Apparatus for detecting the presence of an occupant in a motor vehicle
US6757009B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/01315
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A motor vehicle control system includes a pair of cameras for producing first and second images of a passenger area. A distance processor determines distances that a plurality of features in the first and second images are from the cameras based on the amount that each feature is shifted between the first and second images. An analyzer processed the distances and determine a size of an object on the seat. Additional analysis of the distance also may determine movement of the object and the rate of that movement. The distance information also can be used to recognize predefined patterns in the images and thus identify the object. A mechanism utilizes the determined object characteristics in controlling operation of a device, such as deployment of an air bag.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.