METHOD FOR MONITORING A CHILD PRESENT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a child (2B) implemented by a child monitoring system (50), comprising an electronic control unit (510) and a motion detection module (520), comprising the following steps of: activating a motion detection module (520) and a first timer expiring at the end of a first predetermined duration; the electronic control unit (510) sending a warning message if the motion detection module (520) detects a movement of the child (2B), with said warning message being sent via the antenna module (10) to the communication device (2A-1) of the user (2A); reactivating the presence detection system (40) when said first timer has expired if no movement of the child (2B) is detected by the motion detection module (50) during the first predetermined duration.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a child present in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, said vehicle comprising an antenna module, a communication network, a presence detection system and a child monitoring system, said antenna module being configured to communicate with a communication device of a user of the vehicle over a wireless communication link, said child monitoring system comprising an electronic control unit and a motion detection module configured to detect a movement of the child, said electronic control unit being configured to communicate with the motion detection module, the antenna module and the presence detection system via said communication network, said method comprising: placing the vehicle on standby; the presence detection system detecting a child in the vehicle after it has been placed on standby; the user deactivating the presence detection system via the electronic control unit; the electronic control unit activating, following the deactivation of the presence detection system, the motion detection module and a first timer expiring at the end of a first predetermined duration; the electronic control unit sending a warning message if the motion detection module detects a movement of the child, with said warning message being sent via the antenna module to the communication device of the user, activating a second timer expiring at the end of a second predetermined duration and reactivating the presence detection system when said second timer has expired or deactivating the motion detection module when the user returns to the vehicle; reactivating the presence detection system when said first timer has expired if no movement of the child is detected by the motion detection module during the first predetermined duration.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, said method comprising, before the step of deactivating the presence detection system, a step of activating the monitoring system that is carried out on the command of the user.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, said method comprising an intermediate step of the electronic control unit confirming the waking of the child after detecting a movement of the child, and the step of sending a warning message is only triggered if the child whose movement has been detected is confirmed as being awake.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the return of the user corresponds to the opening of the doors of the vehicle.

5. An electronic control unit for a motor vehicle, said vehicle comprising a presence detection system, a communication network and a motion detection module, said electronic control unit comprising a memory zone and being configured to communicate via the communication network, said electronic control unit also being configured to: deactivate the presence detection system on the command of the user following the detection of the presence of a child in the vehicle in standby mode; activate the motion detection module and a first timer expiring at the end of a first predetermined duration following the deactivation of the presence detection system; send a warning message, after the motion detection module detects a movement of the child, to the communication device of the user via the antenna module, activate a second timer expiring at the end of a second predetermined duration and reactivate the presence detection system when said second timer has expired or deactivate the motion detection module when the user returns to the vehicle; reactivate the presence detection system when said first timer has expired if no movement of the child is detected by the motion detection module during the first predetermined duration.

6. The electronic control unit as claimed in claim 5, said electronic control unit also being configured to receive a signal for activating the child monitoring system from a user interface of the vehicle via the communication network.

7. The electronic control unit as claimed in claim 5, said electronic control unit also being configured to confirm that the child whose movements are detected by the motion detection module is awake.

8. The electronic control unit as claimed in claim 5, said electronic control unit also being configured to detect the opening of a door of the vehicle and to interpret said opening of a door as the return of a user.

9. A child monitoring system for a vehicle, comprising an electronic control unit as claimed in claim 5, a communication network and a motion detection module.

10. A vehicle comprising a child monitoring system as claimed in claim 9, a presence detection system, an antenna module configured to communicate with a communication device of a user of the vehicle over a communication link and a communication network.

11. The method as claimed in claim 2, said method comprising an intermediate step of the electronic control unit confirming the waking of the child after detecting a movement of the child, and the step of sending a warning message is only triggered if the child whose movement has been detected is confirmed as being awake.

12. The electronic control unit as claimed in claim 6, said electronic control unit also being configured to confirm that the child whose movements are detected by the motion detection module is awake.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Further features and advantages of aspects of the invention will become more clearly apparent upon reading the following description. This description is purely illustrative and should be read with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0037] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle in which a user has left a child and which comprises a child monitoring system configured to implement the method according to an aspect of the invention;

[0038] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the sequence of the method for monitoring a child present in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the method according to an aspect of the invention is implemented when a user 2A, provided with a communication device 2A-1, wishes to leave a child 2B asleep in a vehicle 1 while moving away from the vehicle 1.

Vehicle 1

[0040] The vehicle 1 comprises an antenna module 10, a communication network 20, a user interface 30, a presence detection system 40 and a child monitoring system 50.

Antenna Module 10

[0041] The antenna module 10 allows communication over a wireless communication link between various systems of the vehicle 1 and the communication device 2A-1 of the user 2A. Notably, it allows communication between the communication device 2A-1 and the child monitoring system 50.

[0042] The wireless communication link is implemented by exchanging radio frequency signals between the antenna module 10 and the communication device 2A-1, such as Ultra-WideBand (UWB) or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals, in a manner known per se.

Communication Network 20

[0043] The communication network 20 of the vehicle 1 allows electrical signals to be exchanged via a wired network inside the vehicle 1.

