Patent Application
20240198945
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of detecting an object.
An object can be secured. In some instances, the object is secured improperly, such as by improper use of a securing device.
One aspect of the disclosure is a restraint system for a vehicle that includes a restraint comprising a material that reflects infrared waves that are transmitted from an infrared source and is received by an infrared receiver. A payout and a position of the restraint is determined based on the infrared waves reflected from the material of the restraint.
Another aspect of the disclosure is a restraint detection system that includes an infrared illumination source positioned in an interior space of a vehicle and is configured to illuminate the interior space with infrared waves. A camera is configured to receive infrared waves reflected from an infrared reflective material located within the interior space, and the infrared waves are received by the camera as an actual reflected wave pattern. A payout and a position of the restraint is determined based on the actual reflected wave pattern.
Yet another aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle that includes a vehicle body that defines a cabin. A restraint is coupled to the vehicle body and is configured to restrain an occupant within the cabin. The restraint also includes an infrared reflective material oriented in a predetermined pattern. An infrared source is coupled to the vehicle body and is positioned within the cabin to illuminate the cabin with infrared waves. An infrared receiver is coupled to the vehicle body and is positioned within the cabin to receive reflected infrared waves from the infrared reflective material of the restraint. A position of the restraint is determined based on the infrared waves reflected from the infrared reflective material.
The disclosure herein relates to devices, systems, and methods that can detect whether a restraint is being misused by an occupant in a vehicle. Detecting whether a restraint is being misused can be accomplished using one or more sensors to detect and determine a position and a payout of the restraint relative to a body position of the occupant.
Embodiments disclosed herein include a restraint system that includes an infrared source and an infrared receiver, both positioned in a cabin of the vehicle. The infrared waves emitted from the infrared source may reflect off the restraint, and the reflected infrared waves may be received by the infrared receiver. A controller may be configured to determine an actual payout and an actual position of the restraint based on the reflected infrared waves. The controller may also be configured to determine whether the restraint is being misused based on a comparison between the actual payout and position of the restraint and an expected payout and expected position of the restraint.
The vehicle 100 includes a vehicle body 102 that defines and at least partially encloses a cabin 103 (e.g., an interior space of the vehicle 100). The cabin 103 is the area inside the vehicle 100 which is occupied by an occupant 109 when the vehicle 100 moves from one location to another location. The cabin 103 includes the seat 104 that is fixed (either directly or indirectly) to a floor of the cabin 103. The seat 104 is shown to include a seat base 106 and a seat back 108. The seat base 106 is configured to support the lower portion (e.g., legs) of the occupant 109, and the seat back 108 is configured to support the upper portion (e.g., back, arms, head, etc.) of the occupant 109.
To secure the occupant 109 to the seat 104, a restraint 110 is coupled to the vehicle body 102, is located with the cabin 103, and is configured to restrain the occupant 109 within the cabin 103. In some implementations, the restraint 110 may be coupled to the seat 104 (e.g., the restraint 110 is coupled to the vehicle body 102 via the seat 104). The restraint 110 includes a first webbing 112 (e.g., a first webbing strap) and a second webbing 114 (e.g., a second webbing strap). In some implementations, the first webbing 112 and the second webbing 114 are a unitary component (e.g., first and second portions of a single webbing strap). The first webbing 112 and the second webbing 114 may also be separate webbings. The first webbing 112 is coupled to a first retractor 116 that is configured to automatically retract the first webbing 112. The second webbing 114 is coupled to a second retractor 118 that is configured to automatically retract the second webbing 114. In implementations where the first webbing 112 and the second webbing 114 are a unitary component, only one of the first retractor 116 and the second retractor 118 may be implemented.
