WO2021040630A1

WO2021040630A1 - Sensor device and method for deploying the same

Info

Publication number: WO2021040630A1
Application number: PCT/TH2019/000036
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kengo IMABEPPU; Krissada CHAMCHUA
Original assignee: Ampas Industries Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2019-08-28
Filing date: 2019-08-28
Publication date: 2021-03-04
Also published as: JP3238655U

Abstract

Disclosed is a sensor device for use in a vehicle having a door. The sensor device comprises a first module (111) configured to detect at least one object in the vicinity of the vehicle and a second module (112) configured to detect an action of a user in the vehicle, and a controller (120) configured to control an output module (130) based on the detection of the first module (111) and the detection of the second module (112), wherein if the at least one object is detected and the action of the user is detected, the controller (120) controls the output module (130) so as to prevent the user from existing via the door.

Description

1

SENSOR DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DEPLOYING THE SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sensor device and method for deploying of the same. The sensor device is suited for deployment in a vehicle, such as a car.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The following discussion of the background to the disclosure is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present disclosure only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge of the person skilled in the art in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the disclosure.

[0004] A vehicle comprising a detection sensor configured to detect a moving object around the vicinity of the vehicle has been proposed. However, a passenger/ driver exiting the vehicle may not be notified or alerted to an impending approach of a moving object, such as, but not limited to another vehicle, a person, or a cyclist. As such, in the case where the passenger takes an action such as opening a door of the vehicle, an accident such as a crash between the door of the vehicle and the moving object may occur. There exists a need to alleviate at least one of the aforementioned problem(s).

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] The present disclosure seeks to address and/or ameliorate the problem in the prior art by providing a sensor device and a method for deploying the same.

[0007] Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms ‘comprising’, ‘consisting of, ‘having’ and the like, are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning ‘including, but not limited to’.

[0008] Furthermore, throughout the document, unless the context requires otherwise, the word ‘include’ or variations such as ‘includes’ or ‘including’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. 2

[0009] In one aspect, a sensor device for use in a vehicle having a door, comprising a first module configured to detect at least one object in the vicinity of the vehicle and a second module configured to detect an action of a user in the vehicle, and a controller configured to control an output module based on the detection of the first module and the detection of the second module, wherein if the at least one object is detected and the action of the user is detected, the controller controls the output module so as to prevent the user from exiting via the door.

[0010] In some embodiments, the output module is configured to include at least one of a speaker, a horn, an illuminant, and a lock mechanism.

[0011] In some embodiments, if the at least one object is detected and the action of the user is detected, the controller controls at least one of the speaker and the horn to output sound.

[0012] In some embodiments, if the at least one object is detected and the action of the user is detected, the controller controls the illuminant to cause an illumination of the illuminant.

[0013] In some embodiments, if the at least one object is detected and the action of the user is detected, the controller controls the lock mechanism to cause the door lock.

[0014] In some embodiments, the action is an action associated with a proximity state against a doorknob of the vehicle, a contact state against the doorknob of the vehicle, or pressure applied to the doorknob of the vehicle.

[0015] In some embodiments, the action includes one of the following: -

(i) at least part of a body of the user being spaced apart from the doorknob within a determined distance,

(ii) at least part of a body of the user being in contact with the doorknob of the vehicle, or

(iii) pressure equal to or greater than a dete mined pressure being applied to at least part of the doorknob of the vehicle. 3

[0016] In some embodiments, the first module is configured to be a camera, radar, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), ultrasonic sonar and/or Light Emitting Diode (LED).

[0017] In some embodiments, the second module is configured to include a Light Emitting Diode (LED) sensor, a touch sensor, a touch film, a sonar sensor, and/or a camera sensor.

