Abstract:
The present invention includes a method of monitoring and controlling interior functions of a vehicle, for example, a memory seat position, a vehicle pedal position, a steering column position, a vehicle interior temperature, and/or whether the vehicle is occupied or unoccupied at certain times and under certain conditions. The interior functions are controlled by passively monitoring a characteristic of an occupant, determining an identity of the occupant based on the monitored characteristic, and regulating the interior function based upon the identity of the occupant. The monitored characteristic, for example, may be representative of a weight classification or biomass associated with the occupant, or a signal or input generated based upon a user identification device, for example, a key fob or other personal electronic device carried by the occupant.

Description:
The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/673,239, 60/673,240, 60/673,241, 60/673,242, and 60/673,243, all of which were filed on Apr. 6, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Vehicles typically include numerous interior features that are electronically controlled by a user. For example, memory settings are employed to electronically control vehicle seat position, pedal position and steering column position; child latches are electronically controlled to prevent children from activating a vehicle door at an inappropriate time; and windows including express up/express down also incorporate electronic lock-out features that are operable to disable this function. However, all of these electronically controlled interior features require some form of continuing active input from the user. 
     Memory settings, for example, require each individual user to program initial settings and provide additional active input prior to each vehicle use to engage the appropriate memory settings. Once the user has initially programmed memory settings defining his/her preferred vehicle seat position, known systems require further active user input to activate the memory settings. In one known system, the user must press a button located, for example, either on a vehicle fob or on the interior of the vehicle prior to activating the memory settings associated with that user. Another known system requires the user to start the vehicle before activating the memory settings associated with that user. 
     In addition, because known systems require active input by the user, the memory settings, for example, are actually specific to the active input provided and not to the user himself. Therefore, it is desirable to provide passive control of vehicle interior functions based upon a user or occupant classification. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a method of controlling an interior function of a vehicle, for example, a memory seat position, a vehicle pedal position, and/or a steering column position. The interior function is controlled by passively monitoring a characteristic of an occupant, determining an identity of the occupant based on the monitored characteristic, and regulating the interior function based upon the identity of the occupant. The monitored characteristic, for example, may be representative of a weight classification or biomass associated with the occupant, or a signal or input generated based upon a user identification device, for example, a key fob or other personal electronic device carried by the occupant. 
     The present invention also includes a method of controlling an interior function of a vehicle when the vehicle is parked and locked. The interior function, for example, a vehicle interior temperature, is monitored and subsequently regulated when the system determines that the parked/locked vehicle remains occupied for a period of time subsequent to being parked and locked. The method of the present invention also provides notification to alert a driver and/or an authority when the parked/locked vehicle remains occupied. 
     Finally, the present invention includes a method of monitoring an interior of a vehicle to determine whether the vehicle becomes occupied subsequent to being parked and locked and notifying a driver if the previously unoccupied vehicle becomes occupied while parked. 
     These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a vehicle that incorporates example vehicle interior functions which are controlled by one embodiment of the method of the present invention based upon a monitored occupant characteristic; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a vehicle that incorporates example vehicle interior functions including memory settings which are controlled by another embodiment of the method of the present invention based upon a user identification device; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a vehicle that incorporates example vehicle interior functions which are selectively overridden according to yet another embodiment of the method of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic illustration of a vehicle that incorporates yet another vehicle interior function selectively restricted according to another embodiment of the method of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a schematic illustration of the vehicle that incorporates the interior function selectively restricted according to the embodiment of the method of the present invention shown in  FIG. 4A ; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart that schematically illustrates yet another embodiment of the method of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a vehicle  10  that incorporates example vehicle interior functions, which include memory settings electronically controlled by one embodiment of the method of the present invention. The memory settings are controlled based upon a monitored occupant characteristic, for example, a weight classification or a biomass. 
     Initially, when a first driver  12  is seated in a vehicle seat  14 , the first driver  12  manually adjusts a variety of vehicle interior functions to his/her desired positions. The desired positions are subsequently stored as a first set of memory settings in a feature control system  16  and associated with the first driver  12  within the feature control system  16 . 
     A weight classification and/or a biomass of the first driver  12  is measured contemporaneously with the first driver  12  setting the first set of memory settings by a sensing system  18 . The weight classification is indicative of an overall weight of the first driver  12  as measured by, for example, a strain gage arrangement included in the sensing system  18 , which is imbedded in the vehicle seat  14 . When the first driver  12  sits on the vehicle seat  14 , the overall weight of the first driver  12  induces a strain that is representative of the overall weight of the first driver  12 . The measured overall weight is then transmitted to the feature control system  16  where it is stored in relationship to the first set of memory settings. 
     The biomass is indicative of a wet weight of the first driver  12 . The wet weight is measured by traditional means, for example, a bio-sensor included in the sensing system  18 . The bio-sensor measures not only the overall weight of the first driver  12  but also measures the amount of the overall weight that is water. Measuring the portion of weight of an occupant that is water allows the system to differentiate between, for example, a 100-pound occupant and a 50-pound child in a 50-pound child seat. The biomass, i.e., the wet weight, of the 100-pound occupant would be greater than the biomass, i.e. the wet weight, of the 50-pound child in the 50-pound child seat. 