In some implementations, the restraint 110 includes an infrared reflective material 113. The infrared reflective material 113 may be oriented in a predetermined pattern and is configured to reflect infrared waves. The infrared reflective material 113 may be woven into the material of the restraint 110 (e.g., nylon). In some embodiments, the infrared reflective material 113 may be oriented in a repeating geometric pattern. As show in
In some implementations, the predetermined pattern of the infrared reflective material 113 varies along the length of the restraint 110. For example, the predetermined pattern may include sets of geometric shapes that are arranged on or embedded in the restraint 110 such that the order of the geometric shapes in each set is different from the order of the geometric shapes in any other set. As a more specific example, the set of geometric shapes may include five different shapes such that there would be one hundred twenty different ways to arrange the five shapes without repeating the order of shapes in any of the sets.
The restraint 110 may also include one or more latches configured to interface with the buckle 120 to secure the restraint 110 and prevent the first webbing 112 and the second webbing 114 from being retracted by the first retractor 116 and the second retractor 118, respectively. In implementations where the first webbing 112 and the second webbing 114 are separate components, each of the first webbing 112 and the second webbing 114 may include a latch that is configured to interface with the buckle 120. In implementations where the first webbing 112 and the second webbing 114 are a unitary component, one latch may be used to interface with the buckle 120. In some embodiments, the buckle 120 may include a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the one or more latches being secured to the buckle 120.
The first retractor 116 may include a first payout sensor 122, and the second retractor 118 may include a second payout sensor 124. The first payout sensor 122 is configured to generate a first payout signal indicative of a payout of the first webbing 112 (e.g., a length of the first webbing 112 that is extended from the first retractor 116) of the restraint 110. The second payout sensor 124 is configured to generate a second payout signal indicative of a payout of the second webbing 114 of the restraint 110 (e.g., a length of the second webbing 114 that is extended from the second retractor 118). In implementations where the first webbing 112 and the second webbing 114 are a unitary component, only one of the first payout sensor 122 and the second payout sensor 124 may be implemented.
An infrared illumination source 130 (e.g., an infrared source) is coupled to the vehicle body 102 and is positioned in the cabin 103 (e.g., the interior space of the vehicle 100). The infrared illumination source 130 may be configured to transmit infrared waves throughout the cabin 103 such that the infrared illumination source 130 illuminates the cabin 103 with infrared waves. The infrared waves may also illuminate various structures and/or occupants (e.g., the occupant 109 and/or additional occupants) in the cabin 103. The infrared illumination source 130 may also be configured to transmit infrared waves to selected portions of the cabin 103. For example, the infrared waves may be directed toward the restraint 110 to illuminate the restraint 110 without illuminating other portions of the cabin 103.
An infrared receiver 132 is coupled to the vehicle body 102 and is positioned in the cabin 103. In some implementations, the infrared receiver 132 is an infrared camera. The infrared receiver 132 is configured to receive infrared waves reflected from surfaces in the cabin 103. In some embodiments, the infrared receiver 132 is configured to receive infrared waves reflected from selected surfaces in the cabin 103. For example, the infrared receiver 132 is configured to receive infrared waves reflected from the infrared reflective material 113 of the restraint 110 without receiving infrared waves reflected from other surfaces in the cabin 103. As shown, the infrared illumination source 130 and the infrared receiver 132 may be separate components. In some embodiments, the infrared illumination source 130 and the infrared receiver 132 may be included in a single component that both transmits and receives infrared waves. The vehicle 100 may include one infrared illumination source 130 that is configured to illuminate each restraint 110 located in the cabin 103 (e.g., there may be four restraints 110 in the cabin 103, and the infrared illumination source 130 may illuminate each of the four restraints 110). In some embodiments, there may be an infrared illumination source 130 for each restraint 110 located in the cabin 103 (e.g., if there are four restraints 110 in the cabin 103, there may be four infrared illumination sources 130 where each of the illumination sources 130 is dedicated to one of the restraints 110). The vehicle 100 may also include one infrared receiver 132 that is configured to receive the infrared waves from each restraint 110 located in the cabin 103 (e.g., there may be four restraints 110 in the cabin 103, and the infrared receiver 132 may receive infrared waves reflected from each of the four restraints 110). In some implementations, there may be an infrared receiver 132 for each restraint 110 located in the cabin 103 (e.g., if there are four restraints 110 in the cabin 103, there may be four infrared receivers 132 where each of the infrared receivers 132 is dedicated to receiving infrared waves from one of the restraints 110).
