Biometrically actuated occupant restraint system and method for a vehicle

According to various embodiments, a biomedically actuated occupant restraint system includes an occupant restraint system for a vehicle, the occupant restraint system having a locked position and an unlocked position. The biomedically actuated occupant restraint system further includes an occupant monitoring system operably connected to the occupant restraint system, the occupant monitoring system configured for monitoring a plurality of physiological conditions of an occupant of the vehicle. The occupant monitoring system includes a biometric sensor module including a plurality of physiological sensors configured for measuring a plurality of physiological conditions of the occupant and asserting a plurality of sensor signals, and a controller configured to receive the plurality of sensor signals and determine whether the occupant is incapacitated. The controller being configured to send a command to lock the occupant restraint system in response to determining the occupant is incapacitated.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to occupant restraint systems for a vehicle and, more particularly, to an occupant restraint system that is responsive to occupant conditions during operation of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

A pilot in an aircraft may experience extreme forces during operation of the aircraft that could affect the pilot's ability to control the aircraft and also affect the pilot's ability to control their own body in the aircraft. When a pilot loses consciousness, the pilot also loses motor control of their body, which could lead to injuries to the unconscious pilot's head, arms, spine, and upper torso, for example, during continued maneuvers of the aircraft controlled by another pilot. What is needed is a solution that addresses these and possibly other problems.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is biomedically actuated occupant restraint system. In accordance with various embodiments, the biomedically actuated occupant restraint system may comprise an occupant restraint system for a vehicle, the occupant restraint system having a locked position and an unlocked position. The biomedically actuated occupant restraint system may further include an occupant monitoring system operably connected to the occupant restraint system, the occupant monitoring system configured for monitoring a plurality of physiological conditions of an occupant of the vehicle. The occupant monitoring system may include a biometric sensor module including a plurality of physiological sensors configured for measuring a plurality of physiological conditions of the occupant and asserting a plurality of sensor signals, and a controller configured to receive the plurality of sensor signals and determine whether the occupant is incapacitated. The controller being configured to send a command to lock the occupant restraint system in response to determining the occupant is incapacitated.

In various embodiments, the biomedically actuated occupant restraint system may further comprise the controller being configured to send a command to unlock the occupant restraint system in response to determining the occupant is not incapacitated. The occupant restraint device may be a torso restraint. The torso restraint may include at least one of a belt, a strap, and a harness configured for restraining the torso of the occupant. The vehicle may be an aerospace vehicle.

The biomedically actuated occupant restraint system may further include a seat disposed in the vehicle adjacent to the occupant restraint device, the occupant restraint device configured for restraining the occupant in relation to a seat back portion of the seat. The seat may be an ejection seat having an ejection propulsion system. The occupant restraint device may be integrated with the ejection seat.

The occupant restraint system may further include an inertial reel module with a spool module having a cylindrical element for attaching to an end portion of the occupant restraint device to at least one of extend and retract at least a portion of the occupant restraint device to selectively tighten and loosen, the spool module configured to rotate to tighten in response to movement of the restrained occupant toward a neutral position.

The biomedically actuated occupant restraint system may further include an occupant restraint device configured to selectively extend and retract, the occupant restraint device configured to not extend when the occupant restraint system is locked, the occupant restraint device configured to retract in response to movement of the restrained occupant toward a neutral position.

The biomedically actuated occupant restraint system may further include a manual release operably connected to the occupant restraint system for manually locking and unlocking the occupant restraint system, and a lock actuator operably connected to the controller, the lock actuator for locking the inertial reel module based on a command from the controller. The biomedically actuated occupant restraint system may further include a retraction module that is operably coupled to the occupant restraint system and configured to rapidly retract the occupant restraint in the ejection seat prior to ejection. Determining the occupant is incapacitated may be based on at least one of data indicative of a loss of motor control by the occupant, and/or data indicative of a loss of consciousness by the occupant. The biometric sensor module may include one or more of an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, a blood pressure (BP) sensor, an oxygen and/or respiration sensor, a camera, and a microphone.

