Face Monitoring System and Method for Vehicular Occupants

{
  "publication_number": "US2008069403A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Face Monitoring System and Method for Vehicular Occupants",
  "abstract": "Imaging system and method for a vehicle includes an infrared source generating an infrared beam along a particular field-of-view in the vehicle, an infrared detector responsive to infrared radiation reflected from objects in the field-of-view of the infrared beam and which generates image signals from the reflected infrared radiation, and a processor responsive to the image signals from the detector. The processor includes face recognition software that images and identifies facial features of a person to detect a person's face and compares the detected image of the person's face with stored images, and causes a vehicle operation, e.g., ignition of the vehicle, to be performed if a particular person's face is identified. The processor may perform a frame subtracting process where the images when the infrared source is on are subtracted from the images when the infrared source is off so as to eliminate background.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An imaging system for a vehicle, comprising: an infrared source generating an infrared beam along a particular field-of-view in the vehicle; an infrared detector responsive to infrared radiation reflected from objects in the field-of-view of the infrared beam, said detector generating image signals from the reflected infrared radiation; and a processor responsive to the image signals from the detector, said processor including face recognition software that images and identifies facial features of a person to detect a person's face, said processor comparing the detected image of the person's face with stored images, and causing a vehicle operation to be performed if a particular person's face is identified.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, wherein the infrared source is on for a predetermined period of time and off for a predetermined period of time, said processor performing a frame subtracting process where the images when the infrared source is on are subtracted from the images when the infrared source is off so as to eliminate background.",
    "3. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to monitor the eyes of the person and provide a signal if the person appears drowsy.",
    "4. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to provide a signal if an incapacitated person is detected in the vehicle.",
    "5. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is arranged to monitor gestures of the detected person to cause a vehicle operation to be performed.",
    "6. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle operation is ignition of the vehicle.",
    "7. An imaging method for a vehicle, comprising: generating an infrared beam along a particular field-of-view in the vehicle; generating image signals from reflected infrared radiation; identifying facial features of a person to detect a person's face; comparing the detected image of the person's face with stored images; and causing a vehicle operation to be performed if a particular person's face is identified.",
    "8. The method of claim 7, further comprising maintaining the infrared beam on for a predetermined period of time and off for a predetermined period of time, and performing a frame subtracting process where the images when the infrared source is on are subtracted from the images when the infrared source is off so as to eliminate background.",
    "9. The method of claim 7, further comprising monitoring the eyes of the person and provide a signal if the person appears drowsy.",
    "10. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing a signal if an incapacitated person is detected in the vehicle.",
    "11. The method of claim 7, further comprising monitoring gestures of the detected person to cause a vehicle operation to be performed.",
    "12. The method of claim 7, further comprising starting the vehicle ignition if a particular person's face is identified."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This application is:\n\nThe present invention relates generally to systems and methods for recognizing the face of occupants of vehicle and using the recognition to control vehicular components, systems, parts or subsystems.\n\nBackground of the invention is found in the parent applications, in particular the '786 application. All of the patents, patent applications, technical papers and other references mentioned below and in the parent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.\n\nPossible definitions of terms used in the application are set forth in the '881 application, incorporated by reference herein.\n\nPreferred embodiments of the invention are described below and unless specifically noted, it is the applicant's intention that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). If the applicant intends any other meaning, he will specifically state he is applying a special meaning to a word or phrase.\n\nLikewise, applicant's use of the word “function” here is not intended to indicate that the applicant seeks to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, to define his invention. To the contrary, if applicant wishes to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, to define his invention, he will specifically set forth in the claims the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in that phrase any structure, material or act in support of the function. Moreover, even if applicant invokes the provisions of 35 U.S.C.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60K 28/066",
    "G06V 20/59",
    "G06V 40/161",
    "G06V 40/18",
    "G06V 40/28"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G06K 9/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Automotive Technologies International Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "David Breed"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2007-11-29",
  "publication_date": "2008-03-20",
  "priority_date": "1995-06-07",
  "application_number": "US-94700307-A",
  "family_id": "39188655",
  "cited_by_count": 85,
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}