Rear Seat Occupant Detection Using Vehicle Audio Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rear occupant alert technologies require additional sensors, increasing manufacturing costs and may not effectively notify drivers of occupants remaining in the rear seat, especially if the driver does not see the notification before exiting the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system utilizing a speaker and microphone to output high-frequency sound signals and identify occupants in the rear seat through sound signal attenuation, with a control device managing warnings via speakers, displays, and communication devices to alert drivers of rear seat occupants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional ultrasonic sensors and high-precision radar sensors are applied to identify rear seat occupants, then the recognition rate of occupants is improved, but the manufacturing cost of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies existing vehicle speakers and microphones to perform the rear seat occupant detection function. The speaker outputs sound signals that reflect off occupants, and the microphone receives these reflected signals. This multi-functional use of existing components eliminates the need for dedicated ultrasonic sensors and radar sensors, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining occupant recognition capability
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's existing audio system components (speakers and microphones) are utilized to serve the dual purpose of their original function and occupant detection. The sound signal generation and reception system already present in the vehicle is repurposed for rear seat monitoring, making the system self-sufficient without requiring additional specialized sensors
2Loss of information
If a cluster notification is used to alert drivers of rear seat occupants, then the driver is notified of the presence, but the driver may not be aware if they do not see the notification before exiting the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides notification through multiple channels including cluster display, speaker alerts, and virtual engine sound system warnings. By providing preliminary alerts through multiple pathways before the driver exits, the system ensures the driver has adequate opportunity to become aware of the rear seat occupant presence, reducing the risk of information loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the microphone to receive reflected sound signals from the rear seat area, providing continuous feedback about occupant presence. This feedback mechanism operates independently of the driver's visual attention, ensuring reliable detection and notification that complements the cluster display system
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 solution reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for additional sensors and effectively notifies drivers of rear seat occupants, improving awareness and safety by using existing vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
a speaker and a microphone mounted on an existing vehicle to identify whether or not an occupant remains in a rear seat of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a first speaker, a microphone, an output device, and a control device configured to output a first sound signal through the first speaker, receive a second sound signal through the microphone, identify whether there is an occupant in a rear seat of the vehicle based on the first sound signal and the second sound signal, and control the output device to output a warning sound based on the presence of the occupant in the rear seat.