阅读说明：本技术 用于乘员分类和基于此调节气囊展开的系统和方法 (System and method for occupant classification and airbag deployment adjustment based thereon ) 是由 S·D·托马斯 于 2021-03-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：一个总体方面包括一种约束件展开调节的系统,所述系统包括：存储器,其被配置为包括多个可执行指令,以及处理器,其被配置为执行所述可执行指令,其中所述可执行指令使得所述处理器能够：(a)基于座椅占用传感器输出来确定非成人乘员是否正在占用车辆座椅；(b)基于舱内传感器输出确定儿童约束座椅是否安装在所述车辆座椅上；以及(c)基于步骤(a)和(b),启用或抑制与车辆座椅对应的气囊模块的展开。(One general aspect includes a system for restraint deployment adjustment, the system comprising: a memory configured to include a plurality of executable instructions, and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein the executable instructions enable the processor to: (a) determining whether a non-adult occupant is occupying a vehicle seat based on the seat occupancy sensor output; (b) determining whether a child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat based on an in-cabin sensor output; and (c) enabling or inhibiting deployment of an airbag module corresponding to the vehicle seat based on steps (a) and (b).)

1. A method of restraint deployment adjustment, the method comprising:

(a) determining whether a non-adult occupant is occupying a vehicle seat;

(b) determining whether a child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat; and

(c) based on steps (a) and (b), activating or inhibiting deployment of a restraint corresponding to the vehicle seat.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

when it is determined that the non-adult occupant is sitting in the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold; and

step (c) is further based on step (d).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

when it is determined that the non-adult occupant is sitting on a child-restraint seat mounted on the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold; and

step (c) is further based on step (d).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

when it is determined that the child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether the child restraint seat includes a seat back; and

when it is determined that the child-restraint seat includes the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (e) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a first threshold, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (e); or

When it is determined that the child-restraint seat does not include the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (f) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a second threshold, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (f).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) precedes step (b).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the restraint is at least one of an airbag module or a pretensioner.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

when the non-adult occupant is determined to be occupying the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold by at least one of:

comparing the volume or shape of the non-adult occupant to the threshold; or

Utilizing a probability determination, wherein the probability of the volume or shape is compared to a predetermined occupant size above the threshold and a predetermined occupant size below the threshold.

8. A system for restraint deployment adjustment, the system comprising:

a memory configured to include a plurality of executable instructions, and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein the executable instructions enable the processor to:

(a) Determining whether a non-adult occupant is occupying a vehicle seat based on the seat occupancy sensor output;

(b) determining whether a child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat based on an in-cabin sensor output; and

(c) based on steps (a) and (b), enabling or inhibiting deployment of an airbag module corresponding to the vehicle seat.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the executable instructions further enable the processor to:

when it is determined that the non-adult occupant is sitting in the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output; and

step (c) is further based on step (d).

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the executable instructions further enable the processor to:

when it is determined that the child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether the child restraint seat includes a seat back based on the in-cabin sensor output; and

when it is determined that the child-restraint seat includes the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (e) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a first threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (e); or

When it is determined that the child-restraint seat does not include the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (f) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a second threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (f).

Background

Pressure-based occupant classification systems may have the disadvantage of large detection of "gray areas," which may in some cases accidentally exclude children. For example, the size of the gray area of the seat weight sensor may range from the third (3) year old up to the 5 th percentile for women. It is therefore desirable to minimize such gray detection areas so that airbag suppression will occur during prescribed child conditions, and such deployment will occur for a medium sized child who will be in a seated position to benefit from airbag deployment. One way to accomplish this desire is to supplement the in-seat occupant sensing system with in-vehicle sensors, such as, for example, cameras, to determine whether a booster seat (or other child-restraint seat) is present before the occupant sits on the booster seat. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

Disclosure of Invention

A system of one or more computers may be configured to perform particular operations or actions by installing software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof on a system that, in operation, causes the system to perform the actions. One or more computer programs may be configured to perform particular operations or actions by including instructions that, when executed by data processing apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the actions. One general aspect includes a method of restraint deployment adjustment, the method comprising: (a) determining whether a non-adult occupant is occupying a vehicle seat; (b) determining whether a child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat; and (c) enabling or inhibiting deployment of a restraint corresponding to the vehicle seat based on steps (a) and (b). Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. In the method: when it is determined that the non-adult occupant is seated in the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold; and step (c) is further based on step (d). In the method: when it is determined that the non-adult occupant is seated on a child-restraint seat mounted on the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold; and step (c) is further based on step (d). In the method: when it is determined that the child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether the child restraint seat includes a seat back; and when it is determined that the child restraint seat comprises a seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (e) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a first threshold, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (e); or when it is determined that the child-restraint seat does not include the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (f) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a second threshold, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (f). In which step (a) precedes step (b). In the method, the restraint is at least one of an airbag module or a pretensioner. In the method: when the non-adult occupant is determined to be occupying the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold by at least one of: comparing the volume or shape of the non-adult occupant to the threshold; or using a probability determination wherein the probability of the volume or shape is compared to a predetermined occupant size above the threshold and a predetermined occupant size below the threshold. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, methods or processes, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium.

One general aspect includes a system for restraint deployment adjustment, the system comprising: a memory configured to include a plurality of executable instructions, and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein the executable instructions enable the processor to: (a) determining whether a non-adult occupant is occupying a vehicle seat based on the seat occupancy sensor output; (b) determining whether a child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat based on an in-cabin sensor output; and (c) enabling or inhibiting deployment of an airbag module corresponding to the vehicle seat based on steps (a) and (b). Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. In the system: the executable instructions further enable the processor to: when it is determined that the non-adult occupant is seated in the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output; and step (c) is further based on step (d). In the system, the executable instructions further enable the processor to: when it is determined that the child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether the child restraint seat includes a seat back based on the in-cabin sensor output; and when it is determined that the child-restraint seat comprises the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (e) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a first threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (e); or when it is determined that the child-restraint seat does not include the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (f) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a second threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (f). In the system, step (a) precedes step (b). In this system, the occupant size is determined by subtracting the thickness of the child restraint seat from the distance of an occupant landmark (occupancy landmark) to the vehicle seating surface. In the system, a seat occupancy sensor is mounted at the vehicle seat and is configured to detect occupancy of a non-adult occupant in the vehicle seat after the non-adult occupant places at least a portion of his weight on the vehicle seat. In this system, the seat occupancy sensor is a pressure sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a weight sensor or a biometric sensor. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, methods or processes, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium.

One general aspect includes a non-transitory and machine-readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions adapted to adjust a deployment of a restraint, which when provided to and executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform: (a) determining whether a non-adult occupant is occupying a vehicle seat based on the seat occupancy sensor output; (b) determining whether a child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat based on an in-cabin sensor output; and (c) enabling or inhibiting deployment of an airbag module corresponding to the vehicle seat based on steps (a) and (b). Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. In the non-transitory and machine readable medium: the processor further performs: when it is determined that the non-adult occupant is seated in the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output; and step (c) is further based on step (d). In the non-transitory and machine readable medium: when it is determined that the child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether the child restraint seat includes a seat back based on the in-cabin sensor output; and when it is determined that the child-restraint seat comprises the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (e) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a first threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (e); or when it is determined that the child-restraint seat does not include the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (f) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a second threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (f). In the non-transitory and machine readable medium, step (a) precedes step (b). In the non-transitory and machine readable medium, the on-board sensor is a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, or an infrared sensor. In the non-transitory and machine-readable medium, the seat occupancy sensor is mounted at the vehicle seat and configured to detect occupancy of the non-adult occupant in the vehicle seat after the non-adult occupant has placed at least a portion of its weight on the vehicle seat. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, methods or processes, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium.

The invention also comprises the following scheme:

scheme 1. a method of restraint deployment adjustment, the method comprising:

(a) determining whether a non-adult occupant is occupying a vehicle seat;

(b) determining whether a child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat; and

(c) based on steps (a) and (b), activating or inhibiting deployment of a restraint corresponding to the vehicle seat.

Scheme 2. the method of scheme 1, wherein:

when it is determined that the non-adult occupant is sitting in the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold; and

step (c) is further based on step (d).

Scheme 3. the method of scheme 1, wherein:

when it is determined that the non-adult occupant is sitting on a child-restraint seat mounted on the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold; and

step (c) is further based on step (d).

Scheme 4. the method of scheme 1, wherein:

when it is determined that the child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether the child restraint seat includes a seat back; and

when it is determined that the child-restraint seat includes the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (e) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a first threshold, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (e); or

When it is determined that the child-restraint seat does not include the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (f) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a second threshold, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (f).

Scheme 5. the method of scheme 1, wherein step (a) precedes step (b).

Scheme 6. the method of scheme 1, wherein the restraint is at least one of an airbag module or a pretensioner.

Scheme 7. the method of scheme 1, wherein:

when the non-adult occupant is determined to be occupying the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold by at least one of:

comparing the volume or shape of the non-adult occupant to the threshold; or

Utilizing a probability determination, wherein the probability of the volume or shape is compared to a predetermined occupant size above the threshold and a predetermined occupant size below the threshold.

A system for restraint deployment adjustment, the system comprising:

a memory configured to include a plurality of executable instructions, and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein the executable instructions enable the processor to:

(a) Determining whether a non-adult occupant is occupying a vehicle seat based on the seat occupancy sensor output;

(b) determining whether a child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat based on an in-cabin sensor output; and

(c) based on steps (a) and (b), enabling or inhibiting deployment of an airbag module corresponding to the vehicle seat.