The vehicle 100 further includes a controller 140 that is in communication with the infrared receiver 132 and is configured to determine a payout and a position of the restraint 110 based on the infrared waves reflected from the infrared reflective material 113 of the restraint 110. In some implementations, the infrared waves reflected from the infrared reflective material 113 is received by the infrared camera (e.g., the infrared receiver 132) as an actual reflected wave pattern. In some implementations, the actual reflected wave pattern may indicate the actual position and the actual payout of the restraint 110. The controller 140 may be configured to compare the actual reflected wave pattern to an expected reflected wave pattern to determine the payout and the position of the restraint 110, where the expected reflected wave pattern indicates the expected position and expected payout of the restraint 110. For example, the controller 140 may be configured to compare the actual reflected wave pattern to the predetermined pattern of the infrared reflective material 113. Based on the comparison, the controller 140 may determine an actual payout of the restraint 110. More specifically, the controller 140 may receive a signal from the infrared receiver 132 that is indicative of, for example, the first ten shapes of the predetermined pattern. The controller 140 may then determine, based on the predetermined length of the first ten shapes of the predetermined pattern, the actual payout of the restraint 110 (e.g., an actual payout of the first webbing 112 and the second webbing 114). In some implementations, the shapes of the predetermined pattern may be repeating (e.g., a group of repeating shapes) or identical (e.g., each shape is identical to the other shapes).
In some implementations, the controller 140 may also be configured to determine the body position of the occupant 109 based on the infrared waves that may be reflected from the occupant 109. For example, the controller 140 may be configured to determine a body position of the occupant 109 relative to the seat 104. More specifically, the controller 140 may be configured to determine whether the body position of the occupant 109 indicates that the occupant 109 is seated in a position consistent with correct use of the restraint 110 (e.g., seated with the back of the occupant 109 against the seat 104) or a position that is consistent with incorrect use of the restraint 110 (e.g., seated sideways on the seat 104 such that the back of the occupant 109 is approximately perpendicular to the seat 104). Based on the body position of the occupant 109 and the position of the restraint 110, the controller 140 may be configured to determine whether the occupant 109 is misusing the restraint 110.
Returning to
Misuse of the restraint 110 may include instances where the occupant 109 does not latch the restraint 110 to the buckle 120 or latches the restraint 110 to a buckle intended for a different restraint. Misuse of the restraint 110 may also include mispositioning the restraint 110, wearing the restraint 110 incorrectly, not wearing the restraint 110 at all, etc. For example, the occupant 109 may wrap the first webbing 112 behind the seat back 108, place the first webbing 112 between the occupant 109 and the seat back 108, wrap the first webbing 112 around a headrest, etc. The occupant 109 may also place the second webbing 114 between the occupant 109 and the seat base 106, wrap the second webbing 114 around the seat back 108, etc.
Based on the first expected payout and the second expected payout, the controller 140 may determine a first expected position reflection pattern and a second expected position reflection pattern from the restraint 110. For example, the first expected payout and the second expected payout are associated with lengths of the restraint 110 that are exposed to infrared waves from the infrared illumination source 130. Accordingly, the controller 140 is configured to determine the infrared reflection pattern that should be received by the infrared receiver 132 (e.g., the expected position reflection pattern) based on the first expected payout and the second expected payout. The first expected position reflection pattern and the second expected position reflection pattern may correspond to instances where the occupant 109 wears the restraint 110 correctly (e.g., the occupant 109 does not misuse or misposition the restraint 110). As an example, the first expected payout and the second expected payout may be associated with a certain size and/or shape of the occupant 109. More specifically, a relatively longer first expected payout and second expected payout may indicate that the occupant 109 is larger than if the first expected payout and the second expected payout are relatively shorter. Furthermore, a first expected payout and a second expected payout associated with a certain size and/or shape of the occupant 109 may also be associated with a certain position (e.g., shape) of the restraint 110. For example, a longer first expected payout and second expected payout may be associated with a position of the restraint 110 that extends further from the seat base 106 and the seat back 108 than a shorter first expected payout and second expected payout (e.g., a longer expected payout may be associated with an adult and a shorter expected payout may be associated with a child, a longer expected payout may be associated with an adult male and a shorter expected payout may be associate with an adult female, etc.).