The controller may include a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller, the tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations including receiving, by the controller, the plurality of physiological sensor signals based on a physiological condition of the occupant, measuring, by the controller, each of the plurality of physiological sensor signals to determine a baseline value from each sensor, determining, by the controller, a change from the baseline value related to data indicative of an unconscious state of the occupant, and outputting, by the controller, a command to lock the occupant restraint system. The method may further include measuring, by the controller, each of the plurality of physiological sensor signals to determine a new baseline value from each sensor, determining, by the controller, a change from the new baseline value related to data indicative of a conscious state of the occupant, and outputting, by the controller, a command to unlock the occupant restraint system.

A method for biomedically actuating an occupant restraint system is also disclosed herein. In accordance with various embodiments, the method may comprise receiving a plurality of physiological sensor signals based on a physiological condition of a vehicle occupant, measuring each of the plurality of physiological sensor signals to determine a baseline value from each sensor, determining a change from the baseline value related to data indicative of an unconscious state of the occupant, and outputting a command to lock an occupant restraint system for the occupant in the vehicle. In various embodiments, the method may further comprise measuring each of the plurality of physiological sensor signals to determine a new baseline value from each sensor, determining a change from the new baseline value related to data indicative of a conscious state of the occupant; and outputting a command to unlock the occupant restraint system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not limitation. The steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented.

Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

Referring now toFIGS.1A-1B, a vehicle100such as an aircraft, with a biometrically actuated occupant restraint system102for use with an aircraft ejection seat104is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. Biometrically actuated occupant restraint system102may be associated with a seat104installed in an aerospace vehicle such as an aircraft, spacecraft, or other vehicle to safely support and restrain an occupant106, such as a pilot of the aerospace vehicle, in response to occupant106being incapacitated. In accordance with various embodiments, seat104may be an ejection seat including an ejection propulsion system108to safely expel ejection seat104and occupant106of the ejection seat from a cockpit or other portion of aircraft100. Ejection seat104may be urged from (e.g., expelled from) the cockpit of the aircraft by an ejection propulsion system108, which may include one or more rockets or other propulsion devices that are activated as a part of an ejection sequence. Ejection may be initiated in response to actuation of an ejection handle.

It is noted that occupant106is depicted inFIGS.1A-1Bas assuming a neutral posture or position in seat104. A neutral or aligned position within seat104includes the torso of occupant106being disposed centrally in seat104with both shoulders of occupant106being disposed against a seat back portion134of seat104. Assuming a neutral position within seat104is desirable to reduce injury by increasing marginal distances between the body of occupant106(e.g., head, shoulders, upper torso/upper trunk, arms) and adjacent structures in a cockpit, crew bay, or in preparation for ejection from an aircraft, for example. In contrast, an unaligned position of occupant106within seat104may include the torso of occupant106leaning forward or leaning to one side with one or more shoulders away from seat104and exposed to increased injury.

In various embodiments, the one or more seats104may include occupant restraint capabilities described herein but may not have the capability to eject from the aircraft or other vehicle. Occupant106may be restrained in seat104using an occupant restraint system120which may include one or more occupant restraint devices122comprising one or more belts, straps, or harnesses configured to restrain a torso of occupant106in a position adjacent to seat104, at least partially situated within seat104, or at least partially situated against seat104. This disclosure may be applied to any suitable vehicle, including but not limited to a passenger aircraft, a cargo aircraft, a military (e.g., fighter) aircraft, a spacecraft, a submarine, a truck, a bus, an automobile, or the like, having various locations within the vehicle where occupants may be restrained in a seat and could lose consciousness or lose motor control of their bodies.

Referring now toFIG.2, a block diagram of a vehicle100having a biometrically actuated occupant restraint system102is illustrated, according to various embodiments. Vehicle100is similar in some ways to aircraft100described in reference toFIGS.1A-1B. Vehicle100may have a biometrically actuated occupant restraint system102, associated with one or more seats104, with each seat for supporting an occupant106in various locations within the vehicle, such as a cockpit, a crew bay, or the like. Biometrically actuated occupant restraint system102may include an occupant restraint system120, as described in reference toFIGS.1A-1B, and an occupant monitoring system150. In various embodiments, the one or more seats104may also include an ejection propulsion system108as described in reference toFIGS.1A-1B.