Scheme 9. the system of scheme 8, wherein:

the executable instructions further enable the processor to:

when it is determined that the non-adult occupant is sitting in the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output; and

step (c) is further based on step (d).

Scheme 10. the system of scheme 8, wherein the executable instructions further enable the processor to:

when it is determined that the child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether the child restraint seat includes a seat back based on the in-cabin sensor output; and

when it is determined that the child-restraint seat includes the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (e) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a first threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (e); or

When it is determined that the child-restraint seat does not include the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (f) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a second threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (f).

Scheme 11. the system of scheme 8, wherein step (a) precedes step (b).

The system of claim 8, wherein the occupant size is determined by subtracting a thickness of the child-restraint seat from a distance of the occupant landmark to the vehicle seating surface.

Scheme 13. the system of scheme 8, wherein the seat occupancy sensor is mounted at the vehicle seat and configured to detect occupancy of the non-adult occupant in the vehicle seat after the non-adult occupant has placed at least a portion of its weight on the vehicle seat.

Scheme 14. the system of scheme 8, wherein the seat occupancy sensor is a pressure sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a weight sensor, or a biometric sensor.

A non-transitory and machine-readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions adapted to adjust the deployment of a restraint, the executable instructions, when provided to and executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform:

(a) Determining whether a non-adult occupant is occupying a vehicle seat based on the seat occupancy sensor output;

(b) determining whether a child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat based on an in-cabin sensor output; and

(c) based on steps (a) and (b), enabling or inhibiting deployment of an airbag module corresponding to the vehicle seat.

Scheme 16. the non-transitory and machine-readable medium of scheme 15, wherein:

the processor further performs:

when it is determined that the non-adult occupant is sitting in the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output; and

step (c) is further based on step (d).

Scheme 17. the non-transitory and machine-readable medium of scheme 15, wherein:

when it is determined that the child restraint seat is installed on the vehicle seat, (d) determining whether the child restraint seat includes a seat back based on the in-cabin sensor output; and

when it is determined that the child-restraint seat includes the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (e) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a first threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (e); or

When it is determined that the child-restraint seat does not include the seat back and it is determined that the non-adult occupant is occupying the vehicle seat, (f) determining whether a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant exceeds a second threshold based on the in-cabin sensor output, and wherein step (c) is further based on step (f).

Scheme 18. the non-transitory and machine-readable medium of scheme 15, wherein step (a) precedes step (b).

Scheme 19. the non-transitory and machine-readable medium of scheme 15, wherein the on-board sensor is a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, or an infrared sensor.

Scheme 20. the non-transitory and machine-readable medium of scheme 15, wherein the seat occupancy sensor is mounted at the vehicle seat and configured to detect occupancy of the non-adult occupant in the vehicle seat after the non-adult occupant has placed at least a portion of its body weight on the vehicle seat.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The disclosed examples will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an airbag deployment adjustment system;

FIG. 2 illustrates one or more aspects of an exemplary system for airbag deployment adjustment implemented in an exemplary vehicle environment;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary schematic diagram of an exemplary system for airbag deployment adjustment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram generally showing an exemplary method that may be performed to adjust airbag deployment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram generally showing another exemplary method that may be performed to adjust airbag deployment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram generally showing another exemplary method that may be performed to adjust airbag deployment; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram generally showing another exemplary method that may be performed to adjust airbag deployment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present embodiments. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combination of features shown provides a representative embodiment of a typical application. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an exemplary system for occupant classification and airbag deployment adjustment is indicated generally by the reference numeral 100. As shown, the disclosed system 100 includes a controller 101, a power source 102, a memory 103 incorporating an identification module 104, one or more in-cabin sensors 105, one or more seat occupancy sensors 106, one or more airbag modules 107, and one or more vehicle seats 108. The system 100 may also include a display 109, an audio system 110, and a communication device 111. However, the system 100 is not limited to the above-described configuration and may be configured to include additional elements and/or omit one or more of the above-described elements.

The controller 101 may be located in a vehicle telematics unit or other computer module, and the controller 101 essentially controls the overall operation and functionality of the system 100. Upon reading and executing the one or more executable instructions, the controller 101 may control, send, and/or receive information from one or more of the memory 103, the one or more in-cabin sensors 105, the one or more seat occupancy sensors 106, the one or more vehicle seats 108, and the communication device 111 of the system 100. The controller 101 may include one or more of the following: processors, microprocessors, Central Processing Units (CPUs), graphics processors, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), state machines, and combinations of hardware, software, and firmware components.

The power supply 102 provides power to the controller 101, the memory 103, the one or more in-cabin sensors 105, the one or more seat occupancy sensors 106, the one or more vehicle seats 108, the display 109, the audio system 110, and the communication device 111. The power source 102 may include power from one or more of a battery, an electrical outlet, a capacitor, a solar cell, a generator, a wind energy device, an alternator, and the like.

Memory 103 may be located in the vehicle telematics unit and configured to record information, store information, and retrieve information used by system 100. The memory 103 may include executable instructions configured to be read and executed by the controller 101 in order to perform the functions of the system 100. The memory 103 may also be controlled by the controller 101 to record, store and retrieve various types of data in a database, such as, but not limited to, storing and retrieving mapping data in the identification module 104.

Memory 103 may include one or more of floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs (compact disc-read only memory), magneto-optical disks, ROMs (read only memory), RAMs (random access memory), EPROMs (erasable programmable read only memory), EEPROMs (electrically erasable programmable read only memory), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, cache memory, and other types of media/machine-readable media suitable for storing machine-executable instructions.

The identification module 104 in memory 103 may function as an object recognition software program that may be executed to identify whether a child restraint seat (i.e., a child restraint (not shown) having a 5-point seat belt, a booster seat 113a having a seat back, or a booster seat 113b without a seat back; see fig. 2) is present in visual content (e.g., secured to a seat cushion of a vehicle seat), and whether a child occupant (i.e., a non-adult occupant) present in the visual content is greater than or less than a threshold. Further, the threshold may be based on at least one of a volume or shape of the non-adult occupant (e.g., based on a head height, an eye position height, a glasses position height, a facial feature height, a shoulder height, a leg surface height, or a biomechanical model (e.g., a simple stroke model) as non-limiting examples, a threshold may also be set for a volume or shape of a child between six (6) and ten (10) years, such as a child eight (8) years old, additionally, the recognition module 104 may implement one or more of commonly known image recognition (processing) techniques, such as but not limited to a cascade classifier technique, a Maximum Stable Extremum Region (MSER) technique, and an emerging machine learning based technique, to support object recognition. CRS and pictures of booster seat types and aspects, etc.) and occupant size and/or volume (e.g., based on head height, eye position height, facial feature height, shoulder height, leg surface height, or biomechanical models (e.g., stroke models) for matching one or more visual content-recognized objects. One skilled in the art will appreciate that each of these image recognition (processing) techniques can be used sequentially to identify whether one or more objects are present in the visual content. Further, if one or more objects (e.g., a booster seat with or without a seat back or a child restraint seat with a 5-point seat belt) are identified as being present in the visual content, the identification module 104 may generate an output to confirm that the objects have been identified; otherwise, the recognition module 104 can generate an output that recognizes that the object is not present in the visual content. The output may also be binary in nature (e.g., "1" indicates that one or more objects have been identified as present in the visual content, and "0" indicates that no object has been identified as present in the visual content).

The communication device 111 may be used by the system 100 to communicate with various types of external remote parties (fig. 2). The communication device 111 may be used to send/receive certain communications, such as, but not limited to, executable instructions/executable instruction updates (e.g., software/software updates) for the identity module 104 and image databases. These communications may be sent to a remote party, such as but not limited to a call center, computing device, or mobile computing device. New or developed identity module data, executable instructions, and image database updates may also be downloaded from a call center, one or more computing devices, or one or more mobile computing devices via communication device 111.

The communication device 111 may include various peripheral communication modules that may execute instructions. Such modules may include, but are not limited to, a GPS module, a broadcast receiving module, a Near Field Communication (NFC) module, a wired communication module, and a wireless communication module. The broadcast receiving module may include a terrestrial broadcast receiving module including an antenna for receiving a terrestrial broadcast signal, a demodulator, and an equalizer. The NFC module is a module that communicates with an external device located in a close distance according to an NFC method. The GPS module is a module that receives GPS signals from one or more GPS satellites of a satellite constellation and detects a current position. The wired communication module may be a module that receives information on a wired network such as a local area network, a Controller Area Network (CAN), or an external network via an ethernet cable, a fiber optic cable, a coaxial cable, or the like. The wireless communication module is a module that connects to and communicates with an external network by using a wireless communication protocol such as Wi-Fi or IEEE communication protocol. The wireless communication module may further include a mobile communication module that accesses a mobile communication network and performs communication according to various mobile communication standards such as 4 th generation (4G), 3 rd generation partnership project (3GPP), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or ZigBee. The skilled person will appreciate that the communication device 111 may use one or more of these peripheral modules (or other modules not discussed herein) to send/receive the generated terrain data.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more in-cabin sensors 105 may be digital cameras and may be mounted on the ceiling of the interior cabin 112 of the vehicle, as can be seen with additional reference to fig. 2. As such, each camera 105 may include the ability to record one or more digital images as bitmap data representations of tangible objects captured and stored by commonly known operations of the camera. As shown, one of the cameras 105 may be positioned to view and record one or more images of the vehicle seats 108 and their content for the second row of seats, and the other camera 105 may be positioned to view and record one or more images of the vehicle seats 108 and their content for the third row of vehicle seats. The skilled person will see that each camera 105 may be similar to those cameras that are commonly known to be mounted on the dashboard and trunk door of a vehicle. The camera may produce a two-dimensional image or may have two separate imagers to produce a three-dimensional image that provides depth perception. Alternatively, in one or more embodiments, the one or more in-cabin sensors 105 may be commonly known ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors, lidar sensors, or infrared sensors. Furthermore, various forms of illuminators may be used to enable in-vehicle detection by in-cabin sensors. It should be understood that the one or more in-cabin sensors 105 may also be mounted on an interior cabin portion of a pillar of the vehicle, on an instrument panel inside the vehicle, on an interior cabin portion of a side wall of the vehicle, on an interior cabin portion of a door of the vehicle, on a rear view mirror of the vehicle, on a screen of a display 109, or on a headrest of one of the one or more vehicle seats 108. It should also be understood that any seating position in the vehicle may be monitored by the in-cabin sensors in this manner.