[0018] In another aspect, a method for deploying a sensor device, the method comprising the steps of: detecting, by a first module, at least one object in the vicinity of the vehicle; detecting, by a second module, an action of a user in the vehicle; and controlling, by a controller, an output module based on the detection of the first module and the detection of the second module, wherein if the at least one object is detected and the action of the user is detected, the controller controls the output module so as to prevent the user from exiting via the door.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Various embodiments a e described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle 500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of a door trim 100A according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates an example of a door trim 100 A according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 illustrates an example of a door trim 100 A according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 6 illustrates an example of a flow chart of processes performed by a vehicle 500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 4

Figure 7 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle 500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present disclosure may be suited for a sensor device and a method for deploying the same.

[0021] Unless defined otherwise, all other technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by a skilled person to which the subject matter herein belongs.

[0022] Vehicle 500 [0023] Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in figure 1 , a vehicle 500 may comprise an enclose area therein, a first module 111, and at least one door 100 The vehicle 500 may be a four-wheeled vehicle and may have four doors, two doors disposed at a front portion 500a of the vehicle 500 and other two doors disposed at rear portion 500b of the vehicle 500. It is to be appreciated that this invention disclosure may be applied to a vehicle with multiple doors other t an four doors. The object 200 and the object 300 may be located behind the vehicle 500 and are detected by the first module 111. Details of the first module 111 will be described as below. Each of the first object 200 and the second object 300 may be configured to be a moving object such as a vehicle. The vehicle may be for example, a car (e.g. a passenger car, a consumer car), a truck, a bus, an industrial vehicle and other type of vehicles. It is to be appreciated that a traveling direction of the vehicle 500 may be XI shown in figure 1 and a backward direction of the vehicle 500 may be X2 shown in figure 1.

[0024] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the vehicle 500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in figure 2, the vehicle 500 may comprise a first module 111, a second module 112, a controller 120, and an output module 130. The data from the first module 111 and the data from the second module 112 may be inputted to the controller 120. The output module 130 may output a warning signal under the control of the controller 120.

[0025] Firstmodule 111 5

[0026] As shown in figure 1 , the first module 111 may be installed in the vehicle 500 or on the vehicle 500, and be configured to detect at least one object around the vehicle 500. The first module 111 may be configured to include a camera sensor, radar, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), ultrasonic sonar and/or Light Emitting Diode (LED) such as an infrared LED. The first module 111 may be installed, for example, behind a bumper or a grill, at a mirror disposed inside the vehicle 500 (e.g. a room mirror/a rear view mirror), at a mirror disposed outside the vehicle 500 (e.g. a fender mirror), or at an outer surface of a body of the vehicle 500. The object to be detected may include a moving object such as, four wheeled vehicle such as a car (the object 200), a truck, two-wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle and a motorcycle (the object 300), and people (passers-by). The first module 111 may be adjusted so that a detection direction of the first module 11 1 is within acute angle in relation to the direction X2 (i.e. backward movement of the vehicle), thus allowing the detection of at least one moving object located at behind of the vehicle 500.

[0027] Second module 112

[0028] As shown in figure 4 A, the second module 112 may be installed in the vehicle 500, and be configured to detect a determined action of a passenger (i.e. user in the vehicle 500). The second module 112 may be configured to include a LED sensor, a touch sensor, a touch film, a sonar sensor, and/or a camera sensor. The determined action may be an action associated with a proximity state against a doorknob 101 of the vehicle 500 or a contact state against the doorknob 101 of the vehicle 500, thus allowing the detection of at least part of a body of the passenger when the passenger tries to exit the vehicle 500 by opening the door 100 of the vehicle 500. The at least part of the body may include, but not limited to, a hand and/or an arm. The second module 112 may output at least one electrical signal in the case where the part of the body of the passenger approaches to the doorknob 101.

[0029] In particular, the second module 112 may detect one of the following: -

(i) at least part of a body of the user being spaced apart from the doorknob 101 within a determined distance,

(ii) at least part of a body of the user being in contact with the doorknob 101 of the vehicle 500, or 6

(iii) pressure equal to or greater than a determined pressure being applied to at least part of the doorknob 101 of the vehicle 500.

