation allows the detection device to remain simple while the data processing handles the complexity of complete body positioning through mathematical and anatomical relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The anthropometric data model acts as an intermediary that compensates for the limited detection range. Rather than expanding the detection device, the system introduces this data model layer that fills in the missing spatial information based on anatomical relationships, maintaining device simplicity while achieving complete measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If multiple detection devices are used to cover all body parts, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single detection device and anthropometric model serve multiple functions: detecting visible body parts, inferring hidden body part positions, and providing complete spatial position data for multiple control functions (seat position, airbag deployment, climate control). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized detection devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the detected body part information and anthropometric model to self-generate the complete spatial position data needed for all control functions. Rather than requiring separate detection systems for each function, the system processes the partial detection data through the anthropometric model to self-provide complete positioning information for seat adjustment, airbag control, and climate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle (10), comprising the following steps: sensing a spatial position of at least one first body part (18) of a vehicle occupant (20) arranged in a sensing range (16) of a sensing device (14) of the motor vehicle (10) in relation to the motor vehicle (10) by means of the sensing device (14); providing an anthropometric data model that comprises data regarding the dimensions of predetermined body parts of a human and regarding the positioning of the body parts in relation to each other; wherein a spatial position of at least one second body part (26, 28) of the same vehicle occupant (20) that is arranged outside of the sensing range (16) of the sensing device (14) is determined in consideration of the sensed spatial position of the first body part (18) and in consideration of the anthropometric data model; and controlling at least one functional unit (32, 34, 36, 38) of the motor vehicle (10) in consideration of the determined spatial position of the second body part (26, 28). The invention further relates to a system (12) for operating a motor vehicle (10).