The present disclosure relates to a computerized method of seatbelt verification in a vehicle is presented. The method comprises generating, based on an image showing a seat of the vehicle, at least one heatmap representing probabilities of a seatbelt being present in regions of the image, determining a routing of the seatbelt in the image based on the values of the heatmap, and determining whether the seatbelt is worn correctly based on the routing.

Methods and systems detect motion of a motor vehicle and detect whether the driver, and/or other occupants, are wearing their safety belts. A third party can be notified, in real-time, that the vehicle is being driven without the safety belts engaged. The user can then deliver an audio message to the user, either pre-recorded or live, to remind the user to fasten their safety belts. The third party also has an option of delivering a consequence to the user as a result of the detection of the safety belt not being engaged. Such consequence can include automatically limiting access to certain applications of the driver's smart phone for a certain period of time. The system can include a seat belt application detector, a vehicle motion detector, and wireless communication means to send a signal of safety belt application to the third party.

To provide a seat belt retractor and a seat belt apparatus in which contact between a locking base and a base frame can be suppressed. A seat belt retractor includes a spool 2 that retracts a webbing restraining an occupant, a base frame 3 that accommodates the spool 2 while allowing the spool 2 to rotate, and a lock mechanism 4 regulating rotation of the spool 2. The lock mechanism 4 includes a locking base 41 disposed at an end portion of the spool 2, an opening 31 that is formed in the base frame 3 and allows the locking base 41 to be inserted therethrough, engagement teeth 32 formed at an inner edge of the opening 31, and a pawl 42 that is disposed radially outwardly movable relative to the locking base 41 and engageable with the engagement teeth 32. The lock mechanism 4 further includes a protect cover 43 that is attached to the locking base 41 and includes a side wall portion 43b disposed along a side surface portion of the locking base 41.

A method for a seat belt system (10) in a vehicle (14), the seat belt system (10) comprising a control unit (36) and at least one seat belt (18) with an extendable webbing (20) and a webbing extension measuring device (30), includes the steps of: a) determining whether a vehicle seat (16) is occupied, b) determining whether the webbing (20) is in a storage position, if the vehicle seat (16) is not occupied, and c) outputting a warning signal, in particular via an output device (34), if the webbing (20) is not in the storage position. Moreover, the invention provides a seat belt system (10) for a vehicle (14) comprising an extendable seat belt (17, 18) as well as a vehicle (14) comprising a seat belt system (10).

A heat flux sensor is installed in such a way that heat flux emanating from a biological object present at a predetermined position is detectable. It is determined whether or not a biological object is present at the predetermined position by comparing sensing results of the heat flux sensor with determination criteria. The determination criteria is preset according to heat flux that can be sensed when a biological object is present at the predetermined position. When the sensing results of the heat flux sensor satisfy the determination criteria, in other words, when the heat flux sensed by the heat flux sensor is the heat flux emanating from a biological object, it is determined that a biological object is present at the predetermined position. Consequently, it is possible to realize accurate detection of a biological object.

A cover for a strap, in particular for protecting the strap from mechanical influences, wherein the cover has a body that is designed such that the body has an aperture that is enclosed at least in sections by a wall, via which the cover can be arranged on the strap such that the wall of the body encloses at least sections of the strap in the circumferential direction of the body. A bracket is arranged on the wall of the body in this design.

In a load limiting device (10), especially for a seat belt in a vehicle, comprising a controllable braking device (16) which has a fluid-filled compartment (24) including a conduit (34) through which the fluid (23) can flow, an element to be decelerated (32) which is coupled to the seat belt, at least one sensor (18) for detecting vehicle operating data, especially an acceleration sensor, a sensor (20) for detecting the webbing extension, and a controller (22) for controlling the braking power of the braking device (16) as a function of the vehicle operating data measured and the webbing extension measured, the fluid (23) is a magnetorheological fluid and a control magnet is provided which is adapted to generate a variable magnetic field inside the conduit (34) and to vary the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid inside the conduit (34).

A computer-implemented method for seatbelt assistance in a vehicle includes determining, based on interior cabin data, whether a seatbelt is correctly fastened. The determining does not provide a positive confirmation that the seatbelt is correctly fastened. The method includes outputting a prompt to a person on the seatbelt to take an action to enable re-determining whether the seatbelt is correctly fastened. The method includes re-determining, based on updated interior cabin data indicating a reaction of the person to the prompt, whether the seatbelt is correctly fastened.

Methods and systems for validating proper fastening of vehicle seats via an application executing on a mobile computing device. The method and systems may include: obtain input data via an input interface of the mobile computing device, the input data including one or more of vehicle data, vehicle seat data, or child data; obtain underlay layer data generated by an image sensor of the mobile computing device; generate overlay layer data based upon the input data and/or the underlay layer data, the overlay layer data including an indication associated with proper fastening of the vehicle seat; corelate the overlay layer data with the underlay layer data; the one or more processors to create an AR display based upon the correlation; and/or present the AR display via an AR interface of the mobile computing device.

A seatbelt system may include a seatbelt configured to constrain a waist and a torso of an occupant. The seatbelt may also include a coupling configured to selectively couple a portion of a vehicle and the seatbelt to one another. The system may also include a reel configured to receive at least a portion of the seatbelt, and a tension sensor associated with the coupling and/or the seatbelt and configured to generate a signal indicative of tension in the seatbelt. The system may also include a deployment sensor associated with the seatbelt and configured to generate a signal indicative of a length of the seatbelt deployed from the reel. The system may also include an occupant detector configured to determine, based at least in part on the signals indicative of tension and the length, whether an occupant is properly wearing the seatbelt, such that the seatbelt constrains the occupant.