Occupant restraint system120may include one or more occupant restraint devices122, such as one or more belts, straps, or harnesses, as described in reference toFIGS.1A-1B. Occupant restraint system120may also include an inertial reel module124with a spool module126, a locking module128, an unlock actuator130, and a retraction module132.

Inertial reel module124may be operably connected with spool module126to automatically lock spool module126under certain conditions, preventing further extension of occupant restraint device122in response to the vehicle experiencing acceleration forces above a predetermined limit. For example, in belt-activated systems, centrifugal force, caused by a sudden jerking of the belt, strap, or harness (e.g., a large impulse), may cause a lever attached to spool device in spool module126to move outward. The extended lever may activate a pawl or other device that catches a toothed gear attached to the spool device, stopping its rotating or spinning motion. For an automobile, truck, or bus, the sudden jerking of the belt, strap, or harness of occupant restraint device122may be caused by a dynamically changing condition such as sudden and severe turning or braking conditions. For an aircraft, sudden jerking of occupant restraint device122may be caused by a dynamically changing condition such as a sudden change in vehicle attitude, including a sudden change in pitch, roll, or bank angle. In various embodiments, inertial reel module124may prevent further extension of occupant restraint device122in response to the occupant restraint device122being withdrawn from occupant restraint system120at a linear rate that is higher (e.g., a faster speed) than a predetermined limit. Occupant restraint device122being withdrawn from occupant restraint system at a high rate it may indicate occupant106and/or vehicle100is experiencing acceleration forces above a predetermined limit because the belt, strap, or harness of occupant restraint device122is pulled or jerked rapidly. By locking spool module126, occupant restraint device122is prevented from further extension and occupant106may be protected from injury due to more extreme movements that would otherwise be experienced.

Spool module126may include a cylindrical element (e.g. a spool portion) for attaching to an end portion of occupant restraint device122, such as a flexible belt or webbed portion attached to an end portion of a belt, strap, or harness, that may be wound around the spool portion and operable to take up (e.g. retract into) or to play out (e.g. extend out from) a portion of occupant restraint device122into or out from occupant restraint system120under the control of inertial reel module124. In this manner, occupant restraint device122may tighten or loosen around a torso of occupant106based on rotation (e.g., forward or reverse) of spool module126. Occupant restraint system120, comprising at least one of a belt, strap, and a harness, may be considered a torso restraint to prevent or restrict freedom of movement of a torso of occupant106such as by preventing torso bending movements, including leaning forward and leaning to one side, or torso twisting. At least a portion of occupant restraint system may also be attached to a rigid, fixed point within vehicle100such as a ceiling, pillar, monument, wall, or floor of vehicle100to provide additional support. Spool module126may include a spring and ratchet assembly for retracting occupant restraint device122.

Locking module128is operably connected with inertial reel module124to control the operation of spool module126. As will be described more fully below, locking module128responds to an occupant incapacitated signal190and/or commands from a controller154. Briefly, in response to occupant incapacitated signal190being asserted, locking module128locks inertial reel module124and prevents spool module126from further extension of occupant restraint device122(e.g., restricts increasing freedom of movement for occupant106) while allowing retraction of occupant restraint device122in response to a torso of occupant106moving toward a neutral position in seat104. Such movements may be in response to movement of the vehicle while occupant106is unconscious or incapacitated. In this manner, controller154locks occupant restraint system120in response to detecting occupant106is incapacitated and restricts (e.g., prevents or tends to prevent) occupant from experiencing an increasing freedom of movement (e.g., greater torso forward bending, side bending, or twisting), while allowing spool module126to retract, for example, under control of a spring-loaded ratchet. Stated differently, controller154is configured to receive the plurality of sensor signals and determine whether occupant106is incapacitated and send a command to lock occupant restraint system120in response to determining occupant106is incapacitated. Conversely, locking module128, in an unlocked position, allows play out of occupant restraint device122from occupant restraint system120leading to increasing freedom of movement for occupant106in seat104while occupant incapacitated signal190is not asserted, indicating that occupant is not (e.g., is no longer) incapacitated. In this manner, controller154unlocks occupant restraint system120in response to detecting occupant106is not (or is no longer) incapacitated. Stated differently, controller154is configured to receive the plurality of sensor signals and determine whether occupant106is not (e.g., no longer) incapacitated and send a command to unlock occupant restraint system120in response to determining occupant106is not incapacitated. In this manner, occupant restraint system120includes an occupant restraint device122that is configured to selectively extend and retract. In various embodiments, controller154may be implemented as a procedural paradigm. In various embodiments, controller154may be implemented as a state machine.