[0044] The communication network 20 can be a wired network of the CAN (Control Area Network) type.

User Interface 30

[0045] The user interface 30 is configured to receive commands from the user 2A and to display information intended for the user 2A.

[0046] The user interface 30 is connected to the communication network 20.

Presence Detection System 40

[0047] The presence detection system 40 is a system dictated by a set of standards in vehicles 1. The presence detection system 40 allows the presence of a child 2B forgotten in the vehicle 1 to be detected in order to notify the user 2A and to implement a set of solutions to prevent the extended presence of the child 2B in the vehicle 1 from having harmful effects on their health.

[0048] The presence detection system 40 can thus trigger an alarm in the vehicle 1, send a message to the communication device 2A-1 of the user 2A, or even activate certain functions of the vehicle 1, such as the air conditioning or opening the windows, for example.

Child Monitoring System 50

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, the child monitoring system 50 comprises an electronic control unit 510 and a motion detection module 520.

[0050] The child monitoring system 50 is activated by the user 2A in order to voluntarily deactivate the presence detection system 40 and to be able to leave a child 2B asleep in the stationary vehicle 1 while being able to exit the vehicle 1.

[0051] In one operating mode, the activation of the child monitoring system 50 is proposed to the user 2A when the vehicle 1 is switched to standby and when the presence detection system 40 detects the presence of a child 2B in the vehicle 1. The user 2A then has a choice between activating the child monitoring system 50, notably if the child is asleep and the user 2A wishes to leave the child in the vehicle 1 for a while, or even not activating it, for example, if the user 2A intends to take the child 2B directly out of the vehicle 1.

[0052] In another operating mode, the child monitoring system 50 can be activated directly by the user 2A via the user interface 30 of the vehicle 1 when the user 2A so wishes.

[0053] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to receive an activation signal when the user 2A activates the child monitoring system 50 and to send a signal for deactivating the presence detection system 40 upon receipt of said activation signal.

[0054] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to exchange signals with the motion detection module 520 via the communication network 20.

[0055] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to analyze a motion detection signal sent by the motion detection module 520 in order to determine whether the detected motion indicates that the child 2B is awake.

[0056] In one embodiment, the electronic control unit 510 includes artificial intelligence and machine-learning functions for determining whether the detected movement indicates that the child 2B is awake.

[0057] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to activate at least one timer that expires at the end of a predetermined duration.

[0058] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to send a warning message to the communication device 2A-1 of the user 2A via the communication network 20, the antenna module 10 and the wireless communication link.

[0059] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to send a reactivation signal to the presence detection system 40 via the communication network 20.

[0060] The electronic control unit 510 is configured to detect the return of the user 2A to the vehicle 1, notably by detecting the opening of one of the doors of the vehicle 1 or, additionally or alternatively, by detecting the unlocking of the vehicle 1.

[0061] The electronic control unit 510 also can be configured to exchange with an intrusion detection system of the vehicle 1 in order to prevent the intrusion detection system from considering the child 2B left in the vehicle 1 to be an intruder.

Motion Detection Module 520

[0062] The motion detection module 520 is configured to detect a movement in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 when the child monitoring system 50 is activated.

[0063] In a preferred operating mode, the motion detection module 520 is configured to receive reference signals corresponding to the state of the portion of the vehicle 1 where the child 2B is located upon receipt of the activation signal sent by the electronic control unit 510, to receive signals periodically and to compare these signals with the reference signals in order to determine whether there has been a movement.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the motion detection module 520 comprises at least one radio frequency wave transceiver. The signals received by the motion detection module 520 are then the reflections of radio frequency signals transmitted by the motion detection module 520.

[0065] In this embodiment, the radio frequency waves can be, for example, of the RADAR type or of the UWB type.

[0066] In addition or alternatively, the motion detection module 520 can comprise at least one camera and can determine the movement of the child 2B on received images.

[0067] Additionally or alternatively, the motion detection module 520 can comprise microphone devices that determine noises made by the child 2B.

[0068] When a movement has been detected, the motion detection module 520 is configured to send a motion detection signal to the electronic control unit 510.

User 2A

[0069] The user 2A drives the vehicle 1, has placed a child 2B in the vehicle 1 and has a communication device 2A-1.

Child 2B

[0070] The child 2B may have fallen asleep while traveling in the vehicle 1. In this case, when the vehicle stops, the user 2A may decide to leave the child 2B asleep in the vehicle 1.

Communication Device 2A-1

[0071] The communication device 2A-1 is a portable device that the user 2A keeps on their person, and which communicates with the systems of the vehicle 1 via the wireless communication link and the antenna module 10.

[0072] Preferably, the communication device 2A-1 is a smartphone-type mobile telephone installed with an application specific to monitoring a child 2B left in the vehicle 1.

[0073] In another embodiment, the communication device 2A-1 can be a separate device specifically configured for monitoring a child 2B left in the vehicle 1.

Example of Operation

[0074] The method according to an aspect of the invention is implemented when, at the end of a journey, a child 2B has fallen asleep in the vehicle 1.