Each seat occupancy sensor 106 may be mounted in a cushion of a seat cushion or a seat back of one or more vehicle seats 108, or the seat occupancy sensors 106 may be mounted at a junction between a structure of one or more vehicle seats 108 and a structure of the vehicle. In one or more embodiments, the seat occupancy sensor 106 may comprise a silicone-filled "bladder" and be configured to send an output when varied by pressure exerted on the top of the bladder. For example, after a vehicle occupant, such as, for example, a child (non-adult occupant), is seated in one of the one or more vehicle seats 108, the seat occupancy sensor 106 may detect a significant pressure change in the seat cushion or seat back. In one or more embodiments, the seat occupancy sensor 106 may be a capacitive touch sensor configured to send an output when a person's body is physically seated on a seat cushion or pressed against a seat back of one or more vehicle seats 108 (i.e., send an output upon occupancy of the vehicle seat 108). In one or more embodiments, the seat occupancy sensor 106 may be a resistive sensor that changes resistance when deformed or compressed, configured to send an output when a person's body is physically seated on the seat cushion or pressed up against the seat back of one or more vehicle seats 108. In one or more embodiments, the seat occupancy sensor 106 may be a biometric sensor (e.g., a temperature and/or light sensor mounted in a seat back, a fingerprint reader mounted on an armrest, etc.) configured to send an output when an occupant is identified while seated on the seat cushion or pressed against the seat back of the one or more vehicle seats 108 (i.e., send an output when the vehicle seat 108 is occupied). In one or more embodiments, the seat occupancy sensor 106 may be a weight sensor (e.g., a scale) configured to detect a change in weight when an occupant is seated on the seat cushion or pressed against the seat back of the one or more vehicle seats 108 (i.e., send an output when the vehicle seat 108 is occupied). The seat occupancy sensor 106 may also be configured to provide an output based on a physical characteristic of the vehicle occupant (e.g., weight, temperature, mass, volume, etc.). For example, the seat occupancy sensor 106 may provide an output for an adult occupant that is occupying the vehicle 114, and the sensor may provide a different output for a non-adult occupant.

After proper engagement has occurred, the seat occupancy sensor 106 may send an explicit signal (i.e., output) to the controller 101 indicating that there is something in the seat or that the seat is empty. The signal may be proportional to the size or mass of any object in the seat. The signal may also be binary in nature (e.g., "1" indicates that the seat belt tongue is inserted into the corresponding seat belt buckle, and "0" indicates that the seat belt is not engaged).

Each airbag module 107 is a vehicle occupant restraint system that uses a bag designed to inflate and deflate very quickly during a vehicle collision (a substantial collision event). Each airbag module 107 also provides an energy absorbing surface between a vehicle occupant and a rear portion of one of a vehicle seat 108, an instrument panel, a body pillar, a headliner, a windshield, and the like. Each airbag module 107 is operatively connected to one or more inflators that provide gas to forcefully inflate the airbag. Further, the inflator may be partially suppressed to inflate the airbag module 107 with a low deployment force (stage 1 deployment), or fully suppressed to fully restrict the airbag deployment. Alternatively, the inflator may be caused to inflate the airbag module 107 with a high deployment force (stage 2 deployment), or with a deployment force sufficient for a vehicle occupant of at least a certain size, mass, or age, such as, for example, 8 years of age. Further, when multiple inflators are installed in an airbag, the activation of each inflator can also be timed relative to the other activations to achieve a particular deployment force that meets the physical requirements of the vehicle occupant (e.g., 1 millisecond, 10 milliseconds, or 100 milliseconds between each activation). Further, the airbag module 107 may be mounted throughout the vehicle interior in a location corresponding to a vehicle seat, such as, but not limited to, a steering wheel, an instrument panel, a side curtain, a seat-mounted side impact (i.e., within a driver/passenger seat), a knee bolster (mounted at the bottom of the instrument panel), and an inflatable seat belt (within a seat belt), the back side of the vehicle seat 108 (fig. 2), a ceiling, a vehicle sidewall, a door, or a floor.

Each belt pretensioner 112 is a vehicle occupant restraint system component on a seat belt that, when deployed, tightens the seat belt to pull out slack. Each pretensioner 112 is operatively connected to an inflator that provides gas to forcefully pull the slack out of the seat belt webbing. The pretensioner may be located at a belt retractor in which the belt webbing is stored, at an anchor at the end of the belt webbing or on a buckle. A pretensioner is added to expand it.

Each vehicle seat 108 includes a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion and is substantially perpendicular relative to the seat cushion by default in position. Further, each vehicle seat 108 may be controlled by the controller 101 to adjust to the upright and folded arrangements. The display 109 may be located in a vehicle, and may preferably be a graphical display, such as a touch screen on a vehicle instrument panel, a display on an interior rear view mirror, or a heads-up display reflected from a vehicle windshield, and may be used to provide a variety of input and output functions (i.e., enable a GUI). As such, the display 109 may be configured to present information, for example, to present one or more notifications to a vehicle occupant corresponding to one or more vehicle systems.

The audio system 110 may provide audio output to one or more vehicle occupants and may be a dedicated, stand-alone system or part of a host vehicle audio system. In accordance with one or more embodiments, audio system 110 may provide AM, FM, media streaming services (e.g., PANDORA RADIO, SPOTIFY, etc.), satellite RADIO, CD, DVD, and other multimedia functions. The audio system 110 may also generate at least one audio notification to announce the information presented on the display 109, and/or may generate an audio notification that announces the information independently. The audio notification may, for example, announce one or more notifications corresponding to one or more vehicle systems to a vehicle occupant.

The controller 101 may use the sensor inputs fed thereto to determine whether a child restraint seat is present and the overall size of the child restraint seat. If so, this information may be used by additional internal sensors (not shown), such as a seat belt buckle usage sensor, a payout sensor, a camera sensor, a latch anchor usage sensor, to determine whether the child restraint is properly attached to the vehicle and whether the child is properly restrained to the vehicle and the child restraint seat.

According to an exemplary aspect, with additional reference to fig. 2, the controller 101 is configured to operate the one or more in-cabin sensors 105 to generate one or more images of at least a portion of the one or more vehicle seats 108 and the content they contain. For example, at the beginning of, or shortly after, vehicle operation, the controller 101 may operate one or more in-cabin sensors 105 to generate one or more images of the seat cushion and seat back of at least one vehicle seat 108. The controller 101 is further configured to utilize the identification module 104 to identify whether at least one object is resting on at least a portion of one or more vehicle seats 108 (i.e., present in the visual content). For example, the recognition module 104 may implement image recognition techniques to determine whether a child-restraint seat (i.e., a booster seat 113a with a seat back or a booster seat 113b without a seat back or a child-restraint seat with a five-point seat belt) has been installed onto a cushion of one of the one or more vehicle seats 108 (which may be before a vehicle occupant enters the vehicle seat 108). The image recognition techniques may also be implemented to determine whether there are non-adult occupants in one or more images that are greater than a threshold. In addition, the controller 101 is configured to operate the one or more seat occupancy sensors 106 to detect that a non-adult occupant has entered the vehicle seat 108 and is thus seated on one of the one or more vehicle seats 108. Further, the controller 101 is configured to enable or inhibit airbag deployment, and is configured to enable or inhibit pretensioner deployment (e.g., via allowance/inhibition of internal inflation devices among these safety components) based on some combination of: a determination is made as to whether the child-restraint seat is mounted to the vehicle seat (which may further determine whether the child-restraint seat includes a seat back) and whether the non-adult occupant present in the one or more images (via output of the identification module 104) is greater than or less than a preset threshold.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the airbag module 107 incorporates a single inflator, and thus the strength of inflation of the airbag will occur based on the inflator's restraint. For example, the inflator may be partially inhibited by the controller 101 to achieve a particular deployment force (e.g., 40%, 70%, 90% of maximum inflation strength potential) that meets the body requirements of the vehicle occupant. Furthermore, the inflator may be fully restrained such that the airbag will not deploy in response to a vehicle crash event. In one or more alternative embodiments, the airbag module 107 incorporates two or more inflators, and thus the inflation intensity of the airbag occurs based on the activation timing of these inflators. For example, the inflators may be timed relative to each other to achieve a particular deployment force that meets the vehicle occupant's physical requirements (e.g., 1 millisecond, 10 milliseconds, or 100 milliseconds between activation of each inflator). Furthermore, each inflator may be fully inhibited such that no inflator is activated and, therefore, the airbag will not deploy in response to a vehicle collision event. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the pretensioner 112, including an inflator, may be inhibited by the controller 101 such that it is not activated in response to a vehicle collision event.

FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of an airbag deployment system 200 and possible pretensioner deployment adjustments based on occupant classification according to an exemplary aspect. Referring to fig. 1, vehicles 114 may also implement their communication devices 111 to send and receive communications (information) over a network 115 to and from memory 103 (discussed above) typically located within a remote server 116 (i.e., a remote party, e.g., a call center). Communications that may be sent or received, or both, by one or more vehicles 114 may include, but are not limited to, executable/executable updates for the identification module 104 and the image database. To send and receive communications over the network 115 and perform the functions that implement the identification module 104, the vehicle 114 or the server 116 or both the vehicle 114 and the server 116 may include one or more controllers 101 configured to execute instructions for the identification module 104 as stored in the memory 103 of the server 116. Alternatively, the controller 101 itself may communicate between modules within the automobile (as described in fig. 1) without transmitting information outside the vehicle.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary method 400 for adjusting the airbag module 107 and, in some cases, the pretensioner 112 for airbag deployment activation or suppression purposes and possibly pretensioner 112 deployment activation or suppression purposes based on occupancy characteristics of the vehicle seat 108 according to exemplary aspects. Method 400 may begin at 401 where vehicle 114 is in a closed (OFF) state and one or more doors are unlocked at 401. Method 400 may also begin at 401 when the doors are opened or vehicle 114 is powered. The method 400 may continue to function while the vehicle is powered or engaged. Once the method 400 produces an occupant size determination, the method may optionally sleep and re-wake if the seat occupancy sensor 106 detects a change in state or other vehicle sensors detect a change in occupancy. Further, the one or more in-cabin sensors 105 will generate one or more images of at least a portion of the one or more vehicle seats 108, and such images will be sent to the controller 101 (for at least temporary storage in the memory 103). In step 410, the seat occupancy sensor 106 senses that the vehicle occupant has begun to enter and has begun to occupy its vehicle seat 108. Further, based on the physical characteristics of the occupant, the seat occupancy sensor 106 will send an output to the controller 101. The controller 101 will then use this output to determine whether the occupant should be classified as an adult, a non-adult occupant (e.g., a child), an empty seat, or an unknown state (e.g., when the seat is in the process of being occupied or when the in-cabin sensor view is blocked). If a non-adult occupant is detected, the method 400 will move to step 420; otherwise, the method 400 moves to step 411. Alternatively, if an unknown state is detected, the method 400 may move to step 420.

In step 411, the controller 101 will enable selected constraints on the adult state upon the occurrence of a substantial collision event. The controller 101 may also inhibit deployment of the selected restraint for the empty seat and the unknown condition.

In step 420, the controller 101 will analyze one or more images. As such, the controller 101 will implement the recognition module 104 to analyze the visual content of the one or more images in order to recognize whether the child restraint seat 113 has been installed on the vehicle seat 108 (i.e., prior to entry of a non-adult occupant into the vehicle seat). Thus, if the child restraint seat 113 mounted on the vehicle seat 108 has been identified in visual content, the method 400 will move to step 430; otherwise, the method 400 moves to step 440.

In step 430, by further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 will determine whether the volume or shape (or both the volume and shape) of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold. In essence, the controller 101 will determine whether a non-adult occupant that happens to be seated on the child-restraining seat 113 appears to be at least the size of a particular sized person, such as an eight (8) year old child (i.e., a threshold value that takes into account the child-restraining seat 113). If the volume or shape (or both volume and shape) of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold, the method 400 moves to step 450; otherwise, the method 400 moves to step 460. The determination may be based on at least one of a head height, an eye position height, a glasses position height, a facial feature height, a shoulder height, a leg surface height, or a biomechanical model (e.g., a simple stroke model) of the non-adult occupant, for example, due to wearing of a non-adult occupant's coat and/or a non-adult occupant's hat. It should also be understood that the threshold may be set for the volume and/or shape of adults similar to the 5 th percentile up to women and children down to the 3 year old.

Additionally, in this step, by further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 may determine from the visible portion of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b what the volume or shape of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b is before the occupant is seated in the child restraint seats 113a, 113b or after the occupant is seated in the child restraint seats 113a, 113 b. This may be accomplished by determining the distance of the seating surface of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b from the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108, which may be determined and stored by observing the position of the vehicle seat 108 via the one or more in-cabin sensors 105 or by obtaining input from the seat position motor before, during, or after the child restraint seats 113a, 113b have been placed in the vehicle seat 108. Alternatively, if one or more in-cabin sensors 105 are unable to detect the seating surface positions of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b, the nominal offset of the child restraint seats may be substituted. The surface of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b may be used to adjust the threshold to reflect this offset distance when looking at the position of the non-adult. For example, the distance between the occupant's eyes and the vehicle seat surface may be subtracted by the height of the child restraint seat surface relative to the vehicle seat surface to obtain the actual size of the child. The measured positions of other non-adult landmarks may be processed in a similar manner. Note that the position of the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108 may be determined at an earlier step in the method, such as step 410 or step 420. It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments, the position of the seating surface of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b may be determined in an earlier step 420.

In one or more embodiments, additionally or alternatively, a method may be used that compares the measured occupant size to a smaller occupant size on one side of the threshold and to a larger occupant size on the other side of the threshold to then determine which size the occupant is closest to based on a probabilistic evaluation. This determination is then used to decide on which side of the size threshold the measured size of the occupant will be. For example, in this example, an occupant size greater than the threshold for an 8 year old child may be selected for comparison with a 10 year old occupant, while an occupant size less than the threshold for an 8 year old child may be selected for comparison with a size of, for example, a 6 year old child. Then, in addition to the sizes with the highest probabilities based on the camera detection, the probabilities of the occupants being the sizes of these occupants can be calculated from the sizes of the occupants in the camera image, and then used to determine on which side of the threshold the measured size of the occupant will be. In step 430, in those embodiments implementing the probability determination method, if the size of the occupant is considered probabilistically closer to the size of a larger occupant, the method moves to step 450; otherwise, if the size of the occupant is considered probabilistically closer to the size of the smaller occupant, the method moves to step 460.

In step 450, the controller 101 will enable the airbag module 107 to deploy because the volume and/or shape of the non-adult occupants seated in the child-restraint seat 113 exceeds a threshold (i.e., they are determined to be at least eight (8) years old). For example, the controller 101 will allow the airbag module 107 to inflate with a high deployment force or at least with a deployment force sufficient for a non-adult occupant in a child seat at least eight (8) years of age, and in some embodiments, allow for deployment of the pretensioner 112. After step 450, method 400 moves to completion 402.

In step 460, the controller 101 will inhibit deployment of the airbag module 107 due to the non-adult occupants seated in the child-restraint seat 113 having a volume and/or shape less than a threshold value (i.e., they are determined to be less than eight (8) years old). For example, the controller 101 will inhibit inflation of the airbag module 107 to a low deployment force (i.e., a deployment force suitable for a child under the age of 8 who is seated in a child seat), or the airbag module 107 will be inhibited to fully restrain the airbag module 107 from any type of deployment. In certain embodiments, the pretensioner 112 may additionally be inhibited or activated. The suppressed deployment state of the airbag module 107 may also be presented to one or more vehicle occupants via a notification, which may be provided audibly via the audio system 110 (e.g., a chime warning) and/or visually via the display 109 (e.g., a text message presented on a graphical user interface). The notification will alert one or more passengers (e.g., vehicle operators) of the suppressed state and may let them know if the vehicle analysis is in error. After step 460, method 400 moves to done 402.

In step 440, further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 will determine whether the volume or shape (or both the volume and shape) of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold. In essence, the controller 101 will determine whether a non-adult occupant that happens to sit directly on the vehicle seat 108 appears to have the size of a particular size person, such as an eight (8) year old child (i.e., a threshold that only takes into account non-adult occupants). If the volume or shape (or both volume and shape) of the non-adult occupant exceeds the threshold, the method 400 moves to step 470; otherwise, the method 400 moves to step 480. The determination may be based on at least one of a head height, an eye position height, a glasses position height, a facial feature height, a shoulder height, a leg surface height, or a biomechanical model (e.g., a simple stroke model) of the non-adult occupant, for example, due to wearing of a non-adult occupant's coat and/or a non-adult occupant's hat. It should also be understood that the threshold may be set for the volume and/or shape of adults similar to the 5 th percentile up to women and children down to the 3 year old. In addition, an evaluation may be made for occupant sizes greater than a size threshold and for occupant sizes less than the size threshold, and the probability that the occupant is one of these sizes is used as the determining factor, with the measured occupant being determined to be on the threshold side where the higher probability is determined (as described above).

In step 470, since the volume and/or shape of the non-adult occupants sitting directly on the vehicle seat 108 exceeds a threshold (i.e., they are determined to be at least eight (8) years old, or have a higher probability of being a larger occupant size if compared based on the probability of the detected occupant size), the controller 101 will enable deployment of the airbag module 107 and, in some embodiments, allow deployment of the pretensioner 112. For example, the controller 101 will allow the airbag module 107 to inflate with a high deployment force or at least with a deployment force sufficient for a non-adult occupant (who is sitting directly on the vehicle seat) aged at least eight (8) years. After step 470, method 400 moves to completion 402. In step 480, the controller 101 will inhibit deployment of the airbag module 107 because the non-adult occupants seated on the vehicle seat 108 are less than a threshold in volume and/or shape (i.e., they are determined to be less than 8 years old or have a higher probability of being a larger occupant size if compared based on the probability of the detected occupant size). In certain embodiments, the controller may additionally inhibit or activate the pretensioner 112. For example, the controller 101 will inhibit inflation of the airbag module 107 to a low deployment force (i.e., a deployment force suitable for a child under 8 years of age sitting directly on the vehicle seat), or the airbag module 107 will be inhibited to fully restrain the airbag module 107 from any type of deployment. The suppressed deployment state of the airbag module 107 may also be presented to one or more vehicle occupants via a notification, which may be provided audibly via the audio system 110 (e.g., a chime warning) and/or visually via the display 109 (e.g., a text message presented on a graphical user interface). The notification will alert one or more passengers (e.g., the vehicle operator) of the suppression status. After step 480, method 400 moves to done 402.

Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary method 500 for adjusting the airbag module 107 and, in some cases, the pretensioner 112 for airbag deployment purposes, and optionally pretensioner activation or suppression purposes, based on occupancy characteristics of the vehicle seat 108, according to an exemplary aspect. The method 500 may begin at 501 where the vehicle 114 is in an Open (OFF) state and one or more doors are unlocked 501. The method 500 may also begin at 501 when the doors are open or when the vehicle 114 is powered. The method 500 may continue to function while the vehicle is powered or engaged. Once the method 500 produces an occupant size determination, the method 500 may sleep and be re-awakened if the seat occupancy sensor 106 detects a change in state or other vehicle sensors detect a change in occupancy. Further, the one or more in-cabin sensors 105 will generate one or more images of at least a portion of the one or more vehicle seats 108, and such images will be sent to the controller 101 (for at least temporary storage in the memory 103). In step 510, the seat occupancy sensor 106 senses that a vehicle occupant has entered and has begun to occupy its vehicle seat 108. Further, based on the physical characteristics of the occupant, the seat occupancy sensor 106 will send an output to the controller 101. The controller 101 will then use this output to determine whether the occupant should be classified as an adult, a non-adult occupant (e.g., a child), an empty seat, or an unknown state (such as when the seat is in the process of being occupied or when the in-cabin sensor view is blocked). If a non-adult occupant is detected, the method 500 will move to step 515; otherwise, the method 500 will move to step 511. Alternatively, if an unknown state is detected, the method 500 may move to step 515.

In step 511, upon a substantial collision event, the controller 101 will enable deployment of the selected restraint to the adult state. The controller 101 may also inhibit deployment of the selected restraint for the empty seat and the unknown condition.

In step 515, the controller 101 will analyze the one or more images. As such, the controller 101 will implement the recognition module 104 to analyze the visual content of one or more images in order to recognize whether a child restraint seat 113a (e.g., a child safety seat, a convertible child safety seat, or a car seat) having a seat back has been installed on the vehicle seat 108 (i.e., prior to a non-adult occupant entering the vehicle seat). Thus, if a child restraint seat 113a having a seat back is identified in the visual content, the method 500 will move to step 520; otherwise, the method 500 will move to step 535.

In step 520, further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 will determine whether the volume or shape (or both the volume and shape) of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold. In essence, the controller 101 will determine whether a non-adult occupant that happens to be seated in a seat-back equipped child-restraint seat 113 appears to be the size of a person of a particular size, such as a child at least eight (8) years of age (i.e., a first threshold that takes into account the child-restraint seat 113 having a seat-back). If the volume or shape (or both volume and shape) of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold, the method 500 moves to step 525; otherwise, the method 500 moves to step 530. The determination may be based on at least one of a head height, an eye position height, a glasses position height, a facial feature height, a shoulder height, a leg surface height, or a biomechanical model (e.g., a simple stroke model) of the non-adult occupant, for example, due to wearing of a non-adult occupant's coat and/or a non-adult occupant's hat. It should also be understood that the threshold may be set for the volume and/or shape of adults similar to the 5 th percentile up to women and children down to the 3 year old.

Furthermore, in this step, by further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 may determine from the visible portion of the child restraint seat 113a how much the volume or shape of the child restraint seat 113a is before the occupant sits on the child restraint seat 113a or after the occupant sits on the child restraint seat 113 a. As described above, this may be accomplished by determining the distance of the seating surface of child restraint seat 113a from the seating surface of vehicle seat 108, which may be determined and stored by observing the position of vehicle seat 108 with a camera or by obtaining input from a seat position motor before, during, or after child restraint seat 113a has been placed in vehicle seat 108. Alternatively, if the camera is unable to detect the seating surface position of the child restraint seat 113a, the nominal offset of the child restraint seat may be substituted. The surface of the child restraint seat 113a may be used to adjust the threshold to reflect this offset distance when looking at the position of the non-adult. For example, the distance between the eyes of the occupant and the vehicle seating surface may be subtracted by the height of the child restraint seat surface relative to the vehicle seat surface to obtain the actual size of the child. The measured positions of other non-adult landmarks may be processed in a similar manner. It should be appreciated that the position of the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108 may be determined at an earlier step in the method, such as step 510 or step 515. Likewise, the position of the seating surface of the child restraint seat 113a can be determined in an earlier step 515.

Due to the presence of the child restraint seat 113b with a backrest, the distance from the seat back seating surface of the child restraint seat to the seat back surface of the vehicle seat may also be determined in step 520 as is the case for the seat bottom surface. This may then be used to position the occupant away from the vehicle seat back for the sizing method (discussed above).

In one or more embodiments, additionally or alternatively, a method may be used that compares the measured occupant size to a smaller occupant size on one side of the threshold and to a larger occupant size on the other side of the threshold to then determine which size the occupant is closest to based on a probabilistic evaluation. This determination is then used to decide on which side of the size threshold the measured size of the occupant will be. For example, in this example, an occupant size greater than the threshold for an 8 year old child may be selected for comparison with a 10 year old occupant, while an occupant size less than the threshold for an 8 year old child may be selected for comparison with a size of, for example, a 6 year old child. Then, in addition to the sizes with the highest probabilities based on the camera detection, the probabilities of the occupants being the sizes of these occupants can be calculated from the sizes of the occupants in the camera image, and then used to determine on which side of the threshold the measured size of the occupant will be. In step 520, in those embodiments implementing the probability determination method, if the size of the occupant is considered probabilistically closer to the size of a larger occupant, the method moves to step 525; otherwise, if the size of the occupant is considered probabilistically closer to the size of the smaller occupant, the method moves to step 530.

In step 525, the controller 101 will enable deployment of the airbag module 107 and may also allow deployment of the pretensioner 112 due to the volume and/or shape of a non-adult occupant seated in the child restraint seat 113 including the seat back exceeding a threshold value (i.e., the child is determined to be at least eight (8) years old). For example, the controller 101 will allow the airbag module 107 to inflate with a high deployment force or at least with a deployment force sufficient for a non-adult occupant in a convertible child safety seat (or some other child seat having a seat back) that is at least eight (8) years old. After step 525, method 500 moves to completion 502.

In step 530, the controller 101 will inhibit deployment of the airbag module 107 due to the non-adult occupant sitting in the child-restraint seat 113 including the seat back being less than a threshold volume and/or shape (i.e., the child is determined to be less than 8 years old). For example, the controller 101 will inhibit inflation of the airbag module 107 to a low deployment force (i.e., a deployment force suitable for a child under 8 years old sitting in a child seat with a seat back) or will inhibit the airbag module 107 to fully restrain the airbag module 107 from any type of deployment. In certain embodiments, the pretensioner 112 may additionally be inhibited or activated. The suppressed deployment state of the airbag module 107 may also be presented to one or more vehicle occupants via a notification, which may be provided audibly via the audio system 110 (e.g., a chime warning) and/or visually via the display 109 (e.g., a text message presented on a graphical user interface). The notification will alert one or more passengers (e.g., vehicle operators) of the suppressed state and may let them know if the vehicle analysis is in error. After step 530, method 500 moves to completion 502.

In step 535, the controller 101 will analyze the visual content of the one or more images to identify whether a child restraint seat 113 without a seat back (i.e., a booster seat without a back) has been installed on the vehicle seat 108 (i.e., the booster seat is present before a non-adult occupant enters the vehicle seat). Thus, if a child restraint seat 113 that does not include a seat back has been identified in the visual content, the method 500 will move to step 540; otherwise, the method 500 will move to step 545.

Furthermore, in this step, by further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 may determine from the visible portion of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b what the volume or shape of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b is before the occupants are seated in the child restraint seats 113a, 113b or after the occupants are seated in the child restraint seats 113a, 113 b. This may be accomplished by determining the distance of the seating surface of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b from the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108, which may be determined and stored by observing the position of the vehicle seat 108 with one or more in-cabin sensors 105 or by obtaining input from a seat position motor before, during, or after the child restraint seats 113a, 113b have been placed in the vehicle seat 108. Alternatively, if one or more in-cabin sensors 105 are unable to detect the seating surface positions of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b, the nominal offset of the child restraint seats may be substituted. The surface of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b may be used to adjust the threshold to reflect this offset distance when looking at the position of the non-adult. For example, the distance between the occupant's eyes and the vehicle seat surface may be subtracted by the height of the child restraint seat surface relative to the vehicle seat surface to obtain the actual size of the child. The measured positions of other non-adult landmarks may be processed in a similar manner. It should be appreciated that the position of the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108 may be determined at an earlier step in the method, such as step 510 or step 515. Likewise, at step 515, the position of the seating surface of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b may be determined.

