U.S. patent number 10,889,262 [Application Number 16/209,227] was granted by the patent office on 2021-01-12 for improper seatbelt usage detection.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Tesla, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Tesla, Inc.. Invention is credited to Forrest Wen Liau.
United States Patent |
10,889,262 |
Liau |
January 12, 2021 |
Improper seatbelt usage detection
Abstract
A system for detecting improper usage of a seatbelt of a vehicle
includes a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back. A
shoulder belt and a lap belt are intended to restrain an occupant
sitting on the vehicle seat. The system includes a sensor module
associated with the shoulder belt and the lap belt. The sensor
module generates signals indicative of at least one parameter
associated with the vehicle seat, the shoulder belt, and the lap
belt when the occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat. The system
also includes a controller that receives the signals indicative of
the at least one parameter associated with the seat back, the
shoulder belt, and the lap belt. The controller analyzes the
received one or more signals, and determines whether the seatbelt
is being used improperly by the occupant, based on the
analysis.
Inventors: |
Liau; Forrest Wen (Palo Alto,
CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tesla, Inc. |
Palo Alto |
CA |
US |
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Assignee: |
Tesla, Inc. (Palo Alto,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005294683 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/209,227 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20190168710 A1 |
Jun 6, 2019 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62595257 |
Dec 6, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
21/01532 (20141001); B60R 22/48 (20130101); B60R
2022/4833 (20130101); B60R 2022/4883 (20130101); B60R
2022/4825 (20130101); B60R 2022/4875 (20130101); B60R
2022/4808 (20130101); B60R 2022/4866 (20130101); B60R
2022/4841 (20130101); B60R 2022/4891 (20130101); B60R
2022/4858 (20130101); B60R 2022/485 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
22/48 (20060101); B60R 21/015 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Islam; Syed A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear,
LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority
pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application
No. 62/595,257, entitled "Improper Seatbelt Usage Detection", filed
Dec. 6, 2017, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility patent
application for all purposes.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for detecting improper usage of a seatbelt of a
vehicle, the system comprising: a vehicle seat having a seat
cushion and a seat back; a shoulder belt and a lap belt, wherein
the shoulder belt and lap belt are intended to restrain an occupant
sitting on the vehicle seat; a first sensor module associated with
the shoulder belt and the lap belt, the first sensor module
configured to generate one or more signals indicative of at least
one parameter associated with the vehicle seat in combination with
the occupant sitting on the vehicle seat; a second sensor module
associated with the vehicle seat, the second sensor module
configured to generate one or more signals indicative of at least
one parameter associated with the vehicle seat in combination with
the occupant sitting on the vehicle seat; a controller configured
to: receive the one or more signals from the first sensor module
and the second sensor module; analyze the received one or more
signals from the first sensor module and the second sensor module;
and determine whether the seatbelt is being used improperly by the
occupant, based on the analysis.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor module comprises a
capacitance sensor.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the capacitance sensor is a
mutual capacitance sensor formed between the seat back and the
shoulder belt.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the mutual capacitance sensor is
formed in part by using a conductive material within the seat
back.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the mutual capacitance sensor is
formed in part by using a conductive material integrated within the
shoulder belt.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor module comprises a
self-capacitance sensor formed using the seat back.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the sensor module further
comprises self-capacitance sensor using the shoulder belt.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein the sensor module further
comprises self-capacitance sensor using the lap belt.
9. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller is further
configured to: compare a calculated mutual capacitance with a
threshold value; and determine improper usage of the seatbelt by
the occupant, if the calculated mutual capacitance exceeds the
threshold value.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the threshold value is
pre-determined based on an occupant profile.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor module is an inertial
sensor module.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more signals
indicative of at least one parameter include signals indicative of
a spatial orientation of the shoulder belt.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is further
configured to: receive the signals indicative of the spatial
orientation of the shoulder belt; determine an orientation profile
of the shoulder belt based on the received signals; and determine
whether the seatbelt is being used improperly by the occupant,
based on the determined orientation profile.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is further
configured to: compare the orientation profile of the shoulder belt
with a pre-stored orientation profile of the shoulder belt, wherein
the pre-stored orientation profile corresponds to a proper usage of
the seatbelt; and determine improper usage of the seatbelt by the
occupant, based on the comparison.
