JP2001213268A - Occupant judging apparatus for vehicular air bag system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an occupant judging apparatus to judge the detailed seating posture necessary for the fine control of the unfolding of an air bag while enabling the high-speed and detailed distance measurement by paying attention to the fact that an auxiliary light source is essential at night during the measurement by an image sensor in an air bag system for vehicle, and devising the configuration of the auxiliary light source. SOLUTION: An auxiliary light unit 60 irradiates an upper part of the body Ma with the diffuse light from a light emitting element 61, and an irradiation point P on the upper part of the body Ma is irradiated by the beam from a light emitting element 62. The image sensor 50 picks up the image of the upper part of the body Ma under the irradiation by the diffuse light, and picks up the image of the upper part of the body Ma under the irradiation of the diffuse light and the beam, and outputs the image data. A microcomputer 90 extracts the irradiation point P by two kinds of the differential data of the image data, the distance between the upper part of the body Ma and the air bag 20 is calculated by the triangulation method making use of the extracted result to judge the posture of the seated occupant.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an occupant determination apparatus suitable for use in a vehicle airbag system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an airbag system for a front passenger seat of a vehicle, an occupant seated in a front passenger seat often takes various sitting postures, unlike a seated occupant in a driver seat.
For this reason, depending on the seating posture, the airbag originally intended to protect the occupant may adversely affect the occupant due to its deployment. Therefore, in the passenger seat, it is desired to detect the sitting posture of the occupant and control the deployment of the airbag in accordance with the detected sitting posture.

In order to detect the seating posture of the passenger seat as described above, multi-point distance measurement is performed over a wide viewing angle, and the occupant's sitting posture necessary for controlling the deployment of the airbag is determined according to the distance measurement result. A system in which a determination is made is disclosed (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-309402).

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned publication, since the measurement points for the posture of the seated occupant are limited to one-dimensional shape, even if high-speed distance measurement is possible, various changes occur. There is a problem that it is not possible to perform distance measurement for detecting the sitting posture in detail, and it is not possible to determine various sitting postures necessary for fine control of the deployment of the airbag depending on the result of the distance measurement.

In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to employ an image sensor and two-dimensionally detect the seated posture of the occupant by image recognition of the image sensor. However, simply adopting an image sensor enables two-dimensional detailed distance measurement, but it is necessary to perform stereoscopic vision for distance measurement.
In addition to the increase in cost, the calculation for distance measurement takes a long time, resulting in a disadvantage that high-speed distance measurement cannot be performed.

In order to deal with such a problem, the present invention focuses on the fact that an auxiliary light source is always required at night during measurement with an image sensor in a vehicle airbag system. It is an object of the present invention to provide an occupant determination device capable of performing detailed distance measurement at high speed and determining a detailed seating posture necessary for fine deployment control of an airbag by elaborating the device.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an occupant determination apparatus for an airbag system for a vehicle according to the present invention is provided with an airbag system that operates to protect an occupant in the event of a vehicle collision. An image sensor (50) which is provided so as to be located at an appropriate position in the vehicle interior and captures a seated occupant in the vehicle interior as two-dimensional image data; and an image sensor in front of the seated occupant in the vehicle interior. The first light emitting element (6) which is disposed and irradiates diffused light to a seated occupant.
1) and an auxiliary light unit (6) having a second light emitting element (62) for irradiating a light beam toward an irradiation point of a seated occupant.
0), the image sensor captures an image of the seated occupant as the first image data in the state of irradiating or not irradiating the diffused light by the first light emitting element, and then adjusts to the light beam irradiation by the second light emitting element. Drive processing means (70, 80, 120, 121) for selectively driving the first light emitting element, driving the second light emitting element, and driving the image sensor so as to capture the seated occupant as the second image data; Extracting means (123, 124) for extracting an irradiation point by calculating difference data between the two image data; and an image sensor by a triangulation method based on each positional relationship between the irradiation point, the second light emitting element and the image sensor. A distance calculating means (124) for calculating a distance from the irradiation point, and a posture determining means (126) for determining the posture of the seated occupant according to the length of the distance calculated by the distance calculating means. .

As described above, the auxiliary light unit required as an auxiliary light source for the image sensor is provided with the second light emitting element as the light source for beam light in addition to the first light emitting element as the light source for diffused light. The irradiation point for the seated occupant is extracted based on the difference data between the output image data of the image sensor when the light beam is not irradiated and the output image data of the image sensor when the light beam is irradiated.
The distance between the image sensor and the irradiation point is calculated by triangulation based on the positional relationship between the light emitting element and the image sensor, and the posture of the seated occupant is determined according to the length of the calculated distance.

Therefore, even if the posture of the seated occupant changes variously, the change in this posture depends on the length of the calculated distance.
It can be accurately determined to control the deployment of the airbag so as to eliminate harm to the occupant. Further, as described above, since the irradiation point is extracted by calculating the difference data between the two image data and the distance between the irradiation point and the image sensor is calculated, an image sensor having a two-dimensional imaging function may be used. In addition, the above effects can be achieved while calculating the distance at a high speed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an occupant determination apparatus for an airbag system for a vehicle, wherein the airbag system operates to protect the occupant in the event of a collision of the vehicle so that the airbag system is located at a proper position in a vehicle compartment. An image sensor (50) that is equipped and captures a seated occupant in the vehicle interior as two-dimensional image data; and a diffused light that is disposed in front of the seated occupant in the vehicle interior away from the image sensor and directed toward the seated occupant. An auxiliary light unit (60A) having a first light emitting element (61) for irradiating light and a plurality of second light emitting elements (62a to 62d) for respectively irradiating light beams to different irradiation points of a seated occupant, and an image sensor. In a state where the first light emitting element emits or does not emit the diffused light, the seated occupant is imaged as the first image data, and then each of the light beams emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements is captured. The selective driving of the first light emitting element, the selective driving of the plurality of second light emitting elements, and the driving of the image sensor are performed so that the seated occupant is sequentially imaged as the second image data in accordance with the selective irradiation. Drive processing means (70,
80, 132, 133) and extraction means (134) for sequentially extracting each irradiation point by calculating each difference data between the first image data and each second image data.
And a distance calculating means for sequentially calculating the distance between the image sensor and the irradiation point by triangulation based on the irradiation point and the respective positional relationships of the corresponding second light emitting element and the image sensor for each irradiation point. (135), and posture determination means (126) for determining the posture of the seated occupant according to the length of each calculated distance of the distance calculation means.