     The sensing system  18  transmits the measured weight classification and/or the biomass of the first driver  12  to the feature control system  16 . The weight classification and/or biomass of the first driver  12  are stored in the feature control system  16 , where they are associated with the first set of memory settings and the first driver  12 . Further, this process can be conducted for any number of drivers. That is, each individual driver can create a unique set of memory settings associated with himself/herself. A weight classification and/or biomass of each individual driver is measured and associated with the unique set of memory settings, and stored in the feature control system  16 . 
     Subsequently, when a driver enters the vehicle  10 , the sensing system  18  will measure the weight classification and/or the biomass of the driver and transmit the measured weight classification and/or biomass to the feature control system  16 . The feature control system  16  then associates the measured weight classification and/or biomass with the respective driver and the set of memory settings previously stored by that driver as indicated by the measured weight classification and/or biomass. The feature control system  16  then transmits signals to the various interior features controlled by the memory settings to electronically adjust the various interior features to their pre-determined desired positions. 
     For example, when the first driver  12  enters the vehicle  10  and sits in the vehicle seat  14 , the sensing system  18  measures the weight classification and/or biomass associated with the first driver  12 , and transmits the weight classification and/or biomass associated with the first driver  12  to the feature control system  16 . The feature control system  16  associates the transmitted weight classification and/or biomass of the first driver  12  with the first set of memory settings, and then transmits signals to the various interior features controlled by the memory settings to electronically adjust the various interior features to their pre-determined desired positions. 
     The set of memory settings transmitted to the various interior features by the feature control system  16  depends on the weight classification and/or biomass received by the feature control system  16  from the sensing system  18 . As this is determined when the driver sits in the seat, this entire process is conducted passively, i.e., does not require any active input from the driver. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the sensing system  18  is located in the vehicle seat  14  and the example vehicle interior functions, which include electronically controlled memory settings, may include but are not limited to positioning of the vehicle seat  14 , vehicle pedals  22 , and/or steering column  24 . 
     The entire vehicle seat  14  is moveable forward and rearward in vehicle  10  as illustrated by arrow A and upward and downward in vehicle  10  as illustrated by arrow B. A back portion  26  of the vehicle seat  20  is moveable from an upright sitting position C 1  to a reclined position C 2  as illustrated by arrow C. 
     The vehicle pedals  22  are moveable away from and toward the first driver  12  in vehicle  10  as illustrated by arrow D. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a vehicle  10  that incorporates example vehicle interior functions, which include memory settings that are electronically controlled by another embodiment of the method of the present invention based upon a user identification device. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the memory settings are initially set as discussed above in  FIG. 1 , but are passively controlled by a user identification device  30 , for example, a key fob or a personal electronic device carried by the occupant. When the driver  12  comes within a pre-defined distance of the vehicle  10 , the user identification device  30  transmits a signal to a receiver  32  associated with the vehicle  10 . The receiver  32  communicates the signal to the feature control system  16 , which transmits signals to the various interior features controlled by the memory settings to adjust the various interior features to their pre-determined desired positions as discussed previously in  FIG. 1 . As such, the vehicle interior functions associated with the memory settings are passively controlled based upon the signal received from the user identification device  30 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a vehicle  10  that incorporates example vehicle interior functions that are selectively overridden according to yet another embodiment of the method of the present invention. The example vehicle interior functions that are selectively overridden include but are not limited to an express up/down feature associated with a window and/or a child safety latch. These example vehicle interior functions are electronically controlled by a feature control system  16 . 
     When the vehicle  10  is equipped with the express up/down feature, each window so equipped will automatically travel to a full-up condition or a full-down position with one touch of a window control instead of requiring the window control to be held down through the entire window travel. As such, if a child occupant  40  is located in a seat next to a window equipped with this feature, there is a risk that the child occupant  40  will activate the feature in an undesirable manner. 
     According to the present invention, based upon the passive weight classification and/or biomass sensing strategies discussed above in  FIG. 1 , when a sensing system  18 A senses that a child occupant  40  is located in a seat  20 A, the sensing system  18 A transmits a signal to the feature control system  16  identifying the location of the child occupant  40 . The feature control system  16  then transmits a signal that selectively overrides the express up/down feature associated with a window proximate to the child&#39;s seat  20 A. As such, this process is conducted passively based upon a sensed weight classification and/or biomass. 
     The vehicle  10  may be equipped with a child safety latch feature. Typically, this feature is manually activated by a driver  42  of the vehicle  10  either via an electronic switch on the driver&#39;s door or via a mechanical switch located on an inside edge of the child&#39;s door. When activated, this feature prevents the child occupant  40  from opening a vehicle door proximate to the child&#39;s seat  20 A from the inside of the vehicle  10  by electronically disabling an interior latch release mechanism. 
