Patent Publication Number: US-2023150426-A1

Title: Cabin child seat monitoring methods and systems

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technical field generally relates to vehicles and, more specifically, to methods and systems for monitoring child seats of the vehicles. 
     Vehicle in cabin monitoring feature space using active safety sensors is evolving. Certain vehicles today include systems for determining whether a seat of the vehicle includes an occupant or object. In some instances, a seat of a vehicle may include a child seat that is or is not occupied by a child. 
     The child seat may not be securely installed to the seat and thus, the position of the child seat may vary relative to the seat during operation of the vehicle. Varying of the child seat position can cause different levels of retention on the child occupying the seat. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide methods and systems for monitoring the position of the child seat when the seat is and is not occupied by a child. Other desirable Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes a sensor system and a processor. The sensor system is configured to generate sensor data associated with a seat of a vehicle. The processor is communicatively coupled to the sensor system and is configured to determine, from the sensor data, a baseline position of a child seat sifting on the seat of the vehicle, determine, from the sensor data, a displacement of the child seat from the baseline position, and selectively generate notification data based on the displacement. 
     In various embodiments, the sensor system includes a radar configured within a cabin of the vehicle. 
     In various embodiments, the processor is configured to determine the displacement based on range and doppler data from the radar. 
     In various embodiments, the processor is configured to adjust the displacement based on parameters determined from vehicle maneuvers. 
     In various embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine an ingress or egress event of the vehicle, and wherein the processor determines the baseline position of the child seat based on the ingress or egress event. 
     In various embodiments, the processor is further configured to evaluate a speed of the vehicle, and wherein the processor determines the displacement of the child seat in response to the evaluating the speed of the vehicle. 
     In various embodiments, the displacement includes a dynamically adjusted maximum and a dynamically adjusted minimum value in any direction. 
     In various embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine, based on the sensor data, whether a child is sitting in the child seat, and wherein the processor selectively generates the notification data based on whether the child is sitting in the child seat. 
     In various embodiments, the processor is further configured to receive user input and configure the notification data based on the user input. 
     In various embodiments, the notification data initiates at least one of a visual notification, an audio notification, and a haptic notification. 
     In another embodiments, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, sensor data associated with a seat of a vehicle; determining, by the processor and from the sensor data, a baseline position of a child seat sitting on the seat of the vehicle; determining, by the processor and from the sensor data, a displacement of the child seat from the baseline position; and selectively generating, by the processor, notification data based on the displacement. 
     In various embodiments, the sensor system includes a radar configured within a cabin of the vehicle. 
     In various embodiments, the determining the displacement is based on range and doppler data from the radar. 
     In various embodiments, the method further includes adjusting the displacement based on parameters determined from vehicle maneuvers. 
     In various embodiments, the method further includes determining an ingress or egress event of the vehicle, and wherein the determining the baseline position of the child seat is based on the ingress or egress event. 
     In various embodiments, the method further includes evaluating a speed of the vehicle, and wherein the determining the displacement of the child seat is in response to the evaluating the speed of the vehicle. 
     In various embodiments, the displacement includes a dynamically adjusted maximum and an adjusted minimum value in any direction. 
     In various embodiments, the method further includes determining, based on the sensor data, whether a child is sitting in the child seat, and wherein the selectively generating the notification data is based on whether the child is sitting in the child seat. 
     In various embodiments, the method further includes receiving user input and configuring the notification data based on the user input. 
     In various embodiments, the notification data initiates at least one of a visual notification, an audio notification, and a haptic notification. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a functional block diagram of a vehicle that includes a seat monitoring system, in accordance with exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    is a functional block diagram illustrating a seat monitoring system, in accordance with exemplary embodiments; and 
         FIG.  3    is a flowchart of a process for monitoring a seat of a vehicle, in accordance with exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses thereof. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described herein in terms of functional and/or logical block components and various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such block components may be realized by any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with any number of systems, and that the systems described herein is merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to signal processing, data transmission, signaling, control, and other functional aspects of the systems (and the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent example functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , a seat monitoring system shown generally at  10  is associated with a vehicle  100  in accordance with various embodiments. In general, the seat monitoring system  10  receives sensor data from one or more in cabin sensors and determines a position of a child seat and/or a child in the child seat based on the sensor data. The position of the child seat and/or the child is then used to monitor for retention of the child seat and/or child (i.e., loose seatbelt or no seatbelt securing). The seat monitoring system  10  selectively generates notifications to a user of the vehicle  100  based on the monitoring of the retention. 