Referring now toFIGS.3A-3C, an occupant moves from an unaligned position toward a neutral position in a seat is illustrated in accordance with various embodiments.FIG.3Aillustrates an example of an unconscious occupant106shown with their torso forward in a leaning position, head forward, and shoulders away from the back of seat portion134at a first distance136, where occupant restraint device122is significantly extended. As described, locking module128locks inertial reel module124and prevents spool module126from further extension of occupant restraint device122while allowing retraction of occupant restraint device122as the torso of occupant106moves toward a more neutral position in seat104where occupant's shoulders are moved closer to seat back portion134in response to movement of the vehicle while occupant106with occupant restraint device122is extended at a second distance138but which is retracted from a first distance136, as shown inFIG.3B. Finally,FIG.3Cillustrates unconscious occupant106with shoulders fully against seat back portion134, as illustrated inFIG.1B. In this manner, occupant restraint device122may restrain occupant106(e.g., a restrained occupant) in relation to seat back portion134of seat104. Assuming a neutral position within seat104is desirable to reduce injury by increasing marginal distances between the body of occupant106and adjacent structures within a cockpit, crew bay, or in preparation for ejection from an aircraft, for example.

Referring again briefly toFIG.2, unlock actuator130is operably connected with inertial reel module124and locking module128to control the operation of spool module126. Unlock actuator130may include a solenoid and a mechanical linkage for electromechanically operating locking module128to place locking module128from a locked to an unlocked position in response to unlock actuator130being activated. In various embodiments, unlock actuator130may include a motor and gear assembly for moving locking module128from a locked to an unlocked position in response to unlock actuator130being activated.

Retraction module132is operably connected with inertial reel module124and spool module126to rapidly and forcefully withdraw occupant restraint device122into occupant restraint system120in preparation for ejection in response to initiation of an ejection sequence, emergency landing, or other emergency situation. Retraction module132may include an inertial reel gas generator (IRGG) for providing high pressure gas to inertial reel module124to forcefully withdraw occupant restraint device122into occupant restraint system120. In this manner, retraction module132is operable to maximally restrain occupant in ejection seat104prior to ejection.

Occupant restraint system120may also include a manual release140for occupant restraint device122to manually release spool module126and allow play out of occupant restraint device122from occupant restraint system120leading to increasing freedom of movement for occupant106in seat104in response to occupant incapacitated signal190not being asserted. As illustrated inFIGS.1A-1B, a neutral or aligned position within seat104includes the torso of occupant106being disposed centrally in seat104with both shoulders of occupant106being disposed against a seat back portion134of seat104.

Occupant monitoring system150may include a biometric sensor module152with a plurality of non-invasive, light weight sensors for biometrically measuring various physiological conditions or aspects of an occupant's (e.g., a pilot's) health and incapacity status. Biometric sensor module152may include an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor160, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor162, a blood pressure (BP) sensor164, an oxygen and/or respiration sensor166, a camera168, and a microphone and/or speaker assembly170. Ongoing measurement of physiological aspects of occupant106may establish a baseline for interpreting differences in the physiological status of occupant106, and especially for detecting whether occupant106may have lost consciousness and/or lost motor control over their body. In this manner, controller154may determine occupant106is incapacitated based on at least one of data indicative of a loss of motor control by occupant106or data indicative of a loss of consciousness by occupant106. Similarly, a new baseline may be established and used for detecting that occupant106may have regained consciousness and/or regained motor control over their body. Signals from each of the sensors may be sent via wired or wireless communication. Processor180may perform signal conditioning and run various algorithms that compare various values to suitable thresholds to make determinations and to detect a state of consciousness of occupant106. It is understood that if occupant106becomes unconscious, the occupant also loses motor control of their body which could lead to injuries during continued maneuvers of the vehicle, for example. However, it is possible that an occupant may lose significant motor control without becoming fully unconscious, so incapacity as used herein encompasses the broader condition of losing motor control in addition to losing consciousness.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor160may include a brainwave detection sensor array that is configured to measure electrical brain activity from occupant106and may be located on a skull cap and may be worn under a helmet or other head covering. In various embodiments, brainwave detection sensor array may be located in the helmet in proximity to the head of occupant106. Electroencephalogram sensor160may be operably coupled to the head of occupant106to measure brain waves including alpha waves, beta waves, delta waves, or theta waves as well as spikes in each of those waves. A change in frequency or spikes in any of these waves greater than a predetermined threshold amount may indicate a change in (e.g., a loss of) consciousness or motor control.

