Vehicle Interior Detection Using Segmented Infrared Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior detection systems struggle to accurately detect the presence, weight, attitude, and figure of occupants, as well as the condition of seats, especially under varying brightness conditions and external disturbances like sunlight, which affects the reliable inflation of airbags.
Innovation Solution
A detection system that uses a combination of infrared illumination units and imaging devices, synchronized light emission and shutter control, and image processing to accurately identify occupants and seat conditions by analyzing images from multiple illumination regions and determining the presence of occupants, their attitude, and the presence of child seats, while minimizing external disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single imaging device and spot light sources are used to detect occupant condition, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate under varying brightness conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the illumination function into multiple spot light sources arranged in different positions and directions. Each spot light source illuminates a specific region, and by segmenting the illumination task across multiple sources, the system achieves reliable detection of occupant presence, weight, and attitude even when ambient brightness varies, resolving the contradiction between simple device structure and precise measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
Different spot light sources are positioned to provide localized illumination for different detection purposes. The first spot light source illuminates for presence detection, while the second spot light source provides additional illumination for weight and attitude detection. This local quality approach ensures that each detection function has dedicated illumination, improving measurement precision without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If ambient light conditions are not controlled, then ease of operation is improved, but detection reliability deteriorates due to external disturbances like sunlight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using spot light sources to pre-illuminate the detection target before ambient light conditions can interfere. The active illumination from spot light sources creates a controlled light field that counteracts the harmful effect of varying ambient brightness and sunlight, ensuring stable detection results regardless of external light conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system uses periodic illumination from spot light sources synchronized with the imaging device. This periodic action creates distinct illumination patterns that can be differentiated from ambient light, allowing the system to maintain reliable detection even when ambient light conditions change continuously, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and detection reliability.
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
The system provides stable and accurate detection of vehicle interior conditions, enabling precise control of airbag inflation, reducing maintenance costs, and ensuring occupant safety by avoiding unnecessary airbag deployment and optimizing resource usage.
Implementation Method 1
imaging or photographing the passenger or object on the seat upon each illumination
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of illumination units 105 for illuminating predetermined regions in the interior of a vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A detection system of vehicle interior condition includes an illumination unit for illuminating a plurality of mutually different illumination regions including at least one seat of a vehicle and a surrounding region thereof so as to have different illumination time durations shifted by a predetermined time. An imaging unit photographs an occupant and/or an object on the seat upon each illumination of the illumination unit. A control processor compares a plurality of images photographed by the imaging unit, and generates information indicative of a condition of the occupant or object, based on the result of the comparison.