[0075] In a first step E1, the user 2A places the vehicle 1 on standby, for example, by turning a key. In a manner known per se, the presence detection system 40 activates and detects the sleeping child 2B.

[0076] In a second step E2, the presence detection system 40 triggers the proposal to the user 2A to activate the child monitoring system 50, on a user interface 30 of the vehicle 1.

[0077] In a third step E3, the user 2A chooses whether or not to activate the child monitoring system 50.

[0078] If the user 2A wishes to remove the sleeping child 2B from the vehicle 1, the user 2A refuses activation and removes the child 2B from the vehicle 1. The child monitoring system 50 then is not activated, and the presence detection system 40 deactivates since it no longer detects a child 2B on board the vehicle 1.

[0079] In the event that the user 2A wishes to leave the child 2B asleep in the vehicle 1, the user 2A triggers the activation of the child monitoring system 50 and exits the vehicle 1.

[0080] In another operating mode, the user 2A can access the activation of the child monitoring system 50 on the user interface 30 themselves whenever they wish.

[0081] In the event that the user 2A chooses to activate the child monitoring system 50 on the user interface, the electronic control unit 510 receives the activation signal via the communication network 20 in a step E4. The child monitoring system 50 is then activated.

[0082] Upon activation, the child monitoring system 50 triggers a first timer that expires at the end of a first predetermined duration.

[0083] In a step E5, the electronic control unit 510 sends the presence detection system 40 a deactivation signal via the communication network 20. The presence detection system 40 is then deactivated.

[0084] In a step E6, the electronic control unit 510 sends the motion detection module 520 an initialization signal via the communication network 20.

[0085] Steps E5 and E6 can be carried out at the same time.

[0086] In a step E7, the motion detection module 520 triggers the motion detection.

[0087] Firstly, the motion detection module 520 sends a first radio frequency signal and receives the reflection of this signal on the portion of the interior of the vehicle 1 where the child 2B is located. This first reception allows a basic state to be determined in which the child 2B is still asleep.

[0088] Secondly, the motion detection module 520 periodically sends radio frequency signals and receives the reflections of these signals.

[0089] Each time a signal is received, the motion detection module 520 compares the received signals with those of the basic state. A difference between these two signals can indicate a movement of the child 2B, and therefore that the child may be awake.

[0090] If the child 2B moves, the motion detection module 520 detects a movement in a step E8 and sends a motion detection signal to the electronic control unit 510.

[0091] In a step E9, the electronic control unit 510 analyzes this signal in order to confirm that the child 2B is indeed awake.

[0092] This confirmation step requires prior training, or the use of machine-learning techniques, in order to correspond to the sleeping habits of the child 2B as closely as possible.

[0093] If the waking up of the child 2B is not confirmed, the motion detection module 520 continues the periodic transmissions.

[0094] If the waking up of the child 2B is confirmed, the electronic control unit 510 triggers, in a step E10, a second timer expiring at the end of a second predetermined duration and sends a warning message to the communication device 2A-1 of the user 2A.

[0095] In this step, the electronic control unit 510 generates the message, sends it to the antenna module 10 via the communication network 20, the antenna module 10 sends the message to the communication device 2A-1 over the wireless communication link and the user 2A sees the warning message on their communication device 2A-1, warning them that the child 2B is awake.

[0096] As long as the second timer has not reached the second predetermined duration, the electronic control unit 510 can implement certain functions of the vehicle 1 such as, for example, the passenger compartment lighting, the car radio or screens, to accompany the child 2B while awaiting the return of the user 2A. The child 2B can thus listen to music in order to have an audiovisual link with the user 2A.

[0097] If the user 2A returns to the vehicle 1 and removes the child 2B before the second timer expires, the child monitoring system 50 detects the opening of a door and/or the unlocking of the vehicle 1 in a step E11 and deactivates itself.

[0098] If the user 2A does not return to the vehicle 1 before the second timer expires, the electronic control unit 510 sends a reactivation signal to the presence detection system 40 in a step E11*.

[0099] In a step E12*, the presence detection system 40 is reactivated and detects the presence of the child 2B, and activates its functionalities after a certain time period, for example, by activating an alarm, triggering the air conditioning or even opening the windows according to the programming.

[0100] If, when the first timer, which was triggered when the child monitoring system 50 was activated, expires before the electronic control unit 510 confirms that the child 2B has woken up, the electronic control unit 510 sends a reactivation signal to the presence detection system 40 in a step E8**.

[0101] In a step E9**, the presence detection system 40 is reactivated and detects the presence of the child 2B, and activates its functionalities after a certain time period, for example, by activating an alarm, triggering the air conditioning or even opening the windows according to the programming.

[0102] As a variant or additionally, the method can also comprise a step of measuring the distance between the vehicle 1 and the device 2A-1, a step of comparing the measured distance with a predefined distance corresponding to a dedicated monitoring area and a step of sending a message to the device 2A-1 if said device leaves the dedicated monitoring area, i.e., when the measured distance is greater than the predetermined distance.

[0103] This dedicated monitoring area ensures that the user 2A does not stray too far from the vehicle 1 while a child 2B is inside.