SE539334C2 - System and method for monitoring the presence of a driver - Google Patents

Abstract

System and method for monitoring a driver's presence in a vehicle. The system comprises a detector unit which is arranged to detect a parameter s1 in connection with the driver's driver's seat in the vehicle indicating the driver's presence, and which is arranged to generate a detector signal indicating the parameter s1. The system also includes a control unit which is arranged to receive the detector signal, analyze whether the parameter s1 meets a criterion for the driver's presence, and generate a result signal depending on the result of the analysis. (Fig. 2)

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to technology for vehicles, and in particular to a system and method for monitoring a driver's presence in a vehicle.

The invention also relates to a program and a computer program product.

Background of the invention A vehicle can be equipped with various smart functions to increase safety, reduce costs, reduce the amount of fuel, etc. An example of such a function is the start-stop, which closes down the vehicle's internal combustion engine through a start-stop system in the vehicle. A start-stop function can be activated by stopping the vehicle, depressing the clutch, moving the gear lever to neutral and releasing the clutch, whereupon the engine is stopped. To start the engine, it may be sufficient to depress the clutch again. Since the vehicle can restart without the driver's influence, it is important that the driver is present while the function is activated.

Some vehicles are equipped with a safety system that keeps track of whether the vehicle's doors are open or closed. An opened door can mean that the driver is no longer in the vehicle. If any of the vehicle's doors are open, the safety system ensures that the vehicle cannot start without the driver's influence when the start-stop function is activated.

However, a problem can arise when the driver has activated the start-stop function and is agile in the vehicle but has not left the vehicle. The safety system will then not detect that the driver is not present.

It is an object to provide an improved system for monitoring that a driver is present in the vehicle, and in particular that the driver is sitting in the driver 's seat in the vehicle. is at least in part the purpose described above through a system for monitoring a driver's presence in a vehicle. The system comprises a single detector unit which is arranged to detect a parameter s1 in connection with the driver's driver's seat in the vehicle which indicates the driver's presence ctenom of detection of aEast fäšadd driver 's seat, and which is arranged to generate a detector sign | somanger parameter s1. The system also comprises a control unit which is arranged, analyzes if the parameter s1 meets a criterion, and generates a result signal depending on the result of Summary of the invention According to a first aspect achieved receiving the detector signal 5 for the driver's presence .GS E..fL Lax .winm W ü3 ”still. Snu AGe mr am nnu .K ... L: i.K: iæ .Wæ sm mO HQu i! “Ae .Û .r _. \:» Tiå ._. 2h: en. : w - \ ~ \ ":., - \ v 'vxw \. \ i \.!“ øà I ä! \ «\ t .: t * _ t ._ s ... r.-_. \. ..w + .av .-. ..Ef »\. \ q \\ vt. ï ä \ ~ .ï 10 analysis. with the parameter st15 pararnetersw Out and the parentheses Through the system you can determine whether the driver is sitting on the driver's seat or not. This knowledge can be used for several different purposes, for example functionality in the vehicle can be switched off or read when the driver is not sitting on the driver's seat, in order to avoid accidents and / or reduce energy consumption.3 According to one embodiment, the criterion comprises a first range must be for the driver to be considered present, so that the system can take into account different weights of the driver.

According to one embodiment, the detector unit is a pressure detector which is arranged to detect a pressure in a damping device in the driver's seat. According to another embodiment, the detector unit is a height detector which is arranged to detect the height of the driver 's seat relative to a vehicle floor.

According to one embodiment, the control unit is arranged to generate a result signal which indicates that one or more functions in the vehicle are to be switched off. If the system detects that the driver is not in the driver 's seat, functionality in the vehicle can thus be switched off to, for example, prevent accidents or to reduce energy consumption.