     In various embodiments, the vehicle  100  is an automobile. The vehicle  100  may be any one of a number of different types of automobiles, such as, for example, a sedan, a wagon, a truck, or a sport utility vehicle (SUV), and may be two-wheel drive (2WD) (i.e., rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive), four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and/or various other types of vehicles in certain embodiments. In various other embodiments, the vehicle  100  may also be another vehicle, such as an aircraft, a watercraft, a sport utility vehicle, a truck, and so on, and/or one or more other types of mobile platforms (e.g., a robot and/or other mobile platform). 
     The vehicle  100  includes a body  103  that is arranged on a chassis  116 . The body  103  substantially encloses other components of the vehicle  100 . The body  103  and the chassis  116  may jointly form a frame. The vehicle  100  also includes a plurality of wheels  112 . The wheels  112  are each rotationally coupled to the chassis  116  near a respective corner of the body  103  to facilitate movement of the vehicle  100 . In one embodiment, the vehicle  100  includes four wheels  112 , although this may vary in other embodiments (for example for trucks and certain other vehicles). 
     A drive system  110  is mounted on the chassis  116 , and drives the wheels  112 , for example via axles  114 . The drive system  110  preferably comprises a propulsion system. In certain exemplary embodiments, the drive system  110  comprises an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor/generator, coupled with a transmission thereof. In certain embodiments, the drive system  110  may vary, and/or two or more drive systems  110  may be used. By way of example, the vehicle  100  may also incorporate any one of, or combination of, a number of different types of propulsion systems, such as, for example, a gasoline or diesel fueled combustion engine, a “flex fuel vehicle” (FFV) engine (i.e., using a mixture of gasoline and alcohol), a gaseous compound (e.g., hydrogen and/or natural gas) fueled engine, a combustion/electric motor hybrid engine, and an electric motor. 
     A brake system  116  is configured to provide braking torque to the vehicle wheels  112 . The brake system  116  may, in various embodiments, include friction brakes, brake by wire, a regenerative braking system such as an electric machine, and/or other appropriate braking systems. A steering system  118  influences a position of the of the vehicle wheels  112 . While depicted as including a steering wheel for illustrative purposes, in some embodiments contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure, the steering system  118  may not include a steering wheel. 
     In various embodiments, the drive system  110  and/or other components of the vehicle  100  are controlled by a control system  120 . The control system  120  includes a sensor system  122 , an actuator system  124 , and a controller  126 . In various embodiments, the control system  126  communicates with a notification system  132 . The notification system  132  can include any means for notifying an occupant of the vehicle  100  by, for example, a visual notification, an auditory notification, and/or a haptic notification. 
     The sensor system  122  includes one or more sensing devices S 1 -Sn that sense observable conditions of the exterior environment and/or the interior environment of the vehicle  100 . The sensing devices S 1 -Sn can generally include, but are not limited to, radars, lidars, global positioning systems, optical cameras, thermal cameras, ultrasonic sensors, inertial measurement units, and/or other sensors. 
     The actuator system  124  includes one or more actuator devices A 1 -An that control one or more vehicle features such as, but not limited to, the drive system  110 , the steering system  118 , and the brake system  116 . In various embodiments, the vehicle features can further include interior and/or exterior vehicle features such as, but are not limited to, doors, a trunk, and cabin features such as air, music, lighting, etc. (not numbered). 
     The controller  126  includes at least one processor  128  and a computer readable storage device or media  130 . The processor  128  can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the controller  126 , a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a macroprocessor, any combination thereof, or generally any device for executing instructions. The computer readable storage device or media  46  may include volatile and nonvolatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM), for example. KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that may be used to store various operating variables while the processor  128  is powered down. The computer-readable storage device or media  130  may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical, or combination memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by the controller  126  in controlling the vehicle  100 . 
