U.S. patent application number 16/424826 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-03 for system and method for providing haptic counteractions and alerts within a seat of a vehicle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Joseph Anthony Alequin, Hartley Ochavillo, Stuart Masakazu Yamamoto.
Application Number | 20200377015 16/424826 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005218609 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200377015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamamoto; Stuart Masakazu ;
et al. |
December 3, 2020 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING HAPTIC COUNTERACTIONS AND ALERTS
WITHIN A SEAT OF A VEHICLE
Abstract
A system and method for providing haptic counteractions and
alerts within a seat of a vehicle that include determining that at
least one front seat passenger is occupying at least one front
passenger seat and at least one rear seat passenger is occupying at
least one rear passenger seat. The system and method also include
determining a location of the at least one rear seat passenger with
respect to a location of the at least one front seat passenger
within the vehicle and determining if at least one disturbance is
affecting the at least one front passenger seat. The system and
method further include actuating at least one vibrational element
to counteract the at least one disturbance affecting the at least
one front passenger seat and to provide a reminder alert pertaining
to the at least one rear seat passenger to the at least one front
seat passenger.
Inventors: |
Yamamoto; Stuart Masakazu;
(La Mirada, CA) ; Ochavillo; Hartley; (Marina Del
Rey, CA) ; Alequin; Joseph Anthony; (Los Angeles,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005218609 |
Appl. No.: |
16/424826 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60Q 9/00 20130101; B60N
2/002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 9/00 20060101
B60Q009/00; B60N 2/00 20060101 B60N002/00 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method for providing haptic
counteractions and alerts within a seat of a vehicle, comprising:
determining that at least one front seat passenger is occupying at
least one front passenger seat of the vehicle and at least one rear
seat passenger is occupying at least one rear passenger seat of the
vehicle; determining a location of the at least one rear seat
passenger with respect to a location of the at least one front seat
passenger within the vehicle; determining if at least one
disturbance is affecting the at least one front passenger seat of
the vehicle that is caused by the at least one rear seat passenger
of the vehicle; and actuating at least one vibrational element to
counteract the at least one disturbance affecting the at least one
front passenger seat of the vehicle and to provide a reminder alert
pertaining to the at least one rear seat passenger to the at least
one front seat passenger.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining
the location of the at least one rear seat passenger with respect
to the location of the at least one front seat passenger includes
analyzing data provided by seat weight sensors to determine the
location of the at least one front seat passenger of the vehicle
and the location of the at least one rear seat passenger of the
vehicle.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further including
analyzing data provided by seat weight sensors and storing a
category of the at least one rear seat passenger of the vehicle,
wherein the category of the at least one rear seat passenger
includes at least one of: an adult, a child, and an infant.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further including
storing the location of the at least one front seat passenger of
the vehicle, the location of the at least one rear seat passenger
of the vehicle, and the category of the at least one rear seat
passenger onto an occupant determination data store each time at
least one ignition mode of the vehicle is enabled.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein determining
the location of the at least one rear seat passenger with respect
to the location of the at least one front seat passenger includes
determining that at least one ignition mode of the vehicle is
disabled and accessing the occupant determination data store to
retrieve a latest stored determination of occupancy of the at least
one front passenger seat, a latest stored determination of
occupancy of the at least one rear passenger seat, and a latest
stored determination of the category of the at least one rear seat
passenger.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein actuating
the at least one vibrational element includes actuating the at
least one vibrational element disposed at a region of the at least
one front passenger seat at a particular intensity level and
frequency based on the latest stored determination of occupancy of
the at least one front passenger seat, the latest stored
determination of occupancy of the at least one rear passenger seat,
and the latest stored determination of the category of the at least
one rear seat passenger.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining
if the at least one disturbance is affecting the at least one front
passenger seat of the vehicle includes receiving data from seat
back sensors disposed at a rear portion of the at least one front
passenger seat and determining a region of the at least one front
passenger seat that is affected by the at least one
disturbance.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein determining
if the at least one disturbance is affecting the at least one front
passenger seat of the vehicle includes determining at least one
disturbance level that is associated with an intensity, a
direction, and a force of the at least disturbance that is placed
upon the region of the at least one front passenger seat.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein actuating
the at least one vibrational element includes actuating the at
least one vibrational element to provide at least one counteractive
vibration at the region of the at least one front passenger seat
that is affected by the at least one disturbance at a level that
corresponds to the at least one disturbance level.
10. A system for providing haptic counteractions and alerts within
a seat of a vehicle, comprising: a memory storing instructions when
executed by a processor cause the processor to: determine that at
least one front seat passenger is occupying at least one front
passenger seat of the vehicle and at least one rear seat passenger
is occupying at least one rear passenger seat of the vehicle;
determine a location of the at least one rear seat passenger with
respect to a location of the at least one front seat passenger
within the vehicle; determine if at least one disturbance is
affecting the at least one front passenger seat of the vehicle that
is caused by the at least one rear seat passenger of the vehicle;
and actuate at least one vibrational element to counteract the at
least one disturbance affecting the at least one front passenger
seat of the vehicle and to provide a reminder alert pertaining to
the at least one rear seat passenger to the at least one front seat
passenger.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein determining the location of the
at least one rear seat passenger with respect to the location of
the at least one front seat passenger includes analyzing data
provided by seat weight sensors to determine the location of the at
least one front seat passenger of the vehicle and the location of
the at least one rear seat passenger of the vehicle.
12. The system of claim 11, further including analyzing data
provided by seat weight sensors and storing a category of the at
least one rear seat passenger of the vehicle, wherein the category
of the at least one rear seat passenger includes at least one of:
an adult, a child, and an infant.
13. The system of claim 12, further including storing the location
of the at least one front seat passenger of the vehicle, the
location of the at least one rear seat passenger of the vehicle,
and the category of the at least one rear seat passenger onto an
occupant determination data store each time at least one ignition
mode of the vehicle is enabled.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein determining the location of the
at least one rear seat passenger with respect to the location of
the at least one front seat passenger includes determining that at
least one ignition mode of the vehicle is disabled and accessing
the occupant determination data store to retrieve a latest stored
determination of occupancy of the at least one front passenger
seat, a latest stored determination of occupancy of the at least
one rear passenger seat, and a latest stored determination of the
category of the at least one rear seat passenger.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein actuating the at least one
vibrational element includes actuating the at least one vibrational
element disposed at a region of the at least one front passenger
seat at a particular intensity level and frequency based on the
latest stored determination of occupancy of the at least one front
passenger seat, the latest stored determination of occupancy of the
at least one rear passenger seat, and the latest stored
determination of the category of the at least one rear seat
passenger.
16. The system of claim 10, wherein determining if the at least one
disturbance is affecting the at least one front passenger seat of
the vehicle includes receiving data from seat back sensors disposed
at a rear portion of the at least one front passenger seat and
determining a region of the at least one front passenger seat that
is affected by the at least one disturbance.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein determining if the at least one
disturbance is affecting the at least one front passenger seat of
the vehicle includes determining at least one disturbance level
that is associated with an intensity, a direction, and a force of
the at least disturbance that is placed upon the region of the at
least one front passenger seat.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein actuating the at least one
vibrational element includes actuating the at least one vibrational
element to provide at least one counteractive vibration at the
region of the at least one front passenger seat that is affected by
the at least one disturbance at a level that corresponds to the at
least one disturbance level.
19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing
instructions that when executed by a computer, which includes a
processor perform a method, the method comprising: determining that
at least one front seat passenger is occupying at least one front
passenger seat of a vehicle and at least one rear seat passenger is
occupying at least one rear passenger seat of the vehicle;
determining a location of the at least one rear seat passenger with
respect to a location of the at least one front seat passenger
within the vehicle; determining if at least one disturbance is
affecting the at least one front passenger seat of the vehicle that
is caused by the at least one rear seat passenger of the vehicle;
and actuating at least one vibrational element to counteract the at
least one disturbance affecting the at least one front passenger
seat of the vehicle and to provide a reminder alert pertaining to
the at least one rear seat passenger to the at least one front seat
passenger.
20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim
19, wherein actuating the at least one vibrational element includes
actuating the at least one vibrational element disposed at a region
of the at least one front passenger seat at a particular intensity
level and frequency based on a latest stored determination of
occupancy of the at least one front passenger seat, a latest stored
determination of occupancy of the at least one rear passenger seat,
and a latest stored determination of a category of the at least one
rear seat passenger.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] In many instances front seat drivers and/or front seat
passengers may travel with children that are seated behind them who
are occupying rear seats of the vehicle. As may be experienced by
many individuals, children sitting in the rear seats may be prone
to persistent kicking or pushing of one or more front seats of the
vehicle. Such persistent kicking or pushing of one or more front
seats may cause discomfort to the driver and/or front seat
passengers. In some cases, the sensation may cause a level of
distraction with respect to the operation of the vehicle.
[0002] In other cases, children sitting in the rear seats may be
sleeping and/or may not make any noise as they are quietly seated.
Accordingly, it may be possible for those seated in the front seat
to forget that the children are seated within the vehicle which may
lead to them being accidently left within the vehicle as the driver
and the front seat passengers exit the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0003] According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method for
providing haptic counteractions and alerts within a seat of a
vehicle that includes determining that at least one front seat
passenger is occupying at least one front passenger seat of the
vehicle and at least one rear seat passenger is occupying at least
one rear passenger seat of the vehicle. The computer-implemented
method also includes determining a location of the at least one
rear seat passenger with respect to a location of the at least one
front seat passenger within the vehicle and determining if at least
one disturbance is affecting the at least one front passenger seat
of the vehicle that is caused by the at least one rear seat
passenger of the vehicle. The computer-implemented method further
includes actuating at least one vibrational element to counteract
the at least one disturbance affecting the at least one front
passenger seat of the vehicle and to provide a reminder alert
pertaining to the at least one rear seat passenger to the at least
one front seat passenger.
