Vision-Based Seat Belt Detection System

a detection system and vision technology, applied in belt control systems, instruments, transportation and packaging, etc., can solve problems such as general ignorance of safety systems

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-08-23
MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, they are limited in that the safety system generally does not know if a passenger is sitting in a seat that is unbuckled.

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0016]Referring now to FIG. 1, a vehicle seat is shown generally at 10. Seat 10 includes a lower cushion 12, an upper cushion 14, and a head support 16. A three-point seat belt assembly 18 is provided to safely secure a passenger. While only one seat 10 and seat belt assembly 18 is shown, it is contemplated that all seats and seat belts in the vehicle are substantially the same. Seat belt assembly 18 includes a nest 20 (which spools the seat belt when not in use), a web 22, a seat belt handle 24 (having a latching plate), and a seat belt buckle 26. When buckled, seat belt handle 24 is latched into seat belt buckle 26, and when unbuckled, web 22 retracts into nest 20, moving seat belt handle 24 adjacent to nest 20. This is often referred to as the “nested” position. Preferably, seat belt buckle 26 includes a conventional tactile sensor 27 which outputs whether or not seat belt handle 24 is latched into buckle 27. However, seat belt buckles 26 without tactile sensors are within the sc...

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PUM

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Abstract

The invention is a system and method that detects seat belt-related features using an image sensor. Reflective materials are optionally applied onto or embedded into the seat belt webbing, buckle, nest and handle to reflect patterns from infrared illumination to the image sensor. Software compounds these findings to result an overall ‘Belted’ and ‘Unbelted’ detection output. A temporal model software assists in stabilizing the decision in unsure situations by adding past images' decisions into the current decision. ‘Twisted belt’ and ‘Seat belt buckled behind back / seat’ situations can be also detected to notify the driver about unsafe occupant situations in the vehicle. The detection is applicable to safety belt detection for the driver seat, front passenger seat, back or any additional seats in vehicles.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 774,118.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to vehicle seat belts. More specifically, the present invention provides a camera system and method that determines whether the seat belts in the vehicle are belted or unbelted.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Seat belt systems and seat belt buckle tactile sensors exist are standard in every vehicle. Tactile sensors are reliable and low cost. However, they are limited in that the safety system generally does not know if a passenger is sitting in a seat that is unbuckled. Obviously, an empty seat with an unbuckled belt should not set off a warning signal, whereas a seat with a child and an unbuckled belt should.[0004]Some auto manufactures have begun to provide vision camera systems into vehicles for applications such as driver alertness monitoring, passenger seat occupant classification or to detect children accidentally left in the rear...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G06K9/00B60Q1/00
CPCB60R22/48B60R2022/4808G06K9/2063B60R2022/485G06V10/225
Inventor LEVY, URI
Owner MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC
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