In some implementations, the controller 140 is configured to determine a first actual position reflection pattern based on the pattern of infrared waves reflected off of the first webbing 112 and received by the infrared receiver 132. The controller 140 may also be configured to determine a second actual position reflection pattern based on the pattern of infrared waves reflected off of the second webbing 114 and received by the infrared receiver 132. The controller 140 may be further configured to compare the actual position of the restraint 110 to the expected position of the restraint 110 based on a difference between the expected position reflection pattern from the restraint 110 and the actual position reflection pattern from the restraint 110 (e.g., the pattern of reflected infrared waves from the first webbing 112 and the second webbing 114). In some embodiments, a difference that is greater than a threshold value may indicate that the restraint 110 is being misused (e.g., mispositioned, not worn, etc.) by the occupant 109. For example, the first and/or second expected position reflection pattern may be a pattern (e.g., a repeating or non-repeating pattern) of an expected length that may correspond to implementations where the occupant 109 wears the restraint 110 correctly. If the controller 140 determines that the actual position is different from the expected position by, for example, more than five percent, ten percent, etc., the controller 140 may determine that the restraint 110 is being misused.
Returning to
In some embodiments, vehicle systems (e.g., a steering system, a braking system, a propulsion system, etc.) may modify and/or change an operating state of the vehicle 100 when the restraint 110 is being misused or is being worn incorrectly by the occupant 109. Vehicle systems (e.g., a display system) may also modify and/or change a display viewable by the occupant 109 when the restraint 110 is being misused or is being worn incorrectly by the occupant 109. For example, the controller 140 may determine from the reflected infrared waves when the restraint 110 is worn incorrectly by the occupant 109. More specifically, the controller 140 may determine that the restraint 110 is being misused or worn incorrectly when the actual position of the restraint 110 does not approximately match (e.g., within five percent of an exact match, within ten percent of an exact match, etc.) the expected position of the restraint 110. The controller 140 may also determine that the restraint 110 is being misused or worn incorrectly when the actual payout or actual payout reflection pattern does not match the expected payout or expected payout reflection pattern. Based on the determination of the controller 140, a steering system, a braking system, a propulsion system, etc., may prevent the vehicle 100 from shifting to a propulsion mode when the vehicle 100 is parked. If the vehicle 100 is in motion, a display system may notify the occupant 109 of the misuse of the restraint 110. The various systems of the vehicle 100 may also change the operating state of the vehicle 100 to move the vehicle 100 to a side of the road and prompt the occupant 109 to use the restraint 110 correctly.
The transmitter 260 is configured to generate infrared waves and direct the infrared waves into the cabin 103. The receiver 262 is configured to receive the infrared waves that are reflected off the infrared reflective material 113 located in the cabin 103. For example, the receiver 262 may receive infrared waves reflected off of the infrared material in the restraint 110. The power supply 264 is configured to provide power to the sensor device 258 for the transmitter 260, the receiver 262, and the controller 266. In some embodiments, the power supply 264 is dedicated to the sensor device 258 (e.g., the power supply 264 does not provide power to other devices or systems within the vehicle 100). In some implementations, the power supply 264 is part of another system of the vehicle 100 and is electrically coupled with the sensor device 258 to provide power to the sensor device 258. The display 268 may be located within the cabin 103 of the vehicle 100 and may be configured to provide information (e.g., notifications, warnings, etc.) to the occupant 109.
