Patent ID: 7791670
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: B60R,G06K,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of operation for vision-based occupant sensing in a vehicle cabin with a solid-state imaging chip, comprising the steps of: producing image data with said imaging chip during periodic image capture intervals that are separated by idle intervals; sensing ambient illumination in said cabin during said idle intervals; setting control parameters of said imaging chip for an upcoming image capture interval based on ambient illumination sensed in an idle period just prior to such upcoming image capture interval; normally acquiring image data from a set of pixels that are distributed over an active area of said imaging chip, each such pixel being part of a cluster of pixels that also includes normally unused pixels; and based on the sensed ambient illumination, selectively acquiring image data from one or more of the normally unused pixels in said pixel clusters so as to increase sensitivity but not resolution of said imaging chip in said upcoming image capture interval.