According to a second aspect, the purpose described above is achieved at least in part by a vehicle which comprises a system for monitoring the presence of a driver in the vehicle. According to a third aspect, at least in part the object described above is achieved by means of a method for monitoring the presence of a driver in a vehicle. The method comprises: detecting a parameter s1 with a detector unit in connection with the driver's driver's vehicle, the parameter s1 indicating the driver's presence by detecting the load oaiaoci iöraratoieri, taking eiriot data indicating that the data driver detektorennaten ooh som detektar en oararnater iamföroar "med paranietern at oon som är cietekterat vid vaeentiioen samme tid ti som oarametern si, iämföra nararneterit ei mao parametern så för att ae orn narametarn ai och riararneiarn a? change na iiknariietie a iii. na reaiiitatet av iamtöreisen. tordoriet atanas av. anaiyean - i iaii - iaararnetern »e-t - šiitr-eraa-aert-f According to one embodiment, the parameter s1 is a pressure in a damping unit in the driver 's seat. According to another embodiment, the parameter s1, the height of the driver's seat, is relatively a vehicle floor.

According to one embodiment, the method of generating a result signal somanger that one or more functions in the vehicle are to be switched off.

According to a fourth aspect, the above-described object is at least partially achieved by a computer program P, wherein said computer program P comprises program code for causing a control unit, or other computer connected to the control unit, to perform the steps according to the method.

According to a fifth aspect, the object described above is achieved at least in part by a computer program product comprising a program code stored on a computer readable non-volatile medium for performing the method steps described herein, when said program code is run on the controller or other computer connected to the controller.

Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims and in the detailed description.

Brief Description of the accompanying Figures The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying figures, of which: Figs. 1A-1B show various examples of vehicles in which the system can be arranged. 2 shows the system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a flow chart according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Figures 1A and 1B illustrate vehicles 1A, 1B in which the system of the invention may be arranged. The vehicle 1A in Fig. 1A is illustrated in the form of a truck, and the vehicle in Figs. 1B in the form of a bus. The vehicles 1A and 1B have both wheels 2A, 2B and a chassis 3. The vehicle 1A has a driver's cab 4 in which a driver's seat 5 is placed. The driver's seat 5 has a chassis 6 which connects the driver's seat to the cab floor 8. . The vehicle 1B also has a driver's seat 5 and a chassis 6 which connects the driver's seat 5 to a floor 8 in the vehicle 1B. A damping device 7 is also arranged in this chassis 6. The damping device 7 has the task of e.g. dampen and absorb shocks to which the vehicle 1A, 1B is exposed so that the journey becomes comfortable for the driver. The damping can be compressed air-based, pneumatically based, spring-based, etc. The damping device 7 can comprise a control unit (not shown) which regulates the damping of the driver's seat. However, the system according to the invention can be implemented in other types of vehicles than those specified, for example work vehicles or passenger cars. Fig. 2 shows a system for monitoring the presence of a driver in a vehicle 1. The system can for instance be arranged in any of the vehicles 1A, 1B. The system comprises a detector unit 9 which is arranged to detect a parameter s1, connected to the driver's driver's seat 5 in the vehicle 1, which indicates the driver's presence. on the driver's seat 5. The detector unit 9 is arranged in figures 1A and 1B in connection with the damping device. According to one embodiment, the detector unit 9 is a pressure detector arranged to detect a pressure in the damping device 7 in the driver's seat the height of the driver 's seat relative to the vehicle floor 8. According to another embodiment, the detector unit 9 can be arranged to detect another parameter which indicates whether the driver is sitting on the driver' s seat or not. The detector unit 9 is further arranged to generate a detector signal indicating the parameter s1.

The system also comprises a control unit 10 which is arranged to receive the detector signal from the detector unit 9 and analyze whether the parameter s1 meets a criterion for the presence of the driver. The control unit 10 is further arranged to generate a result signal depending on the result of the analysis. The result signal can be sent to a unit 12 or system 12 in the vehicle 1A, 1B. According to one embodiment, the result of the analysis may be in the driver's seat 5. The unit 12 may be a display unit in the vehicle instrument panel, which may be arranged to indicate the result visually, audibly and / or tactilely to the driver. The indicator can, for example, show a flashing light when the driver is not in the driver 's seat. The unit 12 or system 12 may instead comprise or represent a functionality of the vehicle 1A, 1B, for example air conditioning, start-stop function, start-up of the vehicle 1A, 1B, shift function, etc., which responds to the result signal by, for example, switching off or reading its functionality. If the driver is detected sitting in the driver's seat 5, the result signal may indicate this and the unit 12 or system 12 may instead respond to the result signal by turning on or reading up functionality if it was previously turned off or read. The fact that the driver is sitting in the driver 's seat 5 can be indicated, for example, by a green light illuminating.