Electrocardiogram sensor162may include one or more sensors in a sensor array configured to measure heart activity of occupant106. In various embodiments, electrocardiogram sensor162may be located on a chest strap worn by occupant106. Electrocardiogram sensor162may be operably coupled to the chest and heart of occupant106to measure heart rate. A change in heart rate, rhythm, or waveform morphology may be used to detect a change in consciousness. Data from electrocardiogram sensor162may be used in conjunction with data from electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor160or other sensors to more accurately detect a loss of consciousness.

Blood pressure (BP) sensor164may include a pressure cuff worn around a limb of occupant106along with a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in the limb, where the pressure cuff is inflated to restrict blood flow in the limb and a pressure sensor may first detect a systolic heart beat at a first pressure value as the pressure in the cuff is released, then the pressure sensor may next detect emergence of the systolic and a diastolic heart beats as the pressure in the cuff drops below a second pressure to determine the systolic and diastolic pressures, respectively. In various embodiments, two or more pulse detection sensors may be located on the body of occupant106at a known distance from each other to measure the pulse transit time (PTT) and infer a blood pressure measurement, in addition to other methods. Sequential measurements of blood pressure may be needed to obtain an accurate reading due to movement of occupant106in vehicle100, for example. Suddenly increasing or suddenly decreasing blood pressure for occupant106may indicate occupant is under stress, duress, or may be losing consciousness.

Oxygen and/or respiration sensor166(e.g., oximeter and/or respirometer) may include one or more non-invasive devices configured to measure oxygenation (oxygen saturation) in the blood and respirations of occupant106. For a human occupant, respiration is normally controlled by the autonomic nervous system, so that respiration runs automatically except in circumstances where some factors may affect or interfere in this automatic process. An occupant106may experience physical extremes that may significantly interfere with respiration of a conscious person in response to sensory excitation and stress, while an unconscious person may be less responsive to the physical extremes and the corresponding respiration rate and respiration volume may be significantly less. By measuring the oxygenation and respiration response of occupant106to extreme conditions and detecting a sudden change in these biometric attributes, it may be possible to detect a loss of consciousness.

Camera168may include light detector(s), infrared detector(s), or any other sensor capable of detecting image data corresponding to any wavelength of light. Camera168may be used to detect eye lid opening/closing (e.g., blink/stare duration), eye movement, gaze angle, head angle, and/or image data corresponding to a biometric features of occupant106. Camera168may be located on a vehicle interior or on a helmet visor worn by occupant106, or at any other location where the face, eyes, head, and/or neck of occupant106may be monitored to detect such features. For example, occupant106may wear a helmet with camera168mounted on or within a portion of the helmet in proximity to one or both of occupant's eyes and face. In various embodiments, one or more sensors in biometric sensor module152may be disposed adjacent to occupant106and may be in contact with the body of occupant106to measure various biometric attributes. For a camera operating in a visible or infrared (thermal) range, imaging of the facial region may detect whether occupant106is flushed (e.g., surface blood vessels have dilated) which may indicate a change in physiological status. A sudden change in any of these facial or eye-related features may indicate occupant106has lost consciousness. Microphone and/or speaker assembly170may include a speaker (sound emitter) be used for auditory stimulus and a microphone (sound receiver) for use in determining the verbal responsiveness of occupant106. For example, the speaker could emit a tone or a command that occupant106must respond to either verbally or by pressing a button in the vehicle within a predetermined period of time. A change in responsiveness of occupant106may indicate occupant106has lost capacity to respond and may have lost consciousness or lost voluntary motor control.

