In-vehicle occupant safety monitoring systems and methods
Inventors
Kliegman, Ross • Moore, Lara • Nusbaum, Jonathan • Bryden, Wayne A. • McCreery, Thomas
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12366674-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-22
Expiration Date
2043-02-09
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Abstract
In-vehicle occupant detection system and methods capable of monitoring the interior of a passenger vehicle and responding to potentially dangerous situations are disclosed. The detection systems may comprise a front camera to focus on driver and passenger behavior in the front cabin, and a rear camera and an array of environmental sensors to detect unattended occupants including children, adults or pets in the rear seats. Data may be processed by an intelligent algorithm to assesses anomalies and trigger one or more alarms or countermeasures.
Core Innovation
The invention discloses in-vehicle occupant detection systems and methods capable of monitoring the interior of a passenger vehicle and responding to potentially dangerous situations. The detection systems may comprise a front camera to monitor driver and passenger behavior in the front cabin, along with a rear camera and an array of environmental sensors to detect unattended occupants such as children, adults, or pets in the rear seats. The collected data are processed by an intelligent algorithm to assess anomalies and trigger alarms or countermeasures accordingly.
The problem being solved addresses preventable vehicle-related tragedies caused by drowsy driving, distracted driving, improper seat-belt use, and most critically, unattended persons left in parked vehicles. Current systems inadequately detect unattended occupants, particularly children or pets, due to reliance on indirect methods such as door-opening counts, which can be bypassed or disabled. Furthermore, existing solutions do not effectively monitor the interior environment to detect hazardous heat conditions or the presence of occupants with acceptable false alarm rates. The disclosed system aims to provide autonomous, accurate, and low false-alarm detection of unattended occupants through multiple independent data streams and intelligent processing.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims that describe systems for detecting the presence of an unattended occupant inside a vehicle, focusing on sensor configurations and data processing methods.
Unattended occupant detection using geophone, temperature, and CO2 sensors with safety protocol triggering
A system comprising a geophone vibration sensor for continuous vibration sampling, a cabin temperature sensor, a cabin CO2 sensor, and a controller that triggers a safety protocol when the voltage difference between exponential moving averages of geophone sensor readings falls below a predetermined threshold.
Integration of thermal imaging, PIR motion, and sound sensors with controlled activation
The system further comprises a thermal imaging camera for rear cabin monitoring, and optionally a PIR motion sensor and sound sensor that sample occupant movement and sounds respectively, with the controller activating these sensors based on cabin temperature thresholds or CO2 level changes.
Communication capabilities with remote servers and mobile applications
The system can communicate sensor data and images to a remote server for processing and interface with a mobile application installed on a vehicle owner's device for real-time monitoring and alerts.
Transponder and receiver unit system for in-vehicle occupant detection with wireless communication
A detection system consisting of a transponder unit housing environmental sensors including temperature, CO2, PIR motion, sound sensors, and optionally a thermal imaging camera, and a receiver unit with a geophone sensor and controller. Both units are configured for bidirectional wireless communication and are powered by rechargeable batteries, with the transponder unit removably mountable within the vehicle.
The independent claims cover inventive features including the use of multiple continuous environmental sensors with threshold-based processing for unattended occupant detection, integration of imaging and motion/sound sensing, the capability for remote data communication and mobile interfacing, and a modular transponder-receiver architecture configured for vehicle interior monitoring and safety protocol activation.
Stated Advantages
Provides critical safety monitoring of passengers including detection of unattended children, pets, and unsafe occupant behavior in vehicles.
Targets very low false alarm rates by employing multiple independent sensors and intelligent algorithms, avoiding the problem of ignored false alarms common in existing vehicle alarms.
Enables timely detection of heatstroke and hazardous conditions through continuous monitoring of cabin temperature and CO2 concentration changes.
Facilitates escalating countermeasures compliant with local laws, including communication with designated contacts, emergency services, and vehicle environment control actions.
Preserves occupant privacy by employing thermal imaging for rear occupant detection and configurable camera use to balance identification needs and anonymity.
Offers adaptability through modular system design with removably mountable units and power management strategies to optimize sensor use and battery life.
Documented Applications
Monitoring unattended occupants such as children, adults, or pets left inside parked passenger vehicles to prevent heatstroke and other harmful conditions.
Detecting driver behaviors including drowsy driving, distracted driving, improper seatbelt use, and unsafe passenger positions.
Providing alerts and countermeasures to reduce accidents and fatalities related to occupant safety and driver impairment.
Integration with mobile application software to allow vehicle owners real-time access to occupant monitoring data and communication with emergency responders or designated contacts.
Use as both aftermarket and OEM safety components in passenger vehicles with capability for removable installation and wireless communication.
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