The present disclosure provides systems and methods for occupancy detection. In various embodiments, the occupancy detection system includes a server configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more occupancy detectors. Each occupancy detector includes or is associated with an object holder. The object holder can have one of two occupancy states: an occupied state in which an object occupies the object holder or an unoccupied state in which no object occupies the object holder. The occupancy detector includes a sensor and a controller configured to use sensor feedback to determine when the object holder changes occupancy states from the occupied state to the unoccupied state or from the unoccupied state to the occupied state. When the controller determines that the object holder changes occupancy states, the controller generates occupancy data that reflects this changed state and sends it to the server.

A method and apparatus for imaging occupants are provided. The apparatus includes a reflective surface; an imaging sensor configured to capture an image of the reflective surface; and a controller configured to process the captured image and control to perform a function based on the captured image. The method and apparatus may be implemented in a vehicle to detect occupant movement and behavior.

Vehicle passenger space identification (e.g., using a computerized tool) is enabled. For example, a system can comprise a memory that stores computer executable components, and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory, wherein the computer executable components comprise a location component that, using a sensor of a vehicle, determines a first position of an occupant of the vehicle and a second position of an object in the vehicle, and a calculation component that determines a distance between the occupant and the object.

The system and method provide for identification of dynamic objects in an enclosed space and the presence of a component in a primary location. The system uses an active electro-optical 3D sensor, such as a three-dimensional time of flight camera, to identify the presence or absence of a reflected pulse, to determine, for example, proper placement of a seat belt, or a change in characteristics of a reflected pulse to determine a change in location, and thus possible movement, of a living creature in a vehicle, for example.

A method for controlling operations of safety devices of a vehicle includes determining whether there is a possibility of a collision with a preceding vehicle on the basis of vehicle driving information, determining occupancy information of a passenger or a type of a passenger or determining whether a passenger has fastened a seat belt using vehicle sensor information, and determining whether to apply, and applying accordingly, full braking, a full braking profile, or an airbag deployment scheme according to the occupancy information of a passenger, the type of the passenger, or whether the passenger has fastened a seat belt when a possibility of a collision is determined, and fully retracting the passenger's seat belt before full braking is applied after partial braking is applied.

Methods and systems for estimating vital signs of vehicle occupants using Ultra-Wideband communication. UWB signals are transmitted from one UWB system node to another UWB system node. Channel impulse responses (CIRs) associated with the UWB signals are determined. Based on the CIRs, in some embodiments velocities associated with the UWB signals are determined, and activities of vehicle occupants are classified based on the CIRs along with vital signs such as breathing rates. In other embodiments, based on the CIRs, phase unwrapping of phase features associated with the CIRs is performed, and principle component analysis (PCA) transforms the CIRs, allowing estimated vital signs such as breathing rates to be determined.

A method for monitoring a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The passenger compartment has at least one RFID transponder. A readout signal for reading out the RFID transponder is emitted in the method. In response to the emitting, a response signal of the RFID transponder is measured in order to obtain a measured value. Using the measured value, a degree of obscuration that represents an obscuration of the RFID transponder is ascertained in order to monitor the passenger compartment.

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.

A centralized occupancy detection system enables monitoring of multiple seats, or more generally, multiple stations, with a single sensor. One illustrative vehicle includes: one or more stations each configured to accommodate an occupant of the vehicle, a radar-reflective surface, and a radar transceiver configured to use the radar-reflective surface to detect an occupant of at least one of the stations. Another illustrative vehicle includes: multiple stations to each accommodate an occupant of the vehicle, and a radar transceiver configured to examine each of the multiple stations to determine whether that station has an occupant.

A system comprises a controller for a vehicle. The controller comprises a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. The controller is programmed to receive data values from a sensor to detect infrared light. The sensor is in a line of sight to a vehicle foot well. The controller is further programmed to activate a knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the data values, that an object is present in the foot well. The controller is yet further programmed to deactivate the knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the data values, that there is no object in the foot well.