Animate object detection system and method of detecting an animate object

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10349891-B2
Application number	US-201615245890-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 24, 2016
Priority date	Sep 21, 2015
Publication date	Jul 16, 2019
Grant date	Jul 16, 2019

Abstract

An animate object detection system includes an apparatus configured for supporting an animate object and a sensor disposed in physical communication with the apparatus. The sensor includes a piezoelectric material and is configured for producing an electric signal in response to a force applied to the apparatus by the animate object. The system also includes a signal conditioner disposed in electrical communication with the sensor and configured for manipulating the electric signal and producing an output signal, and a receiver configured for receiving the output signal and generating an indicator signal. A method of detecting an animate object is also disclosed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of detecting an animate object on a seat system of an apparatus, the method comprising:
ascertaining a beginning of travel condition in which the seat system is non-stationary;
after ascertaining the beginning of travel condition, ascertaining an outset condition in which the seat system is stationary;
after ascertaining the outset condition, measuring a signal power level of an electric signal produced by a sensor in response to a force applied to the seat system upon which the animate object is disposed, wherein the sensor is disposed in physical communication with the apparatus and includes a piezoelectric material;
determining:
a threshold power level corresponding to a minimal power level required to power the sensor;
a threshold breathing rate corresponding to an at-rest breathing of the animate object; and
a threshold heart rate corresponding to a resting pulse of the animate object;

detecting either of:
a first condition in which the signal power level is greater than or equal to the threshold power level to thereby detect the animate object; and
a second condition in which the signal power level is less than the threshold power level;

subsequent to detecting either of the first condition and the second condition, conditioning the electric signal to thereby calculate a breathing rate and a heart rate;
after conditioning, detecting at least one of:
a third condition in which the breathing rate is greater than or equal to the threshold breathing rate to thereby detect the animate object on the seat system;
a fourth condition in which the breathing rate is less than the threshold breathing rate;
a fifth condition in which the heart rate is greater than or equal to the threshold heart rate to thereby detect the animate object on the seat system; and
a sixth condition in which the heart rate is less than the threshold heart rate; and

after detecting at least one of the first condition, the third condition, and the fifth condition, generating an indicator signal to indicate a presence of the animate object on the seat system.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein conditioning includes applying a fast Fourier transform algorithm to the electric signal to extract the breathing rate and the heart rate.

3. The method of claim 1 , further including, prior to detecting at least one of the third condition, the fourth condition, the fifth condition, and the sixth condition, positioning a receiver configured for wireless communication within a predetermined distance of the apparatus.

4. The method of claim 3 , further including, after positioning and concurrent to generating, verifying that the receiver is disposed within the predetermined distance.

5. The method of claim 1 , further including, after generating, wirelessly transmitting the indicator signal to a receiver configured for wireless communication.

6. The method of claim 1 , further including, after generating, transmitting the indicator signal to a receiver via a wire.

7. The method of claim 1 , further including determining an outset power level.

8. The method of claim 7 , further including ascertaining one of:
a secured condition in which the signal power level is greater than or equal to the outset power level to thereby detect the animate object; and
an unsecured condition in which the signal power level is less than the outset power level.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein detecting either of the first condition and the second condition is subsequent to ascertaining the unsecured condition.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein ascertaining one of the secured condition and the unsecured condition is subsequent to detecting at least one of the fourth condition and the sixth condition.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Johnson Nancy L
• Sala Dorel M

Classifications

• A61B2562/0247

  Pressure sensors · CPC title

• A61B5/6892 Primary

  Mats · CPC title

• A61B5/6894

  Wheel chairs · CPC title

• A61B5/1115

  Monitoring leaving of a patient support, e.g. a bed or a wheelchair · CPC title

• A61B5/1135

  by monitoring thoracic expansion · CPC title