As described above, the auxiliary light unit required as an auxiliary light source for the image sensor emits the beam light to different irradiation points of the seated occupant in addition to the first light emitting element which is the emission source of the diffused light. A plurality of second light-emitting elements are provided, and each of the second light-emitting elements is provided for the seated occupant based on the difference data between the output image data of the image sensor when the light beam is not irradiated and the output image data of the image sensor when each light beam is irradiated. The irradiation points are extracted, and for each of these irradiation points, the distance between the image sensor and the irradiation point is sequentially calculated by triangulation based on the respective positional relationships of the irradiation point, the corresponding second light emitting element, and the image sensor. Then, the posture of the seated occupant is determined according to the length of each of the calculated distances.

Therefore, even if the posture of the seated occupant changes, the change in the posture controls the deployment of the airbag so as to eliminate harm to the occupant in accordance with the length of each calculated distance. It can be determined finely. Also,
As described above, the difference data between the two image data is obtained, the respective irradiation points are extracted, and the distance between each of the irradiation points and the image sensor is calculated, so that the image sensor having a two-dimensional imaging function is used. In addition, the above-described effects can be achieved while calculating the distances at high speed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an occupant determination device for an airbag system for a vehicle is provided in an airbag system that operates to protect an occupant in the event of a collision of a vehicle so as to be located at an appropriate position in a vehicle compartment. Image sensor (5) that captures a seated occupant in the vehicle interior as two-dimensional image data.
0), a first light-emitting element (61) disposed in front of the seated occupant in the vehicle compartment away from the image sensor and irradiating diffused light toward the seated occupant, and a beam directed to different irradiation points of the seated occupant. An auxiliary light unit (60) having a plurality of second light emitting elements (62a to 62d) for irradiating light, respectively.
A) and the image sensor sequentially occupies the seated occupant in accordance with the selective irradiation of each light beam by the plurality of second light emitting elements under the state of irradiation or non-irradiation of the diffuse light by the first light emitting element. Drive processing means (70, 80, 1) for selectively driving the first light emitting element, selectively driving the plurality of second light emitting elements, and driving the image sensor so as to capture image data.
44) calculating, as first difference data, a difference between the preceding image data and its subsequent image data for each pair of the preceding image data and its subsequent image data in each image data; By calculating a difference between the first difference data and the second difference data, an extraction unit (145, 146) for sequentially extracting each irradiation point, and for each irradiation point, an irradiation point and a corresponding irradiation point. Distance calculating means (147) for sequentially calculating the distance between the image sensor and the irradiation point by triangulation based on the positional relationship between the second light emitting element and the image sensor; and the length of each calculated distance of the distance calculating means Attitude determination means (126) for determining the attitude of the seated occupant in accordance with the condition.

As described above, the auxiliary light unit according to the second aspect of the present invention is employed, and the preceding image data and the following image data are output for each pair of the preceding image data and the following image data among the output image data of the image sensor. Each irradiation point is sequentially extracted by calculating the difference between the image data as the first difference data, and calculating the difference between the first difference data and the preceding first difference data as the second difference data. Then, for each irradiation point, the distance between the image sensor and the irradiation point is sequentially calculated by triangulation based on the irradiation point and the respective positional relationships of the second light emitting element and the image sensor corresponding to the irradiation point. The posture of the seated occupant is determined according to the length of the calculated distance. According to this, substantially the same operation and effect as the invention described in claim 3 can be achieved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an occupant determination device for an airbag system for a vehicle, wherein the airbag system operates to protect the occupant in the event of a collision of the vehicle so that the airbag system is located at a proper position in the vehicle compartment. An image sensor (50) that is equipped and captures a seated occupant in the vehicle interior as two-dimensional image data; and a diffused light that is disposed in front of the seated occupant in the vehicle interior away from the image sensor and directed toward the seated occupant. An auxiliary light unit (60B) having a first light emitting element (61) for irradiating light and a plurality of second light emitting elements (63a to 63c) for respectively irradiating light beams to different irradiation points in a vertical direction of a seated occupant; The image sensor captures a seated occupant as the first image data in a state where the first light emitting element emits or does not emit the diffused light, and a plurality of second images are taken.
Selective driving of the first light emitting element, simultaneous driving of the plurality of second light emitting elements, and driving of the image sensor are performed so that the seated occupant is imaged as the second image data in accordance with the simultaneous irradiation of each light beam by the light emitting element. Drive processing means (70, 80, 1
51) extracting means (152) for extracting each irradiation point by calculating difference data between the first image data and the second image data; and an irradiation point and an irradiation point for each irradiation point. A distance calculating means (153) for sequentially calculating the distance between the image sensor and the irradiation point by triangulation based on the respective positional relationships of the second light emitting element and the image sensor corresponding thereto; Attitude determination means (12) for determining the attitude of the seated occupant according to the length of the calculated distance.
6).

As described above, the auxiliary light unit required as an auxiliary light source for the image sensor includes, in addition to the first light emitting element, which is the emission source of diffused light, simultaneously emits beams toward different irradiation points in the vertical direction of the seated occupant. A plurality of second light emitting elements for emitting light are provided, and seated based on difference data between output image data of the image sensor when no light beam is irradiated and output image data of the image sensor when each light beam is irradiated simultaneously. Each irradiation point for the occupant is extracted, and for each of these irradiation points, the distance between the image sensor and the irradiation point by triangulation based on the respective irradiation points, the corresponding second light emitting elements and the respective positional relationships of the image sensor. Are sequentially calculated, and the posture of the seated occupant is determined according to the length of each of the calculated distances.