[0004] According to another aspect, a system for providing haptic
counteractions and alerts within a seat of a vehicle that includes
a memory storing instructions when executed by a processor cause
the processor to determine that at least one front seat passenger
is occupying at least one front passenger seat of the vehicle and
at least one rear seat passenger is occupying at least one rear
passenger seat of the vehicle. The instructions also cause the
processor to determine a location of the at least one rear seat
passenger with respect to a location of the at least one front seat
passenger within the vehicle and determine if at least one
disturbance is affecting the at least one front passenger seat of
the vehicle that is caused by the at least one rear seat passenger
of the vehicle. The instructions further cause the processor to
actuate at least one vibrational element to counteract the at least
one disturbance affecting the at least one front passenger seat of
the vehicle and to provide a reminder alert pertaining to the at
least one rear seat passenger to the at least one front seat
passenger.
[0005] According to an additional aspect, a non-transitory computer
readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by
a computer, which includes a processor perform a method that
includes determining that at least one front seat passenger is
occupying at least one front passenger seat of a vehicle and at
least one rear seat passenger is occupying at least one rear
passenger seat of the vehicle. The computer-implemented method also
includes determining a location of the at least one rear seat
passenger with respect to a location of the at least one front seat
passenger within the vehicle and determining if at least one
disturbance is affecting the at least one front passenger seat of
the vehicle that is caused by the at least one rear seat passenger
of the vehicle. The computer-implemented method further includes
actuating at least one vibrational element to counteract the at
least one disturbance affecting the at least one front passenger
seat of the vehicle and to provide a reminder alert pertaining to
the at least one rear seat passenger to the at least one front seat
passenger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an operating environment for
providing haptic counteractions and alerts within a seat of a
vehicle 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0007] FIG. 2A is an illustrative view of the vibrational elements
located within a plurality of regions of one or more front seats of
the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2B is an illustrative view of the seat back sensors
disposed at a rear portion of one or more of the front seats of the
vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram of a method for
counteracting one or more disturbances affecting one or more front
seats of the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a method for providing
one or more haptic reminder alerts to one or more front seat
passengers regarding the presence of one or more rear seat
passengers seated within one or more of the rear seats of the
vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
[0011] FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram of a method for providing
haptic counteractions and alerts within a seat of a vehicle
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The following includes definitions of selected terms
employed herein. The definitions include various examples and/or
forms of components that fall within the scope of a term and that
can be used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be
limiting.
[0013] A "bus", as used herein, refers to an interconnected
architecture that is operably connected to other computer
components inside a computer or between computers. The bus can
transfer data between the computer components. The bus can be a
memory bus, a memory controller, a peripheral bus, an external bus,
a crossbar switch, and/or a local bus, among others. The bus can
also be a vehicle bus that interconnects components inside a
vehicle using protocols such as Media Oriented Systems Transport
(MOST), Controller Area network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network
(LIN), among others.
[0014] "Computer communication", as used herein, refers to a
communication between two or more computing devices (e.g.,
computer, personal digital assistant, cellular telephone, network
device) and can be, for example, a network transfer, a file
transfer, an applet transfer, an email, a hypertext transfer
protocol (HTTP) transfer, and so on. A computer communication can
occur across, for example, a wireless system (e.g., IEEE 802.11),
an Ethernet system (e.g., IEEE 802.3), a token ring system (e.g.,
IEEE 802.5), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN),
a point-to-point system, a circuit switching system, a packet
switching system, among others.
[0015] A "disk", as used herein can be, for example, a magnetic
disk drive, a solid state disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a tape
drive, a Zip drive, a flash memory card, and/or a memory stick.
Furthermore, the disk can be a CD-ROM (compact disk ROM), a CD
recordable drive (CD-R drive), a CD rewritable drive (CD-RW drive),
and/or a digital video ROM drive (DVD ROM). The disk can store an
operating system that controls or allocates resources of a
computing device.
[0016] A "database", as used herein can refer to table, a set of
tables, and a set of data stores and/or methods for accessing
and/or manipulating those data stores. Some databases can be
incorporated with a disk as defined above.
[0017] A " memory", as used herein can include volatile memory
and/or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include, for
example, ROM (read only memory), PROM (programmable read only
memory), EPROM (erasable PROM), and EEPROM (electrically erasable
PROM). Volatile memory can include, for example, RAM (random access
memory), synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous
DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), and direct RAM
bus RAM (DRRAM). The memory can store an operating system that
controls or allocates resources of a computing device.
[0018] A " module", as used herein, includes, but is not limited
to, non-transitory computer readable medium that stores
instructions, instructions in execution on a machine, hardware,
firmware, software in execution on a machine, and/or combinations
of each to perform a function(s) or an action(s), and/or to cause a
function or action from another module, method, and/or system. A
module may also include logic, a software controlled
microprocessor, a discrete logic circuit, an analog circuit, a
digital circuit, a programmed logic device, a memory device
containing executing instructions, logic gates, a combination of
gates, and/or other circuit components. Multiple modules may be
combined into one module and single modules may be distributed
among multiple modules.
[0019] An "operable connection", or a connection by which entities
are "operably connected", is one in which signals, physical
communications, and/or logical communications can be sent and/or
received. An operable connection can include a wireless interface,
a physical interface, a data interface and/or an electrical
interface.
[0020] A "processor", as used herein, processes signals and
performs general computing and arithmetic functions. Signals
processed by the processor can include digital signals, data
signals, computer instructions, processor instructions, messages, a
bit, a bit stream, or other means that can be received, transmitted
and/or detected. Generally, the processor can be a variety of
various processors including multiple single and multicore
processors and co-processors and other multiple single and
multicore processor and co-processor architectures. The processor
can include various modules to execute various functions.
[0021] A "portable device", as used herein, is a computing device
typically having a display screen with user input (e.g., touch,
keyboard) and a processor for computing. Portable devices include,
but are not limited to, handheld devices, mobile devices, smart
phones, laptops, tablets and e-readers. In some embodiments, a
"portable device" could refer to a remote device that includes a
processor for computing and/or a communication interface for
receiving and transmitting data remotely.
[0022] A "vehicle", as used herein, refers to any moving vehicle
that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is
powered by any form of energy. The term "vehicle" includes, but is
not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, motorcycles,
scooters, boats, go-karts, amusement ride cars, rail transport,
personal watercraft, and aircraft. In some cases, a motor vehicle
includes one or more engines. Further, the term "vehicle" can refer
to an electric vehicle (EV) that is capable of carrying one or more
human occupants and is powered entirely or partially by one or more
electric motors powered by an electric battery. The EV can include
battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles (PHEV). The term "vehicle" can also refer to an autonomous
vehicle and/or self-driving vehicle powered by any form of energy.
The autonomous vehicle may or may not carry one or more human
occupants. Further, the term "vehicle" can include vehicles that
are automated or non-automated with pre-determined paths or
free-moving vehicles.
[0023] A "value" and "level", as used herein can include, but is
not limited to, a numerical or other kind of value or level such as
a percentage, a non-numerical value, a discrete state, a discrete
value, a continuous value, among others. The term "value of X" or
"level of X" as used throughout this detailed description and in
the claims refers to any numerical or other kind of value for
distinguishing between two or more states of X. For example, in
some cases, the value or level of X may be given as a percentage
between 0% and 100%. In other cases, the value or level of X could
be a value in the range between 1 and 10. In still other cases, the
value or level of X may not be a numerical value, but could be
associated with a given discrete state, such as "not X", "slightly
x", "x", "very x" and "extremely x".
I. System Overview
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating one or more exemplary embodiments and not
for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an
operating environment 100 for providing haptic counteractions and
alerts within a seat of a vehicle 102 according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure. The components of the
environment 100, as well as the components of other systems,
hardware architectures, and software architectures discussed
herein, may be combined, omitted, or organized into different
architectures for various embodiments.
[0025] Generally, the vehicle 102 includes an electronic control
unit (ECU) 104 that executes or accesses a vehicle haptic
counteractive alert application 106 (counteractive alert
application 106). In an exemplary embodiment, the counteractive
alert application 106 may communicate with seat back sensors 108
that are disposed on a rear portion 128 of one or more front
passenger seats 110 (front seats 110) of the vehicle 102, one or
more seat weight sensors 112 that are disposed within a cushion
portion (not shown) of one or more front seats 110 and/or one or
more rear passenger seats 114 (rear seats 114) of the vehicle 102.
The counteractive alert application 106 may also communicate with
one or more cameras 116 that are disposed at one or more locations
within an interior cabin (cabin) 118 of the vehicle 102. As
discussed below, the seat back sensors 108, the seat weight sensors
112, and/or the camera(s) 116 may be configured to provide one or
more signals that may be utilized to determine that one or more
front seat passengers 120 (e.g., driver, non-driving front
passenger) and/or rear seat passengers 122 are seated within the
vehicle 102.
[0026] In one embodiment, if it is determined that one or more
front seat passengers 120 are seated within the vehicle 102 and/or
one or more rear seat passengers 122 are seated behind or within a
predetermined vicinity of one or more particular front seats 110
(e.g., an arm or leg reaching distance) which is occupied by front
seat passenger(s) 120, the application 106 may be configured to
communicate with the camera(s) 116 and/or the seat back sensors 108
that are disposed on a rear portion of one or more front seats 110.