According to one embodiment, the criterion comprises a first interval within which parameter 1 must be for the driver to be considered to be present. The control unit 10 is arranged to compare the parameter s1 with limits for the first interval to check whether the parameter s1 is inside the first interval or outside the first interval. If the parameter s1 is outside the first interval, the driver is considered according to one embodiment not to sit on the driver 's seat. the first interval can be delimited by a maximum pressure and a minimum pressure which the pressure s1 is allowed to be. The highest pressure can carry a pressure which arises in an air bellows in the damping device 7 when a maximum load for the driver's seat 5 is applied to the driver's seat 5. The maximum load can for example be 300 kg. The lowest pressure can mean a pressure which arises in a single-air bellows in the damping device 7 when a minimum load is applied to the driver's seat 5. The minimum load can be, for example, 40 kg. If the parameter s1 is a one-height parameter, the first interval can be delimited by a minimum height and a maximum height that the driver's seat 5 may have. This minimum and maximum height is determined from the level of the driver 's seat as it is not weighted. When the driver 's seat 5 is loaded with the smallest load, it will according to one embodiment be lowered and reduce its height to the vehicle floor to a maximum height that the driver' s seat 5 is allowed to have. When the maximum load is applied to the driver 's seat 5, it will according to one embodiment be lowered and reduce its height to a minimum height that the driver' s seat 5 is allowed to have.

Once the driver is seated on the driver's seat 5, the detected parameter s1 according to one embodiment is relatively constant, as long as the vehicle 1A, 1B is not exposed to disturb disturbances or the detector unit 9 gives an incorrect indication. When the vehicle 1A, 1B, for example, travels along a road, disturbances of the detected parameter s1 may occur. In the event of a bump, deceleration or acceleration of the vehicle 1A, 1B, for example, the load on the driver's seat 5 can change and the detector unit 9 can enter one or more detected parameter values s1 which are outside the first range, even though the driver is on the driver's seat 5. By comparing the detected parameter s1 with one or several parameters s2 from other units11 and / or systems 11 in the vehicle 1 and see if s1 and s2 change in a similar way and / or during the same time t1, the system can filter out incorrect parameter values s1 before determining whether they are within that first range or not. To accomplish this, the controller 10 is arranged to receive data indicating one or more detected values s2 from one or more units 11 or systems 11 of the vehicle 1A, 1B which are separate from the detector unit 9 and which are detected at substantially the same time t1 as the parameter s1. The control unit 10 is further arranged to compare the parameter s1 with the parameter 2, and filter out the parameter s1 based on the result of the comparison. According to one embodiment, the time t1 is a common time for the detection of s1 and 2, respectively. According to another embodiment, the time t1 is a common time period during which one or a plurality of values s1 and s2, respectively, are detected. The ratio between s1 and s2 can be linear. Alternatively, the relationship may be non-linear. According to another embodiment, s1 and / or s2 are converted to the same kind of parameters, so that it can then be compared. According to a further embodiment, how s1 and s2 change in relation to each other is compared. If the shape of the curves that are created when a plurality of values are occupied is essentially the same, then it can be assumed that the change avs1 is a "natural change". This change can then be filtered out. The example whisper this is done by removing values of s1 that are outside the first and / or second range during the time they have the same curve shape that the values of s2 create.