Therefore, even if the posture of the seated occupant changes in various ways, the change in the posture controls the deployment of the airbag so as to eliminate harm to the occupant in accordance with the length of each calculated distance. It can be determined finely. Also,
As described above, the difference data between the two image data is obtained under the simultaneous irradiation of the second light emitting element to extract each irradiation point and calculate the distance between each irradiation point and the image sensor. Even when an image sensor having an imaging function is used, the above-described effects can be achieved while calculating the respective distances at a high speed. In addition, the code | symbol in the parenthesis of each said means shows the correspondence with the concrete means described in embodiment mentioned later.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 6 show an embodiment of an automobile airbag system to which the present invention is applied. This airbag system is employed to protect an occupant (hereinafter, referred to as an occupant M) sitting on a passenger seat 10 (see FIG. 2) in the cabin of the automobile.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag system has an airbag 20. The airbag 20 is provided in front of a passenger seat 10 on an instrument panel 30 in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. Equipped in place.
The instrument panel 30 extends from the lower edge of the front windshield 40 of the vehicle toward the vehicle interior and downward.

As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag system includes an airbag drive circuit D for driving the airbag 20 and an occupant determination device S. The airbag drive circuit D includes an occupant determination device S The airbag 20 is deployed toward the passenger seat 10 under the control of the vehicle.

The occupant determination device S is provided with an image sensor 50, which faces the backrest 11 of the passenger seat 10 in the upper wall 31 of the instrument panel 30 near the airbag 20. It is provided on the part which does. As shown in FIG. 6, the image sensor 50 includes a two-dimensional CCD element 51 and a light receiving lens 52 that is a plano-convex lens, and the CCD element 51 passes through the light receiving lens 52 on its light receiving surface 51a. It faces the backrest 11.

The light receiving lens 52 transmits light reflected from the upper body Ma of the occupant M seated on the passenger seat 10 as described later.
An image is formed on the light receiving surface 51a of the CD element 51. The CCD element 51 outputs the imaging light on the light receiving surface 51a as two-dimensional image data. This means that the image sensor 50
Means that the upper body Ma of the occupant M is captured as image data and output as image data. Here, the viewing angle of the image sensor 50 is adjusted by the light receiving lens 52 so that the image including the front surface of the backrest 11 of the passenger seat 10 can be projected. The passenger seat 10 is provided on the floor 10a in the passenger compartment of the vehicle at the seat portion 12 thereof.

Further, the occupant determination device S includes an auxiliary light unit 60. The auxiliary light unit 60 is located in front of the passenger compartment of the vehicle along a front seat side edge of the front windshield 40. It is attached to a vertical intermediate portion of the pillar 41 (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 1, the auxiliary light unit 60 includes both light-emitting elements 61 and 62 housed in a casing (not shown), and both of the light-emitting elements 61 and 62 have a built-in infrared light-emitting diode. Have been.

The light emitting element 61 emits light such that pulsed diffused light from the built-in infrared light emitting diode irradiates the front surface of the backrest 11 of the passenger seat 10. On the other hand, the light emitting element 62 emits light so as to irradiate a part of the front surface of the backrest 11 of the passenger seat 10 with pulsed beam light from the built-in infrared light emitting diode. Here, the light emitting element 62 emits a light beam from a central portion of the light emitting surface (a portion located on the light emitting axis).

The occupant determination apparatus S includes an image data processing circuit 70, an auxiliary light unit driving circuit 80, and a microcomputer 90. The image sensor drive and data processing circuit 70 is driven by the microcomputer 90 to drive the image sensor 50, and the image sensor 50
And outputs the image data to the microcomputer 90 as an image processing signal.

The auxiliary light unit driving circuit 80 controls the auxiliary light unit 6 under the control of the microcomputer 90.
Each of the 0 light emitting elements 61 and 62 is pulse-driven. This means that the light emitting element 61 emits diffused light in a pulsed manner, and the light emitting element 62 emits light beam in a pulsed manner.

The microcomputer 90 executes the computer program according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and during this execution, the image sensor driving and driving processing of the data processing circuit 70 and the output processing thereof, the auxiliary light unit driving The driving process of the circuit 80, the determination process of the sitting posture of the occupant M, and the driving process of the airbag driving circuit D are performed. The computer program is stored in the ROM of the microcomputer 90 in advance.

In the first embodiment configured as described above, if the microcomputer 90 starts executing the computer program according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4, initialization processing is performed in step 100 of FIG. .

Thereafter, in step 101, an operation process of the image sensor 50 is performed. Therefore, the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 70 operates the image sensor 50. Accordingly, the image sensor 50 two-dimensionally captures the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M in the passenger seat 10 under the current external light, and outputs the image data to the image sensor drive and data processing circuit 70 as image data. Then, the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 70 performs data processing on the image data and inputs an image processing signal to the microcomputer 90 as a two-dimensional normal image representing the upper body Ma in step 101.

Next, in step 102, the average luminance value of all pixels of the normal image is calculated. Accordingly, in step 103, the imaging time is calculated according to the height of the average luminance value of all the pixels, that is, the brightness. Here, the imaging time is calculated to be longer in a dark case than in a bright case.

Thereafter, in step 110, it is determined whether or not the auxiliary light is necessary according to the imaging time in step 103. If the imaging time is short, the auxiliary light is unnecessary because it is bright, so the determination in step 110 is NO.
Becomes On the other hand, if the imaging time is long, the auxiliary light is necessary because the image is dark, so the determination in step 110 is YES. Then, in step 111, diffused light emission setting is performed.

After the determination of NO in step 110 or the processing of step 111, in step 120
The operation processing of the image sensor 50 is performed.
If the diffused light emission setting is completed in step 1, pulsed light emission drive processing of the infrared light emitting diode of the light emitting element 61 is performed.

Therefore, when the processing in step 111 is not performed, the image sensor 50 is driven by the image sensor and the data processing circuit 70, and is irradiated with the current external light in the same manner as described above. Then, the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M in the passenger seat 10 is two-dimensionally imaged and output to the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 70 as image data.

