CN112572249A

CN112572249A - Smart seat system for caring for infants in a vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN112572249A
Application number: CN201910921880.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 汪瀚
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Current assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Priority date: 2019-09-27
Filing date: 2019-09-27
Publication date: 2021-03-30

Abstract

The invention relates to a smart seat system for caring for an infant in a vehicle, comprising a sensor device and an actuation system. According to the present invention, the seating system further comprises an in-car infant care artificial intelligence system for recognizing the behavior of the infant, having initial information indicating that the infant feels comfortable. Sensor means are provided to sense current baby behaviour and to send a signal to the in-car baby care artificial intelligence system, which compares current information obtained from the signal with initial information and then sends a command signal to the execution system, if the comparison between the current information and the initial information shows that the baby feels uncomfortable, and the execution system performs at least one action according to the command regarding the current information.

Description

Smart seat system for caring for infants in a vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a smart seat system for caring for an infant in a vehicle.

Background

Based on the family driving experience, infants are often seated in infant seats in the rear seats. Without help from others, the driver must take care of the baby while driving, for example checking the state while he is sleeping and trying to calm it when he wakes up and crying.

Further, US2009/0278389a1 discloses a monitoring/entertainment system for a child seat having at least one electronic assembly for displaying and/or recording images, movies or movie sequences and a camera for observing an infant by means of a monitor.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an intelligent seat system for caring for an infant in a vehicle that better supports pacifying and caring for the infant.

This object is solved by a smart seat system for caring for an infant in a vehicle, comprising a sensor device and an actuation system, characterized in that the seat system further comprises an in-car infant care artificial intelligence system for recognizing the behavior of an infant, the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system having initial information indicating that the infant is comfortable, the sensor means being provided for sensing current infant behavior and sending a signal to the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system, the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system compares current information obtained from the signal with the initial information and then sends an instruction signal to the execution system if the comparison between the current information and the initial information indicates that the infant feels uncomfortable, and the execution system performs at least one action according to the instruction on the current information. According to the invention, an intelligent seat system for caring for an infant in a vehicle, in particular a passenger car, comprises a sensor device and an actuation system. The intelligent seating system further includes an in-car infant care artificial intelligence system for identifying infant behavior having initial information indicating that the infant is comfortable. Sensor means are provided for sensing the current baby behaviour and sending a signal to an in-car baby care artificial intelligence system which compares current information obtained from said signal with initial information and then sends an instruction signal to an execution system if the comparison between the current information and the initial information shows that the baby feels uncomfortable. The execution system performs at least one action according to the instructions regarding the current information.

Thus, the smart seat system can immediately respond to infant behavior and create at least one action to soothe the infant or to fall asleep so that the driver can concentrate on driving without interruption. In other words, the at least one action is adapted to soothe the infant.

Advantageously, the sensor device comprises at least an image sensor and/or a sound sensor. For example, the image sensor is a camera focused on the infant in the seat. The sound sensor may be a microphone that is tuned to the baby and records all the sound emitted by the baby.

Further, the sensor device advantageously comprises at least one of the following sensors: temperature sensors, light sensors, humidity sensors, and air quality sensors.

Advantageously, the health status of the infant may be detected by an image sensor and the surroundings may be detected by a temperature sensor, a light sensor, a humidity sensor and/or an air quality sensor (e.g. detecting air pollution).

Further, the seating system includes an infant seat. The infant seat may be completely removable or integrated in the vehicle. The sensor device may be partially or wholly integrated in the seat. If the sensor device is provided only for the seat system, it is advantageous to activate the sensor device only when the seat system is in use.

According to another embodiment, the sensor device may be part of or be integral with a vehicle. For example, one or more sensors may facilitate vehicle interior environmental conditioning even without an infant seat.

The in-car infant care artificial intelligence system preferably analyzes the movement and sound of the infant by sensing the image and sound signals from the sensor device, and the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system transmits a command signal to the execution system according to the difference compared with the initial information. If the comparison between the current information and the initial information shows that the infant feels uncomfortable, for example if the sensed body movement and infant sounds exceed the initial information, the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system sends an instruction to the executive system and informs of the need for the infant to be pacified and the action function of the seat to be opened.