[0030] Controller 120

[0031] The controller 120 may be installed in the vehicle 500. In particular, the controller 120 may be disposed behind the door trim 100A or other location of the vehicle 500. The controller 120 may be electrically connected with the first module 111, the second module 112, and the output module 130. Each of elements (i.e. the first module 111 , the second module 112, and the output module 130) may be connected each other by wire or suitable cables.

[0032] Output module 130

[0033] The output module 130 may be used to prevent the user from exiting via a door. In particular, the output module 130 may be used to notify a user such as a passenger of warning. The output module 130 may be configured to output at least one signal. The signal may be to emit light and/or output sound. The output module 130 may be configured to include visible Light Emitted Diode (LED) including necessary electrical component and PCB. In this regard, the examples of configurations of the LED may be as follows: (i) light source: visible LED, (ii) color of light: red, (iii) optics: light guide tube, (iv) lighting condition: Continually lighting or turn off while the output module 130 is non-active and blinking while the output module 130 is active. The output module 130 may be a speaker to c use buzzer sound, beep sound, music, and/or voice. A light guide tube, plastic lens, film, and/or LCD monitor may be used to constitute the output module 130.

[0034] Door trim 100A

[0035] Figure 3 (figure 3A and figure 3B) illustrates an example of a door trim 100A according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in figure 3A, the door trim 100A may comprise a doorknob 101 having a groove portion 101A, a gripping part (an interior door handle) 101 B, and an edge portion 101C. The groove portion 101 A may be a recessed part as compared to the surface around the doorknob 101. The gripping part 10 IB may be used to open the door 100 of the vehicle 500. For example, a passenger may engage the gripping part 101B by inserting the passenger’s hand into the groove portion 101A. The 7 edge portion 101 C may be a part surrounding the groove portion 101 A and the gripping part

101B. As shown in figure 3B, a first area 101D may be provided outward in relation to the edge portion 101C.

[0036] Figure 4 (figure 4A and figure 4B) illustrates an example of a door trim 100A according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in figure 4A, the second module 112 may be disposed under the upper side of the edge portion 101C. Alternatively, the second module 1 12 may be disposed around the doorknob 101. As shown in figure 4B, the output module 130 may be disposed on the lateral side of the edge portion 101C. Alternatively, the output module 130 may be disposed around the doorknob 101. [0037] In the case where a part of a body of the passenger is in contact with the upper side of the edge portion 101 C, the second module 112 may detect the body part and the output module 130 may subsequently illuminate in at least one color to warn the passenger and prevent opening of the door 100 of the vehicle 500.

[0038] Figure 5 (figure 5 A and figure 5B) illustrates an example of a door trim 100A according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in figures 5A and 5B, the output module 130 such as a speaker may be disposed below the doorknob 101.

[0039] Example of flowchart of an operation by the vehicle 500

[0040] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a flowchart of processes performed by a vehicle

500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in figure 6, an operation by the first module 111 and the second module 1 12 may be performed at S210.

[0041] At S220, the controller 120 may deter ine whether the moving object around the vehicle 500 is detected by the first module 111. If the moving object around the vehicle 500 is detected by the first module 111 (i.e. ‘Yes’) at S220, the process may proceed to S230. If the moving object around the vehicle 500 is not detected by the first module 111 (i.e. ‘No’) at S220, the process may be repeated.

[0042] At S230, the controller 120 may determine whether the determined action of the passenger is detected by the second module 112. If the determined action of the passenger is detected by the second module 1 12 (i.e. ‘Yes’) at S230, the controller 120 may control the output module 130 so that the output module 130 outputs warning to the passenger at S240. 8

If the determined action of the passenger is not detected by the second module 112 (i.e. ‘No’) at S230, the process may proceed to S220. After the S240, the process may also proceed to S220.