In the case where the processing in step 111 has been completed as described above, the light emitting element 61 is pulse-driven by the auxiliary light unit driving circuit 80 to emit diffused light in a pulsed manner, and the diffused light causes the seated occupant to emit light. The upper body Ma of M is irradiated. Therefore, the image sensor 50 two-dimensionally moves the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M of the passenger seat 10 under the driving of the image sensor and the driving of the data processing circuit 70 under the pulsed diffused light emission of the light emitting element 61. The image is taken and output to the image sensor drive and data processing circuit 70 as image data.

Then, the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 70 performs data processing on the image data and sends an image processing signal to the microcomputer 90 as two-dimensional positive image data D1 representing the upper body Ma (see FIG. 5A). ) Is input in step 120.

Next, in step 121, the operation processing of the image sensor 50 and the pulse light emission drive processing of the light emitting element 62 are performed. If the diffused light emission is set in step 111, the infrared light emitting diode of the light emitting element 61 Pulse emission drive processing is performed.

When the pulse light emission drive processing of the light emitting element 62 is performed as described above, the light emitting element 62 is pulse driven by the auxiliary light unit driving circuit 80 to emit a light beam in a pulsed manner. A part of the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M is irradiated.

Therefore, when the processing in step 111 is not performed, the image sensor 50 is driven by the image sensor and the data processing circuit 70, and is illuminated by the current external light and the irradiation with the beam light. A seated occupant M in the passenger seat 10
Is two-dimensionally imaged and output to the image sensor drive and data processing circuit 70 as image data. Then, the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 70 processes the image data and converts the image processing signal into the microcomputer 90 as two-dimensional normal image data D2 (see FIG. 5B) representing the upper body Ma. Input at 121.

On the other hand, when the processing of step 111 is performed, the image sensor 50 is driven by the image sensor and the data processing circuit 70, and is illuminated with the diffused light and the light beam. The upper body Ma of the ten seated occupants M is two-dimensionally imaged and output to the image sensor drive and data processing circuit 70 as image data. Then, the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 70 performs data processing on the image data and inputs an image processing signal to the microcomputer 90 as two-dimensional positive image data D2 representing the upper body Ma in step 121.

Next, in step 122, a difference value between the two positive image data D1 and D2 is calculated as data. In the next step 123, the irradiation point P of the light beam on the front surface of the upper body Ma is represented based on the difference value data. It is extracted as data SD (= D2-D1) (FIG.
(C)). Then, in step 124, the distance La along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the optical center 52a of the light receiving lens 52 of the image sensor 50 and the irradiation point P is calculated based on the following equation (1).

[0042]

## EQU1 ## In the equation (1), D is the center of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element 62 and the center of the image sensor 50, as shown in FIG. This is the distance between the light receiving lens 52 and the light receiving axis. da indicates that the light beam reflected at the irradiation point P is
This is the distance between the image forming position on the light receiving surface 51a of the CCD element 51 that forms an image through 2a and the light receiving axis of the image sensor 50. L is the optical center of the light receiving lens 52 along the light receiving axis of the image sensor 50 (same as the light receiving axis of the light receiving lens 52) and C
The distance from the light receiving surface 51a of the CD element 51. α is the angle formed by the light emitting axis of the light emitting element 62 and the normal line to the vertical plane including the optical center 52a of the light receiving lens 52 from the center of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element 62. In FIG. 6, for convenience, unlike FIG. 2, the center of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element 62 and the optical center 52 a of the light receiving lens 52 are described as being located in the same vertical plane.

Incidentally, the equation (1) is derived based on the triangulation method as follows. First, when the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M is at the position shown in FIG. 6A with respect to the image sensor 50, the distance between the optical axis of the image sensor 50 and the irradiation point P is defined as Da. When the upper body Ma is at the position shown in FIG. 6B with respect to the image sensor 50, the distance between the front surface of the upper body Ma on the light receiving axis of the image sensor 50 and the optical center 52a of the light receiving lens 52 is determined. Lb. Based on this premise, the following equations 2 to 4 hold based on the similar shapes of the two triangles in FIG.

[0044]

## EQU2 ## La: Da = L: da

[0045]

## EQU3 ## La: (D + Da) = Lb: D

[0046]

Lb = Dtanα Equation (1) is derived by rearranging the equations (2) to (4). When the processing in step 125 ends as described above, an image recognition process is performed in step 125 based on the normal image data D1. Thereafter, in step 126, a determination process of the passenger seat state is performed. Here, the sitting posture of the occupant M with respect to the passenger seat 10 is determined according to the image recognition processing and the calculated distance La. For example, if the calculated distance La is short, it is determined that the occupant M is in a sitting posture in which the portion corresponding to the irradiation point P in the upper body Ma is protruded toward the instrument panel 30 compared to other portions. . On the other hand, if the calculated distance La is long, it is determined that the occupant M has a normal sitting posture with respect to the passenger seat 10.

Next, in step 127, step 12
The deployment determination process of the airbag 20 is performed based on the determination process in 6. Here, the deployment determination processing is performed so that the seated occupant M is protected without being harmed by the deployment of the airbag 20 at the time of the collision of the vehicle. For example, as described above, when the occupant M is in the sitting posture in which the portion corresponding to the irradiation point P in the upper body Ma is projected toward the instrument panel 30 compared to the other portions, the airbag 20 Is determined to be weaker. On the other hand, when the occupant M is in a normal sitting posture with respect to the passenger seat 10, it is determined that the deployment force of the airbag 20 is normal.

If it is determined that the vehicle has collided based on such a determination, then in step 128, step 12 is executed.
The control signal of the airbag 20 is output to the airbag drive circuit D based on the deployment judgment processing of the airbag 20 in 7. Accordingly, the airbag drive circuit D deploys the airbag 20 with the control signal, that is, the deployment force based on the deployment determination processing of the airbag 20.