An example of system 11 that reacts to bumps and other uneven road conditions is a damping system for the vehicle's wheel axles (not shown). It may, for example, comprise air circuits with air bellows with which the level of the vehicle 1A, 1B can be raised and lowered. Usually there is at least one pressure sensor in each flow circuit which registers the pressure in the flow circuit (not shown). During bumps, acceleration, deceleration 9, etc., the pressure in the flow circuit may change because the load on the wheel axles can then change. Alternatively, the level of the vehicle's frame relative to the ground is detected with a level gauge, as the level of the vehicle's frame can also change with uneven ground, acceleration and deceleration. According to a further alternative, an protractor can be used to detect uneven ground, acceleration and deceleration. One or more changes can be registered in the control unit 9 and compared with one or more changes of the parameter s1 at wide times. There is a relationship between changes in the vehicle damping system for the wheel axles, and changes in the driver 's seat damping device 7. According to one embodiment, the ratio is linear. According to another embodiment, the relationship is non-linear. According to one embodiment, if the re-changes are for substantially the same period of time, the change of the parameter s1 can be traced to bumps, deceleration or acceleration. According to a further embodiment, if the changes are also substantially equal, the change of the parameter s1 can be traced to bumps, deceleration or acceleration.

Filtering can also be detected, for example, by detecting the position or movement of the brake pedal, or deceleration within a certain range. Acceleration can be detected, for example, by detecting the position or movement of the exhaust pedal, or increasing speed within a certain range. According to one embodiment, a plurality of sensed detector values are used in the analysis. at the same time t1or time period. If the changes are simultaneous, the changes according to one embodiment are considered to be "natural changes". If the parameter s1 is much outside the first interval, it may mean that there is an error in the detector indication. The control unit 10 can then be arranged to compare the parameter s1 with an upper and / or lower limit for a second interval which is outside the first interval. If s1 is outside the second interval, it is considered to be incorrect in the detector indication. This can be indicated in the result signal, which is sent to an indicator unit 12 and is indicated to the driver. According to one embodiment, the control unit 10 can be arranged to monitor changes of the parameter s1 during a time period t2. If the parameter s1 is outside the second interval only once or a few times during the time period t2, then it is considered to be a single error that has no significance. If, on the other hand, the parameter is outside the second interval several times, it is considered to be the wrong detector indication, and it is not possible to rely on the detected parameter values1. The control unit 10 may be arranged to sum the number of times that the parameter s1 is outside the second interval during the time period t2, and compare the sum with a threshold value. If the sum is greater than or equal to the threshold value, it is considered that the error has occurred several times and there is an error in the detector indication. If the sum is less than the threshold value, it is considered that the error has occurred occasionally and that it has no significance. The control unit 10 can then be arranged to generate a result signal which indicates a warning to the driver, and / or which shuts down certain functionality, for example the start-stop function of the vehicle 1A, 1B.

According to another embodiment, the control unit 10 is arranged to generate a result signal which indicates that one or more functions in the vehicle are to be switched off and / or read. According to one embodiment, such a result signal can be generated if the parameter s1 is outside any of the intervals described above, which indicates that the driver is not sitting on the driver's seat, or that there is something wrong with the detection. According to one embodiment, a further criterion is that erroneous parameter values s1 must have been filtered out before parameter values s1 are compared with the interval limits. A function that can be switched off is, for example, the start-stop function, and it will then be required to use the vehicle key to start the vehicle 1A, 1B again. Another example of a function that can be switched off is air conditioning, AC. Other functions are the gear function, starting with a key, etc.

Vehicles 1A, 1B communicate internally between their various units and systems through, for example, a bus, for example a CAN bus (Controller Area Network) ll which uses a message-based protocol. Examples of other communication protocols that can be used are TTP (Time-Triggered Protocol), Flexray and others. In this way, signals and data described above can be exchanged between different units in the vehicle 1A, 1B. Signals and data can, for example, instead be transferred wirelessly between the various units and systems.

As shown in Fig. 2, the control unit 10 comprises a processor unit 14 and a memory unit 15 with a computer program P. stored therein. The memory unit 15 comprises a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The processor unit 14 and the memory unit 15 can, for example, communicate with each other via end data bus (not shown). The control unit 10 is arranged to run the program stored in the memory unit 15 by means of the processor unit 14.

Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of a method for monitoring a driver's presence in a vehicle 1. The method comprises detecting a parameter s1, with a single detector unit 7 adjacent to the driver's driver's seat 5 in the vehicle 1, the parameter 1 indicating the driver's presence ( A1). According to one embodiment, the parameter s1 is a pressure in a damping unit 7 in the driver's seat 5. According to another embodiment, the parameter s1 is the height of the driver's seat relative to a vehicle floor 8. It is then analyzed whether the parameter s1 meets a driver presence criterion (A2). According to one embodiment, the criterion comprises a first interval within which the parameter s1 chafes in order for the driver to be considered to be present. A result signal is then generated which indicates the result of the analysis (A3). The result signal can, for example, indicate that eighteen or more functions in the vehicle 1A, 1B are to be switched off.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises receiving data indicating a detected parameter value s2 from a unit 11 in the vehicle 1A, 1B which is separate from the detector unit 9 and which is detected at substantially the same time t1 as the parameter s1. Then the parameter s1 is compared with the parameter s2, and the parameter s1 is filtered out based on the result of the comparison, whereby s1 is not included in the analysis if the parameter s1 is filtered out. In this way, parameter values with "natural" changes are removed, while parameter values with "unnatural" changes remain.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be employed. Therefore, the above-mentioned embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

System for monitoring the presence of a driver in a vehicle (1), characterized in that the system comprises a detector unit (9) which is arranged to detect a parameter s1 in connection with the driver's driver's seat (5) in the vehicle (1). indicating the presence of the driver, and arranged to generate a detector signal indicating the parameter s1; - a control unit (10) arranged to - receive the detector signal; - analyze if the parameter s1 meets a criterion for driver presence, and - generate a result signal depending on the result of the analysis, whereby then the result signal indicates that no driver is present functionality if the vehicle is switched off. The system of claim 1, wherein the criterion comprises a first interval within which parameter s1 is to be for the driver to be considered present. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (10) is arranged to receive data indicating a detected parameter value s2 from a unit (11) of the vehicle (1) which is separate from the detector unit (9) and which is detected substantially the same time t1 as the parameter s1; -compare the parameter s1 with the parameter s2, and -filter the parameter s1 based on the result of the comparison, whereby s1 is not included in the analysis if the parameter s1 is filtered out. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector unit (9) is a pressure detector arranged to detect a pressure in a single damping device (7) in the driver's seat (5). 13 The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detector unit (9) is a height detector arranged to detect the height of the driver 's seat relative to a vehicle floor. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (10) is arranged to switch off a start-stop function H H F I. . F I l .. _ A vehicle (1A, 1B) comprising a system according to any preceding claim. A method for monitoring a driver's presence in a vehicle (1), the method comprising - detecting a parameter s1 with a detector unit (7) adjacent to the driver's seat (5) in the vehicle (1), the parameter s1 indicating the driver's presence; - analyze if the parameter s1 meets a criterion for the driver's presence, and generate a result signal indicating the result of the analysis, whereby when the result signal indicates that no driver is present functionality in the vehicle is switched off. A method according to claim 8, wherein the criterion comprises a first interval within which the parameter s1 must be for the driver to be considered to be present. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the method comprises: - receiving data indicating a detected parameter value s2 from a unit (11) of the vehicle (1) which is separate from the detector unit (9) and which is detected at substantially the same time t1 as the parameter s1; -compare the parameter s1 with the parameter s2, and -filter the parameter s1 based on the result of the comparison, whereby s1 is not included in the analysis if the parameter s1 is filtered out. 14 The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the parameter s1 is a pressure in a damping unit (7) in the driver's seat (5). The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the parameter s1 is the height of the driver 's seat relative to a vehicle floor (8). The method of any of claims 8 to 12, comprising generating a result signal indicating that a start-stop function is to be turned off. Computer program (P), wherein said computer program (P) comprises program code for causing a control unit, or other computer connected to the control unit, to perform the steps according to any one of claims 8 to 13. A computer program product comprising a program code stored on a computer readable non-volatile medium for performing the method steps of any of claims 8 to 14, when said program code is run on the controller or other computer connected to the controller.