The sensor data from the plurality of sensors in biometric sensor module152, separately or in combination, may be synthesized to provide an indication of the health and consciousness status of occupant106. In response to determining occupant106has lost consciousness, controller154may assert occupant incapacitated signal190, as discussed above, and assert lock signal192, as will be further described below. As described, determining occupant106has lost consciousness may lead to a change in state of the biometrically actuated occupant restraint system102and assertion of lock signal192. In response to determining that occupant106has regained consciousness, controller154may de-assert occupant incapacitated signal190and assert unlock signal194, as will be further described below. As described, determining occupant106has regained consciousness may lead to a change in state of the biometrically actuated occupant restraint system102and assertion of unlock signal194.

Controller154may include one or more logic devices such as one or more of a processor180which may be implemented as a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. Processor180may include a memory182for storing instructions that, in response to the instructions being executed, may cause processor180to implement various algorithms to process data from biometric sensor module152, determine the consciousness and/or motor control status of occupant106, and cause controller154to assert outputs such as occupant incapacitated signal190, a lock signal192, an unlock signal194, and the like. The assertion of occupant incapacitated signal190, a lock signal192, an unlock signal194, and the like, may correspond to commands issued by controller154. In this manner, controller154may include a tangible, non-transitory memory182configured to communicate with controller154, where the tangible, non-transitory memory182has or contains instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution of those instructions by controller154, cause controller154to perform the operations described herein.

Memory182may be implemented as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), cache memory, or any non-transitory memory known in the art. Memory182may store instructions usable by processor180or other logic device(s) to perform operations and make determinations regarding the physiological status (e.g., conscious with motor control, or not) of occupant106. Memory182may also store baseline data collected from the plurality of sensors in biometric sensor module152, as will be described more fully below. In various embodiments, memory182may be a permanent, removable, or replaceable computer-readable storage medium for storing and retrieving instructions for implementing any of the various methods herein described. For example, computer code corresponding to biometrically actuating occupant restraint system102and corresponding to whether to activate, deactivate, or decline to activate or deactivate, the different aspects described herein, may be stored.

Occupant incapacitated signal190, lock signal192, and unlock signal194may be implemented in various ways, including asserting a discrete signal line/wire, setting a bit (e.g., binary digit) to an on/off (e.g. 1 or 0) state in a register or at a predetermined memory location to indicate and control behavior of various elements in biometrically actuated occupant restraint system104. Related hardware may receive a discrete occupant incapacitated signal190, a discrete lock signal192, and a discrete unlock signal194, or an intermediate version thereof, and then transform such signals for control of operably coupled elements and systems. For example, in response to occupant incapacitated signal190being asserted, controller154may also assert lock signal192. Assertion of lock signal192may cause lock actuator146to activate and lock inertial reel module124as discussed above. Conversely, in response to occupant incapacitated signal190not being asserted, or no longer being asserted, controller154may also de-assert lock signal192and assert unlock signal194. Assertion of unlock signal194may cause unlock actuator130to activate and unlock inertial reel module124as discussed above.

Referring now toFIG.4, a manual release and cable tensioning system400for use with a biometrically actuated occupant restraint system120is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. Manual release and cable tensioning system400may form a part of a vehicle100, such as illustrated inFIG.2, or form part of an aircraft100, such as illustrated inFIGS.1A-1B. Manual release and cable tensioning system400may include a manual release140that is operably connected to a first end114of cable142where an intermediate portion of cable142passes through a portion of cable tensioner144that is operably connected to lock actuator146to apply tension to cable142, as described above. Lock actuator146may include a solenoid and a mechanical linkage for electromechanically operating inertial reel module124to place inertial reel module124from an unlocked to a locked position in response to lock actuator146being activated. In various embodiments, lock actuator146may include a motor and gear assembly for moving inertial reel module124from an unlocked to a locked position lock actuator146is activated. A second end116of cable142is operably connected to occupant restraint system120to manually control operation of inertial reel module124to lock inertial reel module124in response to lock actuator146being activated or to release inertial reel module124in response to manual release140being activated. In this manner, lock actuator146may lock spool module126in response to occupant incapacitated signal190by applying tension to cable142through cable tensioner144. Manual release and cable tensioning system400could be made as a retrofit kit or modification procedure for existing seats in a production aftermarket, for example. A corresponding method of modification may be understood from this disclosure.