Thus, the seated occupant M can move the airbag 20
Protected by In this case, since the airbag 20 is deployed with a deployment force corresponding to the sitting posture of the seated occupant M, the airbag 20 does not harm the seated occupant M by the deployment. Further, as described above, both the positive image data D1,
Since the irradiation point P is extracted by calculating the difference data SD of D2 and the distance La between the irradiation point P and the image sensor 50 (that is, the distance between the airbag 20) is calculated, two-dimensional imaging is performed. Even when the image sensor 50 having a function is used, the distance La can be calculated at a high speed. Therefore, the seating posture of the seated occupant M and the deployment of the airbag 20 required at the time of the collision of the vehicle can be quickly determined, and the airbag is deployed with a deployment force matching the seating posture of the seated occupant at the time of the vehicle collision. 20 can be developed with good timing. (Second Embodiment) FIGS. 7 to 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the auxiliary light unit 60A is employed in place of the auxiliary light unit 60 described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 7). The auxiliary light unit 60A is different from the auxiliary light unit 60 in that the light emitting element 62 is replaced with four light emitting elements 62a to 62d.
Is adopted.

Each of the light-emitting elements 62a to 62d has the same configuration and function as the light-emitting element 62. Both light-emitting elements 62b and 62a are disposed adjacent to each other on the left and right, and each of the light-emitting elements 62c and 62d is , Each light emitting element 62a,
It is arranged immediately below 62b. The light-emitting element 62a emits a pulsed beam light along the light-emitting axis, and irradiates the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M with the light beam at an irradiation point P1 on the upper right side of the front surface excluding the head. The light-emitting element 62b emits a pulsed beam light along the light-emitting axis, and irradiates the irradiation point P2 on the upper left portion of the front surface excluding the head of the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M with the light beam. The light emitting element 62c emits a pulsed beam light along the light emission axis, and irradiates the irradiation point P3 on the lower right side of the front surface excluding the head in the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M with the light beam. The light emitting element 62d emits a pulsed beam light along the light emission axis, and irradiates the irradiation point P4 on the lower left portion of the front surface excluding the head in the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M with the light beam. In the second embodiment, the auxiliary light unit driving circuit 80 described in the first embodiment is replaced with the light emitting element 62 of the light emitting elements 61 and 62 described in the first embodiment. 62
a to 62d are selectively pulse-driven. Further, the upper body Ma shown in FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the upper body (excluding the head) of the occupant M by dividing the front and rear surfaces of the occupant M into four parts vertically and horizontally.

In the second embodiment, both steps 110 and 110 of the flowchart described in the first embodiment are used.
The part of the flowchart between 111 and 125 is modified as shown in FIG. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment configured as described above, when the microcomputer 90 terminates the processing in step 110 or NO in step 110 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, the computer program executes step 130 (FIG. 8). Then, in step 130, the variable N is reset to N = 0. Next, in step 131, the variable N is set to N = N +
1 = 1 is added and updated. Note that N = 1 indicates the light emitting element 62
a, N = 2 corresponds to the light emitting element 62b, N = 3 corresponds to the light emitting element 62c, and N = 4 corresponds to the light emitting element 62d.

In step 132, the same processing as in step 120 described in the first embodiment is performed, the image sensor 50 is driven, and the first normal image data is output from the data processing circuit 70. The data is input to the microcomputer 90. Next, in step 133, the driving process of the image sensor 50 and the pulse light emission driving process of the light emitting element 62a corresponding to N = 1 are performed. Pulse light emission drive processing of the light emitting diode is performed.

When the pulse light emission drive processing of the light emitting element 62a is performed as described above, the light emitting element 62a is pulse driven by the auxiliary light unit driving circuit 80 to emit a light beam in a pulse shape, and the light beam is emitted by the light beam. The irradiation point P1 of the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M is irradiated.

Therefore, when the processing of step 111 is not performed, the image sensor 50 emits the current external light and the light beam of the light emitting element 62a under the driving of the image sensor and the data processing circuit 70. Then, the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M is two-dimensionally imaged and output to the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 70 as image data. Then, the image sensor drive and data processing circuit 70 processes the image data and converts the image processing signal into the microcomputer 90 as two-dimensional normal image data (including the irradiation point P1) representing the upper body Ma at step 133.
Enter with.

On the other hand, when the processing of step 111 has been performed, the image sensor 50 controls the irradiation of the diffused light and the light beam of the light emitting element 62a under the driving of the image sensor and the data processing circuit 70. At this time, the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M is two-dimensionally imaged and output to the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 70 as image data. Then, the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 70 performs data processing on the image data and sends an image processing signal to the microcomputer 90 as two-dimensional positive image data (including the irradiation point P1) representing the upper body Ma in step 133. Enter

Thereafter, in step 134, the first
In the same manner as the processing in steps 122 and 123 described in the embodiment, the difference value between the respective positive image data in both steps 133 and 132 is calculated as data, and based on the difference value data, the difference of the light beam in front of the upper body Ma is calculated. It is extracted as data representing the irradiation point P1 (see FIG. 9).
Then, in step 135, the image sensor 5 is executed in the same manner as in step 124 described in the first embodiment.
The distance L (n) = L along the front-rear direction of the vehicle between the optical center 52a of the 0 light receiving lens 52 and the irradiation point P1.
(1) is calculated based on the equation (1). However, the interval da
n and the distance L (n) are substituted for the distance da and the distance La in the equation (1). At this stage, N = 1, so that
Let dan = da1 and L (n) = L (1). In addition,
Dan is an interval between the boundary between the left and right sides of the upper body Ma and the irradiation point Pn, as shown in FIG. At this stage, since n = 1, the distance da1 between the boundary between the left and right sides of the upper body Ma and the irradiation point P1 is adopted.

After the processing of step 135, step 136
In this case, since N = 1, a determination of NO is made. Hereinafter, similarly, the processing of steps 131 to 135 is repeated for N = 2, N = 3, and N = 4. Here, in step 133, the respective light emitting elements 62b, 62c and 62d corresponding to N = 2, N = 3 and N = 4 are sequentially subjected to pulsed light emission driving processing after the processing of step 132, and
In step 4, the difference between the respective positive image data in both steps 132 and 133 when N = 2, N = 3 and N = 4 is calculated, and the irradiation points P2, P3 and P4 are determined in step 13
3 is sequentially extracted after each of the processes of step 3, and in step 135,
Distance L (n) = L (2), L (3) and L (4)
Is calculated substantially in the same manner as described above, based on the following equation. As described above, since the light-emitting elements 62a to 62d are driven to emit light at different times, the distances L (1), L (2), and L (3) can be determined without making the irradiation point unknown. , L
The calculation of (4) is performed correctly.