     The instructions may include one or more separate programs, each of which comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. The instructions, when executed by the processor  126 , receive and process signals from the sensor system  122 , perform logic, calculations, methods and/or algorithms for automatically controlling the components of the vehicle  100 , and generate control signals to the actuator system  124  to automatically control the components of the vehicle  100  based on the logic, calculations, methods, and/or algorithms. Although only one controller  126  is shown in  FIG.  1   , embodiments of the vehicle  100  can include any number of controllers  126  that communicate over any suitable communication medium or a combination of communication mediums and that cooperate to process the sensor signals, perform logic, calculations, methods, and/or algorithms, and generate control signals to automatically control features of the vehicle  100 . In various embodiments, one or more instructions of the controller  126  are embodied in the seat monitoring system  10  and, when executed by the processor  128 , process sensor data from the sensor system  122 , perform a process as described in more detail with regard to  FIG.  3   , and generate signal data for generating notifications through the notification system  132 . 
     As shown in more detail in  FIG.  2   , the body  103  and/or frame  116  of the vehicle  100  of  FIG.  1    form an interior cabin  134 . Configured within the cabin  134  are one or more rows of seats  136  that are secured to a floor of the vehicle  100 . For exemplary purposes, a single row of one seat  136  is shown. As can be appreciated, more rows and/or more seats can be implemented in the vehicle  100 , in the various embodiments. 
     At least one of the seats  136  of the row(s) is configured to receive a child seat referred to generally as  138 . In various embodiments, the child seat  138  includes a base, a back support, and a head support. In various embodiments, a seatbelt (not shown) secures the child seat  138  and the child to the seat  136  in a first position shown as child seat  138   a . In some instances, vehicle maneuvers may cause the child seat  138  to move from the original, secured position  138   a  to another position shown as child seat  138   b . The sensor system  122  senses the presence of the child seat, senses the presence of a child, and senses movement  142  of the child seat and generates sensor signals indicating the movement  142  to the controller  126 . 
     In various embodiments, the sensor system  122  may be comprised of one or more occupant mass or force sensors, weight sensors, cameras, range sensors (i.e., radar or lidar), audio sensors, biometric sensors, and/or input sensors. In various embodiments, the occupant mass or force sensors and/or weight sensors are coupled to one or more seats of the vehicle  100  and are configured to detect the presence of an occupant or object on the vehicle seats. In certain embodiments, the cameras, the range sensors, the audio sensor, and the biometric sensors are disposed inside the cabin  134  and configured to detect the seat  136 , the child seat  138  and/or occupants within the cabin  134  of the vehicle  100 . 
     In addition, in certain embodiments, the input sensors comprise one or more touch screen sensors, additional audio sensors (microphones), and/or other input sensors configured to obtain inputs from a driver and/or other occupant of the vehicle  100  (including as to confirmation and/or refinement of the seat monitoring system  10 ). 
     In various embodiments, the display system  132  provides notifications to a driver or other user of the vehicle  100  as to a status of the seat monitoring. Also in various embodiments, the display system  132  allows the driver or other user of the vehicle  100  the opportunity to confirm and/or refine the parameters of the seat monitoring system  10 , for example via interaction with the display system  135  as detected via the input sensors. In certain embodiments, the display system  132  provides a visual depiction of the notification, for example via a display screen. In certain embodiments, an audio, haptic and/or other description of the information pertaining thereto may be provided by the display system  132 . 
     In various embodiments, the controller  126  is disposed within the body  103  of the vehicle  100  as shown. In certain embodiments, the controller  126  and/or one or more components thereof may be disposed outside the body  103 , for example on a remote server, in the cloud, or other device where data processing is performed remotely. 
     It will be appreciated that the controller  126  may otherwise differ from the embodiment depicted in  FIG.  1   . For example, the controller  126  may be coupled to or may otherwise utilize one or more remote computer systems and/or other control systems, for example as part of one or more of the above-identified vehicle  100  devices and systems. 