Referring now toFIG.5, a state-diagram flowchart for a method500of controlling a biometrically actuated occupant restraint system is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. Method500illustrates an algorithm of operating occupant restraint system120in accordance with various embodiments. Method500may be implemented by instructions184stored in memory182and operating on processor180, as described above. In particular, method500may begin with state1(S1) in step502where occupant restraint system120is unlocked and controller154is monitoring sensor data indicating a conscious status of occupant106and to detect (e.g. determine) that occupant106has lost consciousness and/or lost motor control and may therefore be incapable of controlling the vehicle and/or incapable of controlling their own body (e.g. incapacity) to prevent injury based on analyzing data from one or more of the plurality of biometric sensors in biometric sensor module152, as described above. Stated differently, controller154monitors sensor data from biometric sensor module152to determine a change from a baseline value related to baseline data indicative of an unconscious state of occupant106. In response to processing data from the one or more of the plurality of sensors in biometric sensor module152, controller154may detect that occupant has lost consciousness or lost motor control and has become incapacitated, method500advances (arrow504) toward state S2in step506where controller154outputs a command to apply tension through cable tensioner144by activating lock actuator146, as described above. Method500may then advance (arrow508) toward state S3in step510where occupant restraint system120is locked and controller154is monitoring data indicating an unconscious state of occupant106to detect whether occupant has regained motor control. Stated differently, controller154monitors sensor data from biometric sensor module152to determine a change from a new baseline value related to data indicative of a conscious state of occupant106. Method500will remain in state S3(step510) and retain occupant restraint system120in a locked condition until occupant106has regained consciousness or motor control, or, in the case occupant106is a pilot of an aircraft similar to aircraft100, an ejection sequence has been initiated.

While in state S3(step510), controller154continues to monitor the unconscious state of occupant106and to detect whether occupant106has gained (e.g., regained) consciousness and/or motor control and may be capable of controlling the vehicle and/or capable of controlling their own body (e.g. capacity) to prevent injury based on analyzing data from one or more of the plurality of biometric sensors in biometric sensor module152. In response to processing data from the one or more of the plurality of sensors, controller154may detect that occupant106has gained motor control and has become capable of controlling the vehicle and/or controlling their own body, method500advances (arrow512) toward state S4in step514where controller154outputs a command to release tension through cable tensioner144by activating unlock actuator130, as described above. Method500may then advance (arrow516) toward state S1in step502where occupant restraint system120is unlocked and controller154is monitoring the status of occupant106to again detect whether occupant has lost motor control. Method500may remain in state S1(step502) and retain occupant restraint system120in an unlocked condition until occupant106has lost consciousness or lost motor control.

Referring now toFIG.6, a flowchart for a method600of controlling a biometrically actuated occupant restraint system is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. With reference toFIGS.1A-5, method600begins in step602with controller154receiving a plurality of physiological sensor signals from biometric sensor module152based on the physiological condition of a vehicle occupant106. Method600continues in step604with controller154measuring each of the plurality of physiological sensor signals to determine a baseline value from each sensor that is stored in memory182in a plurality of baseline data memory locations186. Method600continues in step606with controller154determining a change from the baseline for one or more sensor (e.g., current) values related to an unconscious state of the occupant. In this manner, controller has determined occupant106is in an unconscious state or they have lost motor control in step608. After determining occupant106is unconscious, method600continues with step610by outputting a command to lock occupant restraint system120by asserting lock signal192, as discussed above. Method600continues with step612by updating a new baseline data value in memory182in one or more baseline data memory locations186for the one or more of the plurality of sensors with changes to their baseline values. Method600continues in step614with continuing to measure each of the plurality of physiological sensor signals to determine a new baseline value from each of the plurality of sensors. Method600continues in step616with determining a change from the new baseline for one or more sensor current values related to a conscious state of the occupant. In this manner, controller has determined occupant106is in a conscious state or they have gained motor control. Method600continues in step618by unlocking occupant restraint device122by asserting unlock signal194, as discussed above. Finally, method600proceeds back to step604, to measure the plurality of sensor signals and determine (again) a baseline in response to occupant106being in a conscious state, and the process of method600continues.