Thereafter, YES is determined in step 136, and step 12 is executed similarly to the first embodiment.
5 is performed. Next, at step 126, the image recognition processing at step 136 and each calculated distance L (1),
Passenger seat 1 of occupant M according to L (2), L (3), L (4)
The seating posture with respect to 0 is determined. This determination is performed more finely than in the case of the first embodiment, because the number of calculated distances is four times as large as the number of irradiation points P1 to P4.

Accordingly, the determination process of the deployment of the airbag in the next step 127 is also determined in detail based on the detailed determination in step 126. When the collision of the vehicle is determined based on the above determination, a control signal of the airbag 20 is output to the airbag driving circuit D based on the detailed deployment determination process of the airbag 20 in step 127 in step 128. Is done. In connection with this, the airbag drive circuit D sends the control signal, that is, the airbag 2
The airbag 20 is deployed with a deployment force based on a fine-grained deployment determination process of zero. As a result, it is possible to protect the occupant without harm by deploying the airbag that more closely matches the seating posture of the occupant than in the case of the first embodiment. In addition, as described above, in the second embodiment, the auxiliary light unit 60 irradiates the irradiation points P1 to P4 with the beam light, but the position of the irradiation point Pn corresponding to the value of N is used. Using the distance L
Since (n) is calculated, the distance L (n) can be calculated at high speed. Therefore, a detailed determination of the seating posture of the seated occupant M and the deployment of the airbag 20 required at the time of the collision of the vehicle can be performed quickly, so that at the time of the collision of the vehicle, a fine deployment force that matches the sitting posture of the seated occupant. The airbag 20 can be deployed with good timing. Third Embodiment FIGS. 10 to 12 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, both steps 11 and 12 of the flowchart described in the second embodiment are performed.
The flowchart part between 0, 111 and step 125 has been changed as shown in FIG. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

In the third embodiment configured as described above, when the microcomputer 90 terminates the processing in step 110 or NO in step 110 in the same manner as described in the second embodiment,
Both initial setting image data SD1 and SSD1 (11 (a)
Reference) is set. Next, similarly to step 130 of the third embodiment, in step 141, N = 0 is reset.

Thereafter, in step 142, the third
As in step 132 of the embodiment, the image sensor is driven, and the first normal image data D
1 (see FIG. 11A) is input to the microcomputer 90. Next, in step 143, the third
As in step 131 of the embodiment, N = N + 1 = 1 is added and updated. Then, in step 144, similarly to step 133 of the third embodiment, the image sensor 5
An operation process of 0 and a pulse driving process of the light emitting element 62 corresponding to N = 1 are performed, and a pulse light emission driving process of the infrared light emitting diode of the light emitting element 61 is performed when the setting of the diffused light emission is completed in step 111. You.

When the pulse light emission drive processing of the light emitting element 62a is performed as described above, the light emitting element 62a is driven by the pulse light beam by the auxiliary light unit driving circuit 80 to emit the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M. Irradiation point P1 is irradiated. Therefore, when the processing of step 111 is not performed, the image sensor 50 is driven by the image sensor drive and the data processing circuit 70, and is irradiated with the current external light and the beam light of the light emitting element 62a. The two-dimensional image of the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M is output to the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 70 as image data. Then, the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 7
In step 144, the image data is subjected to data processing and an image processing signal is input to the microcomputer 90 as two-dimensional positive image data D2 (see FIG. 11B) representing the upper body Ma in step 144.

Thereafter, in step 145, the difference between the normal image data D2 and the initial setting image data D1 is calculated as difference data SD2 (= D2-D1) (see FIG. 11B). Then, in step 146, a difference between the difference data SD2 and the initial setting image data SSD1 is calculated as difference data SSD2 (= SD2-SSD1) (see FIG. 11B). Next, in step 147, the distance L (1) is calculated using the position of the irradiation point P1 in the difference data SSD2 based on the equation (1), as in the second embodiment.

After this calculation, at the present stage, since N = 1, a determination of NO is made in step 148. Thereafter, the processing of steps 144 to 147 is repeated in the same manner each time N is added and updated in step 143. here,
In step 144, the light emitting elements 62b, 62c, and 62d corresponding to N = 2, N = 3, and N = 4 are sequentially subjected to pulsed light emission driving processing after the processing in step 143, and the normal image data D3, D4, and D5 ( 11 (c), 12 (a) and 12 (b) are sequentially input. In step 145, the difference data SD3 (= D3-D2) between the two positive image data D3 and D2, the two positive image data D4, The difference data SD4 of D3 (= D4-D
3), the difference data SD5 between the two positive image data D5 and D4 (=
D5-D4) (see FIGS. 11 (c), 12 (a), and (b)) are sequentially calculated for each process in step 144. In step 146, the difference data SD3, the difference data SSD3 of SD2, and the difference Difference data SS between data SD4 and SD3
D4, both difference data SD5, difference data SSD5 of SD4
Are sequentially calculated for each process of step 145. Then
In step 147, the distance L (2) using the position of the irradiation point P2 in the difference data SSD3 is calculated based on the equation (1), and the distance L (3) using the position of the irradiation point P3 in the difference data SSD4 is calculated. Step 146 calculates the distance L (4) based on the expression 1 using the position of the irradiation point P4 in the difference data SSD5.
Are performed sequentially for each process.

Thereafter, in step 148, a determination of YES is made based on N = 4, and thereafter, the same processes as in the second embodiment after step 125 are performed.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the irradiation point Pn is extracted by using the difference data SDn between the two positive image data Dn and Dn-1 and the difference data SSDn between the two difference data SDn and SDn-1. , This extraction point Pn
Since the distance L (n) is calculated in relation to the position, the same operation and effect as in the second embodiment can be achieved while calculating the distance at high speed.

