Systems and methods for child presence detection with active child protection interlocks and safety warnings

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022203917-A1
Application number	US-202117566138-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 30, 2021
Priority date	Dec 31, 2020
Publication date	Jun 30, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A passenger protection system for a vehicle includes a vehicle sensor control system having at least one processor and computerized memory storing vehicle control software therein, wherein the vehicle control software receives input data from a plurality of vehicle sensors. A digital control sequence is triggered in the software by a presence of at least one occupant other than a driver in the vehicle who is classified as a child, with the digital control sequence activating and de-activating an alert system and a system of electronically programmed interlocks in a vehicle control system. The alert system includes at least one of an audible alert and/or a visible alert and/or a haptic alert to ensure child safety in the vehicle during operation. The interlocks may electronically control numerous vehicle functions including window operation, seat position adjustment, and seat belt position adjustment.

First claim

1 . A passenger protection system for a vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle control system comprising at least one processor and computerized memory storing vehicle control software therein, wherein the vehicle control software receives input data from a plurality of vehicle sensors; a digital control sequence triggered in the vehicle control software by a presence of at least one occupant classified as a child, the digital control sequence activating and de-activating interlocks that control components in the vehicle for child safety.

2 . The passenger protection system of claim 1 , wherein the digital control sequence activates interlocks that implement child safety door locks.

3 . The passenger protection system of claim 2 , wherein the interlocks activate at least one child safety door lock proximate a respective child without restricting other door locks proximate a respective adult.

4 . The passenger protection system of claim 1 , wherein the interlocks activate child safety window locks.

5 . The passenger protection system of claim 4 , wherein the interlocks activate at least one window lock proximate a respective child without restricting other window locks proximate a respective adult.

6 . The passenger protection system of claim 1 , wherein the interlocks activate automatic seat belt adjustments.

7 . (canceled)

8 . The passenger protection system of claim 1 , wherein the digital control sequence is in electronic communication with an occupant monitoring system comprising at least one sensor detecting the presence of the at least one occupant and classifying the occupant as the child.

9 . The passenger protection system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one imaging device identifying a driver and the at least one occupant classified as a child.

10 . A passenger protection system for a vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle control system comprising at least one processor and computerized memory storing vehicle control software therein, wherein the vehicle control software receives input data from a plurality of vehicle sensors; an occupant monitoring system connected to the vehicle control software and comprising a plurality of sensors that identify occupants in the vehicle, the occupant monitoring system comprising classification software classifying the occupant according to a passenger classification system stored in the software; and a digital control sequence triggered in the software by a classification of at least one occupant in the vehicle as a child, the digital control sequence activating and de-activating interlocks that configure components in the vehicle for child safety.

11 . The passenger protection system of claim 10 wherein the classification software classifies the occupants according to weight or size.

12 . The passenger protection system of claim 11 , wherein the weight indicates a classification selected from a one year old child, a three year old child, a six year old child, a 5th percentile female, and a 50 th percentile male.

13 . (canceled)

14 . (canceled)

15 . The passenger protection system of claim 10 , wherein the classification software classifies the occupants according to a seat belt position on the occupant, a position of the occupant's face in the vehicle, a position of the occupant's head in the vehicle, and/or a position of a vehicle seat in which an occupant sits.

16 . The passenger protection system of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of vehicle sensors comprise at least one of an imaging device, a seat belt sensor, and a weight sensor.

17 . The passenger protection system of claim 10 , wherein a classification of an occupant as a child initiates an alert system warning at least a driver in the vehicle of a child safety alarm.

18 . (canceled)

19 . (canceled)

20 . The passenger protection system of claim 17 , wherein the child safety alarm comprises a warning that a front seat passenger should be in a back seat.

21 . A computer implemented method of protecting passengers in a vehicle, comprising:
identifying a presence of a driver and occupants in the vehicle; classifying at least one of the occupants as a child; using a computer to store, in computerized memory, input data received from sensors in the vehicle, the input data corresponding to at least the child in the vehicle; initiating a digital control sequence with the computer to activate and de-activate interlocks that control components in the vehicle for child safety.

22 . The computer implemented method of claim 21 , further comprising initiating the digital control sequence initiating an alert system warning at least a driver in the vehicle of a child safety alarm.

23 . (canceled)

24 . The computer implemented method of claim 22 , wherein the digital control sequence adjusts an automatic seat height adjustment.

25 . The computer implemented method of claim 24 , wherein the digital control sequence further adjusts a seat belt D-ring position to adjust a seat belt position on the child.

26 . The computer implemented method of claim 22 , wherein the child safety alarm comprises an alarm that a child safety seat position is inappropriate relative to an associated vehicle seat.

Assignees

• Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition Llc

Inventors

• Lisseman Jason
• Cech Leonard

Classifications

• G08B21/0461

  integrated or attached to an item closely associated with the person but not worn by the person, e.g. chair, walking stick, bed sensor · CPC title

• G06V40/10

  Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands · CPC title

• G06V20/593

  Recognising seat occupancy · CPC title

• G06V20/59

  inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions · CPC title

• B60Q9/00 Primary

  Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 {, e.g. haptic signalling} · CPC title