In particular, the application 106 may be configured to communicate
with the seat back sensors 108 and/or the camera(s) 116 to
determine one or more disturbances that may affect one or more of
the front seats 110 of the vehicle 102 that may be caused by the
rear seat passenger(s) 122 of the vehicle 102.
[0027] Such disturbances may include, but may not be limited to,
kicking a rear portion 128 of the front seat(s) 110, shaking of the
front seat(s) 110, punching/slapping of a rear portion of the front
seat(s) 110, pushing upon the front seat(s) 110, and the like that
may be caused by one or more of the rear seat passengers 122 such
as children that may be seated within the rear seat(s) 114. In one
configuration, upon determining one or more disturbances that may
be caused by the rear seat passenger(s) 122 that may be affecting
the front seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102 and may thereby affect the
front seat passenger(s) 120 of the vehicle 102, the counteractive
alert application 106 may further determine one or more particular
regions of the front seat(s) 110 (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) that
may be affected by the disturbance(s). For example, the application
106 may be configured to determine one or more regions of the front
seat(s) 110 that may be contacted and shaken based on a rear seat
child passenger kicking the front seat(s) 110.
[0028] Upon determining one or more particular regions of the front
seat(s) 110 that may be affected by the disturbance, the
counteractive alert application 106 may be configured to determine
one or more disturbance levels that may be associated with an
intensity, a direction, and a force of the vibration, shaking,
jolting, and/or pushing that is placed upon of the front seat(s)
110, as sensed by the seat back sensors 108. In one or more
embodiments, the counteractive alert application 106 may determine
that one or more vibrational elements 124 disposed within one or
more of the front seats 110 of the vehicle 102 that are to be
actuated at one or more levels to provide a counteracting
vibrational force to remove the effects of the disturbance(s)
caused by one or more rear seat passenger(s) 122 upon the front
seat(s) 110.
[0029] The application 106 may thereby send one or more commands to
the ECU 104 to control one or more of the vibrational elements 124
at one or more regions of the one or more affected front seats 110
of the vehicle 102 based on the one or more determined regions of
the front seat(s) 110 that may be affected by the disturbance(s).
In particular, one or more vibrational elements 124 may be actuated
to operate at one or more levels (e.g., frequencies, intensities,
partially actuated, fully actuated) that may be utilized to
counteract the disturbances so that disturbances may not be sensed
(e.g., felt) by the front seat passenger(s) 120 seated within the
affected front seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102.
[0030] In one or more embodiments, if the counteractive alert
application 106 determines that one or more rear seat passengers
122 are seated within the vehicle 102 during operation of the
vehicle 102 (during enablement of one or more ignition modes of the
vehicle 102), the counteractive alert application 106 may be
configured to determine a location of the rear seat passenger(s)
122 with respect to the front seat passenger(s) 120 seated within
the respective front seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102.
[0031] As discussed in more detail below, the application 106 may
be configured to determine a category of rear seat passenger(s) 122
that is seated within the rear seat(s) 114 of the vehicle 102. In
other embodiments, the application 106 may additionally or
alternatively be configured to determine a sleeping status of the
rear seat passenger(s) 122. In one embodiment, the application 106
may be configured to communicate with the ECU 104 to determine when
one or more ignition modes (e.g., accessory mode, battery mode,
engine mode) of the vehicle 102 has been disabled by a driver of
the vehicle 102 and/or autonomously by the ECU 104 of the vehicle
102.
[0032] Upon determining that one or more ignition modes of the
vehicle 102 has been disabled, the application 106 may be
configured to actuate one or more vibrational elements 124 disposed
within one or more regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110. In one
configuration, one or more vibrational elements 124 may be
specifically actuated in one or more manners to provide one or more
haptic reminder alerts to remind the front seat passenger(s) 120
that the rear seat passenger(s) 122 are seated within the vehicle
102. For example, the one or more vibrational elements 124 that are
disposed within respective portions (left, right, and center) of
the front seat(s) 110 may be actuated in one or more intensities
and/or frequencies that may be based on the category of the rear
seat passenger(s) 122 and/or the sleeping status of the rear seat
passenger(s) 122. The one or more vibrational elements 124 may be
actuated to indicate to the front seat passenger(s) 120 which rear
seat 114 of the vehicle 102 that each rear seat passenger 122 is
seated in based on the determined location of the rear seat
passenger(s) 122 with respect to the front seat passenger(s) 120
seated within the respective front seat(s) 110 of the vehicle
102.
[0033] This functionality may provide haptic reminder alerts in one
or more manners that may replicate a disturbance such as kicking
caused by the rear seat passenger(s) 122 to alert and remind the
front seat passenger(s) 120 that one or more rear seat passengers
122 are seated within one or more particular rear seats 114 of the
vehicle 102. As an illustrative example, one or more vibrational
elements 124 disposed at a left portion of a driver's side front
seat 110 of the vehicle 102 may be actuated to provide repeating
haptic reminder alerts. The repeating haptic reminder alerts may be
provided at a particular intensity to simulate a rear seat child
passenger kicking the rear portion 128 of the driver's side front
seat 110 to remind the driver of the rear seat passenger 122
located within the rear seat 114 (within the left rear side of the
cabin 118 of the vehicle 102) upon disablement of one or more
ignition modes of the vehicle 102.
[0034] With particular reference to the components of the vehicle
102, the ECU 104 may include internal processing memory (not
shown), an interface circuit (not shown), and bus lines (not shown)
for transferring data, sending commands, and communicating with
components of the vehicle 102 and the counteractive alert
application 106. The ECU 104 may also include a communications
device (not shown) for sending data internally in the vehicle 102
and externally to connected devices.
[0035] The communication device included within the ECU 104 may be
capable of providing wired or wireless computer communications
utilizing various protocols to send/receive electronic signals
internally to/from components of the vehicle 102. Additionally, the
communication device of the ECU 104 may be operably connected for
internal computer communication via a bus (e.g., a Controller Area
Network (CAN) or a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) protocol bus)
to facilitate data input and output between the ECU 104 and the
components of the vehicle 102.
[0036] The ECU 104 may be operably connected to a storage unit 126
that may store one or more operating systems, applications,
associated operating system data, user interfaces, and the like
that are executed by the ECU 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the
storage unit 126 may store data (e.g., executable data files) that
are associated with the counteractive alert application 106 to be
executed by the ECU 104.
[0037] As discussed, the application 106 may be configured to
determine when the rear portion 128 of the respective front seat(s)
110 of the vehicle 102 have been disturbed based on data provided
by the seat back sensors 108. Upon determining that one or more
portions of the rear portion 128 of the respective front seat(s)
110 of the vehicle 102 have been disturbed, the application 106 may
be configured to determine one or more regions (shown in FIG. 2A
and FIG. 2B) of the front seat(s) 110 that may be affected by the
disturbance(s). As discussed below, the application 106 may be
further configured to determine one or more disturbance levels that
are associated with one or more respective disturbances that apply
to one or more regions of the front seat(s) 110.
[0038] With continued reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the
storage unit 126 may also include an occupant determination data
store 130 that may be accessed by the application 106. The occupant
determination data store 130 may specifically be accessed to store
a determination of one or more front seats 110 and one or more rear
seats 114 of the vehicle 102 that may be occupied or unoccupied by
one or more front seat passenger(s) 120 and/or one or more rear
seat passenger(s) 122. The determination may be stored each time
one or more ignition modes of the vehicle 102 is determined to be
enabled, each time the vehicle 102 is put into a drive transmission
mode and driven, and/or when the seat weight sensors 112 and/or the
camera(s) 116 sense a change in occupancy in one or more of the
rear seat(s) 114 (e.g., based on the movement of rear seat
passenger(s) 122 from one rear seat 114 or the front seat(s) 110 to
another rear seat 114).
[0039] As discussed below, the application 106 may be configured to
communicate with the ECU 104 to determine when one or more ignition
modes of the vehicle 102 are disabled and may access the occupant
determination data store 130 to retrieve a latest stored
determination of the occupancy of the front seats 110 and the rear
seats 114 of the vehicle 102 by one or more front seat passengers
120 and one or more rear seat passenger 122. The latest stored
determination may be analyzed by the application 106 to provide one
or more haptic reminder alerts to the front seat passenger(s) 120
of the presence of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 seated within the
rear seat(s) 114 within the rear portion of the cabin 118.
[0040] In one embodiment, the ECU 104 may be operably connected to
a head unit 132 that may access the one or more applications and
operating systems that are executed by the ECU 104. The head unit
132 may include a display unit 134 that may be positioned to
present one or more user interfaces to the front seat passenger(s)
120 seated within the front seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102. In some
configurations, the display unit 134 may include a touch screen
display (not shown) that may receive touch based user inputs from
the front seat passenger(s) 120 that may apply to the one or more
user interfaces that are presented via the display unit 134.
[0041] In one or more embodiments, the display unit 134 may be
utilized to present one or more user interfaces associated with the
counteractive alert application 106 that may allow the front seat
passenger(s) 120 to enable or disable the vibrational counteraction
to the disturbance(s) caused by the rear seat passenger(s) 122. In
another embodiment, the display unit 134 may be utilized to present
one or more user interfaces associated with the counteractive alert
application 106 that may allow the front seat passenger(s) 120 to
stop one or more haptic reminder alerts after they have been
initiated to remind the front seat passenger(s) 120 of the presence
of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 seated within the rear seat(s)
114. In additional embodiments, the display unit 134 may be
utilized to present one or more user interfaces associated with the
counteractive alert application 106 that may allow the front seat
passenger(s) 120 to actuate movement of the front seat(s) 110
(e.g., in a forward position) to physically move the front seat(s)
110 out of physical range of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 to
thereby disallow the rear seat passenger(s) 122 to make contact
with the front seat(s) 110.