Further, the sensed image advantageously comprises the movement of the eye and/or the amplitude and/or frequency of the movement of the body part.

For example, when the movement of the eye is faster than a usual threshold value pre-stored in the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system, and/or when the magnitude and/or frequency of the movement of the body part is higher than the usual threshold value, the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system will send a command signal to the execution system and the execution system will perform at least one action accordingly.

The body part may be a head, an extremity such as a finger, a palm, an arm, a foot and a leg, and/or a torso, etc.

According to a preferred embodiment, the in-vehicle infant care artificial intelligence system stores current information obtained from the sensor device as reference information after comparison with the initial information; and in the next comparison, the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system compares the next current information with the initial information and the reference information to diversify the instructions sent to the execution system.

So repeatedly, the more information that accumulates in the car baby takes care of artificial intelligence system, the more concrete and better effect of pacifying the baby of analysis to baby's state. After long-term use, the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system can accurately recognize all care requests, such as: a need to suckle, a need to sleep, a need to change diapers, or a desire to sleep or play.

Advantageously, the action produced by the actuation system comprises rocking the seat at an amplitude and/or frequency.

Preferably, the range of amplitudes and/or frequencies is preset in the execution system. Rocking the seat includes vibrating the seat at a high frequency and a low amplitude.

Further, the at least one action produced by the execution system according to the invention may comprise creating a sound for calming the baby. For example, the sound used to calm the infant may be mozart's music, hypnotic, or natural sound. Such sound may be output via a vehicle sound system. Alternatively, the infant seat itself may be equipped with an audio/sound output system.

Further, the at least one action generated by the actuation system may include adjusting light around the seat. In particular, the light intensity and/or the light color may be adjusted.

Further, the at least one action generated by the actuation system may include adjusting a temperature of the seat and/or adjusting a temperature of an environment surrounding the seat. For example, the seat temperature may be adjusted appropriately according to weather changes; the temperature around the seat can be adjusted by the vehicle air conditioner.

Further, the at least one action generated by the actuation system may include adjusting air humidity and/or adjusting fresh air content and/or spraying a fragrance around the seat. These adjustments improve air quality to keep the infant in a healthy and comfortable environment.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the in-vehicle infant care artificial intelligence system further comprises a human-machine interface through which the passenger can directly select an action to be performed by the execution system or by the human-machine interface itself. The passenger may be a driver or other occupant.

The human-machine interface may include, but is not limited to, the following: a central control screen (for route planning, infotainment, etc.) and/or a head-up or heads-up display (displaying information in the front screen) and/or an instrument panel (fitted with fuel gauges, speedometers, tachometers, etc.).

For the solution according to the invention, it is particularly preferred for the seat system in the following way: the seat system is connected to the vehicle by means of an energy and signal connection.

All relevant in-vehicle features will be invoked by the overall system as a single component. Based on pattern recognition and artificial intelligence/passenger decisions, in-car features can be controlled to take care of the baby.

The advantageous further features of the invention described above can be combined with one another as far as possible.

Drawings

The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawing figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a first embodiment of a smart seat system for caring for an infant in a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a second embodiment of a smart seat system for caring for an infant in a vehicle according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a first embodiment of a smart seat system 100 for caring for an infant 101 in a passenger car according to the present invention. The smart seat system 100 includes three main parts: a sensor device 102, an in-car infant care artificial intelligence (commonly referred to as "AI") system 104 for identifying infant behavior, and an execution system 103 for executing at least one action 1031 to care for the infant 101. The sensor means 102 is provided for sensing the current baby behaviour and sending at least one signal to the in-car baby artificial intelligence system 104.

The sensor device 102 comprises at least an image sensor and/or a sound sensor, in particular further comprises at least one of the following sensors: temperature sensors, light sensors, humidity sensors, and air quality sensors.