     In the event that the driver  42  forgets to activate this feature, when the sensing system  18 A senses that a child occupant  40  is located in a seat  20 A based upon the weight classification and/or biomass sensing strategies discussed above, the sensing system  18 A transmits a signal to the feature control system  16  identifying the location of the child occupant  40 . The feature control system  16  then transmits a signal that selectively overrides the interior latch release mechanism associated with a door proximate to the child&#39;s seat  20 A to ensure that the child safety latch feature associated with that door in engaged preventing the child occupant  40  from opening the vehicle door from inside the vehicle  10 . This process is conducted passively based upon a sensed weight classification and/or biomass. 
       FIG. 4A  is a top view schematic illustration of a vehicle that incorporates yet another vehicle interior function selectively restricted according to another embodiment of the method of the present invention. In this example, the interior function that is selectively restricted includes but is not limited to an electrically controlled power-folding seat  52 . 
     When a vehicle  10  is equipped with the electrically controlled power-folding seat  52 , typically a back portion  52 A of the electrically controlled power-folding seat  52  has the ability to travel from a full-up position E 1  to a full-down position E 2  as illustrated by arrow E. However, if a first occupant  54 , seated in a seat H, attempts to actuate his seat to the full-down position E 2  and a second occupant  56  is seated in a seat I, allowing the back portion  52 A to actuate to the full-down position E 2  may produce an undesirable result. 
     As such, according to the present invention, based upon the passive weight classification and/or biomass sensing strategies discussed above in  FIG. 1 , when a sensing system  50 ,  50 A senses that a vehicle seat immediately behind a vehicle seat is occupied, for example, seat I which is immediately behind seat H, or seat G, which is immediately behind seat F, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the sensing system  50 ,  50 A transmits a signal to a feature control system  16  indicating that the seat I is occupied. The feature control system  16  then transmits a signal selectively restricting the travel of the back portion  52 A of the seat H such that the back portion  52 A will not be allowed to travel to the full-down position E 2 . This process is conducted passively based upon the sensed weight classification and/or biomass. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart that schematically illustrates yet another embodiment of the method of the present invention. Known vehicles have the ability to electronically sense when a vehicle is parked and locked. By incorporating the passive weight classification and/or biomass sensing strategies above in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle can also determine if the vehicle is occupied when the vehicle is parked and locked and/or if the vehicle becomes occupied subsequent to the vehicle being parked and locked. 
     If the vehicle is occupied when the vehicle is initially parked and locked, and this occupation continues, the vehicle will monitor an interior function and regulate that interior function after the vehicle is parked and locked. For example, if a child and/or a pet are left in the vehicle, and the vehicle is parked and locked, the vehicle will monitor an interior temperature of the vehicle and regulate the interior temperature of the vehicle to a pre-set level to prevent overheating of the child and/or pet. In addition, when the vehicle remains occupied after being initially parked and locked, the vehicle will provide notification that the vehicle is still occupied. This notification can be provided to the driver, for example, via an electronic signal sent by a feature control system within the vehicle to a personal electronic device carried by the driver, such as a key fob, a pager or a cell phone, or the notification can be provided to a dispatch center. The notification can also be via an audible alarm installed in the vehicle itself. 
     In one example, referring back to  FIG. 1 , the feature control system  16  controls all electronic features associated with a vehicle  10 . As such, the feature control system  16  can determine when the vehicle  10  is parked and locked. Once the feature control system  16  determines that the vehicle  10  is parked and locked, weight classification and/or biomass measurements are taken via a sensing system  18 . Based on these measurements, the sensing system determines whether or not the vehicle  10  is occupied. When the sensing system  18  determines that a vehicle seat  14  is occupied based upon weight classification and/or biomass, as discussed above in  FIG. 1 , and the vehicle  10  is parked and locked, the feature control system  16  generates a signal to provide electronic notification to the driver or initiates the audible alarm. While the illustration shows only one vehicle seat  14  and one sensing system  18  imbedded in the vehicle seat  14 , it is to be appreciated that the vehicle  10  may include multiple vehicle seats  14 , which further include multiple sensing systems  18 , all of which transmit information to the feature control system  16 . 
     Conversely, if the sensing system  18  determines that the vehicle  10  is unoccupied when the vehicle  10  is parked and locked, but becomes occupied while remaining parked and/or locked, the feature control system  16  will also generate a signal to provide electronic notification to the driver that the vehicle has become occupied. For example, if the vehicle  10  is parked and locked in a store parking lot while the driver goes into shop and someone breaks into the vehicle  10  while the driver is in the store, the driver will be notified of the occupation. This can minimize theft and damage to the vehicle and its contents. Again, this notification can be provided to the driver via a personal electronic device, for example, a key fob, pager or cell phone. This notification can also be provided to a dispatch center, or via an audible alarm as discussed above. 
     Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.