15. A system for detecting an improper usage of a seatbelt of a
vehicle, the system comprising: a vehicle seat having a seat
cushion and a seat back; a shoulder belt and a lap belt, wherein
the shoulder belt and the lap belt are intended to restrain an
occupant sitting on the vehicle seat; a first capacitance sensor
disposed with the seat back, wherein the first capacitance sensor
is configured to generate a first signal indicative of self
capacitance measured at the seat back when the occupant is sitting
on the vehicle seat; a second capacitance sensor disposed with the
shoulder belt, wherein the second sensor is configured to generate
a second signal indicative of self capacitance measured at the
shoulder belt when the occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat; a
controller configured to: receive the first signal indicative of
self capacitance measured at the seat back; receive the second
signal indicative of self capacitance measured at the shoulder
belt; compare the first signal and the second signal; and determine
the improper usage of the seatbelt by the occupant based on the
comparison.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is further
configured to: calculate a difference between the first signal and
the second signal; and compare the calculated difference with a
threshold value; and determine improper usage of the seatbelt by
the occupant, if the calculated difference exceeds the threshold
value.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the threshold difference value
is pre-determined based on an occupant profile.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the first capacitance sensor is
integrated within a fabric of the seat back.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein the second capacitance sensor
is integrated within a fabric of the shoulder belt.
20. A system for detecting an improper usage of a seatbelt of a
vehicle, the system comprising: a vehicle seat; a shoulder belt and
a lap belt, wherein the shoulder belt and lap belt are intended to
restrain an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat; an inertial
measurement sensor associated with the shoulder belt, wherein the
inertial measurement sensor generates a first signal indicative of
a spatial orientation of the shoulder belt when the occupant is
sitting on the vehicle seat; a capacitance sensor disposed with the
seat back, wherein the capacitance sensor is configured to generate
a second signal indicative of self capacitance measured at the seat
back when the occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat; and a
controller configured to: receive the first signals indicative of
the spatial orientation of the shoulder belt; receive the second
signals indicative of self capacitance measured at the seat back;
determine an orientation profile of the shoulder belt based on the
received first signals; and determine whether the seatbelt is being
used improperly by the occupant, based on the determined
orientation profile and the received second signals.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the controller is further
configured to: compare the orientation profile of the shoulder belt
with a pre-stored orientation profile of the shoulder belt; and
determine improper usage of the seatbelt by the occupant, based on
the comparison.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the pre-stored orientation
profile corresponds to a proper usage of the seatbelt.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to seatbelt systems in vehicles.
More specifically, the present disclosure relates to detection of
improper usage of seatbelt in vehicles.
BACKGROUND
It is well known that properly-worn seatbelts save lives during
vehicle accidents. A seatbelt system typically comprises a
retractor, D-ring or belt guide, a buckle and associated tongue,
lower belt restraint anchor and seatbelt webbing. Generally, the
seatbelt webbing (or seatbelt) is divided into a lap (belt) portion
and a shoulder (belt) portion. Seatbelt for occupants on a
vehicle's side typically include a shoulder belt intended to be
worn across the occupant's upper torso and a lap belt intended to
be worn across the lap. For safety-belt systems to be effective,
seatbelts must be worn as intended. However, occupants do not
always wear the seatbelts as indented. For example, occupants have
been observed wearing the shoulder belt portion belt behind their
backs, the shoulder belt portion under their arms, or hold another
occupant on their lap. Current monitoring systems cannot determine
whether an occupant is properly using a seatbelt. Thus, there is a
need for a system that detects improper use of seatbelt.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides a restraint system to detect
improper usage of seatbelt. The restraint system includes a
seatbelt, typically with a shoulder belt portion and a lap belt
portion. The system includes a sensor module to ensure proper
seatbelt use. In certain embodiments, the sensor module includes
sensors embedded within the seat itself (for example in the seat
trim), or uses the seat as part of the sensor, to determine if a
seatbelt is worn properly. In embodiments, the sensor module
includes one or more sensors, such as inertial sensors or
radio-frequency (RF) beacons, in the seatbelt. The system also
includes a controller to control that receives signals from the
sensors and determines improper seatbelt usage.
In embodiments, sensor module includes a capacitance sensor formed
between the seatbelt, such as the shoulder belt or lap belt, and
seat, for example, the seat back. The sensor module may measure the
mutual capacitance between the seat back and seatbelt. In other
embodiments, the sensor module may measure the self capacitance of
the seatbelt. In embodiments, the sensor module includes inertial
sensors, which generate signals that the controller uses to
determine shape and orientation of shoulder belt and lap belt to
determine any improper seatbelt usage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary vehicle according to certain
embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates the interior of the exemplary vehicle shown in
FIG. 1, according to certain embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an occupant sitting on a vehicle seat showing
proper usage of seatbelt, according to certain embodiments of the
invention.
