초록 ▼

The present invention discloses a mm-wave radar sensor to be deployed in the vehicles for seat occupation detection applications. The key system relevant components are utilization of mm-wave integrated radar, specific planar high-gain antenna radiation pattern, and analyzing of the heartbeat and op

The present invention discloses a mm-wave radar sensor to be deployed in the vehicles for seat occupation detection applications. The key system relevant components are utilization of mm-wave integrated radar, specific planar high-gain antenna radiation pattern, and analyzing of the heartbeat and optionally also respiratory dynamics. The method of operation calculates probability of the seat occupation event regarding: detection of the passenger on the seat, detection of a baby or a child on the seat, detection of the presence of a baby or a child in the vehicle after the driver has left the vehicle, detection of the human or animal presence of intrusion in specific vehicle environment. In case that probability is above a predefined threshold, typically the interaction with vehicle control system is initiated using arbitrary automotive interfaces. Corresponding predefined actions are taken in that case. The predefined actions could be one or combination of the following: audio signal alerts to driver, inside cabin light condition change, engine operation condition change, opening of the windows or corresponding communication using arbitrary wireless means to outside vehicle environment. Optionally, the system is utilizing additional parameters like vehicle cabin temperature and/or timing information about engine stop and driver leaving the car. Preferably, the system is using 60 GHz or 77-79 GHz integrated radar front end working in Doppler operation mode, with 4×4 Tx and Rx planar radiation elements, with physical size typically in the range 4×2×1 cm, or smaller.

대표청구항 ▼

1: MM-wave Seat Occupation Sensor Apparatus and Method of Operation 100, where mm-wave declares operation between 30 and 300 GHz, is including: 1. High-gain planar antenna for transmitting mm-wave radio signals 22, where the high-gain planar antenna has at least two radiation elements;2. High-gain p

1: MM-wave Seat Occupation Sensor Apparatus and Method of Operation 100, where mm-wave declares operation between 30 and 300 GHz, is including: 1. High-gain planar antenna for transmitting mm-wave radio signals 22, where the high-gain planar antenna has at least two radiation elements;2. High-gain planar antenna for receiving mm-wave radio signals 21, where the high-gain planar antenna has at least two radiation elements;3. Integrated mm-wave radio front end 10, implemented in arbitrary semiconductor technology, having on-chip integrated mm-wave voltage control oscillator, mm-wave power amplifier, mm-wave low noise amplifier, mm-wave down conversion mixer, digital control interface, power supply; and PLL4. Analog to digital conversion entity 30;5. Digital processing functionality 40 including controlling functionality 41 and calculation and memory capacity for performing digital signal processing by arbitrary type of the realization options;6. Interface to vehicle infrastructure, including one or more standardized automotive wired interfaces;7. Supporting circuitry 50, including mechanical interface to vehicle infrastructure and supporting electronic circuitry for power supply of 100. where apparatus 100 is integrated in the vehicle chassis, facing passenger, with direct line-of-sight operation, where the method of operation includes: Transmission of mm-wave signals generated in 10 using 22;Receiving mm-wave signals reflected from driver body using 21;Amplification of the reflected signal in 10;Down-conversion of the signals by mixing with the same signal of the same frequency as the transmitted signal in 10;Amplification of the converted signal after mixer in 10;Analog filtering of the signals after amplification in 10;Signal conditioning in 10 for subsequent analog to digital conversion performed by 30;Digital processing of the signal in 40, by: Extracting the heartbeat rate from the previous arbitrary processed signal;Digital processing in Seat occupation event decision functionality 70 which includes the following steps: Evaluation if the heartbeat rate is within the specified range 711;Digital processing in seat occupation event calculation decision functionality 720 is performed, which: Calculates the score by processing the information provided through entities 711-717 weighted by the specified coefficients, where the score is related to the probability of the seat occupation event;In case that the calculated score is above predefined threshold, decision on positive seat occupation event is made;In case of the positive the seat occupation event the entity 720 sends the decision information and the corresponding score to the entity 71;In case of the positive the seat occupation event the entity 71 initiates appropriate specified actions of the entity 60 and/or entity 50. where the seat occupation event denotes the presence of the human on the seat. 2: System according to claim 1, in which apparatus 100 and Method of operation are incorporating: Digital processing of the signal in 40 which additionally includes extraction of the rate of change of the heartbeat rate from the previous arbitrary processed signal;Evaluation if the rate of change of the heartbeat rate is within specified range 713. 3: System according to claim 1, in which apparatus 100 and Method of operation are incorporating: Digital processing of the signal in 40 which additionally includes extraction of the respiratory rate from the previous arbitrary processed signal;Evaluation if the respiratory rate is within the specified range 712. 4: System according to claim 3, in which apparatus 100 and Method of operation are incorporating: Digital processing of the signal in 40 which additionally includes extraction of the rate of change of the respiratory rate from the previous arbitrary processed signal;Evaluation if the rate of change of the respiratory rate is within specified range 714. 5: System according to claim 1, in which apparatus 100 and Method of operation are incorporating: Digital processing of the signal in 40 which additionally includes statistical evaluation of the heartbeat rate data history 715. 6: System according to claim 2, in which apparatus 100 and Method of operation are incorporating: Digital processing of the signal in 40 which additionally includes statistical evaluation of the rate of change of the heartbeat rate data history 715. 7: System according to claim 3, in which apparatus 100 and Method of operation are incorporating: Digital processing of the signal in 40 which additionally includes statistical evaluation of the respiratory rate data history 716. 8: System according to claim 4, in which apparatus 100 and Method of operation are incorporating: Digital processing of the signal in 40 which additionally includes statistical evaluation of the rate of change of the respiratory rate data history 716. 9: System according to previous claims, in which entity 718 provides information about the vehicle cabin temperature to entity 720, and where this information influences seat occupation event score calculation in Method of operation. 10: System according to previous claims 1-8, in which entity 717 provides information on time elapsed since the engine stopped 720, and where this information influences seat occupation event score calculation in Method of operation. 11: System according to previous claims, in which optional information from vehicle cabin gas sensor 719 is provided to entity 720, and where this information influences seat occupation event score calculation in Method of operation, in case that increased CO2 concentration is detected. 12: System according to previous claims, in which the supporting circuitry 50 contains audio and/or visual alerting and/or indication capabilities of arbitrary realization, which are activated in case the seat occupation event is detected by the entity 71. 13: System according to previous claims where the seat occupation event is the presence of a baby on a seat. 14: System according to previous claims where the seat occupation event is the presence of a baby on a seat after the driver has left the car. 15: System according to previous claims where the seat occupation event is the presence of a human in dedicated vehicle area. 16: System according to previous claims where the seat occupation event is the presence of an animal in dedicated vehicle area. 17: System according to previous claims where appropriate specified action of the entity 60 and/or entity 50 is activating audio alarm. 18: System according to previous claims where appropriate specified action of the entity 60 and/or entity 50 is activating visual alarm. 19: System according to previous claims where appropriate specified action of the entity 60 is initiating mechanical actions of the vehicle sub-systems. 20. System according to previous claims, in which the sensor apparatus and method of operation 100 has only one high gain antenna for transmitting and receiving mm-wave radio signals 24, where the high-gain planar antenna has at least two radiation elements and isolator functionality 23 being released by plurality of the realization option, providing isolation between Rx and Tx chains, and related Rx and Tx connection to high gain antenna 24. 21. System according to previous claims, in which the sensor apparatus and method of operation 100 has entity 10 having instead of mm-wave down conversion mixer, the IQ Demodulator, and two signal conditioning chains instead of one.