In the third embodiment, the order of light emission of the light emitting elements 62a to 62d may be changed as long as they are different from each other. (Fourth Embodiment) FIGS. 13 to 16 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the auxiliary light unit 60B is employed instead of the auxiliary light unit 60 described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 13). The auxiliary light unit 60B has a configuration in which the light emitting element 62 is replaced with three light emitting elements 63a to 63c in the auxiliary light unit 60.

Each of the light emitting elements 63a to 63c has the same structure and function as the light emitting element 62. The light emitting elements 63a to 63c are vertically arranged from the light emitting element 63a to the light emitting element 63c. ing. The light-emitting element 63a emits a pulsed beam light along the light-emitting axis, and the beam light is used to irradiate an irradiation point P on the upper part of the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M excluding the head.
1 (see FIG. 13). The light-emitting element 63b emits a pulsed beam light along the light-emitting axis, and the light beam causes an irradiation point P2 (see FIG. 13) on the center of the front surface excluding the head of the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M. Irradiate. The light-emitting element 63c emits a pulsed beam light along the light-emitting axis, and the beam light is used to irradiate an irradiation point P on the lower part of the front surface excluding the head of the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M.
3 (see FIG. 13).

In the fourth embodiment, the auxiliary light unit drive circuit 80 described in the first embodiment is different from the light emitting element 62 in the light emitting elements 61 and 62 described in the first embodiment.
Instead, the light emitting elements 63a to 63c are simultaneously pulse-driven. The upper body M shown in FIG.
a schematically illustrates the upper body (excluding the head) of the occupant M by dividing the unevenness on the front surface into three in the vertical direction.

In the fourth embodiment, both steps 110 and 110 in the flowchart described in the first embodiment are performed.
The part of the flowchart between 111 and 125 is changed as shown in FIG. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, when the microcomputer 90 terminates the process of NO in step 110 or the process of step 111 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, in step 150, the microcomputer 90 The same processing as the processing in step 120 described in the embodiment is performed, the image sensor 50 is driven, and the first normal image data D1 is output from the data processing circuit 70.
(See FIG. 15A) is input to the microcomputer 90.

Next, in step 151, the driving process of the image sensor 50 and the light emitting elements 63a, 63b, 6
The simultaneous pulse emission driving process of 3c is performed. Accordingly, the light emitting elements 63a, 63b, and 63c are pulse-driven by the auxiliary light unit driving circuit 80 in synchronization with each other, and simultaneously emit light beams in pulse form. Accordingly, the light emitting element 63a irradiates the irradiation point P1 of the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M with the light beam, and the light emitting element 63a
b irradiates the irradiation point P2 of the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M with the light beam, and the light emitting element 63c irradiates the irradiation point P3 of the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M with the light beam.

Therefore, when the processing in step 111 is not performed, the image sensor 50 drives the current external light and the beam of each of the light emitting elements 63a to 63c under the driving of the image sensor and the data processing circuit 70. The upper body Ma of the seated occupant M is two-dimensionally imaged under irradiation with light and output to the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 70 as image data. Then, the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 70 performs data processing on the image data and sends an image processing signal to the microcomputer 90 as two-dimensional positive image data (each of the irradiation points P1, P2, P3) representing the upper body Ma.
(See FIG. 15 (b)).

On the other hand, when the processing of step 111 is performed, the image sensor 50 is driven by the diffused light and the light beams of the light emitting elements 63a to 63c under the driving of the image sensor and the data processing circuit 70. Under irradiation, the upper body Ma of the seated occupant M is two-dimensionally imaged and output to the image sensor drive and data processing circuit 70 as image data. Then, the image sensor driving and data processing circuit 7
0 denotes two-dimensional positive image data (including each of the irradiation points P1, P2, and P3) representing the upper body Ma by the microcomputer 90 by performing data processing on the image data and referring to the microcomputer 90 (see FIG. 15B). In step 151, input.

Thereafter, in step 152, the first
In a manner similar to the processing of steps 122 and 123 described in the embodiment, a difference value between the respective positive image data D1 and D2 is calculated as difference value data SD (= D2−D1), and the upper body is calculated based on the difference value data SD. It is extracted as data representing the irradiation points P1, P2, and P3 of each light beam on the front surface of Ma (see FIG. 15C).

Then, in step 153, similarly to the processing in step 124 described in the first embodiment,
The distance L between the optical center 52a of the light receiving lens 52 of the image sensor 50 and the irradiation point P1 along the front-rear direction of the vehicle.
(1) A distance L (2) between the optical center 52a and the irradiation point P2 along the front-rear direction of the vehicle and a distance L (3) between the light center 52a and the irradiation point P3 along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. ) Are sequentially calculated based on the equation (1). However,
The interval dan (= da1, da2, da3) and the distance L
(N) (= L (1), L (2), L (3)) is substituted for the distance da and the distance La in the equation (1).

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 16, dan is the distance between the center of the upper body Ma in the left-right direction and the irradiation point Pn. Therefore, the interval dan is calculated in calculating the distance L (n) based on the equation (1). Further, in the present embodiment, on the front surface of the upper body Ma, the irradiation point P1 exists on the belt-shaped portion Q1 shown in FIG.
2 is present on the illustrated strip Q2 and the irradiation point P3
Are present on the illustrated strip portion Q3, so that the irradiation points P1, P2, and P3 can be distinguished from each other. Therefore, the calculation of the distance L (n) can be correctly performed even if the light emitting elements 63a to 63c emit pulses in synchronization.

After the processing in step 153, the processing after step 125 is performed as in the first embodiment. Here, the determination of the passenger seat state in step 126 is performed in step 1
25 and distances L (1), L (2), L
It is performed finely based on (3). Along with this, the process of determining the deployment of the airbag 20 in step 127 is also performed finely.