At operation 404, the motion of the restraint 110 is determined. For example, the controller 140 may determine the payout of the restraint 110 based on the signals received from the first payout sensor 122 and the second payout sensor 124. The controller 140 may also determine the payout of the restraint 110 based on the infrared waves reflected off of the infrared reflective material 113 of the restraint 110.
At operation 406, the position of the restraint 110 is determined. For example, the controller 140 may determine the position of the restraint 110 based on the pattern of infrared waves reflected off of the infrared reflective material 113 of the restraint 110.
At operation 408, the position and motion of the restraint 110 is monitored. For example, the controller 140 may make an initial determination that the restraint 110 is worn correctly by the occupant 109 prior to the vehicle 100 moving (e.g., upon the occupant 109 entering the vehicle 100). After making the initial determination that the restraint 110 is being worn correctly, the vehicle 100 is allowed to move normally. In implementations where the controller 140 makes an initial determination that the restraint 110 is not being worn correctly by the occupant 109, the vehicle 100 is not allowed to move until the occupant 109 wears the restraint 110 correctly. After the controller 140 makes the initial determination, the controller 140 continues to monitor signals from the various sensors that generate signals indicating whether the restraint 110 is being worn correctly.
At operation 410, an operating state of the vehicle 100 is changed if misuse of the restraint 110 is detected. For example, the controller 140 may determine that the occupant 109 is misusing the restraint 110 (e.g., wrapping the first webbing 112 around the back of the seat back 108, unbuckling the restraint 110, etc.). After determining that the restraint 110 is being misused, the operating state of the vehicle 100 is changed. Changing the operating state of the vehicle 100 may include the vehicle 100 slowing down, pulling over to a side of the road, not being allowed to move after coming to a stop (e.g., at a stoplight, a stop sign, etc.), limiting the speed at which the vehicle 100 can move, limiting availability of entertainment options (e.g., radio, video, etc.), etc. Changing the operating state of the vehicle 100 may also include the vehicle 100 moving up and down in an oscillatory fashion (e.g., a suspension system of the vehicle may alternately move opposite portions of the vehicle 100 up and down), the vehicle moving side to side in an oscillatory fashion (e.g., the steering system may alternately turn the wheels of the vehicle 100 from side to side), etc. Additional ways to change the operating state of the vehicle 100 may also be implemented.
At operation 412, a notification is generated if misuse of the restraint 110 is detected. For example, the display 268 notifies the occupant 109 of the misuse of the restraint 110. The notification may include a visual alert. For example, the visual alert may include an image that shows how the restraint 110 is being misused (e.g., a cartoon image showing the restraint 110 in a misused position and a correct position, an image of the occupant 109 showing the occupant 109 wearing the restraint 110 incorrectly and an image of the occupant 109 showing the occupant 109 wearing the restraint correctly, etc.). The visual alert may also include flashing lights (e.g., lights of different colors, brightness, etc.). The controller 140 may also communicate with an audio system of the vehicle 100 such that the audio system provides an audio alert to the occupant 109 (e.g., an alarm that beeps, a voice that tells the occupant 109 that the restraint 110 is being misused, instructions that notify the occupant 109 how to correctly position the restraint 110, etc.). A haptic system of the vehicle 100 may also provide a haptic vibration to the occupant 109 (e.g., a vibration of the seat 104, a vibration of the restraint 110, a vibration of a console that the occupant 109 touches, etc.).
As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources during use of a restraint system for a vehicle. As an example, such data may identify the user and include user-specific settings or preferences. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID's, home addresses, data or records relating to a user's health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.
The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, a user profile may be established that stores user preference information related information that allows notification of misuse of a restraint. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enhances the user's experience.
The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country.
Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of storing a user profile for user preference information related to notifications of misuse of a restraint, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide data regarding usage of specific applications. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time that application usage data is maintained or entirely prohibit the development of an application usage profile. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app.
Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user's privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods.
Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, user preference information may be determined each time the restraint system is used, such as by entering the user preference information manually, and without subsequently storing the information or associating with the particular user.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/387,366, filed on Dec. 14, 2022, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63387366 | Dec 2022 | US |