In step 540, by further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 will determine whether the volume or shape (or both the volume and shape) of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold. In essence, the controller 101 will determine whether a non-adult occupant that happens to be seated on the child-restraining seat 113 without a seat back (i.e., a booster seat) appears to have the size of a particular sized person, such as a child at least eight (8) years old (i.e., a second threshold that takes into account the child-restraining seat 113 without a seat back). If the volume or shape (or both volume and shape) of the non-adult occupant exceeds a threshold, the method 500 moves to step 550; otherwise, the method 500 moves to step 555. The determination may be based on at least one of a head height, an eye position height, a glasses position height, a facial feature height, a shoulder height, or a leg surface height of the non-adult occupant, or a biomechanical model (e.g., a simple stroke model), e.g., due to wearing of a non-adult occupant's coat and/or a non-adult occupant's hat. It should also be understood that the threshold may be set for the volume and/or shape of adults similar to the 5 th percentile up to women, and children down to the 3 year old.

Furthermore, in this step, by further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 may determine from the visible portion of the child-restraint seat 113b what the volume or shape of the child-restraint seat 113b is before the occupant sits on the child-restraint seat 113b or after the occupant sits on the child-restraint seat 113 b. This may be accomplished by determining the distance of the seating surface of the child restraint seat 113b from the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108, which may be determined and stored by observing the position of the vehicle seat 108 with one or more in-cabin sensors 105 or by obtaining input from the seat position motor before, during, or after the child restraint seat 113b has been placed in the vehicle seat 108. Alternatively, if one or more in-cabin sensors 105 are unable to detect the seating surface position of the child restraint seat 113b, the nominal offset of the child restraint seat may be substituted. The surface of the child restraint seat 113b may be used to adjust the threshold to reflect this offset distance when looking at the location of the non-adult. For example, the distance between the occupant's eyes and the vehicle seat surface may be subtracted by the height of the child restraint seat surface relative to the vehicle seat surface to obtain the actual size of the child. The measured positions of other non-adult landmarks may be processed in a similar manner. It should be appreciated that the position of the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108 may be determined at an earlier step in the method, such as step 510, step 515, or step 535. Likewise, at step 515 or step 535, the position of the seating surface of the child restraint seat 113b may be determined.

In one or more embodiments, additionally or alternatively, a method may be used that compares the measured occupant size to a smaller occupant size on one side of the threshold and to a larger occupant size on the other side of the threshold to then determine which size the occupant is closest to based on a probabilistic evaluation. This determination is then used to decide on which side of the size threshold the measured size of the occupant will be. For example, in this example, an occupant size greater than the threshold for an 8 year old child may be selected for comparison with a 10 year old occupant, while an occupant size less than the threshold for an 8 year old child may be selected for comparison with a size of, for example, a 6 year old child. Then, in addition to the sizes with the highest probabilities based on the camera detection, the probabilities of the occupants being the sizes of these occupants can be calculated from the sizes of the occupants in the camera image, and then used to determine on which side of the threshold the measured size of the occupant will be. In step 540, in those embodiments implementing the probability determination method, if the size of the occupant is considered probabilistically closer to the size of the larger occupant, the method moves to step 550, otherwise, if the size of the occupant is considered probabilistically closer to the size of the smaller occupant, the method moves to step 555.

In step 550, since the volume and/or shape of the non-adult occupant seated in the child restraint seat 113 without a seat back exceeds a threshold (i.e., the child is determined to be at least eight (8) years old), the controller 101 will enable deployment of the airbag module 107 and may also allow deployment of the pretensioner 112. For example, the controller 101 will allow the airbag module 107 to inflate with a high deployment force or at least with a deployment force sufficient for a non-adult occupant of at least eight (8) years old in a booster seat. After step 550, method 500 moves to completion 502.

In step 555, the controller 101 will inhibit deployment of the airbag module 107 because the size and/or shape of the non-adult occupants seated in the child-restraining seat 113 without a seat back is less than a threshold value (i.e., they are determined to be less than 8 years old). For example, the controller 101 will inhibit inflation of the airbag module 107 to a low deployment force (i.e., a deployment force suitable for a child under 8 years of age sitting on a booster seat), or the airbag module 107 will be inhibited to completely restrain the airbag module 107 from any type of deployment. In certain embodiments, the pretensioner 112 may additionally be inhibited or activated. The suppressed deployment state of the airbag module 107 may also be presented to one or more vehicle occupants via a notification, which may be provided audibly (e.g., a chime warning) via the audio system 110 and/or visually (e.g., a text message presented on a graphical user interface) via the display 109. The notification will alert one or more passengers (e.g., vehicle operators) of the suppressed state and may let them know if the vehicle analysis is in error. After step 555, method 500 moves to completion 502.

In step 545, no child restraint seat 113 (with or without a seat back) is identified in the visual content. Further, the controller 101 will determine whether a non-adult occupant that happens to be seated directly on the vehicle seat 108 exceeds a threshold. In essence, the controller 101 will determine whether the child sitting on the vehicle seat 108 appears to have the size of a particular sized person, such as a child at least eight (8) years old (i.e., a third threshold that takes into account only non-adult occupants). If the volume or shape (or both volume and shape) of the non-adult occupant exceeds the third threshold, the method 500 moves to step 560; otherwise, the method 500 moves to step 565. The determination may be based on at least one of a head height, an eye position height, a glasses position height, a facial feature height, a shoulder height, a leg surface height, or a biomechanical model (e.g., a simple stroke model) of the non-adult occupant, for example, due to wearing of a non-adult occupant's coat and/or a non-adult occupant's hat. It should also be understood that the threshold may be set for the volume and/or shape of adults similar to the 5 th percentile up to women and children down to the 3 year old. In addition, an evaluation may be made for occupant sizes greater than a size threshold and for occupant sizes less than the size threshold, and the probability that the occupant is one of these sizes is used as the determining factor, with the measured occupant being determined to be on the threshold side where the higher probability is determined (as described above).

In step 560, since the volume and/or shape of the non-adult occupant sitting directly on the vehicle seat 108 exceeds a threshold (i.e., they are determined to be at least eight (8) years old), the controller 101 will enable deployment of the airbag module 107 and, optionally, allow deployment of the pretensioner 112. For example, the controller 101 will allow the airbag module 107 to inflate with a high deployment force or at least with a deployment force sufficient for a non-adult occupant (who is sitting directly on the vehicle seat) aged at least eight (8) years. After step 560, method 500 moves to done 502.

In step 565, the controller 101 will inhibit deployment of the airbag module 107 due to the non-adult occupant sitting on the vehicle seat 108 having a volume and/or shape less than a threshold value (i.e., they are determined to be less than 8 years old). For example, the controller 101 will inhibit inflation of the airbag module 107 to a low deployment force (i.e., a deployment force suitable for a child under 8 years of age sitting directly on the vehicle seat), or the airbag module 107 will be inhibited to fully restrain the airbag module 107 from any type of deployment. In certain embodiments, the pretensioner 112 may additionally be inhibited or activated. The suppressed deployment state of the airbag module 107 may also be presented to one or more vehicle occupants via a notification, which may be provided audibly (e.g., a chime warning) via the audio system 110 and/or visually (e.g., a text message presented on a graphical user interface) via the display 109. The notification will alert one or more passengers (e.g., vehicle operators) of the suppressed state and may let them know if the vehicle analysis is in error. After step 565, method 500 moves to completion 502.

Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary method 600 of adjusting the airbag module 107, and in some cases the pretensioner 112, for airbag deployment and optionally pretensioner activation or suppression purposes based on occupancy characteristics of the vehicle seat 108, according to an exemplary aspect. Method 600 may begin at 601 where vehicle 114 is in a closed state and one or more doors are unlocked at 601. Method 600 may also begin at 601 when the doors are opened or vehicle 114 is powered. The method 600 may continue to function while the vehicle is powered or engaged. Once the method 600 produces an occupant size determination, the method 600 may optionally sleep and re-wake if the seat occupancy sensor 106 detects a change in state or other vehicle sensors detect a change in occupancy. Further, the one or more in-cabin sensors 105 will generate one or more images of at least a portion of the one or more vehicle seats 108, and such images will be sent to the controller 101 (for at least temporary storage in the memory 103).

In step 610, the controller 101 will analyze one or more images by: the recognition module 104 is implemented to analyze the visual content of one or more images to recognize whether the child restraint seats 113a, 113b have been installed on the vehicle seat 108 (i.e., prior to entry of a non-adult occupant into the vehicle seat). Thus, if the child restraint seat 113a, 113b mounted on the vehicle seat 108 has been identified in visual content, the method 600 will move to step 620; otherwise, the method 600 will move to step 630.

In step 620, by further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 will determine whether the volume or shape (or both) of the occupant(s) that have entered and begun to occupy the child restraint seat exceeds a threshold. In essence, the controller 101 will determine whether an occupant that happens to be seated in a child-restraining seat 113a, 113b appears to be the size of a person of a particular size, such as a child at least eight (8) years old (i.e., a threshold value that takes into account the child-restraining seat 113a, 113 b). If the occupant's volume or shape (or both volume and shape) exceeds a threshold, the method 600 moves to step 640; otherwise, the method 600 moves to step 650. The determination may be based on at least one of a head height, an eye position height, a glasses position height, a facial feature height, a shoulder height, a leg surface height, or a biomechanical model (e.g., a simple stroke model) of the non-adult occupant, for example, due to wearing of a non-adult occupant's coat and/or a non-adult occupant's hat. It should also be understood that the threshold may be set for a volume and/or shape similar to an adult of up to the 5 th percentile female and a child of down to 3 years of age.