[0042] FIG. 2A is an illustrative view of the vibrational elements
124 located within a plurality of regions 202-216 of one or more of
the front seats 110 of the vehicle 102 according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the
vibrational elements 124 may include respective motors (not shown)
that each include a processing unit (not shown) that is operably
connected to send and receive data to/from the ECU 104. As
discussed below, in one embodiment, the ECU 104 and/or the
counteractive alert application 106 may send commands to one or
more of the vibrational elements 124 to be actuated to provide one
or more levels of counteractive vibrations at one or more regions
202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 to counteract the disturbance(s)
caused by the rear seat passenger(s) 122 with respect to the front
seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102.
[0043] Additionally, in another embodiment, the ECU 104 and/or the
counteractive alert application 106 may send commands to one or
more of the vibrational elements 124 to be actuated to provide one
or more haptic reminder alerts to one or more front seat passengers
120 to remind them of the presence of one or more rear seat
passengers 122 seated within the rear seat(s) 114 of the vehicle
102.
[0044] In one or more configurations, the vibrational elements 124
may include haptic devices that are configured as, but may not be
limited to, eccentric rotating mass (ERM) elements, linear resonant
actuators elements, air filled elements, liquid filled elements,
and the like. In one embodiment, the vibrational elements 124 may
be utilized to provide various types of vibrations in various
manners, in various intensity levels, and/or at various frequencies
of time to provide the counteractive vibrations and/or haptic
reminder alerts.
[0045] As shown in the illustrative view of FIG. 2A, the
vibrational elements 124 may be located (disposed) at one or more
regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 that are utilized by the
application 106 to provide counteractive vibrations and/or haptic
reminder alerts at one or more of the regions 202-216 of the front
seat(s) 110. It is contemplated that the application 106 may
utilize any number of regions in addition to or in lieu of the
regions 202-216 that are provided at one or more portions of each
of the front seats 110 of the vehicle 102.
[0046] Referring again to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the ECU 104
may be operably connected to a plurality of vehicle systems 136.
The plurality of vehicle systems 136 may include, but may not be
limited to, (individual vehicle systems not shown), a vehicle audio
system, a vehicle lighting system, a vehicle HVAC system, a vehicle
infotainment system, and the like. In some embodiments, the
counteractive alert application 106 may be configured to control
one or more of the plurality of vehicle systems 136 to be utilized
in conjunction with the actuation of one or more of the vibrational
elements 124 disposed within one or more of the front seats 110 of
the vehicle 102. For example, the counteractive alert application
106 may be configured to control the vehicle lighting system of the
plurality of vehicle systems 136 to send one or more signals to one
or more lights (not shown) of the vehicle 102 to be enabled when
the application 106 actuates one or more vibrational elements 124
to provide the haptic reminder alert(s).
[0047] In some embodiments, the vibrational elements 124 may be
associated with audio elements (not shown) (e.g., speakers) that
may be disposed within and/or around the front seat(s) 110 of the
vehicle 102. The counteractive alert application 106 may be
configured to control the vehicle audio system of the plurality of
vehicle systems 136 to send one or more signals to the audio
elements to provide noise-cancelling audio within the vehicle 102.
The noise-cancelling audio may be provided to counteract sound
associated with the disturbance(s) caused by the rear seat
passenger(s) 122 with respect to the rear portion 128 of the front
seat(s) 110 that may be provided in conjunction with the actuation
of one or more vibrational elements 124 disposed within the front
seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102.
[0048] With particular reference to the seat weight sensors 112,
the seat weight sensors 112 may be configured as load measurement
sensors, capacitive sensors, proximity sensors, and the like and
may be disposed on one or more sensor pads (not shown) that may be
included within the cushion portion of the front seat(s) 110 and/or
the rear seat(s) 114 of the vehicle 102. In some configurations,
the seat weight sensors 112 may be disposed within one or more
additional portions of the front seat(s) 110 and/or the rear
seat(s) 114.
[0049] In one embodiment, the seat weight sensors 112 may be
configured to sense when a front seat passenger(s) 120 is seated
within the respective front seat(s) 110 and/or a rear seat
passenger(s) 122 is seated within the respective rear seat(s) 114
of the vehicle 102. In one configuration, the application 106 may
be configured to communicate with the seat weight sensors 112 to
determine if one or more front seat passengers 120 and/or one or
more rear seat passengers 122 are seated within the vehicle 102 at
one or more points in time.
[0050] In some embodiments, the seat weight sensors may determine a
baseline measurement that includes a weight of each of the front
seats 110 and each of the rear seats 114 when they are unoccupied.
In some instances, the baseline measurement may include a weight of
an unoccupied child safety seat that may be placed upon one or more
of the rear seats 114. The seat weight sensors 112 may be
configured to utilize the baseline measurements to determine a
category of front seat passenger(s) 120 and/or a category of rear
seat passenger(s) 122 based on the weight of the seated
passenger(s) and/or an occupied child safety seat as measured by
the seat weight sensors 112.
[0051] In one configuration, the seat weight sensors 112 may
utilize sensed weight categories to categorize the front seat
passenger(s) 120 and/or the rear seat passenger(s) 122 as, but not
limited to, an adult passenger, a child passenger, an infant
passenger, a pet, and the like. In additional configurations, the
seat weight sensors 112 may be configured to determine one or more
objects (e.g., bags, boxes, etc.) that may be placed upon one or
more of the rear seats 114. The application 106 may be configured
to communicate with the seat weight sensors 112 to determine
respective categories of the one or more front seat passengers 120
and the one or more rear seat passengers 122 to thereby provide
respective haptic reminder alerts.
[0052] In one embodiment, the counteractive alert application 106
may be configured to communicate with the camera(s) 116 to
determine if one or more front seat passengers 120 and/or one or
more rear seat passengers 122 are seated within the vehicle 102 at
one or more points in time. The application 106 may additionally be
configured to communicate with the camera(s) 116 to determine if a
disturbance(s) is caused with respect to the front seat(s) 110 of
the vehicle 102 from the rear seat passenger(s) 122 of the vehicle
102.
[0053] In one or more embodiments, the one or more of the cameras
116 may be configured to capture one or more images/video of the
cabin 118 including the front seat(s) 110 and the rear seat(s) 114
of the vehicle 102 to thereby determine if one or more front seats
110 and one or more rear seats 114 are occupied or unoccupied. In
other words, the camera(s) 116 are configured to capture images of
front seat passenger(s) 120 and the rear seat passenger(s) 122 as
they are seated within the seat(s) 110. In one embodiment, upon the
camera(s) 116 capturing one or more images/video, the camera(s) 116
may be configured to execute image logic to determine the presence
of the front seat passenger(s) 120 seated within the front seat(s)
110 and/or the rear seat passenger(s) 122 seated within the rear
seat(s) 114 of the vehicle 102 at one or more points in time.
[0054] In one configuration, upon the camera(s) 116 capturing one
or more images/video, the camera(s) 116 may be configured to
execute image logic to determine one or more movements of one or
more of the rear seat passengers 122 that may indicate that the
rear seat passengers 122 are causing a disturbance with respect to
the front seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102. Such movements may
include but may not be limited to, kicking and making contact with
the rear portion 128 of the front seat(s) 110, shaking of the front
seat(s) 110, punching/slapping of the rear portion 128 of the front
seat(s) 110, and the like that may be caused by one or more of the
rear seat passengers 122 such as children that may be seated within
the rear seat(s) 114.
[0055] In one embodiment, upon the camera(s) 116 capturing one or
more images/video, the camera(s) 116 may be configured to execute
image logic to determine a category of the front seat passenger(s)
120 and/or the rear seat passenger(s) 122 of the vehicle 102. In
one configuration, the camera(s) 116 may utilize the image logic to
categorize the front seat passenger(s) 120 and/or the rear seat
passenger(s) 122 as, but not limited to, an adult passenger, a
child passenger, an infant passenger, a pet, and the like. In
additional configurations, the image logic may be configured to
enable the camera(s) 116 to determine one or more objects (e.g.,
bags, boxes, etc.) that are placed upon one or more of the rear
seats 114.
[0056] The application 106 may be configured to communicate with
the camera(s) 116 to determine respective categories of the one or
more front seat passengers 120 and the one or more rear seat
passengers 122 to thereby provide respective haptic reminder alerts
in a manner (frequency, intensity) that may account for the
respective categories of the front seat passenger(s) 120 and/or the
rear seat passenger(s) 122.
[0057] In another configuration, upon the camera(s) 116 capturing
one or more images/video, the camera(s) 116 may be configured to
execute image logic to determine if the one or more of the rear
seat passengers 122 are not moving one or more portions of their
body (e.g., head, torso, arms, arms, legs, and/or feet) for a
predetermined period of time that may indicate that the rear seat
passenger(s) 122 may be sleeping. The camera(s) 116 may be
configured to determine a sleeping status of the rear seat
passenger 122 based on the determination of if the one or more of
the rear seat passengers 122 are not moving one or more portions of
their body for the predetermined period of time. As discussed
below, the camera(s) 116 may communicate the sleeping status of the
rear seat passenger(s) 122 to the counteractive alert application
106. The application 106 may thereby actuate one or more
vibrational elements 124 that may be disposed at one or more
regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 at one or more intensity
levels, one or more frequency levels, and in one or more manners to
provide one or more types of haptic reminder alerts to the front
seat passenger(s) 120 of the presence of the rear seat passenger(s)
122 that may be sleeping within the vehicle 102.
