Radar detection of unsafe seating conditions in a vehicle

US11807258B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• TOYOTA CONNECTED NORTH AMERICA, INC. · US
• TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · US

Inventors

• Simon P. Roberts · Rhea Mills, US
• Yang Ding · Montréal, CA
• Daniel Warren Reaser · Fillmore Street, US
• Christopher J. Macpherson · Plano, US
• Keaton Khonsari · Plano, US
• Derek A. Thompson · El Segundo, US
• Sergei I. Gage · Redford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 8, 2021
• Grant date: Nov 7, 2023
• Expiry date: Dec 5, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60W2540/227
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for controlling operation of a vehicle includes a millimeter-wave radar sensor, a processor, and a memory communicably coupled to the processor. The memory stores a sensor control module configured to control operation of the radar sensor to acquire data for determining and updating a number of occupants in the vehicle. Upon receiving a control command whose execution will result in movement of the vehicle, a pre-movement radar scan of the vehicle interior is performed. Using information acquired by the pre-movement scan, the sensor control module determines if an excessive occupant condition exists in the vehicle interior. Responsive to a determination that an excessive occupant condition exists, the sensor control module may control an operation of the vehicle other than executing the control command.