Vehicle Seat Position Detection Using Face Regions and Seat Rows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airbag deployment systems cannot specify which seat a passenger is seated in, limiting their effectiveness in deploying airbags based on passenger position.
Innovation Solution
A seating position determination apparatus that includes a face detection unit, a seating row specification unit, and a seating position specification unit, using camera images to detect a passenger's face, specify the seat row, and determine the seat position within the vehicle by analyzing the overlap between the face region and seat ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the head position is detected for airbag deployment comparison, then the airbag deployment accuracy is improved, but the seat identification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection process into two independent modules: head position detection for airbag deployment decisions, and face region detection for seat row identification. By segmenting the detection functions, the system can simultaneously achieve accurate airbag deployment control while also identifying which seat the passenger occupies, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and information completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a seat row specification unit that acts as an intermediary between the face detection unit and the airbag control system. This intermediary component processes face region information to determine seat row identification, thereby preserving seat identification information while maintaining the head position detection capability for airbag deployment
2Device complexity
If only head position detection is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the seating position specification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the detection system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both head position detection and face region detection for seat row identification using the same camera system. This universal approach allows the system to maintain simplicity while achieving enhanced seating position specification capability through the additional face detection function
Data Source
AI summary
A camera is installed in a vehicle in which a plurality of seat rows are arranged, and captures an image of an inside of the vehicle. A face detection unit detects a face region of a passenger from the image captured by the camera. A seating row specification unit specifies a seat row in which the passenger with the face region being detected is seated. A seating position specification unit specifies a seat position of the passenger in the vehicle, based on a range of a seat position in the image and the seat row being specified, the range of the seat position being prepared for each seat row.