[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, the seat back sensors 108 that
are disposed on a rear portion 128 of one or more front seats 110
of the vehicle 102 may be configured as pressure sensors,
capacitive sensors, load measurement sensors, vibration sensors,
intensity sensors, and the like. With reference to FIG. 2B an
illustrative view of the seat back sensors 108 disposed at the rear
portion 128 of one or more of the front seats 110 of the vehicle
102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
the seat back sensors 108 may be configured to be disposed at one
or more regions 202-216 of the rear portion 128 of the front
seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102. As discussed, it is contemplated
that the application 106 may utilize any number of regions in
addition to or in lieu of the regions 202-216 that are provided at
one or more portions of each of the front seats 110 of the vehicle
102.
[0059] The regions 202-216 may correspond to the regions 202-216
that include one or more vibrational elements 124 discussed above
with respect to FIG. 2A. In one embodiment, the seat back sensors
108 may be configured to sense and measure an intensity, direction,
and shear force that is associated with each (physical) disturbance
caused by the rear seat passenger(s) 122. For example, the seat
back sensors 108 may be configured to sense and measure an
intensity, direction, and shear force that is associated with a
rear seat passenger child kicking and pushing their feet onto the
rear portion 128 of the front seat(s) 110.
[0060] In one embodiment, the seat back sensors 108 may be included
as part of a sensor communication network (not shown) and may be
configured to communicate intensity, direction, and force readings
to determine one or more regions 202-216 that may be affected by
the disturbance(s). The seat back sensors 108 may be configured to
provide respective disturbance sensing data to the counteractive
alert application 106. As discussed below, the counteractive alert
application 106 may be configured to analyze the disturbance
sensing data provided by the seat back sensors 108 to determine
counteractive vibrations by one or more of the particular
vibrational elements 124 that may be actuated at one or more
intensity levels that correspond to one or more determined
disturbance levels to provide a counteracting vibrational force to
remove (e.g., cancel out) the effects of the disturbance(s) caused
by one or more rear seat passenger(s) 122 at one or more affected
regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110.
II. The Vehicle Haptic Counteractive Alert Application
[0061] The counteractive alert application 106 and its
functionality will now be described in more detail according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment,
executable data files associated with the counteractive alert
application 106 may be stored on the storage unit 126 and executed
by the ECU 104 and/or the head unit 132. In additional embodiments,
the counteractive alert application 106 may be stored on a memory
(not shown) of an external device (not shown) (e.g., remove server)
and executed by the ECU 104 and/or the head unit 132 of the vehicle
102 via a computer communication medium (e.g., a remote network
connection) between the ECU 104 and the external device.
[0062] In one embodiment, the counteractive alert application 106
may include a plurality of modules 138-144 that may include, but
may not be limited to, an occupancy determinant module 138, a
disturbance determinant module 140, an occupancy reminder
determinant module 142, and a vibration execution module 144. It is
to be appreciated that the counteractive alert application 106 may
include additional modules and/or sub-modules of the plurality of
modules 138-144. As discussed below, each of the plurality of
modules 138-144 that may complete computing processing functions as
the counteractive alert application 106 is operating.
[0063] In one embodiment, the counteractive alert application 106
may be automatically enabled to operate upon actuation one or more
ignition modes of the vehicle 102. In an additional embodiment, the
counteractive alert application 106 may be manually enabled to
operate to provide counteracting vibrational force to remove the
effects of the disturbance(s) caused by one or more rear seat
passenger(s) 122 based on an enablement of the application 106
through the one or more interfaces associated with the application
106 (via the display unit 134 or other input device of the vehicle
102).
[0064] In one embodiment, the occupancy determinant module 138 may
be configured to communicate with the seat weight sensors 112
disposed within the front seat(s) 110 and the rear seat(s) 114 of
the vehicle 102 to receive weight sensor data pertaining to sensed
measurements. In one configuration, the seat weight sensors 112 may
be configured to provide weight sensor data pertaining to the
determination that one or more of the front seats 110 are occupied
by respective front seat passengers 120. Additionally, the seat
weight sensors 112 may be configured to provide weight sensor data
pertaining to the determination that one or more of the rear seats
114 are occupied by respective rear seat passengers 122. In
additional configurations, the seat weight sensors 112 may be
configured to provide weight sensor data pertaining to the
determination that one or more objects (e.g., bags, boxes, etc.)
are placed upon one or more of the rear seats 114.
[0065] The occupancy determinant module 138 may thereby analyze the
weight sensor data and determine that one or more particular front
seats 110 are occupied by respective front seat passengers 120 and
one or more particular rear seats 114 are occupied by one or more
respective rear seat passengers 122. In one embodiment, the
occupancy determinant module 138 may communicate data pertaining to
the determination of the front seat passenger(s) 120 and/or the
rear seat passenger(s) 122 to the disturbance determinant module
140 and the occupancy reminder determinant module 142 of the
counteractive alert application 106.
[0066] In another embodiment, the occupancy determinant module 138
may be configured to communicate with the camera(s) 116 disposed
within the cabin 118 of the vehicle 102 to receive image occupancy
data that may pertain to the determination that one or more of the
front seats 110 are occupied by respective front seat passengers
120 based on the analysis of image logic by the camera(s) 116. The
image occupancy data may also pertain to the determination that one
or more of the rear seats 114 are occupied by respective rear seat
passengers 122 based on analysis of image logic by the camera(s)
116. In additional configurations, the camera(s) 116 may be
configured to provide image occupancy data pertaining to the
determination that one or more objects (e.g., bags, boxes, etc.)
are placed upon one or more of the rear seats 114.
[0067] The occupancy determinant module 138 may thereby analyze the
image occupancy data and determine that one or more particular
front seats 110 are occupied by respective front seat passengers
120 and one or more particular rear seats 114 are occupied by one
or more respective rear seat passengers 122. In one embodiment, the
occupancy determinant module 138 may communicate data pertaining to
the determination of the front seat passenger(s) 120 and/or the
rear seat passenger(s) 122 to the disturbance determinant module
140 and the occupancy reminder determinant module 142 of the
counteractive alert application 106.
[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, upon determining the existence
of one or more rear seat passengers 122 based on the communication
by the occupancy determinant module 138, the disturbance
determinant module 140 may be configured to receive disturbance
sensing data from the seat back sensors 108 disposed at the rear
portion 128 of the front seat(s) 110. As discussed above, the
disturbance sensing data may pertain to an intensity, direction,
and force readings with respect to the disturbance(s) that may
affect one or more regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110.
[0069] In one embodiment, the disturbance determinant module 140
may be configured to analyze the intensity, direction, and force
readings with respect to the disturbance(s) that may affect one or
more regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110. In particular, upon
determining the one or more regions 202-216 that may be affected,
the disturbance determinant module 140 may determine at least one
or more disturbance levels that may be associated with the
intensity, the direction, and the force of the vibration, shaking,
jolting, and/or pushing that is placed upon one or more respective
regions 212-216 of the front seat(s) 110 as sensed by the seat back
sensors 108.
[0070] In one or more embodiments, the disturbance determinant
module 140 may be further configured to determine one or more
levels of counteractive vibrations that may be applied at one or
more regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 that may correspond
to the one or more disturbance levels that may be associated with
the intensity, the direction, and the force of the vibration,
shaking, jolting, and/or pushing that is placed upon one or more
respective regions 212-216 of the front seat(s) 110. The
disturbance determinant module 140 may additionally determine one
or more vibrational elements 124 that may be disposed at one or
more particular regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 that are
to be actuated to provide one or more counteractive vibrations.
[0071] The one or more counteractive vibrations may thereby be
determined to be provided at one or more respective levels at one
or more respective regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 210 to
counteract the disturbance(s) caused by the rear seat passenger(s)
122 with respect to one or more regions of the front seat(s) 110 of
the vehicle 102. In one configuration, the disturbance determinant
module 140 may communicate respective data to the vibration
execution module 146 to enable actuation of one or more of the
vibrational elements 124 at one or more regions 202-216 of the
front seat(s) 110 to provide the one or more counteractive
vibrations as determined by the disturbance determinant module
140.
[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, upon determining the existence
of one or more rear seat passengers 122 based on the communication
by the occupancy determinant module 138, the occupancy reminder
determinant module 142 may be configured to analyze weight sensor
data and/or image occupancy data that are provided by the seat
weight sensors 112 and/or the camera(s) 116 to determine one or
more particular front seats 110 that are occupied by respective
front seat passengers 120. Additionally, the occupancy reminder
determinant module 142 may be configured determine if data
pertaining to the category of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 and/or
the sleeping state of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 has been
received.
[0073] In one embodiment, upon determining the occupancy of one or
more front seats 110 and/or one or more rear seats 114, the
occupancy reminder determinant module 142 may be configured to
access the occupant determination data store 130 on the storage
unit 126 of the vehicle 102. The occupancy reminder determinant
module 142 may be configured to store a determination of one or
more front seats 110 and one or more rear seats 114 of the vehicle
102 that may be occupied and unoccupied by one or more front seat
passenger(s) 120 and one or more rear seat passenger(s) 122 each
time one or more ignition modes of the vehicle 102 is enabled, each
time the vehicle 102 put into a drive transmission mode and driven,
and/or when the seat weight sensors 112 and/or the camera(s) 116
sense a change in occupancy in one or more of the rear seat(s) 114.
The occupancy reminder determinant module 142 may also be
configured to store the determined category of the rear seat
passenger(s) 122 and/or the determined sleeping status of the rear
seat passenger(s) 122.
[0074] In an exemplary embodiment, the occupancy reminder
determinant module 142 may also be configured to communicate with
the ECU 104 to determine when the vehicle 102 is disabled based on
one or more ignition modes of the vehicle 102 being disabled (e.g.,
by the driver of the vehicle 102). The occupancy reminder
determinant module 142 may access the occupant determination data
store 130 to retrieve and analyze a latest stored determination of
one or more rear seats 114 of the vehicle 102 that may be occupied
and unoccupied by one or more rear seat passenger(s) 122.