FIG. 4 shows a system to detect improper usage of seatbelt by
occupant sitting on vehicle seat, according to certain embodiments
of the invention.
FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of system to detect improper
usage of seatbelt, according to certain embodiments of the
invention.
FIG. 6 shows an example of improper usage of seatbelt, and
detection of the same, according to certain embodiments of the
invention.
FIG. 7 shows another example of improper usage of seatbelt, and
detection of the same, according to certain embodiments of the
invention.
FIG. 8 shows another exemplary embodiment of system to detect
improper usage of seatbelt, according to certain embodiments of the
invention.
FIG. 9 shows an example of improper usage of seatbelt, and
detection of the same, according to certain embodiments of the
invention.
Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best
understood by referring to the detailed description that follows.
The description herein are for purposes of illustrating embodiments
of the present disclosure and not for purposes of limiting it.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary vehicle 100. Vehicle 100 may be a
passenger car, truck, sport utility vehicle, or van. Vehicle 100
includes a frame 102 that is supported by a set of wheels 104.
Vehicle 100 includes a power source (not shown) configured to
propel vehicle 100. Vehicle 100 may be a manually driven vehicle, a
semi-autonomous vehicle, or an autonomous vehicle. Vehicle 100 may
include any suitable arrangement of vehicle seats 106 (shown in
FIG. 2 onwards) inside vehicle 100 to accommodate passengers. For
example, vehicle 100 may include two rows of vehicle seats having
driver seat in front. Another exemplary arrangement is provided in
FIG. 2. It should be understood that vehicle 100 may include
various other essential and non-essential components which are not
being discussed in context of present disclosure, as present
disclosure is not limited by any such components in any manner.
FIG. 2 shows vehicle 100 as an autonomously driven vehicle having
vehicle seats 106 provided such that occupants 202 sitting on
vehicle seats 106 face each other. In embodiments, vehicle 100 is
not autonomously driven. Vehicle 100 includes safety systems for
ensuring safety of occupants 202 while riding in vehicle 100 in
case of an unwanted event such as a crash, a sudden acceleration,
or deceleration etc. One of such system is a seatbelt system.
Seatbelt system includes seatbelts associated with each of vehicle
seats 106 to ensure occupants 202 are seated on vehicle seats 106
in case of an unwanted event.
FIG. 3 schematically shows occupant 202 sitting on vehicle seat
106. Vehicle seat 106 includes a seat back 302 and a seat cushion
304. A seatbelt 306 is provided to ensure safety of occupant 202
sitting on vehicle seat 106. Seatbelt 306 includes a shoulder belt
308 and a lap belt 310. Shoulder belt 308 and lap belt 310 together
restrain occupant 202 sitting on vehicle seat 106. Shoulder belt
308 is intended to pass over the shoulder of occupant 202, and lap
belt 310 is intended to pass over the lap of occupant 202, and is
an example of a proper wearing of the seatbelt. When properly used,
seatbelt 306 restrains occupant 202 sitting on vehicle seat 106 and
ensures safety of occupant 202. It should be understood that
seatbelt system may include various other structural components
such as a retractor, D-ring or belt guide, a buckle and associated
tongue, lower belt restraint anchor etc., which are not being
discussed in context of present disclosure, as present disclosure
is not limited by any such components in any manner. In certain
embodiments, may involve a one-piece seat without a clearly defined
cushion and back portion, similar to a hammock. A person of skill
will understand that the cushion portion to refer to the region
where an occupant's buttocks and/or upper legs are intended to
contact the seat. A person of skill in the art would similarly
understand that the inventions described herein could be applied to
future belt concepts that do not have a lap belt, for example, a
three-point restraint system or a restraint system similar to a
roller coaster top-down restraint system. In such restraint
systems, a person of skill would understand that the restraint or
restraint belt may contain sensors or be part of a sensing system
in the same manner as described herein for the lap belt and
shoulder belt.
FIG. 4 illustrates a system 400 to detect improper usage of
seatbelt 306 according to certain embodiments. System 400 includes
vehicle seat 106 having seat back 302 and seat cushion 304. System
400 includes seatbelt 306 having shoulder belt 308 and lap belt
310. System 400 further includes a sensor module 402 associated
with vehicle seat 106, shoulder belt 308 and lap belt 310. Sensor
module 402 may be a single sensor, or a group of multiple sensors.