For example, the image sensor is a camera that focuses on the infant 101 in the chair so that facial expressions, such as skin color, eye movement, amplitude and/or frequency of body part movement, can be captured. The body part may be the head, the extremities such as fingers, palms, arms, feet and legs, the torso, etc. For example, when the movement of the eye is faster than a usual threshold value pre-stored in the in-car baby care artificial intelligence system 104, and/or when the amplitude and/or frequency of the movement of the body part is higher than the usual threshold value, the in-car baby care artificial intelligence system 104 will send a command signal to the execution system 103, and the execution system 103 will thus create at least one action 1031.

The sound sensor is a microphone that is tuned to the baby 101 and records all sounds emitted by the baby 101, such as crying, calling or burning.

In addition, other sensors may be provided for sensing the health status of the infant (e.g. by sensing skin color changes) and the surroundings (e.g. by sensing temperature, light, humidity and air quality around the seat). All of the sensed current information will be transmitted to the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system 104 for analysis.

Further, the seating system 100 includes an infant seat. The infant seat may be completely removable or integrated in the vehicle. The infant seat includes, for example, a rocking device. The rocking device may perform vibration at a high frequency and a low amplitude in addition to rocking at a low frequency and a high amplitude. Further, the infant seat has a seat heating (or seat temperature adjusting) device. The sensor device 102 is partially or wholly integrated in the seat. If the sensor device 102 is provided entirely only for the seat system, all sensors of the sensor device 102 are activated only when the seat system 100 is used in a passenger car. For example, the temperature sensor, the light sensor, the humidity sensor and the air quality sensor in the sensor arrangement are integrated in the seat and can be activated only when the seat is used in a passenger car.

Alternatively, the sensor device 102 may be part of a vehicle, either partially or entirely. Some sensors of the sensor device may contribute to the vehicle interior environment regulation even without an infant seat. For example, temperature sensors and air quality sensors are equipped in passenger vehicles. The passenger vehicle includes its own air conditioner electronically connected to a temperature sensor and an air quality sensor. Based on signals from the temperature sensor and the air quality sensor, the air conditioner is automatically turned on and adjusted even if the infant seat is removed from the passenger car.

After obtaining current information 1041 from the sensor device 102, the in-car baby care artificial intelligence system 104 compares those current information with the initial information 1042. The initial information is consistent with information recorded by the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system 104 when the infant 101 is comfortable, preferably including body motion, body temperature, eye movement, and other data. If the comparison between the current information and the initial information shows that the infant 101 feels uncomfortable, for example if the sensed body movement and infant sounds exceed the initial data, the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system 104 will send an instruction signal 1043 to the execution system 103 and inform the vibration function that needs to sooth the infant and open the seat.

The execution system 103 may perform at least one action 1031 to a certain extent depending on the comparison result, e.g. the higher the current value is, the higher the wobble amplitude and/or frequency is. The range of amplitudes and/or frequencies may be preset in the execution system 103.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a second embodiment of a smart seat system for caring for an infant in a vehicle according to the present invention. For clarity, only the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system 104 is shown, as opposed to FIG. 1. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, after comparing with the initial information 1042, the in-vehicle infant care artificial intelligence system 104 stores the current information 1044 obtained from the sensor devices as reference information; and in the next comparison, the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system 104 compares the next current information with the initial information and the reference information 1042 to diversify the instructions sent to the execution system 103 (see fig. 1). So repeating, the more information is accumulated in the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system 104, the more concrete the analysis of the infant status and the better the infant pacifying effect. For example, the reference information corresponds to a value indicating that the infant needs to be pacified, and in the next comparison, the current information is different from the initial and reference information, and the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system 104 will send another instruction signal 1043 to the executive system 103 that the infant 101 needs to be breastfed or changing diapers. After extended use, the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system 104 can accurately identify all care requests, such as a need to suckle, a need to sleep, a need to change diapers, or a desire to sleep or play something.

In addition to rocking the seat at a certain amplitude and/or frequency, the executive system 103 may create a sound for calming the infant 101, such as mozart's music, hypnosis, or natural sounds. The sound may be output via a vehicle sound system. Alternatively, the infant seat itself may be equipped with an audio/sound output system.