[0075] The occupancy reminder determinant module 142 may be
configured to communicate respective data regarding the occupancy
of the front seat(s) 110 and/or the rear seat(s) 114 of the vehicle
102 by one or more front seat passengers 120 and one or more rear
seat passengers 122 and may provide additional related data to the
vibration execution module 144 to enable actuation of one or more
of the vibrational elements 124 to provide one or more haptic
reminder alerts to the front seat passenger(s) 120. Accordingly,
the front seat passenger(s) 120 may be reminded of the presence of
the rear seat passenger(s) 122 seated within the rear seat(s) 114
of the vehicle 102.
[0076] In one or more embodiments, the vibration execution module
144 may be configured to evaluate data communicated by the
disturbance determinant module 140 and/or the occupancy reminder
determinant module 142. In one configuration, based on data
communicated by the disturbance determinant module 140, the
vibration execution module 144 may thereby communicate with the ECU
104 to actuate one or more vibrational elements 124 that may be
disposed at one or more regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 of
the vehicle 102.
[0077] In particular, the one or more vibrational elements 124 that
are disposed at one or more regions 202-216 of the front seat(s)
110 that are affected by the disturbance(s) caused by the rear seat
passenger(s) 122 may be actuated to provide one or more
counteractive vibrations at one or more respective levels and at
one or more respective regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 210 to
counteract the disturbance(s) caused by the rear seat passenger(s)
122. Accordingly, one or more vibrational elements 124 may be
actuated at one or more intensity levels that correspond to one or
more determined disturbance levels to provide a counteracting
vibrational force to remove the effects of the disturbance(s)
caused by one or more rear seat passenger(s) 122 at one or more
affected regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110.
[0078] In another configuration, based on data communicated by the
occupancy reminder determinant module 142, the vibration execution
module 144 may thereby communicate with the ECU 104 to actuate one
or more vibrational elements 124 that may be disposed at one or
more regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102.
In particular, the one or more vibrational elements 124 that are
disposed at one or more regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110
may be actuated to provide one or more types haptic reminder alerts
to remind the front seat passenger(s) 120 of the presence of the
rear seat passenger(s) 122 seated within the vehicle 102.
[0079] The one or more vibrational elements 124 that are disposed
within respective portions (left, right, center) of the front
seat(s) 110 may be actuated in one or more manners to indicate to
the front seat passenger(s) 120 which rear seat 114 of the vehicle
102 is occupied by the rear seat passenger(s) 122 based on a
determined location of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 with respect
to the front seat passenger(s) 120 seated within the respective
front seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102. The one or more vibrational
elements 124 may also be actuated in one or more manners based on
the category of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 and/or the sleeping
status of the rear seat passenger(s) 122. This functionality may
provide haptic reminder alerts in one or more manners that may
replicate a disturbance such as kicking of a particular intensity
level that may be caused by the rear seat passenger(s) 122 to alert
and remind the front seat passenger(s) 120 that one or more rear
seat passengers 122 are seated within one or more particular rear
seats 114 of the vehicle 102.
III. Exemplary Methods Executed by the Vehicle Haptic Counteractive
Alert Application
[0080] FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram of a method 300 for
counteracting one or more disturbances affecting one or more front
seats 110 of the vehicle 102 according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 will be described with reference
to the components of FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, though it is to
be appreciated that the method 300 of FIG. 3 may be used with other
systems/components. The method 300 may begin at block 302, wherein
the method 300 may include communicating with the seat weight
sensors 112 and receiving weight sensor data pertaining to sensed
measurements.
[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, the occupancy determinant module
138 may be configured to communicate with the seat weight sensors
112 disposed within the front seat(s) 110 and the rear seat(s) 114
of the vehicle 102 to receive weight sensor data pertaining to
sensed measurements. In one configuration, the seat weight sensors
112 may be configured to provide weight sensor data pertaining to
the determination that one or more of the front seats 110 are
occupied by respective front seat passengers 120. Additionally, the
seat weight sensors 112 may be configured to provide weight sensor
data pertaining to the determination that one or more of the rear
seats 114 are occupied by respective rear seat passengers 122. In
additional configurations, the seat weight sensors 112 may be
configured to provide weight sensor data pertaining to the
determination that one or more objects (e.g., bags, boxes, etc.)
are placed upon one or more of the rear seats 114.
[0082] Upon receiving the weight sensor data pertaining to sensed
measurements, the occupancy determinant module 138 may analyze the
weight sensor data to determine that one or more particular front
seats 110 are occupied by respective front seat passengers 120 and
one or more particular rear seats 114 are occupied by one or more
respective rear seat passengers 122. As discussed, the occupancy
determinant module 138 may communicate data pertaining to the
determination of the front seat passenger(s) 120 and/or the rear
seat passenger(s) 122 to the disturbance determinant module
140.
[0083] The method 300 may proceed to block 304, wherein the method
300 may include communicating with the one or more cameras 116 and
receiving image occupancy data pertaining to the determination of
front seat and rear seat occupancy. In an exemplary embodiment, the
occupancy determinant module 138 may be configured to communicate
with the camera(s) 116 disposed within the cabin 118 of the vehicle
102 to receive image occupancy data that may pertain to the
determination of occupancy of one or more of the front seats 110
based on the analysis of image logic by the camera(s) 116. The
image occupancy data may also pertain to the determination of
occupancy of one or more of the rear seats 114 based on analysis of
image logic by the camera(s) 116. In additional configurations, the
camera(s) 116 may be configured to provide image occupancy data
pertaining to the determination that one or more objects (e.g.,
bags, boxes, etc.) are placed upon one or more of the rear seats
114.
[0084] In one embodiment, the occupancy determinant module 138 may
analyze the image occupancy data and determine that one or more
particular front seats 110 are occupied by respective front seat
passengers 120 and one or more particular rear seats 114 are
occupied by one or more respective rear seat passengers 122. In one
embodiment, the occupancy determinant module 138 may communicate
data pertaining to the determination of the front seat passenger(s)
120 and/or the rear seat passenger(s) 122 to the disturbance
determinant module 140.
[0085] The method 300 may proceed to block 306, wherein the method
300 may include determining if one or more seat back sensors 108
communicate disturbance sensing data. In one embodiment, the seat
back sensors 108 that are disposed on a rear portion 128 of one or
more front seats 110 may be configured to communicate disturbance
sensing data when the rear portion 128 of the respective front
seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102 have been disturbed by the rear seat
passenger(s) 122.
[0086] If it is determined that the one or more seat back sensors
108 do not communicate disturbance sensing data based on not
sensing any disturbance(s) to the front seat(s) 110 (at block 306),
the counteractive alert application 106 may be configured to
execute the method 400 discussed below with respect FIG. 4 to
thereby provide one or more haptic reminder alerts when applicable
to the front seat passenger(s) 120 regarding the presence of one or
more rear seat passengers 122 seated within the rear seat(s) 114 of
the vehicle 102.
[0087] If it is determined that the one or more seat back sensors
108 communicate disturbance sensing data based on sensing
disturbance(s) to the front seat(s) 110 (at block 306), the method
300 may proceed to block 308, wherein the method 300 may include
determining if one or more front seats 110 that are occupied by one
or more front seat passengers 120 are affected by the
disturbance(s). In one embodiment, upon determining that one or
more front seats 110 have been affected by the disturbance(s)
caused by the rear seat passenger(s) 122, the disturbance
determinant module 140 may be configured to evaluate data
communicated by the occupancy determinant module 138 to determine
if any of the front seats 110 that are affected by the disturbance
are occupied by front seat passengers 120.
[0088] The disturbance determinant module 140 may thereby evaluate
the data provided by the seat back sensors 108 to determine if
particular front seats 110 that have determined to be occupied by
the occupancy determinant module 138 (at blocks 302 and 304), are
affected by the disturbance(s) as sensed by the seat back sensors
108. Stated differently, the disturbance determinant module 140 may
be configured to determine if one or more front seat passengers 120
are seated within one or more front seats 110 that may be affected
by the disturbance(s) caused by the rear seat passenger(s) 122.
[0089] If it is not determined that one or more front seats 110
that are occupied by one or more front seat passengers 120 are
affected by the disturbance(s) (at block 308), the counteractive
alert application 106 may be configured to execute the method 400
discussed below with respect FIG. 4 to thereby provide a haptic
reminder alert(s) if applicable to the front seat passenger(s) 120
regarding the presence of one or more rear seat passengers 122
seated within the rear seat(s) 114 of the vehicle 102.
[0090] If it is determined that one or more front seats 110 that
are occupied by one or more front seat passenger(s) 120 are
affected by the disturbance(s) (at block 308), the method 300 may
proceed to block 310, wherein the method 300 may include
determining one or more regions 202-216 of one or more front seats
110 that are occupied by one or more front seat passengers 120 that
are affected by the disturbance(s). In an exemplary embodiment,
upon determining that one or more portions of the rear portion 128
of the respective front seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102 have been
disturbed, the disturbance determinant module 140 may be configured
to communicate further with the seat back sensors 108 and determine
one or more regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 that may be
affected by the disturbance(s). In particular, the disturbance
determinant module 140 may be configured to analyze the intensity,
direction, and force readings of the disturbance(s) sensed at each
of the regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 to determine one or
more regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 that may be affected
by the disturbance(s).