Furthermore, in this step, by further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 may determine from the visible portion of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b what the volume or shape of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b is before the occupants are seated in the child restraint seats 113a, 113b or after the occupants are seated in the child restraint seats 113a, 113 b. This may be accomplished by determining the distance of the seating surface of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b from the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108, which may be determined and stored by observing the position of the vehicle seat 108 with one or more in-cabin sensors 105 or by obtaining input from a seat position motor before, during, or after the child restraint seats 113a, 113b have been placed in the vehicle seat 108. Alternatively, if one or more in-cabin sensors 105 are unable to detect the seating surface positions of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b, the nominal offset of the child restraint seats may be substituted. The surface of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b may be used to adjust the threshold to reflect this offset distance when looking at the position of the non-adult. For example, the distance between the occupant's eyes and the vehicle seat surface may be subtracted by the height of the child restraint seat surface relative to the vehicle seat surface to obtain the actual size of the child. The measured positions of other non-adult landmarks may be processed in a similar manner. It should be appreciated that the position of the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108 may be determined at an earlier step in the method, such as step 610. Likewise, the position of the seating surface of the child restraint seats 113a, 113b may be determined in an earlier step 610.

In one or more embodiments, additionally or alternatively, a method may be used that compares the measured occupant size to a smaller occupant size on one side of the threshold and to a larger occupant size on the other side of the threshold to subsequently determine which size the occupant is closest to based on a probabilistic evaluation. This determination is then used to decide on which side of the size threshold the measured size of the occupant will be. For example, in this example, an occupant size greater than the threshold for an 8 year old child may be selected for comparison with a 10 year old occupant, while an occupant size less than the threshold for an 8 year old child may be selected for comparison with, for example, a size of a 6 year old child. Then, in addition to the sizes with the highest probabilities based on the camera detection, the probabilities of the occupants being the sizes of these occupants can be calculated from the sizes of the occupants in the camera image, and then used to determine on which side of the threshold the measured size of the occupant will be. In step 620, in those embodiments implementing the probability determination method, if the size of the occupant is considered probabilistically closer to the size of the larger occupant, the method moves to step 640, otherwise if the size of the occupant is considered probabilistically closer to the size of the smaller occupant, the method moves to step 650.

In step 630, by further implementing the recognition module 104, the controller 101 will determine whether the volume or shape (or both the volume and shape) of the occupant found in the one or more images exceeds a threshold. In essence, the controller 101 will determine whether an occupant that happens to sit directly on the vehicle seat 108 appears to be the size of a particular sized person, such as an eight (8) year old child (i.e., a threshold that only takes the occupant into account). If the occupant's volume or shape (or both volume and shape) exceeds a threshold, the method 600 moves to step 640; otherwise, the method 600 moves to step 650. As described above, this determination may be based on at least one of a head height, an eye position height, a glasses position height, a facial feature height, a shoulder height, a leg surface height, or a biomechanical model (e.g., a simple stroke model) of the occupant, e.g., due to the occupant's coat and/or the occupant wearing a hat. It should also be understood that the threshold may be set for the volume and/or shape of adults similar to the 5 th percentile up to women and children down to the 3 year old. In addition, an evaluation may be made for occupant sizes greater than a size threshold and for occupant sizes less than the size threshold, and the probability that the occupant is one of these sizes is used as the determining factor, with the measured occupant being determined to be on the threshold side where the higher probability is determined (as described above).

In step 640, the seat occupancy sensor 106 determines whether a non-adult sized vehicle occupant has entered and has begun to occupy their vehicle seat 108, or if present, their child restraint seat 113a, 113 b. Furthermore, the seat occupancy sensor 106 will send an output to the controller 101. If a non-adult occupant is detected, the method 600 will move to step 660; otherwise, the method 600 will move to step 670. It should be appreciated that if the seat occupancy sensor 106 detects an unknown state, the detection may be considered non-adult for the purposes of this decision.

In step 650, the seat occupancy sensor 106 determines whether a non-adult sized vehicle occupant has entered and has begun to occupy their vehicle seat 108, or if present, their child restraint seat 113a, 113 b. Furthermore, the seat occupancy sensor 106 will send an output to the controller 101. If a non-adult occupant is detected, the method 600 will move to step 680; otherwise, the method 600 will move to step 670. It should be appreciated that if the seat occupancy sensor 106 detects an unknown state, the detection may be considered non-adult for the purposes of this decision.

In step 660, as the volume and/or shape of the occupants seated in the child restraint seats 113a, 113b or directly on the vehicle seat 108 exceeds a threshold (i.e., they are determined to be above a particular occupant size, such as at least eight (8) years old, for example), the controller 101 will enable deployment of the airbag module 107 and optionally the pretensioner deployment 112. For example, the controller 101 will allow the airbag module 107 to inflate with a high deployment force or at least with a deployment force sufficient for an occupant aged at least eight (8) years (who is seated in the child restraint seat 113 or directly in the vehicle seat). After step 660, method 600 moves to completion 602.

In step 670, for an adult condition, the controller 101 will enable the airbag module 107 to deploy unrelieved and may also deploy the pretensioner 112. As described below, upon a substantial crash event, the airbag module 107 will inflate with a deployment force sufficient for an adult. For an empty condition, the controller will inhibit deployment of the airbag module 107, and may also inhibit deployment of the pretensioner 112. For an unknown state, the logic in this step may treat the state as an adult state or a null state. After step 670, method 600 moves to completion 602.

In step 680, since the occupant's volume and/or shape, either sitting on the child restraint seat 113 or sitting directly on the vehicle seat 108, is less than a threshold (i.e., they are determined to be less than 8 years old), the controller 101 will inhibit deployment of the airbag module 107 and may also inhibit the pretensioner 112. For example, the controller 101 will inhibit inflation of the airbag module 107 to a low deployment force (i.e., a deployment force suitable for a child under 8 years old sitting in a child seat or sitting directly in a vehicle seat), or the airbag module 107 will be inhibited to fully restrain the airbag module 107 from any type of deployment. The suppressed deployment state of the airbag module 107 may also be presented to one or more vehicle occupants via a notification, which may be provided audibly (e.g., a chime warning) via the audio system 110 and/or visually (e.g., a text message presented on a graphical user interface) via the display 109. The notification will alert one or more passengers (e.g., vehicle operators) of the suppressed state and may let them know if the vehicle analysis is in error. After step 680, method 600 moves to completion 602.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example method 700 of adjusting the airbag module 107, and in some cases the pretensioner 112, for the purpose of activation or suppression of airbag and optional pretensioner deployment based on occupancy characteristics of the vehicle seat 108, according to an example aspect. Method 700 may begin at 701, where vehicle 114 is in a closed state and one or more doors are unlocked. Method 700 may also begin at 701 when the doors are opened or vehicle 114 is powered. The method 700 may continue to function while the vehicle is powered or engaged. Once the method 700 yields an occupant size determination, the method may optionally sleep and re-wake if the seat occupancy sensor 106 detects a change in state or other vehicle sensors detect a change in occupancy. Further, the one or more in-cabin sensors 105 will generate one or more images of at least a portion of the one or more vehicle seats 108, and such images will be sent to the controller 101 (for at least temporary storage in the memory 103).

In step 710, the controller 101 will implement the recognition module 104 to analyze the visual content of the one or more images to identify whether a child restraint seat 113a (e.g., a child safety seat, a convertible child safety seat, or a car seat) having a seat back has been installed on the vehicle seat 108 (i.e., prior to an occupant entering the vehicle seat). Thus, if a child restraint seat 113a having a seat back has been identified in the visual content, the method 700 will move to step 715; otherwise, the method 700 moves to step 720.

In step 715, by further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 will determine whether the volume or shape (or both volume and shape) of the occupant in the child-restraint seat exceeds a threshold. In essence, the controller 101 will determine whether an occupant that happens to be seated in the seat back equipped child restraint seat 113a appears to be of a size of a person of a particular size, such as a child at least eight (8) years of age (i.e., a first threshold value that takes into account the child restraint seat 113a having a seat back). If the occupant's volume or shape (or both volume and shape) exceeds a threshold, the method 700 moves to step 725; otherwise, the method 700 moves to step 740. The determination may be based on at least one of a head height, an eye position height, a glasses position height, a facial feature height, a shoulder height, a leg surface height, or a biomechanical model (e.g., a simple stroke model) of the occupant, for example, due to the occupant's large clothing and/or the occupant wearing a hat. It should also be understood that the threshold may be set for the volume and/or shape of adults similar to the 5 th percentile up to women and children down to the 3 year old.

Furthermore, in this step, by further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 may determine from the visible portion of the child restraint seat 113a how much the volume or shape of the child restraint seat 113a is before the occupant sits on the child restraint seat 113a or after the occupant sits on the child restraint seat 113 a. This may be accomplished by determining the distance of the seating surface of the child restraint seat 113a from the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108, which may be determined and stored by observing the position of the vehicle seat 108 with one or more in-cabin sensors 105 or by obtaining input from the seat position motor before, during, or after the child restraint seat 113a has been placed in the vehicle seat 108. Alternatively, if one or more in-cabin sensors 105 are unable to detect the seating surface position of child restraint seat 113a, the nominal offset of child restraint seat 113a may be substituted. The surface of the child restraint seat 113a may be used to adjust the threshold to reflect this offset distance when looking at the position of the non-adult. For example, the distance between the occupant's eyes and the vehicle seat surface may be subtracted by the height of the child restraint seat surface relative to the vehicle seat surface to obtain the actual size of the child. The measured positions of other non-adult landmarks may be processed in a similar manner. It should be appreciated that the position of the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108 may be determined at an earlier step in the method (e.g., step 710). Likewise, the position of the seating surface of the child restraint seat 113a may be determined at step 710.