Sensor module 402 may be configured to generate signals indicative
of at least one parameter associated with vehicle seat 106,
shoulder belt 308, and lap belt 310 while occupant 202 is sitting
on vehicle seat 106. Sensor module 402 may be found within seatbelt
306, seat back 302, and seat cushion 304 and is shown with
crosshatched lines (//) to so indicate. The crosshatching between
sensor module 402 and controller 404 indicates that the connection
between the two may be wired, wireless, or via another connection
method. The two may also be integrated together.
System 400 further includes a controller 404. Controller 404 may be
a single controller, or multiple controllers grouped together, a
microprocessor, field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other
such device which may be configured to perform all desired
functions of controller 404. Controller 404 includes an associated
memory 406. Memory 406 may store data regarding usage of vehicle
100, occupant profiles of occupants 202 which use vehicle 100 such
as, but not limited to, information about weight, height, posture
of occupants 202 etc. Memory 406 may also store any other such
information which may be suitable for use with various aspects of
present disclosure. Controller 404 receive signals generated by
sensor module 402, and analyzes received signals. Controller 404
determines whether seatbelt 306 is being used improperly based on
analysis of signals. In certain embodiments, the mutual capacitance
between the seat back and the shoulder belt 308 is determined. In
other embodiments, the mutual capacitance between the seat cushion
and the shoulder belt 308 is determined. Controller 404 may
determine, or otherwise use, a range of acceptable capacitance
values, indicative of proper seatbelt usage, and/or a range of
values indicating improper seatbelt usage. Controller 404 may
determine proper or improper seatbelt usage for both the shoulder
belt and lap belt jointly or independently.
FIG. 5 shows another aspect of the present disclosure, according to
certain embodiments. Sensor module 402 includes a first capacitance
sensor 502, and a second capacitance sensor 504. The first
capacitance sensor 502 and second capacitance sensor 504 may form a
single sensor in which mutual capacitance is determined.
Capacitance sensor may be any type of a sensor, or part thereof. In
embodiments, the first capacitance sensor 502 is integrated into
the seat back 302, such as in the trim of the seat back. First
capacitance sensor 502 may be integrated with a fabric of seat back
302, or may be provided in form of conductive fibers or yarns
embedded within seat back 302. Second capacitance sensor 504 may be
integrated with a fabric of shoulder belt 308, or may be provided
in form of conductive fibers or yarns embedded with shoulder belt
308. Together, the first capacitance sensor 502 and the second
capacitance sensor 504 are used to measure the mutual capacitance
between the seat back 302 and shoulder belt 308, which will be
different depending on whether the occupant 202 is sitting on
vehicle seat 106 and properly using the seatbelt 306 or not.
Alternatively, the first capacitance sensor 502 or second
capacitive sensor may measure self capacitance, which similarly
provides different measurements depending on whether an occupant is
seated on the vehicle seat 106 and seatbelt 306 is used properly or
not. Controller 404 is configured to receive first signal and
second signal. Controller 404 may include suitable communication
hardware components such as transmitter, receiver, or transceiver
etc. to receive signals.
Controller 404 receives signals from sensor module 402 and analyzes
them to determine if a seatbelt is properly installed. In certain
embodiments, the mutual capacitance between the seat back and the
shoulder belt 308 is determined. In other embodiments, the mutual
capacitance between the seat cushion and the shoulder belt 308 is
determined. Controller 404 may determine, or otherwise use, a range
of acceptable capacitance values, indicative of proper seatbelt
usage, and/or a range of values indicating improper seatbelt usage.
Controller 404 may determine proper or improper seatbelt usage for
both the shoulder belt and lap belt jointly or independently. In
another embodiment, the controller may compare mutual capacitance
value from the mutual capacitance of the shoulder belt 308 and the
seat back 302 to the mutual capacitance of the lap belt 310 to the
seat cushion 304 to determine if the occupant is properly using the
seat belt.
In certain embodiment, controller 404 may have a threshold value of
the mutual capacitance stored in associated memory 406. Controller
404 may compare the calculated mutual capacitance to this stored
threshold value. When seatbelt 306 is used properly, the measured
capacitance is lower than (or above in certain embodiments) the
threshold value. If the measured capacitance fails this comparison,
then controller 404 may determine improper seatbelt usage, which
may result in a warning. Repeated warnings may cause the disabling
of driving (for example, when the vehicle is autonomously driven).