[0091] The method 300 may proceed to block 312, wherein the method
300 may include determining one or more disturbance levels that are
associated with an intensity, direction, and force of the
disturbance(s). In one embodiment, upon determining the one or more
regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 that are occupied and may
be affected by the disturbance(s), the disturbance determinant
module 140 may determine at least one or more disturbance levels
that may be associated with the intensity, the direction, and the
force of the vibration, shaking, jolting, and/or pushing that is
placed upon one or more respective regions 212-216 of the front
seat(s) 110 as sensed by the seat back sensors 108.
[0092] The method 300 may proceed to block 314, wherein the method
300 may include determining one or more counteractive vibrations to
be applied at one or more regions 202-216 of one or more front
seats 110 that correspond to the one or more disturbance levels. In
one or more embodiments, upon determining the one or more
disturbance levels that may be associated with the intensity, the
direction, and the force of the vibration, shaking, jolting, and/or
pushing that is placed upon one or more respective regions 212-216
of the front seat(s) 110, the disturbance determinant module may be
further configured to determine one or more levels of counteractive
vibrations that may be applied at one or more regions 202-216 of
the front seat(s) 110 that may correspond to the one or more
disturbance levels.
[0093] The one or more determined levels of counteractive
vibrations that may be applied may be determined to counteract the
intensity, the direction, and the force of the vibration, shaking,
jolting, and/or pushing that is placed upon one or more respective
regions 212-216 of the front seat(s) 110 as sensed by the seat back
sensors 108. The disturbance determinant module 140 may
additionally determine one or more vibrational elements 124 that
may be actuated to provide one or more counteractive vibrations at
one or more respective levels that correspond to the one or more
disturbance levels and at one or more respective regions 202-216 of
the front seat(s) 210 to counteract the disturbance(s) caused by
the rear seat passenger(s) 122.
[0094] The method 300 may proceed to block 316, wherein the method
300 may include actuating one or more vibrational elements 124 at
one or more regions 202-216 of one or more front seats 110 to
counteract the disturbance(s) caused by the rear seat passenger(s)
122. In one configuration, the disturbance determinant module 140
may communicate data pertaining to more vibrational elements 124
that may be actuated to provide one or more counteractive
vibrations at one or more respective levels that correspond to the
determined disturbance levels to the vibration execution module 146
to enable actuation of one or more of the one or more vibrational
elements 124 at one or more regions of the front seat(s) 110.
[0095] In one embodiment, based on data communicated by the
disturbance determinant module 140, the vibration execution module
144 may thereby communicate with the ECU 104 to actuate one or more
vibrational elements 124 that may be disposed at one or more
regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102. In
particular, the one or more vibrational elements 124 that are
disposed at one or more regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110
that are occupied and are affected by the disturbance(s) caused by
the rear seat passenger(s) 122 may be actuated to provide one or
more counteractive vibrations at one or more respective levels at
one or more respective regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 to
counteract the disturbance(s) caused by the rear seat passenger(s)
122.
[0096] Accordingly, one or more counteractive vibrations may be
provided by one or more of the particular vibrational elements 124
that may be actuated at one or more intensity levels that
correspond to the one or more disturbance levels to provide a
counteracting vibrational force to remove the effects of the
disturbance(s) caused by one or more rear seat passenger(s) 122 at
one or more affected regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110.
Consequently, the front seat passenger(s) 120 seated within
respective front seat(s) 110 that may be affected by the
disturbance(s) may not sense the disturbance(s) caused by the rear
seat passenger(s) 122.
[0097] FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a method 400 for
providing one or more haptic reminder alerts to one or more front
seat passengers 120 regarding the presence of one or more rear seat
passengers 122 seated within one or more of the rear seats 114 of
the vehicle 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the
components of FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, though it is to be
appreciated that the method 400 of FIG. 4 may be used with other
systems/components. The method 400 may begin at block 402, wherein
the method 400 may include communicating with the seat weight
sensors 112 and receiving weight sensor data pertaining to sensed
measurements.
[0098] In an exemplary embodiment, the occupancy determinant module
138 may be configured to communicate with the seat weight sensors
112 disposed within the front seat(s) 110 and the rear seat(s) 114
of the vehicle 102 to receive weight sensor data pertaining to
sensed measurements. In one configuration, the seat weight sensors
112 may be configured to provide weight sensor data pertaining to
the determination that one or more of the front seats 110 are
occupied by respective front seat passengers 120. Additionally, the
seat weight sensors 112 may be configured to provide weight sensor
data pertaining to the determination that one or more of the rear
seats 114 are occupied by respective rear seat passengers 122. In
additional configurations, the seat weight sensors 112 may be
configured to provide weight sensor data pertaining to the
determination that one or more objects (e.g., bags, boxes, etc.)
are placed upon one or more of the rear seats 114.
[0099] As discussed above, the seat weight sensors 112 may
determine a baseline measurement that includes the weight of each
of the front seats 110 and each of the rear seats 114 when they are
unoccupied. In some instances, the baseline measurement that
includes the weight of each of the rear seats 114 when an
unoccupied child safety seat may be placed upon one or more of the
rear seats 114. The seat weight sensors 112 may be configured to
utilize the baseline measurements to determine the category of
front seat passenger(s) 120 and/or the category of rear seat
passenger(s) 122 based on sensed weight categories that are based
on the weight of the seated rear seat passenger(s) 122.
[0100] As discussed above, the seat weight sensors 112 may
additionally or alternatively utilize sensed weight categories to
categorize the front seat passenger(s) 120 and/or the rear seat
passenger(s) 122 as, but not limited to, an adult passenger, a
child passenger, an infant passenger, a pet, and the like. Upon
receiving the weight sensor data pertaining to sensed measurements,
the occupancy determinant module 138 may analyze the weight sensor
data determine that one or more particular front seats 110 are
occupied by respective front seat passengers 120 and one or more
particular rear seats 114 are occupied by one or more respective
rear seat passengers 122. The occupancy determinant module 138 may
also be configured to analyze the weight sensor data to determine
respective categories of the one or more front seat passengers 120
and the one or more rear seat passengers 122 and may communicate
such data to the occupancy reminder determinant module 142. The
occupancy determinant module 138 may communicate data pertaining to
the determination of the front seat passenger(s) 120 and/or the
rear seat passenger(s) 122 and the category of the front seat
passenger(s) 120 and the rear seat passenger(s) 122 to the
disturbance determinant module 140.
[0101] The method 400 may proceed to block 404, wherein the method
400 may include communicating with the one or more cameras 116 and
receiving image occupancy data pertaining to the determination of
front seat and rear seat occupancy. In an exemplary embodiment, the
occupancy determinant module 138 may be configured to communicate
with the camera(s) 116 disposed within the cabin 118 of the vehicle
102 to receive image occupancy data that may pertain to the
determination that one or more of the front seats 110 are occupied
by respective front seat passengers 120 based on the analysis of
image logic by the camera(s) 116. The image occupancy data may also
pertain to the determination that one or more of the rear seats 114
are occupied by respective rear seat passengers 122 based on
analysis of image logic by the camera(s) 116. In additional
configurations, the camera(s) 116 may be configured to provide
image occupancy data pertaining to the determination that one or
more objects (e.g., bags, boxes, etc.) are placed upon one or more
of the rear seats 114.
[0102] In one embodiment, the image occupancy data may additionally
include respective categories of the front seat passenger(s) 120
and/or the rear seat passenger(s) 122 based on the execution of
image logic. As discussed above, the camera(s) 116 may utilize the
image logic to categorize the front seat passenger(s) 120 and/or
the rear seat passenger(s) 122 as, but not limited to, an adult
passenger, a child passenger, an infant passenger, a pet, and the
like. In additional configurations, the image logic may be
configured to enable the camera(s) 116 to determine one or more
objects (e.g., bags, boxes, etc.) that are placed upon one or more
of the rear seats 114.
[0103] In another configuration, the image occupancy data may
include the determined sleeping status of the rear seat
passenger(s) 122 that is based upon the execution of image logic.
As discussed above, the camera(s) 116 may execute the image logic
to determine if the one or more of the rear seat passengers 122 are
not moving one or more portions of their body (e.g., head, torso,
arms, arms, legs, and/or feet) for a predetermined period of time
that may indicate that the rear seat passenger(s) 122 may be
sleeping. This analysis may be utilized to determine a sleeping
status of the rear seat passenger 122 and such data may be included
within the image occupancy data that is communicated to the
occupancy determinant module 138.
[0104] In one embodiment, the occupancy determinant module 138 may
analyze the image occupancy data and may determine that one or more
particular front seats 110 are occupied by respective front seat
passengers 120 and one or more particular rear seats 114 are
occupied by one or more respective rear seat passengers 122. The
occupancy determinant module 138 may additionally determine the
category of one or more rear seat passengers 122 and/or the
sleeping status of the one or more rear seat passengers 122 based
on the analysis of the image occupancy data. In one embodiment, the
occupancy determinant module 138 may communicate data pertaining to
the determination of the front seat passenger(s) 120 and/or the
rear seat passenger(s) 122, the category of the rear seat
passenger(s) 122, and/or the sleeping status of the rear seat
passenger(s) 122 to the disturbance determinant module 140.
[0105] The method 400 may proceed to block 406, wherein the method
400 may include determining if one or more rear seat passengers 122
are occupying one or more rear seats 114 of the vehicle 102. In one
embodiment, the occupancy reminder determinant module 142 may be
configured to analyze the data communicated by the occupancy
determinant module 138 to determine if one or more rear seat
passengers 122 are seated within one or more respective rear seats
114 of the vehicle 102. In some embodiments, this determination may
take place, each time the vehicle 102 put into a drive transmission
mode and driven and/or when the seat weight sensors 112 and/or the
camera(s) 116 sense a change in occupancy in one or more of the
rear seat(s) 114 (e.g., based on the movement of rear seat
passenger(s) 122 from one rear seat 114 or the front seat(s) 110 to
another rear seat 114).
