Vehicle occupant monitoring using infrared imaging
US10160457B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 2018 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B13/19647
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and systems for monitoring vehicle occupants using infrared and other sensors are disclosed. The systems may use infrared sensor data to identify each vehicle occupant using biometric signatures (such as heartbeat or facial recognition). Vehicle occupant characteristics may be determined that include skeletal characteristics of the occupants. Further monitoring of the occupants using sensor data may occur until an abnormal situation is detected. Abnormal situations may include medical emergencies, driver impairment, security threats, or similar situations requiring correcting action. The system may then determine and implement an appropriate response to the abnormal situation. Such responses may include generating alerts, adjusting vehicle environmental controls, taking control of operation of the vehicle (such as an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle), or initiating wireless communication with an outside party, such as an emergency service.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.