Threshold values may be pre-stored in memory 406 based on one or
more occupant profiles of occupants 202 of vehicle 100. In certain
embodiments, the threshold values may be ratios of measured
capacitance. In other embodiments, the measured capacitance profile
is compared to stored reference profiles in associated memory 406
established by machine learning to determine a most probable state
of seatbelt usage.
FIG. 6 shows an exemplary scenario of improper usage of seatbelt
306 that may be determined according to the present disclosure. Two
occupants 202 are illustrated. A first occupant 602 is sitting on
vehicle seat 106, and is wearing seatbelt 306. A second occupant
604 is illustrated as sitting on lap of first occupant 602, and is
not wearing seatbelt 306. The present disclosure detects improper
usage of seatbelt 306 in such a scenario. First capacitance sensor
502 measures self capacitance at the seat back 302, and second
capacitance sensor 504 measures capacitance at shoulder belt 308.
Capacitance measured by first capacitance sensor 502 provides
measurement according to one body i.e. only for first occupant 602.
Capacitance measured by second capacitance sensor 504 provides
measurement according to two bodies i.e. both first occupant 602
and second occupant 604. Controller 404 receives signals from the
measurements and analyzes the signals to determine whether multiple
occupants 202 are present and thus improperly using seatbelt 306.
In other embodiments, sensor module 402 uses the mutual capacitance
between the seat and the seatbelt 306 and the self capacitance of
either the seat or seatbelt to determine improper seatbelt
usage.
FIG. 7 shows another exemplary scenario of improper seatbelt usage
when occupant 202 has placed shoulder belt 308 under his arm
instead of placing shoulder belt 308 above his shoulder. In this
case, first capacitance sensor 502 located within seat back 302 and
second capacitance sensor 504 located within shoulder belt 308
sense capacitive interaction between seat back 302 and shoulder
belt 308. Seat back 302 and shoulder belt 308 may also be equipped
with wireless communication components, such that controller 404
may detect when they are coming closer than a threshold distance to
each other. Controller 404 receives signals from both first
capacitance sensor 502 and second capacitance sensor 504, and
determines improper usage of seatbelt 306 based on detected
capacitive interaction between first capacitance sensor 502 and
second capacitance sensor 504. In certain embodiments, sensor
module 402 emits a wireless signal through capacitance sensor 502
and controller 404 receives signals from capacitance sensor 504. In
other embodiments, sensor module 402 emits a wireless signal
through capacitance sensor 504 and controller 404 receives signals
from capacitance sensor 502. Other improper seatbelt usage includes
the occupant placing shoulder belt behind the occupant's body, a
belt bypass system in which the seatbelt is clipped in an extended
position, latching the seatbelt, but sitting on top of it, a child
sitting with a lap belt that hits the child around the neck because
the child is not sitting on a booster seat, or an occupant has fake
visual belt, such as a stripe across the occupant's shirt that can
bypass a machine vision camera safety system looking for a belt.
These cases can be similarly determined using the capacitance
measurements in similar manners.
FIG. 8 shows yet another aspect of present disclosure. Sensor
module 402 includes an inertial sensor 802. Inertial sensor 802 is
integrated with shoulder belt 308 and lap belt 310. Inertial
sensors generate signals that controller 404 uses to determine
spatial orientation of shoulder belt 308 and lap belt 310. Inertial
sensor 802 may be an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or any other type
of a device which may be used to measure spatial orientation.
Controller 404 receives signals generated by inertial sensor 802
and determines an orientation profile of shoulder belt 308 and lap
belt 310 based on received signals. Orientation profile may refer
to any type of an orientation or mapping system that describes the
three-dimensional orientation of the shoulder belt 308 and/or lap
belt 310. This orientation may include the orientation of the
shoulder belt 308 and lap belt 310 relative to vehicle seat 106 and
occupant 202 sitting on vehicle seat 106. In certain embodiments,
controller 404 compares the determined orientation or mapping
compared to a pre-stored orientation profile of the shoulder belt
308 or as lap belt 310 to determine whether seatbelt 306 is being
used properly. Controller 404 may compare a determined orientation
profile (or range of orientations) with pre-stored orientation
profile. The comparison may include a range of acceptable
orientation angles at for heights above the seat cushion 304 or
other reference point. In certain embodiments, controller 404 may
compare signals received from inertial sensor 802 to signal
received from another inertial sensor in vehicle 100 to account for
vehicle movement affecting inertial sensor 802.
