In one embodiment, a system of detecting seat belt operation in a vehicle includes at least one light source configured to emit a predetermined wavelength of light onto structures within the vehicle, wherein at least one of the structures is a passenger seat belt assembly having a pattern that reflects the predetermined wavelength at a preferred luminance. At least one 3-D time of flight camera is positioned in the vehicle to receive reflected light from the structures in the vehicle and provide images of the structures that distinguish the preferred luminance of the pattern from other structures in the vehicle. A computer processor connected to computer memory and the camera includes computer readable instructions causing the processor to reconstruct 3-D information in regard to respective images of the structures and calculate a depth measurement of the distance of the reflective pattern on the passenger seat belt assembly from the camera.

Example illustrations herein are directed to systems and methods for determining whether a vehicle driver meets a seat belt criteria based upon a detection of each of a set of seat belt conditions. In an example, the set of conditions includes at least the vehicle driver occupying a driver seat of the vehicle, expiration of a minimum delay time after the vehicle driver is occupying the driver seat, and an engagement of a driver's seat belt latch with a corresponding buckle after the expiration of the minimum delay time, and a positioning of a driver's seat belt on a shoulder of the vehicle driver. The method may also include enabling a first vehicle feature if the vehicle driver meets the seat belt criteria. The first vehicle feature may be disabled if the vehicle driver does not meet the seat belt criteria.

A system and method for detecting seatbelt routing in a motor vehicle safety restraint system for a motor vehicle seat. The system includes a seatbelt buckle sensor, a seatbelt payout sensor, an occupancy sensor, an automatic locking retractor sensor and a control module. The method includes sensing a presence of a seatbelt latchplate in a seatbelt buckle. Further, the method includes sensing a seatbelt payout length. Additionally, the method includes comparing the seatbelt payout length to a first seatbelt payout length threshold. Moreover, the method includes determining seatbelt routing based on whether seatbelt latchplate is present in the seatbelt buckle and the seatbelt payout length is greater than the first seatbelt payout length threshold.

A computer implemented method for detecting whether a seat belt is used in a vehicle comprises the following steps carried out by computer hardware components: acquiring an image of an interior of the vehicle; determining a plurality of sub-images based on the image; detecting, for at least one of the sub-images, whether a portion of the seat belt is present in the respective sub-image; and determining whether the seat belt is used based on the detecting.

The techniques of this disclosure relate to a vehicle occupancy-monitoring system. The system includes a controller circuit that receives occupant data from an occupancy-monitoring sensor of a vehicle. The controller circuit determines an occupancy status of respective seats in a cabin of the vehicle based on the occupancy-monitoring sensor. The controller circuit indicates the occupancy status of the respective seats on a display located in a field of view of occupants of the vehicle. The display is integral to one of a roof light module, a door panel, or a headliner of the cabin. The system can improve passenger safety by alerting the operator and other occupants about the occupancy status of the passengers.

This detection device is a device for detecting the movement of a human body. The detection device has: a substrate having flexibility; an electric element provided on the substrate and having an electrical characteristic that changes with the movement of the human body; and a semiconductor element that is provided on the substrate, detects a change in the electrical characteristic of the electric element, and outputs a detection value corresponding to the detected result. The substrate is a flexible substrate or a fabric member including conductive fibers, for example.

A system for detecting improper usage of a seatbelt of a vehicle includes a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back. A shoulder belt and a lap belt are intended to restrain an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. The system includes a sensor module associated with the shoulder belt and the lap belt. The sensor module generates signals indicative of at least one parameter associated with the vehicle seat, the shoulder belt, and the lap belt when the occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat. The system also includes a controller that receives the signals indicative of the at least one parameter associated with the seat back, the shoulder belt, and the lap belt. The controller analyzes the received one or more signals, and determines whether the seatbelt is being used improperly by the occupant, based on the analysis.

A system and method for detecting seatbelt routing in a motor vehicle safety restraint system for a motor vehicle seat. The system includes a seatbelt buckle sensor, a seatbelt payout sensor, an occupancy sensor, an automatic locking retractor sensor and a control module. The method includes sensing a presence of a seatbelt latchplate in a seatbelt buckle. Further, the method includes sensing a seatbelt payout length. Additionally, the method includes comparing the seatbelt payout length to a first seatbelt payout length threshold. Moreover, the method includes determining seatbelt routing based on whether seatbelt latchplate is present in the seatbelt buckle and the seatbelt payout length is greater than the first seatbelt payout length threshold.

In one embodiment, a system of detecting seat belt operation in a vehicle includes at least one light source configured to emit a predetermined wavelength of light onto structures within the vehicle, wherein at least one of the structures is a passenger seat belt assembly having a pattern that reflects the predetermined wavelength at a preferred luminance. At least one 3-D time of flight camera is positioned in the vehicle to receive reflected light from the structures in the vehicle and provide images of the structures that distinguish the preferred luminance of the pattern from other structures in the vehicle. A computer processor connected to computer memory and the camera includes computer readable instructions causing the processor to reconstruct 3-D information in regard to respective images of the structures and calculate a depth measurement of the distance of the reflective pattern on the passenger seat belt assembly from the camera.

A system for determining seatbelt routing. The system includes a seatbelt retractor, a guide loop, a seatbelt latchplate, a seatbelt buckle, a seatbelt buckle sensor, a first RFID tag, RFID reader, and a control module. The seatbelt retractor stores a length of seatbelt webbing. The guide loop changes a routing direction of the seatbelt webbing. The seatbelt latchplate is engaged with the seatbelt webbing. The seatbelt buckle is secured to the motor vehicle and engages the latchplate. The seatbelt buckle sensor for detects the presence of the latchplate in the seatbelt buckle. The first RFID tag is attached to the seatbelt webbing of the seatbelt. The RFID reader detects the presence of the first RFID tag. The control module determines the seatbelt routing based on whether the seatbelt is buckled and the detection of the first RFID tag by the RFID reader.