Advantageously, the executive system 103 may further provide, but is not limited to, more functions such as adjusting the light around the seat, adjusting the temperature of the seat, adjusting the temperature around the seat, adjusting the humidity of the air, adjusting the fresh air content, spraying a fragrance around the seat, and the like. Thus, for example, the light intensity and/or light color may be adjusted; the temperature of the seat can be properly adjusted according to weather changes; the temperature around the seat can be adjusted through the vehicle-mounted air conditioner; and the air quality can be improved to keep the baby in a healthy and comfortable environment.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system 104 further comprises a human-machine interface by means of which the passenger can directly select the action to be performed by the execution system or by the human-machine interface itself. "passenger" is to be understood broadly as a driver or other occupant. For example, if the human machine interface displays instructions that require calming the baby, the driver may choose to play some soft music; if the human-computer interface shows an instruction that the baby needs to be breastfed or changed, the driver can find a place to stop and attend to the baby or other passengers can assist.

Regarding the human-machine interface, a central control screen (for route planning, infotainment, etc.), a head-up display (displaying information in a front screen), and/or an instrument panel (with a fuel gauge, a speedometer, a revolution meter, etc. installed) may be selected as a vehicle. It should also be noted that it communicates with the smart seat system of the present invention, for example, by means of a wired or wireless connection.

For convenience and energy saving, the smart seat system according to the present invention is connected with the vehicle by means of energy and signal connections. The connection will be easily built between the seat and the vehicle. In principle, the vehicle power supply and the signals to the seat and sensor signals may be sent back to the vehicle system.

According to the present invention, a plurality of functions are integrated as one system as described above. During all handling and selection, the driver or other occupant can be well informed in a timely and accurate manner so that the baby can be comprehensively cared for.

It should be appreciated that embodiments of the invention are not limited to the example embodiments described above, and that those embodiments are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. It should also be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims and the legal equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An intelligent seat system for caring for an infant in a vehicle, comprising a sensor device and an actuating system, characterized in that the seat system further comprises an in-vehicle infant care artificial intelligence system for recognizing an infant behavior, the in-vehicle infant care artificial intelligence system having initial information indicating that the infant feels comfortable, the sensor device is provided for sensing a current infant behavior and sending a signal to the in-vehicle infant care artificial intelligence system, the in-vehicle infant care artificial intelligence system compares current information obtained from the signal with the initial information and then sends an instruction signal to the actuating system if the comparison between the current information and the initial information shows that the infant feels uncomfortable, and the actuating system performs at least one action according to the instruction on the current information.

2. The smart seating system of claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises at least an image sensor and/or a sound sensor.

3. The smart seating system of claim 2, wherein the sensor device comprises at least one of: temperature sensors, light sensors, humidity sensors, and air quality sensors.

4. A smart seating system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement is partially or fully integrated in the seat.

5. A smart seating system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device is partially or wholly part of a vehicle.

6. The smart seat system of claim 1, wherein the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system analyzes the movement and sound of the infant by sensing the image and sound signals from the sensor device, and the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system transmits a command signal to the executive system according to the difference compared with the initial information.

7. The smart seating system of claim 6, wherein the sensed image comprises sensed eye movement and/or body part movement amplitude and/or frequency.

8. The smart seating system of claim 7, wherein the body part comprises at least one of: head, limbs, and torso.

9. The smart seat system of claim 1, wherein the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system stores current information obtained from the sensor device as reference information after the comparison with the initial information; and in the next comparison, the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system compares the next current information with the initial information and the reference information to diversify the instructions sent to the execution system.

10. The smart seat system of claim 1, wherein the at least one action produced by the actuation system includes rocking the seat at an amplitude and/or frequency.

11. The smart seat system of claim 1, wherein the at least one action produced by the executive system includes creating a sound for calming an infant.

12. A smart seat system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one action generated by the actuation system comprises adjusting light and/or adjusting temperature around the seat and/or adjusting air humidity and/or adjusting fresh air content and/or spraying a fragrance around the seat.

13. A smart seat system according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the in-car infant care artificial intelligence system comprises a human machine interface by which a passenger can directly select an action to be performed by the actuation system or by the human machine interface itself.

14. The smart seating system of claim 13, wherein the human machine interface comprises a central control screen and/or a heads-up display and/or a dashboard.

15. A smart seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the seat system is connected to the vehicle by means of an energy and signal connection.