In one or more embodiments, additionally or alternatively, a method may be used that compares the measured occupant size to a smaller occupant size on one side of the threshold and to a larger occupant size on the other side of the threshold to then determine which size the occupant is closest to based on a probabilistic evaluation. This determination is then used to decide on which side of the size threshold the measured size of the occupant will be. For example, in this example, an occupant size greater than the threshold for an 8 year old child may be selected for comparison with a 10 year old occupant, while an occupant size less than the threshold for an 8 year old child may be selected for comparison with a size of, for example, a 6 year old child. Then, in addition to the sizes with the highest probabilities based on the camera detection, the probabilities of the occupants being the sizes of these occupants can be calculated from the sizes of the occupants in the camera image, and then used to determine on which side of the threshold the measured size of the occupant will be. In step 715, in those embodiments implementing the probability determination method, the method moves to step 725 if the size of the occupant is considered probabilistically closer to the size of the larger occupant, otherwise the method moves to step 740 if the size of the occupant is considered probabilistically closer to the size of the smaller occupant.

In step 720, since there is no child restraint with seat back 113a, controller 101 will reevaluate the visual content of the one or more images (taken at the beginning of method 701) to identify whether a child restraint seat (i.e., booster seat) 113b without a seat back has been installed on vehicle seat 108 (i.e., the booster seat is already present before the occupant enters the vehicle seat). If a child restraint seat 113b has been identified in the visual content that does not include a seat back, the method 700 will move to step 730; otherwise, the method 700 moves to step 735. The skilled person will see that steps 710 and 720 can be interchanged.

In step 725, the seat occupancy sensor 106 verifies whether a non-adult sized vehicle occupant has begun to occupy the vehicle seat 108, or whether there are child restraint seats 113a, 113 b. Furthermore, the seat occupancy sensor 106 will send an output to the controller 101. If a non-adult occupant is detected, the method 700 will move to step 745; otherwise, the method 700 will move to step 750. It should be appreciated that when the seat occupancy sensor 106 detects an unknown state, the detection may be considered non-adult for the purposes of this decision.

In step 730, by further implementing the recognition module 104, the controller 101 will determine whether the volume or shape (or both the volume and shape) of the occupant found in the visual content exceeds a threshold. In essence, the controller 101 will determine whether an occupant that happens to be seated in a child-restraining seat 113b without a seat back (i.e., a booster seat) appears to have the size of a particular sized person, such as a child at least eight (8) years old (i.e., a second threshold that takes into account a child-restraining seat 113b without a seat back). If the occupant's volume or shape (or both volume and shape) exceeds a threshold, the method 700 moves to step 725 (as described above); otherwise, the method 700 moves to step 740. The determination may be based on at least one of a head height, an eye position height, a glasses position height, a facial feature height, a shoulder height, a leg surface height, or a biomechanical model (e.g., a simple stroke model) of the occupant, for example, due to the occupant's large clothing and/or the occupant wearing a hat. It should also be understood that the threshold may be set for the volume and/or shape of adults similar to the 5 th percentile up to women and children down to the 3 year old.

Furthermore, in this step, by further implementing the identification module 104, the controller 101 may determine from the visible portion of the child-restraint seat 113b what the volume or shape of the child-restraint seat 113b is before the occupant sits on the child-restraint seat 113b or after the occupant sits on the child-restraint seat 113 b. This may be accomplished by determining the distance of the seating surface of the child restraint seat 113b from the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108, which may be determined and stored by observing the position of the vehicle seat 108 with one or more in-cabin sensors 105 or by obtaining input from the seat position motor before, during, or after the child restraint seat 113b has been placed in the vehicle seat 108. Alternatively, if one or more in-cabin sensors 105 are unable to detect the seating surface position of the child restraint seat 113b, the nominal offset of the child restraint seat may be substituted. The surface of the child restraint seat 113b may be used to adjust the threshold to reflect this offset distance when looking at the location of the non-adult. For example, the distance between the occupant's eyes and the vehicle seat surface may be subtracted by the height of the child restraint seat surface relative to the vehicle seat surface to obtain the actual size of the child. The measured positions of other non-adult landmarks may be processed in a similar manner. It should be appreciated that the position of the seating surface of the vehicle seat 108 may be determined at an earlier step in the method, such as step 710 or step 720. Likewise, the position of the seating surface of the child restraint seat 113b may be determined at an earlier step 710 or step 720.

In one or more embodiments, additionally or alternatively, a method may be used that compares the measured occupant size to a smaller occupant size on one side of the threshold and to a larger occupant size on the other side of the threshold to then determine which size the occupant is closest to based on a probabilistic evaluation. This determination is then used to decide on which side of the size threshold the measured size of the occupant will be. For example, in this example, an occupant size greater than the threshold for an 8 year old child may be selected for comparison with a 10 year old occupant, while an occupant size less than the threshold for an 8 year old child may be selected for comparison with a size of, for example, a 6 year old child. Then, in addition to the sizes with the highest probabilities based on the camera detection, the probabilities of the occupants being the sizes of these occupants can be calculated from the sizes of the occupants in the camera image, and then used to determine on which side of the threshold the measured size of the occupant will be. In step 730, in those embodiments implementing a probability determination method, the method moves to step 725 if the size of the occupant is considered probabilistically closer to the size of the larger occupant, otherwise the method moves to step 740 if the size of the occupant is considered probabilistically closer to the size of the smaller occupant.

In step 735, no child restraint seats 113a, 113b (with or without a seat back) are identified in the visual content. Further, the controller 101 will determine whether the occupant that happens to be seated directly on the vehicle seat 108 exceeds a threshold. In essence, the controller 101 will determine whether the child sitting on the vehicle seat 108 appears to have the size of a particular sized person, such as a child at least eight (8) years old (i.e., a third threshold that only takes the occupant into account). If the occupant's volume or shape (or both) exceeds the third threshold, the method 700 moves to step 725 (as described above); otherwise, the method 700 moves to step 740. The determination may be based on at least one of a head height, an eye position height, a glasses position height, a facial feature height, a shoulder height, a leg surface height, or a biomechanical model (e.g., a simple stroke model) of the occupant, for example, due to the occupant's large clothing and/or the occupant wearing a hat. It should also be understood that the threshold may be set for the volume and/or shape of adults similar to the 5 th percentile up to women and children down to the 3 year old. In addition, an evaluation may be made for occupant sizes greater than a size threshold and for occupant sizes less than the size threshold, and the probability that the occupant is one of these sizes is used as the determining factor, with the measured occupant being determined to be on the threshold side where the higher probability is determined (as described above).

In step 740, the seat occupancy sensor 106 verifies whether a non-adult sized vehicle occupant has entered and has begun to occupy their vehicle seat 108, or whether there is their child restraint seat 113a, 113 b. Furthermore, the seat occupancy sensor 106 will send an output to the controller 101. If a non-adult occupant is detected, the method 700 will move to step 755; otherwise, the method 700 will move to step 750. It should be appreciated that when the seat occupancy sensor 106 detects an unknown state, the detection may be considered non-adult for the purposes of this decision.

In step 745, as the volume and/or shape of the occupants sitting in the child restraint seats 113a, 113b or directly on the vehicle seat 108 exceeds a threshold (i.e., they are determined to be above a particular occupant size, such as at least eight (8) years old, for example), the controller 101 will enable deployment of the airbag module 107 and may also enable deployment of the pretensioner 112. For example, the controller 101 will allow the airbag module 107 to inflate with a high deployment force or at least with a deployment force sufficient for an occupant at least eight (8) years old (an occupant sitting on a child restraint seat 113a, 113b or directly on a vehicle seat). After step 745, method 700 moves to completion 702.

In step 750, for the adult state, the controller 101 will enable the airbag module 107 to deploy unrelieved, and optionally the pretensioner 112 to deploy. As described below, upon a substantial crash event, the airbag module 107 will inflate with a deployment force sufficient for an adult. For an empty condition, the controller 101 will inhibit deployment of the airbag module 107, and optionally the pretensioner 112. For an unknown state, the logic in this step may treat the state as an adult state or a null state. After step 750, method 700 moves to completion 702.

In step 755, the controller 101 will inhibit deployment of the airbag module 107 and optional pretensioner 112 because the volume and/or shape of the occupants seated in the child restraint seat 113 or directly on the vehicle seat 108 are less than a threshold value (i.e., they are determined to be less than 8 years old). For example, the controller 101 will inhibit inflation of the airbag module 107 to a low deployment force (i.e., a deployment force suitable for a child under 8 years old sitting in a child seat or sitting directly in a vehicle seat), or the airbag module 107 will be inhibited to fully restrain the airbag module 107 from any type of deployment. The suppressed deployment state of the airbag module 107 may also be presented to one or more vehicle occupants via a notification, which may be provided audibly via the audio system 110 (e.g., a chime warning) and/or visually via the display 109 (e.g., a text message presented on a graphical user interface). The notification will alert one or more passengers (e.g., vehicle operators) of the suppressed state and may let them know if the vehicle analysis is in error. After step 755, method 700 moves to completion 702.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously mentioned, features of the various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes may include, but are not limited to, cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, and the like. Accordingly, embodiments described as less desirable with respect to one or more characteristics than other embodiments or prior art implementations are beyond the scope of this disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.

Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "below," "lower," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, then elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

No element recited in the claims is intended to be a device plus function element within the meaning of 35 u.s.c. § 112(f), unless an element is explicitly recited in the claims using the phrase "means for …," or in the case of method claims using the phrases "for …" or "for … step.