For example, FIG. 9 shows an exemplary scenario when occupant 202
has placed shoulder belt 308 under his arm instead of placing
shoulder belt 308 above shoulder. In this case, inertial sensor
module 802 integrated with shoulder belt 308 and lap belt 310
generates signals that controller 404 uses to determine the spatial
orientation of shoulder belt 308 and lap belt 310. Controller 404
then compares the determined orientation of shoulder belt 308 and
lap belt 310 to pre-stored orientation profiles of shoulder belt
308 and lap belt 310 respectively corresponding to proper usage of
seatbelt 306. Alternatively, controller 404 may compare a
determined orientation profile (or range of orientations) with
pre-stored orientation profile. The comparison may include a range
of acceptable orientation angles at for heights above the seat
cushion 304 or other reference point. When the shoulder belt 308
passes under arm of occupant 202, the orientation profile of
shoulder belt 308 will be different than the pre-stored orientation
profile corresponding to proper usage of seatbelt 306. For example,
when used properly, shoulder belt 308 may be almost horizontal near
the occupant's shoulder, so excess tilt in that area may indicate
shoulder belt 308 being tucked under one's arm or wrapping around
the side of one's neck. Similarly, when properly used, lap belt 310
may be horizontal or around 45 degrees, with higher degrees of tilt
indicating lap belt 310 is too high (going around abdomen) and no
tilt at all indicating that the belt is under the occupant. Thus,
controller 404 determines seatbelt 306 is being used improperly
based on comparison between determined orientation profile and
pre-stored orientation profile of shoulder belt 308 and lap belt
310. In other embodiments, an RF beacon, an infrared tag, or
another sensor is used instead of, or in addition to, an inertial
sensor, to determine improper seatbelt usage.
In other embodiments, an RF beacon is used instead of, or in
addition to, an inertial sensor, to determine improper seatbelt
usage. Other improper seatbelt usage includes the occupant placing
the shoulder belt behind the occupant's body, a belt bypass system
in which the seatbelt is clipped in an extended position, latching
the seatbelt, but sitting on top of it, a child sitting with a lap
belt that hits the child around the neck because the child is not
sitting on a booster seat, or an occupant has fake visual belt,
such as a stripe across the occupant's shirt. These cases can be
similarly determined using the inertial or RF beacon measurements.
In other embodiments, the inertial sensors (and/or RF beacons
and/or infrared tags) and capacitance sensors are both present to
determine improper seatbelt usage. In certain embodiments,
controller 404 may classify the occupant or child seat using
information received. In other embodiments, controller 404
determine the posture of the occupant using information
received.
After determining improper usage of seatbelt 306, controller 404
may issue a warning, a notification, sound an alarm, or may even
not allow to operate vehicle 100 until seatbelt 306 is used
properly. A warning may be a text message displayed on display
system of vehicle infotainment system, or an alarm sounding on
vehicle infotainment system, a text message to registered mobile
number of occupant, etc. Controller 404 may perform any other type
of follow up actions as well to ensure proper usage of seatbelt 306
while driving vehicle 100. The present disclosure is not limited by
any such follow up actions in any manner.
The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present
disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use
disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate
embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether
explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of
the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present
disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from
the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure
is limited only by the claims.
In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described
with reference to specific embodiments. However, as one skilled in
the art will appreciate, various embodiments disclosed herein can
be modified or otherwise implemented in various other ways without
departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly,
this description is to be considered as illustrative and is for the
purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of making
and using various embodiments of the disclosed air vent assembly.
It is to be understood that the forms of disclosure herein shown
and described are to be taken as representative embodiments.
Equivalent elements, materials, processes or steps may be
substituted for those representatively illustrated and described
herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure may be
utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would
be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of
this description of the disclosure. Expressions such as
"including", "comprising", "incorporating", "consisting of",
"have", "is" used to describe and claim the present disclosure are
intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing
for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to
be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to
relate to the plural.
Further, various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in
the illustrative and explanatory sense, and should in no way be
construed as limiting of the present disclosure. All joinder
references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, connected, and the
like) are only used to aid the reader's understanding of the
present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as
to the position, orientation, or use of the systems and/or methods
disclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references, if any, are to be
construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references do not
necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected to each
other.
Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to,
"first", "second", "third", "primary", "secondary", "main" or any
other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as
identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various
elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the
present disclosure, and may not create any limitations,
particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element,
embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over,
another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.
It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements
depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more
separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as
inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a
particular application. Additionally, any signal hatches in the
drawings/figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not
limiting, unless otherwise specifically specified.
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