[0106] If it is determined that one or more rear seat passengers
122 are occupying one or more rear seats 114 of the vehicle 102 (at
block 406), the method 400 may proceed to block 408, wherein the
method 400 may include determining the location of the rear seat
passenger(s) 122 with respect to the location of the front seat
passenger(s) 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the occupancy
reminder determinant module 142 may be configured to analyze data
communicated by the occupancy determinant module 138 to determine
the location of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 with respect to the
location of the front seat passenger(s) 120 seated within the
respective front seat(s) 110 of the vehicle 102. In particular, the
occupancy reminder determinant module 142 may determine each
location of each rear seat(s) 114 that is occupied by the rear seat
passenger(s) 122 in comparison to each front seat(s) 110 that is
occupied by the front seat passenger(s) 120. Accordingly, the
location of each rear seat passenger(s) 122 may be determined from
the perspective of each front seat passenger(s) 120.
[0107] In one embodiment, upon determining the location of the rear
seat passenger(s) 122 with respect to the location of the front
seat passenger(s) 120, the occupancy reminder determinant module
142 may be configured to access the occupant determination data
store 130 on the storage unit 126 of the vehicle 102. The occupancy
reminder determinant module 142 may be configured to store a
determination of one or more front seats 110 and one or more rear
seats 114 of the vehicle 102 that may be occupied and unoccupied by
one or more front seat passenger(s) 120 and one or more rear seat
passenger(s) 122 each time one or more ignition modes of the
vehicle 102 is enabled, each time the vehicle 102 put into a drive
transmission mode and driven, and/or when the seat weight sensors
112 and/or the camera(s) 116 sense a change in occupancy in one or
more of the rear seat(s) 114. In some configurations, the occupancy
reminder determinant module 142 may also be configured store the
category of the rear seat passenger(s) 122, and/or the sleeping
status of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 on the occupant
determination data store 130.
[0108] The method 400 may proceed to block 410, wherein the method
400 may include communicating with the ECU 104 of the vehicle 102
to determine when one or more ignition modes of the vehicle 102 are
disabled. In an exemplary embodiment, upon storing the
determination of occupancy on the occupant determination data store
130, the occupancy reminder determinant module 142 may be
configured to communicate with the ECU 104 to determine when the
vehicle 102 is disabled based on one or more ignition modes of the
vehicle 102 being disabled (e.g., by the driver of the vehicle
102).
[0109] The method 400 may proceed to block 412, wherein the method
400 may include accessing the occupant determination data store 130
to retrieve and analyze a latest stored determination of occupancy
of one or more of the front seats 110 and the rear seats 114 of the
vehicle 102. In one or more embodiments, the occupancy reminder
determinant module 142 may access the occupant determination data
store 130 to retrieve and analyze a latest stored determination of
one or more front seats 110 and one or more rear seats 114 of the
vehicle 102 that may be occupied by one or more front seat
passengers 120 and one or more rear seat passenger(s) 122. The
occupancy reminder determinant module 142 may additionally retrieve
and analyze a latest stored determination of the category of the
rear seat passenger(s) 122 and/or the sleeping status of the rear
seat passenger(s) 122 as previously stored on the occupant
determination data store 130.
[0110] The method 400 may proceed to block 414, wherein the method
400 may include actuating one or more vibrational elements 124 at
one or more regions 202-216 of one or more of the front seats 110
to provide a haptic reminder alert(s) to the front seat
passenger(s) 120 of the vehicle 102. In an exemplary embodiment,
the occupancy reminder determinant module 142 may be configured to
communicate respective data regarding the occupancy of the front
seat(s) 110 and/or the rear seat(s) 114 of the vehicle 102 by one
or more front seat passengers 120 and one or more rear seat
passengers 122 and may provide additional data pertaining to the
category of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 and/or the sleeping
status of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 to the vibration execution
module 144. This data may be used to enable actuation of one or
more of the one or more vibrational elements 124 to provide one or
more haptic reminder alerts to the front seat passenger(s) 120 as a
reminder of the presence of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 seated
within the rear seat(s) 114 within the rear portion of the cabin
118.
[0111] In one embodiment, based on the evaluation of the data
communicated by the occupancy reminder determinant module 142, the
vibration execution module 144 may thereby communicate with the ECU
104 to actuate one or more vibrational elements 124 that may be
disposed at one or more regions 202-216 of the front seat(s) 110 of
the vehicle 102. In particular, the one or more vibrational
elements 124 that are disposed at one or more regions 202-216 of
the front seat(s) 110 may be actuated to provide one or more types
of reminder alerts to remind the front seat passenger(s) 120 of the
presence of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 seated within the
vehicle 102.
[0112] More specifically, the one or more vibrational elements 124
that are disposed within respective portions (left, right, center)
of the front seat(s) 110 may be actuated in one or more manners to
indicate to the front seat passenger(s) 120 which rear seat 114 of
the vehicle 102 that each rear seat passenger 122 is seated based
on the determined location of the rear seat passenger(s) 122 with
respect to the front seat passenger(s) 120, the category of the
rear seat passenger(s) 122, and/or the sleeping status of the rear
seat passenger(s) 122.
[0113] This functionality may provide haptic alerts in one or more
manners that may replicate a disturbance such as a replicated
kicking of the rear portion 128 of the front seat(s) at a
particular intensity level to alert and remind the front seat
passenger(s) 120 that one or more rear seat passengers 122 are
seated within one or more particular rear seats 114 of the vehicle
102. For example, with respect to FIG. 2A, one or more vibrational
elements 124 disposed at a region 216 of a driver's side front seat
110 of the vehicle 102 may be actuated to provide repeating haptic
reminder alerts that may simulate a rear seat child passenger
kicking the rear portion 128 of the driver's side front seat 110 to
remind the driver of the rear seat passenger 122 located within the
rear seat 114 located within a left rear side of the cabin 118 of
the vehicle 102 upon disablement of one or more ignition modes of
the vehicle 102.
[0114] The vibration execution module 144 may additionally provide
one or more haptic reminder alerts at one or more regions 202-216
of the front passenger seat(s) 110 at one or more intensities
and/or one or more frequencies that may be based on the category of
the rear seat passenger(s) 122 and/or the sleeping status of the
rear seat passenger(s) 122. For example, if the rear seat passenger
122 is located at a right rear portion of the vehicle 102 with
respect to the driver of the vehicle 102 is categorized as a child
and is determined to be sleeping, the vibration execution module
144 may provide one or more haptic reminder alerts at the region
204 in a manner that is highly intense (e.g., simulates a higher
kicking force) and in a high frequency (e.g., every 15 seconds) to
ensure that the driver of the vehicle 102 is alerted with respect
to the presence of the rear seat passenger 122.
[0115] In one embodiment, upon providing the one or more haptic
reminder alerts, the vibration execution module 144 may communicate
with the occupancy determinant module 138 to determine if one or
more rear seat passenger(s) 122 are no longer seated within the
vehicle 102 (e.g., rear seat passenger child exits the vehicle
102). The vibration execution module 144 may be configured to
provide one or more haptic reminder alerts at one or more regions
202-216 of the front passenger seat(s) 110 until it is determined
that the one or more rear seat passenger(s) 122 are no longer
seated within the vehicle 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the
counteractive alert application 106 may communicate with the ECU
104 to determine when one or more ignition modes of the vehicle 102
are enabled to thereby re-execute the method 300 and the method 400
to actuate one or more vibrational elements 124 to counteract one
or more disturbances affecting one or more front seats 110 of the
vehicle 102 and to provide one or more haptic reminder alerts to
one or more front seat passengers 120 when one or more ignition
modes of the vehicle 102 are determined to be disabled.
[0116] FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram of a method 500 for
providing haptic counteractions and alerts within a seat of a
vehicle 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the
components of FIG. 1, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, though it is to be
appreciated that the method 500 of FIG. 5 may be used with other
systems/components. The method 500 may begin at block 502, wherein
the method 500 may include determining that at least one front seat
passenger 120 is occupying at least one front passenger seat 110 of
the vehicle 102 and at least one rear seat passenger 122 is
occupying at least one rear passenger seat 114 of the vehicle
102.
[0117] The method 500 may proceed to block 504, wherein the method
500 may include determining a location of the at least one rear
seat passenger 122 with respect to a location of the at least one
front seat passenger 120 within the vehicle 102. The method 500 may
proceed to block 506, wherein the method 500 may include
determining if at least one disturbance is affecting the at least
one front passenger seat 110 of the vehicle 102 that is caused by
the at least one rear seat passenger 122 of the vehicle 102.
[0118] The method 500 may proceed to block 508, wherein the method
500 may include actuating at least one vibrational element 124 to
counteract the at least one disturbance affecting the at least one
front passenger seat 110 of the vehicle 102 and to provide a
reminder alert pertaining to the at least one rear seat passenger
122 to the at least one front seat passenger 120 when the vehicle
102 is determined to be disabled.
[0119] The embodiments discussed herein may also be described and
implemented in the context of non-transitory computer-readable
storage medium storing computer-executable instructions.
Non-transitory computer-readable storage media includes computer
storage media and communication media. For example, flash memory
drives, digital versatile discs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), floppy
disks, and tape cassettes. Non-transitory computer-readable storage
media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and
non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for
storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data
structures, modules or other data. Non-transitory computer readable
storage media excludes transitory and propagated data signals.
[0120] It will be appreciated that various implementations of the
above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives
or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other
different systems or applications. Also that various presently
unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations
or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled
in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the
following claims.
* * * * *