[0043] Horn 140 and Locking mechanism 150 (Output module 130) [0044] Figure 7 illustrates a block diagram of the vehicle 500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in figure 7, a horn 140 and a locking mechanism 150 may be provided. The hom 140 and the locking mechanism 150 may be disposed in the vehicle 500. The hom 140 may be configured to notify the passenger of warning, under the control of the controller 120. The locking mechanism 150 may be configured to change a state of the door 100 between lock and unlock, under the control of the controller 120. If a determined action of the passenger is detected by the second module 112 (i.e. ‘Yes’) at S230 of the flowchart shown in figure 6, the controller 120 may control the hom 140 so that warning is outputted from the hom 140. In addition and/or alternatively, if the determined action of the passenger is detected by the second module 112 (i.e. ‘Yes’) at S230 of the flow chart shown in figure 6, the controller 120 may control the locking mechanism 150 so that the door 100 is locked to prevent the passenger from opening the door 100. As such, the hom 140 and/or the locking mechanism 150 may enable to avoid crash between the part of the vehicle 500 and an object around the vehicle 500.

[0045] It is to be appreciated that the output module 130, the hom 140, and the locking mechanism 150 may be collectively referred to as ‘output module’.

[0046] It is to be appreciated that in the case where the number of the door 100 is more than two, the plurality of doors 100 may be locked by the locking mechanism 150 if a determined action of the passenger is detected by the second module 112 (i.e. ‘Yes’) at S230 of the flow chart shown in figure 6. [0047] Advantageous Effect

[0048] According to the present disclosure, the controller 120 is configured to control the output module 130 based on the first module 111 and the second module 112, wherein the output module 130 is configured to notify the user of determined information if the at least one object is detected and the determined action of the user is detected, thus enabling 9 avoidance of any crash between the part of the vehicle 500 and an object around the vehicle 500.

[0049] Possible Variants

[0050] It is to be appreciated detection result by the first module 111 and/or detection result of the second module 1 12 may be stored in a database (not shown) of a device (not shown) or a server (not shown). The vehicle 500 may communicate with the device or the server via communication means such as, but not limited to, a wireless communication or a wired communication. Each of a plurality of elements (e.g. the first module 111, the second module 112, and the output module 130) in the vehicle 500 may be connected via communication means such as, but not limited to, a wireless communication or a wired communication. The wireless communication protocols or standards may include Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)™ such as IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ax/ba/EHT, Bluetooth™, Near Field Communication (NFC), radio frequency identifier (RFID), or cellular communication (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 5^th Generation (5G). The wired communication may be implemented by, for example, Universal Serial Bus (USB), High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), or Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232).

[0051] It is to be appreciated that a timing at which the first module 111 commences a detection procedure and a timing at which the second module 112 commences a detection procedure may be different at S210 of the flowchart shown in figure 6.

[0052] It is to be appreciated that at S220 the first module 111 may apply a determined criteria to narrow down possible moving objects. The determined criteria may include (i) distance between the vehicle 500 and the moving object and/or (ii) relative velocity between the vehicle 500 and the moving object around the vehicle 500.

[0053] It is to be appreciated that the second module 112 may detect the degree of opening of the door 100. In the case where the degree exceeds a determined threshold, the controller 120 may control at least one of the output module 130, hom 140, and the locking mechanism 150 so that the output module 130 notifies the passenger of alert and/or the door 100 is not allowed as there is a high possibility that the door 100 crashes the moving object around the vehicle 500, thus allowing to prevent crash between the part of the vehicle 500 and an object around the vehicle 500. 10

[0054] It is to be appreciated that in the case where the output module 130 includes an illuminant, the controller 120 may control the output module 130 to arrange light intensity, light wavelength, frequency, light flickering, light patterns, and a combination thereof.

[0055] It is to be appreciated that the second module may determine the presence of the moving object based on not only the distance between the vehicle 500 and the moving object but also relative speed or velocity.