     It will be appreciated that while this exemplary embodiment is described in the context of a fully functioning computer system, those skilled in the art will recognize that the mechanisms of the present disclosure are capable of being distributed as a program product with one or more types of non-transitory computer-readable signal bearing media used to store the program and the instructions thereof and carry out the distribution thereof, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium bearing the program and containing computer instructions stored therein for causing a computer processor (such as the processor  128 ) to perform and execute the program. Such a program product may take a variety of forms, and the present disclosure applies equally regardless of the particular type of computer-readable signal bearing media used to carry out the distribution. Examples of signal bearing media include recordable media such as floppy disks, hard drives, memory cards and optical disks, and transmission media such as digital and analog communication links. It will be appreciated that cloud-based storage and/or other techniques may also be utilized in certain embodiments. It will similarly be appreciated that the computer system of the controller  126  may also otherwise differ from the embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , for example in that the computer system of the controller  126  may be coupled to or may otherwise utilize one or more remote computer systems and/or other control systems. 
       FIG.  3    is a flowchart of a process  200  for monitoring a child seat of a vehicle and for selectively generating notifications based thereon, in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The process  200  can be implemented in connection with the vehicle  100  of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , in accordance with exemplary embodiments. As can be appreciated in light of the disclosure, the order of operation within the process  200  is not limited to the sequential execution as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , but may be performed in one or more varying orders as applicable and in accordance with the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the process  200  can be scheduled to run based on one or more predetermined events, and/or can run continuously during operation of the vehicle  100 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  3   , the process  200  may begin at  202 . In various embodiments, the process  200  begins when a vehicle drive or ignition cycle begins, for example when a user approaches or enters the vehicle  100 , or when the user unlocks the vehicle, remote starts the vehicle, and/or opens a door of the vehicle (e.g. by turning a key, engaging a keyfob or other button, and so on). At  204 , it is determined whether an occupant ingress/egress event has occurred, for example by monitoring door openings or other events associated therewith. If an ingress/egress event has occurred at  204 , sensor data is obtained at  206 . In various embodiments, the cabin is monitored by obtaining sensor data from one or more of the sensing devices of the sensor system. 
     In various embodiments, at  208 , a determination is made as to whether a vehicle seat is occupied, for example, based on occupant sensor data. If a seat is not occupied at  208 , the process  200  continues with monitoring the cabin at  206 . If, however, a seat is determined to be occupied at  208 , it is determined whether the seat is occupied by a child at  210 . For example, the mass or weight data, or the camera data can be evaluated to determine if the seat is occupied by a child. 
     If the seat is not occupied by a child at  210 , the process  200  continues with monitoring the cabin at  206 . If, however, a seat is occupied by a child at  210 , elevation resolution and doppler logic are used to determine the presence of a child seat at  212 . A baseline rest position of the child seat and the seated child are established at  214 . 
     Thereafter, the vehicle is monitored for motion at  216 . For example, once the vehicle speed is greater than zero (or some other threshold speed), the child movement and the seat movement are monitored based on sensor data from the sensor system at seat movement and child movement hysteresis are determined at  220  and monitored at  222  and  224 . For example, the radar sensor data is used 218 to determine the mean and max position displacements of the child seat in any direction. Vehicle dynamics information is used to understand the vehicle maneuvers and place a weightage to the observed data. 
     If the seat movement or child movement is not greater than a threshold at  222  and  224 , the method continues with monitoring the child movement and seat movement at  218 . If the seat movement or child movement is greater than a threshold at  222  and  224 , notification data is generated to, for example, the notification device at  226 , to notify an occupant of the vehicle that a retention malfunction may have occurred. Thereafter, the process  200  may end at  226 . 
     As can be appreciated, the process  200  is configurable based on user input provided by a user through the notification system. For example, the user is provided an option to enable this feature as well as to determine the child seat location. 
     Accordingly, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for monitoring a child seat of a vehicle. It will be appreciated that the systems, vehicles, and methods may vary from those depicted in the Figures and described herein. For example, the vehicle  100  of  FIG.  1   , and the control system  120  and components thereof, may vary in different embodiments. It will similarly be appreciated that the steps of the process  200  may differ from those depicted in  FIG.  2   , and/or that various steps of the process  200  may occur concurrently and/or in a different order than that depicted in  FIG.  2   . 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof