DE102023125519A1 - Method and device for checking an occupant-specific setting of a vehicle component - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (101) for checking an occupant-specific setting of a vehicle component (105) in the interior of a motor vehicle (100) is described. The device (101) is configured to determine configuration data relating to a configuration of the vehicle component (105) based on camera data from the interior camera (102) of the motor vehicle (100) that were recorded before the occupant entered the interior of the motor vehicle (100), and to determine occupant data relating to the occupant based on camera data from the interior camera (102) of the motor vehicle (100) that were recorded after the occupant entered the interior of the motor vehicle (100). The device (101) is further configured to determine, based on the configuration data and the occupant data, whether the configuration of the vehicle component (105) is suitable for the occupant or not.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a corresponding device designed to increase the safety of a vehicle occupant.

A vehicle typically includes one or more vehicle components that can be adjusted specifically for an occupant. In particular, a vehicle typically includes vehicle seats for one or more corresponding vehicle occupants. The safety and comfort of a vehicle occupant may depend on the correct adjustment of a vehicle seat, particularly the headrest of the vehicle seat, for that particular vehicle occupant.

This document addresses the technical task of increasing the safety and comfort of a vehicle occupant in an efficient and reliable manner.

The problem is solved by each of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described, among other things, in the dependent claims. It should be noted that additional features of a patent claim dependent on an independent patent claim, without the features of the independent patent claim or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent patent claim, can form a separate invention independent of the combination of all features of the independent patent claim, which can be made the subject of an independent claim, a divisional application, or a subsequent application. This applies equally to technical teachings described in the description, which can form an invention independent of the features of the independent patent claims.

According to one aspect, a device for checking an occupant-specific adjustment of a vehicle component in the interior of a motor vehicle is described. The vehicle component can be configured to be specifically adapted to the occupant, in particular to the occupant's height. The vehicle component can comprise, in particular be, the headrest of a vehicle seat.

The vehicle component may be arranged within the interior of the motor vehicle such that the vehicle component is at least partially obscured within the camera data of the interior camera of the motor vehicle when the occupant is arranged in the interior of the motor vehicle (in particular when the occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat).

The device is configured to determine configuration data relating to the configuration of the vehicle component based on camera data (with one or more camera images) from the interior camera of the motor vehicle, which were captured before the occupant entered the interior of the motor vehicle (in particular before the occupant sat down on the vehicle seat). The configuration data relating to the configuration of the vehicle component can include the height of the headrest, in particular relative to the seating surface of the vehicle seat.

• • auf Basis der Belegungssensoren von ein oder mehreren Fahrzeugsitzen;
• • auf Basis der Kameradaten der Innenraumkamera; und/oder
• • auf Basis eines Sensors an einem Zugang, insbesondere an einer Tür, des Fahrzeugs

erkannt werden, dass kein Insasse in dem Innenraum des Kraftfahrzeugs angeordnet ist, insbesondere dass kein Insasse auf dem Fahrzeugsitz sitzt. Es kann daraufhin entschieden werden, dass ein erster Zeitpunkt vorliegt, an dem die Konfigurationsdaten in Bezug auf die Konfiguration der Fahrzeug-Komponente ermittelt und in der Speichereinheit gespeichert werden können.The device can be designed to determine the configuration data relating to the configuration of the vehicle component at a first point in time based on camera data from the interior camera of the motor vehicle and to store it in a memory unit of the vehicle. Preferably, at the first point in time, the occupant has not yet entered the interior of the motor vehicle. For example,

• • based on the occupancy sensors of one or more vehicle seats;
• • based on the camera data from the interior camera; and/or
• • based on a sensor at an access, in particular at a door, of the vehicle

It can be recognized that no occupant is located in the interior of the motor vehicle, in particular that no occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat. It can then be decided that a first point in time exists at which the configuration data relating to the configuration of the vehicle component can be determined and stored in the memory unit.

The device is further configured to determine occupant data relating to the occupant based on camera data from the interior camera of the motor vehicle, which were captured after the occupant has entered the interior of the motor vehicle (in particular after the occupant has sat down on the vehicle seat). The occupant data relating to the occupant can include the height of the occupant's head, in particular relative to the seat surface of the vehicle seat on which the occupant is sitting.

• • auf Basis der Belegungssensoren von ein oder mehreren Fahrzeugsitzen;
• • auf Basis der Kameradaten der Innenraumkamera; und/oder
• • auf Basis eines Sensors an einem Zugang, insbesondere an einer Tür, des Fahrzeugs.

The occupant data may be determined at a second time at which an occupant is located in the interior of the vehicle, in particular at which an occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat. The second time may follow the first time. The fact that an occupant is in the interior of the vehicle and, in particular, that an occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat, it can be determined

• • based on the occupancy sensors of one or more vehicle seats;
• • based on the camera data from the interior camera; and/or
• • based on a sensor at an access point, in particular at a door, of the vehicle.

The device may be configured to read the configuration data from the vehicle's memory unit at the subsequent second time.

The configuration data and/or the occupant data can be determined using an (artificial intelligence-based) image analysis algorithm based on the respective camera data. The interior camera can comprise an RBG (Red, Green, Blue) camera and/or an IR (Infrared) camera and/or a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) camera.

The device is further configured to determine (at the second point in time) based on the configuration data and the occupant data whether the configuration of the vehicle component (in particular, the height of the headrest) is suitable for the occupant or not. Furthermore, the device can be configured to output a (warning) notification via the user interface of the motor vehicle if it is determined that the configuration of the vehicle component is not suitable for the occupant. This allows the safety and comfort of the motor vehicle to be increased efficiently.

Alternatively or in addition to issuing a notification, the configuration of the vehicle component can be automatically adjusted to achieve a configuration that is suitable for the occupant. The automatic adjustment of the configuration of the vehicle component can be effected based on the determined configuration data and/or based on the determined occupant data. This allows the safety and comfort of the motor vehicle to be increased efficiently.

The device can (alternatively or additionally) be configured to determine whether the vehicle component is missing or not based on camera data from the vehicle's interior camera, which was captured before the occupant entered the vehicle. Furthermore, a (warning) notification can be issued via the vehicle's user interface if it is determined that the vehicle component is missing. This can efficiently increase the safety and comfort of the vehicle.

The device can be configured to determine whether or not an occupant is sitting on a vehicle seat. This can be determined, for example, based on the camera data from the interior camera and/or the vehicle seat occupancy sensor. The output of the (warning) notification can be suppressed if it is determined that no occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat. This can further increase the comfort of the vehicle.

According to a further aspect, a (road) motor vehicle (in particular a passenger car or a truck or a bus or a motorcycle) is described which comprises the device described in this document.

According to a further aspect, a method for checking an occupant-specific setting of a vehicle component in the interior of a motor vehicle is described. The method comprises determining, based on camera data from the interior camera of the motor vehicle, which were recorded before the occupant entered the interior of the motor vehicle, configuration data relating to a configuration of the vehicle component. Furthermore, the method comprises determining, based on camera data from the interior camera of the motor vehicle, which were recorded after the occupant entered the interior of the motor vehicle, occupant data relating to the occupant. The method further comprises determining, based on the configuration data and the occupant data, whether the configuration of the vehicle component is suitable for the occupant or not.

According to another aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The SW program can be configured to be executed on a processor (e.g., on a control unit of a vehicle) and thereby to carry out the method described in this document.

According to a further aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium may comprise a software program configured to be executed on a processor and thereby to carry out the method described in this document.

It should be noted that the methods, devices and systems described in this document may be used alone or in combination with other methods, devices and systems described in this document. Methods, devices, and systems can be used. Furthermore, any aspects of the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined in a variety of ways. Furthermore, features listed in parentheses are to be understood as optional features.

• 1 beispielhafte Komponenten eines Fahrzeugs;
• 2 eine beispielhafte Anordnung des Kopfes eines Fahrzeuginsassen relativ zu der Kopfstütze des Fahrzeugsitzes, an dem der Insasse angeordnet ist; und
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines beispielhaften Verfahrens zur Erhöhung der Sicherheit und/oder des Komforts eines Fahrzeuginsassen.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments.

• 1 exemplary components of a vehicle;
• 2 an exemplary arrangement of the head of a vehicle occupant relative to the headrest of the vehicle seat on which the occupant is arranged; and
• 3 a flowchart of an exemplary method for increasing the safety and/or comfort of a vehicle occupant.

As stated at the beginning, this document is concerned with increasing the safety and/or comfort of a vehicle occupant. In this context, 1 An exemplary vehicle 100 having at least one vehicle seat 106 including a headrest 105. The headrest 105 may be positioned at a specific height 115 (e.g., relative to the seating surface of the vehicle seat 106). The vehicle seat 106 may be positioned in the interior and/or passenger compartment of the vehicle 100.

The headrest 105 is an example of a vehicle component that can be individually adjusted for a passenger. The following will specifically address a headrest 105. It should be noted that the explanations are generally applicable to any vehicle component.

The vehicle 100 may include a camera 102, in particular an interior camera, configured to capture camera data relating to the vehicle seat 106 and/or the headrest 105. Furthermore, the vehicle 100 may have a (control and/or evaluation) device 101 configured to evaluate the camera data captured by the camera 102, e.g., to recognize the vehicle seat 106 and/or the headrest 105. For this purpose, an image analysis algorithm (possibly based on artificial intelligence) may be used.

The device 101 can be configured to determine the height 115 of the headrest 105 based on the camera data. This can be done in a particularly robust and precise manner based on camera data that was acquired before an occupant sat down on the driver's seat 106.

Furthermore, camera data may be captured by the camera 102 after an occupant has sat down on the vehicle seat 106 (as exemplified in 2 shown). The occupant's head 205 can then be recognized based on the camera data (by the image analysis algorithm). Furthermore, the height 215 of the head 205 (e.g., relative to the seating surface of the vehicle seat 106) can be determined.

The device 101 can further be configured to determine whether the headrest 105 is correctly adjusted for the occupant based on the height 115 of the headrest 105 (determined using camera data from the empty vehicle seat 106) and the height 215 of the occupant's head 205 (determined using camera data from the vehicle seat 106 occupied by the occupant). If it is detected that the headrest 105 is not correctly adjusted, a notification can be issued to the occupant via the user interface 104 of the vehicle 100. The occupant can then change the height 115 of the headrest 105. This allows the occupant's driving safety to be increased in a particularly robust manner.

During operation of a vehicle 100, the headrest 105 of a vehicle seat 106 is typically obscured by the occupant positioned thereon (e.g., their clothing and/or headgear). As a result, detection of the headrest height 115 may not be possible in certain situations.

This document describes a method in which a temporal sequence of events is used to detect the correct adjustment of the headrest 105. The state of the headrest 105 can be determined before the occupant sits down. The state, in particular the height 115, of the headrest 105 can be stored. After the occupant sits down (e.g., from the start of the journey), a comparison of this stored height 115 with the detected head position of the occupant can be performed to check whether the headrest 105 is correctly adjusted for the occupant or not.

To determine the camera data, a 2D RGB-IR, or IR only, or a 3D camera 102, e.g., in the interior mirror, can be used. The processing of the one or more camera images can be carried out with the help of a computer vision system before the occupant sits in. Based on the one or more camera images, one or more critical vehicle components can be Components, such as the headrest 105, can be detected. In particular, a classification can be performed as to whether the headrest 105 is present, folded down, or not present. Furthermore, the 3D coordinates and thus the setting of the headrest 105 can be determined before the occupant sits down.

After the occupant has sat down, a comparison can be performed (based on one or more camera images) to determine whether the corresponding seat 106 is occupied (e.g., using camera-based seat occupancy detection or sensors installed in the seat). Furthermore, a comparison of the head position with the headrest height 115 can be performed. If necessary (particularly if the headrest 105 is incorrectly adjusted), a notification can be issued to the user of the vehicle 100 indicating that a critical configuration exists, possibly endangering the occupant. Alternatively or additionally, an automatic adjustment of the configuration of the headrest 105 can be effected.

3 shows a flowchart of a (possibly computer-implemented) method 300 for checking an occupant-specific setting of a vehicle component 105 (in particular a headrest 105 of a vehicle seat 106) in the interior of a motor vehicle 100.

The method 300 comprises determining 301, on the basis of camera data from the interior camera 102 of the motor vehicle 100, which were recorded before the occupant entered the interior of the motor vehicle 100, configuration data relating to the configuration of the vehicle component 105 (in particular relating to the height 115 of the headrest 105).

Furthermore, the method 300 comprises determining 302, on the basis of camera data of the interior camera 102 of the motor vehicle 100, which were captured after the occupant has entered the interior of the motor vehicle 100, occupant data relating to the occupant (in particular relating to the height 215 of the head 205 of the occupant).

The method 300 further includes determining 303, based on the configuration data and the occupant data, whether the configuration of the vehicle component 105 is suitable for the occupant (in particular, whether the height 115 of the headrest 105 matches the height 215 of the occupant's head 205). If this is not the case, a notification can be issued to the user, prompting them to change the configuration of the vehicle component 105. This allows the safety and comfort of the vehicle 100 to be increased in an efficient and reliable manner.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are intended only to illustrate the principle of the proposed methods, devices, and systems by way of example.

Claims (11)

Device (101) for checking an occupant-specific setting of a vehicle component (105) in the interior of a motor vehicle (100); wherein the device (101) is configured to: - determine configuration data relating to a configuration of the vehicle component (105) based on camera data from an interior camera (102) of the motor vehicle (100) that were acquired before the occupant entered the interior of the motor vehicle (100); - determine occupant data relating to the occupant based on camera data from the interior camera (102) of the motor vehicle (100) that were acquired after the occupant entered the interior of the motor vehicle (100); and - determine, based on the configuration data and the occupant data, whether the configuration of the vehicle component (105) is suitable for the occupant or not. Device (101) according to Claim 1 , wherein the device (101) is configured to output an indication via a user interface (104) of the motor vehicle (100) if it is determined that the configuration of the vehicle component (105) is not suitable for the occupant. Device (101) according to Claim 2 , wherein - the vehicle component (105) comprises a headrest (105) of a vehicle seat (106); and - the device (101) is configured - to determine whether or not an occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat (106); and - to prevent the output of the indication if it is determined that no occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat (106). Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is designed to determine the configuration data relating to the configuration of the vehicle component (105) at a first point in time based on camera data from the interior camera (102) of the motor vehicle (100) and to store said data in a memory unit of the vehicle (100); wherein, in particular, at the first point in time, the occupant has not yet entered the interior of the motor vehicle (100); and - reading the configuration data relating to the configuration of the vehicle component (105) from the memory unit at a subsequent second point in time; wherein, in particular, at the subsequent second point in time, the occupant has already entered the interior of the motor vehicle (100). Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle component (105) is designed to be specifically adapted to the occupant, in particular to a body size of the occupant. Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle component (105) is arranged within the interior of the motor vehicle (100) in such a way that the vehicle component (105) is at least partially concealed within the camera data of the interior camera (102) when the occupant is arranged in the interior of the motor vehicle (100). Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the vehicle component (105) comprises, in particular is, a headrest (105) of a vehicle seat (106); and - the configuration data relating to the configuration of the vehicle component (105) comprise a height (115) of the headrest (105), in particular relative to a seating surface of the vehicle seat (106); and - the occupant data relating to the occupant comprise a height of the occupant's head (205), in particular relative to the seating surface of the vehicle seat (106). Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is configured to - determine whether the vehicle component (105) is missing or not based on camera data from the interior camera (102) of the motor vehicle (100) that was acquired before the occupant entered the interior of the motor vehicle (100); and - output an indication via a user interface (104) of the motor vehicle (100) if it is determined that the vehicle component (105) is missing. Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is configured to determine the configuration data and/or the occupant data using an image analysis algorithm based on the respective camera data. Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is configured to determine, based on an occupancy sensor of a vehicle seat (106) of the vehicle (100); and/or, based on a sensor at an access, in particular at a door, of the vehicle (100), that the occupant has entered the interior of the motor vehicle (100). A method (300) for checking an occupant-specific setting of a vehicle component (105) in an interior of a motor vehicle (100); wherein the method (300) comprises: - determining (301), based on camera data from an interior camera (102) of the motor vehicle (100) that was acquired before the occupant entered the interior of the motor vehicle (100), configuration data relating to a configuration of the vehicle component (105); - determining (302), based on camera data from the interior camera (102) of the motor vehicle (100) that was acquired after the occupant entered the interior of the motor vehicle (100), occupant data relating to the occupant; and - determining (303), based on the configuration data and the occupant data, whether the configuration of the vehicle component (105) is suitable for the occupant or not.

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