[0056] It is to be appreciated that the object (e.g. the object 200 or the object 300) to be detected may be loca ed in front of the vehicle 500. Assuming that the vehicle 500 is stationary on a first line and an oncoming moving object (e.g. a bicycle, a motorcycle, or a vehicle) travels along another line adjacent to the first line so that the oncoming moving object passes by the vehicle 500, detection of the oncoming moving object by the first module 111 and the second module 112 allows the avoidance of a situation where at least part of the vehicle 500 is in contact with the oncoming moving object.

[0057] As stated above, it is to be appreciated that the second module 112 may detect pressure applied to a part of the doorknob 101. In the case where the pressure applied to the part of the doorknob 101 is equal to or greater than a determined pressure, the output module 130 may warn the passenger because there is a high possibility that a passenger is about to open the door 100 of the vehicle 500, thus preventing a crash between the part of the vehicle 500 and the object around the vehicle 500. [0058] In addition, the functional blocks (the first module 111, the second module 112, the controller 120, and the output module 130) used for the hardware are typically implemented as LSI devices, which are integrated circuits. The functional blocks may be formed as individual chips, or a part or all of the functional blocks may be integrated into a single chip. [0059] It is to be appreciated that at least one of the present disclosure (e.g. the first module 111, the second module 112, the controller 120, and the output module 130) is configured with a hardware by way of example, but the disclosure may also be provided by software in concert with hardware. 11

[0060] It is to be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that variations and combinations of features described above, not being alternatives or substitutes, may be combined to form yet further embodiments falling within the intended scope of the disclosure.

[0061] As would be understood by a person skilled in the art, each embodiment, may be used in combination with other embodiment or several embodiments.

Reference numerals

100: door 100A: door trim 101 : doorknob

101 A : groove part 101 B : gripping part 101 C : first area 10 ID : second area 111 : first module

112: second module 120 : controller 130 : output module 140 : horn 150 : locking mechanism

200, 300: object 500 : vehicle

Claims

12 CLAIMS

1. A sensor device for use in a vehicle having a door, comprising: a first module configured to detect at least one object in the vicinity of the vehicle; a second module configured to detect an action of a user in the vehicle; and a controller configured to control an output module based on the detection of the first module and the detection of the second module, wherein if the at least one object is detected and the action of the user is detected, the controller controls the output module so as to prevent the user from exiting via the door.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the output module is configured to include at least one of a speaker, a hom, an illuminant, and a lock mechanism.

3. The sensor device according to claim 2, wherein if the at least one object is detected and the action of the user is detected, the controller controls at least one of the speaker and the hom to output sound.

4. The sensor device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein if the at least one object is detected and the action of the user is detected, the controller controls the illuminant to cause an illumination of the illuminant.

5. The sensor device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein if the at least one object is detected and the action of the user is detected, the controller controls the lock mechanism to cause the door lock.

6. The sensor device according to claim 1 , wherein the action is an action associated with a proximity state against a doorknob of the vehicle, a contact state against the doorknob of the vehicle, or pressure applied to the doorknob of the vehicle.

7. The sensor device according to claim 6, wherein the action includes one of the following: -

(i) at least part of a body of the user being spaced apart from the doorknob within a determined distance, 13

(iii) pressure equal to or greater than a determined pressure being applied to at least part of the doorknob of the vehicle.

8. The sensor device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first module is configured to be a camera, radar, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), ultrasonic sonar and/or Light Emitting Diode (LED).

9. The sensor device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second module is configured to include a Light Emitting Diode (LED) sensor, a touch sensor, a touch film, a sonar sensor, and/or a camera sensor.

10. A method for deploying a sensor device, the method comprising the steps of: detecting, by a first module, at least one object in the vicinity of the vehicle; detecting, by a second module, an action of a user in the vehicle; and controlling, by a controller, an output module based on the detection of the first module and the detection of the second module, wherein if the at least one object is detected and the action of the user is detected, the controller controls the output module so as to prevent the user from exiting via the door.