Therefore, the airbag drive circuit D deploys the airbag 20 with the control signal, that is, the deployment force based on the detailed deployment determination process of the airbag 20.
As a result, it is possible to protect the occupant without harm by deploying the airbag that more closely matches the seating posture of the occupant than in the case of the first embodiment.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment,
The auxiliary light unit 60B simultaneously irradiates the three irradiation points P1 to P3 with each light beam. The distances L (1) and L (2) are obtained by using the positions of the irradiation points P1 to P3. , L (3).
High-speed calculation of each distance becomes possible. Therefore, a detailed determination of the seating posture of the seated occupant M and the deployment of the airbag 20 required at the time of the collision of the vehicle can be performed quickly, so that at the time of the collision of the vehicle, a fine deployment force that matches the sitting posture of the seated occupant. The airbag 20 can be deployed with good timing.

In practicing the present invention, the present invention is applied not only to the auxiliary seat 10 but also to an occupant determination device of an airbag system for protecting an occupant sitting in a driver's seat or a rear seat of the vehicle. May be implemented.

In implementing the present invention, the arrangement position of the image sensor 50 is not limited to the position described in the above embodiment, but may be any position that can image the upper body of a seated occupant.
The position of the image sensor 50 may be changed as appropriate.

In practicing the present invention, instead of the above-described flowchart, each step in the flowchart may be realized by a hardware logic configuration as function executing means.

In practicing the present invention, the airbag system is not limited to an automobile and may be an airbag system for a vehicle such as a bus or a truck.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an arrangement position of an airbag, an image sensor, and an auxiliary light unit in FIG. 1 in an automobile.

FIG. 3 is a first part of a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a latter part of a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams respectively showing first normal image data, second normal image data, and difference data.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for calculating a distance La by a triangulation method in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a main part of a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a relationship between an irradiation point Pn and an interval dan in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a main part of a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C in the third embodiment.
Are the positive image data and the two difference data without irradiation by the light beam, the positive image data and the two difference data when the irradiation is performed on the irradiation point P1, and the positive image data when the irradiation is performed on the irradiation point P2, respectively. It is a figure showing both difference data.

FIG. 12 shows (a) and (b) in the third embodiment.
7A and 7B are diagrams respectively showing normal image data and both difference data when irradiating the irradiation point P3 and normal image data and both difference data when irradiating the irradiation point P4.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main part showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a main part of a flowchart showing the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C in the fourth embodiment.
7A and 7B are diagrams respectively showing normal image data when there is no irradiation by the light beam, normal image data when simultaneous irradiation is performed on the irradiation points P1 to P3, and difference data between the two normal image data.

FIG. 16 shows irradiation points P in the fourth embodiment.
It is a figure showing the relation between n and interval dan.

[Explanation of symbols]

D: airbag drive circuit, M: occupant, Ma: upper body, 1
0: auxiliary seat, 20: air bag, 30: instrument panel, 50: image sensor, 60, 60A, 60B: auxiliary light unit, 61, 62, 62a to 62d, 63a to 63c: light emitting element, 70: image sensor drive And a data processing circuit, 80: an auxiliary light unit driving circuit, 90: a microcomputer.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Knoji Shinji 14 Iwatani, Shimowakaku-cho, Nishio-shi, Aichi Pref. Japan Automobile Parts Research Institute (72) Inventor Tsutomu Kazunori 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Stock F term in DENSO Corporation (reference) 3D054 AA03 EE11 EE29 EE30 FF20

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image sensor which is provided in an airbag system which operates to protect an occupant in the event of a vehicle collision so as to be located at an appropriate position in a vehicle interior and which images a seated occupant in the vehicle interior as two-dimensional image data. (50), a first light emitting element (61) disposed in front of the seated occupant in the vehicle interior away from the image sensor and irradiating diffused light toward the seated occupant, and an irradiation point of the seated occupant An auxiliary light unit (60) having a second light emitting element (62) for irradiating a light beam toward the light source; and the image sensor is configured to irradiate the first light emitting element with diffused light or non-irradiated light. After capturing the occupant as the first image data, selecting the first light emitting element so that the seated occupant is imaged as the second image data in accordance with the irradiation of the light beam by the second light emitting element. Drive, the drive and the drive processing unit that performs driving of the image sensor of the second light emitting element (70,80,120,12
1) and extracting means (123, 12) for calculating the difference data between the two image data to extract the irradiation point.
4) a distance calculating means (124) for calculating a distance between the image sensor and the irradiation point by triangulation based on a positional relationship between the irradiation point, the second light emitting element, and the image sensor; An occupant determination device for a vehicle airbag system, comprising: an attitude determination means (126) for determining the attitude of the seated occupant according to the length of the distance calculated by the distance calculation means. 2. An image sensor which is provided in an airbag system which operates to protect an occupant in the event of a vehicle collision so as to be located at an appropriate position in a vehicle interior and which images a seated occupant in the vehicle interior as two-dimensional image data. (50), a first light emitting element (61) which is disposed in front of the seated occupant in the vehicle interior away from the image sensor and emits diffused light toward the seated occupant; An auxiliary light unit (60A) having a plurality of second light emitting elements (62a to 62d) for respectively irradiating a beam light toward an irradiation point; Under the condition, the seated occupant is imaged as the first image data, and the seated occupant is accordingly adjusted for each selective irradiation of each light beam by the plurality of second light emitting elements. Drive processing means (70, 80, 132) for selectively driving the first light emitting element, selectively driving the plurality of second light emitting elements, and driving the image sensor so as to sequentially capture image data as the second image data. 133), an extracting means (134) for sequentially extracting the irradiation points by calculating respective difference data between the first image data and the second image data, and For each irradiation point, a distance calculation for sequentially calculating the distance between the image sensor and the irradiation point by triangulation based on the irradiation point and the respective positional relationships of the second light emitting element and the image sensor corresponding thereto. Means (13
An occupant determination device for a vehicle airbag system, comprising: (5) an attitude determination means (126) for determining the attitude of the seated occupant according to the length of each of the distances calculated by the distance calculation means. 3. An image sensor that is provided in an airbag system that operates to protect an occupant in the event of a vehicle collision so as to be located at an appropriate position in a vehicle interior and captures a seated occupant in the vehicle interior as two-dimensional image data. (50), a first light emitting element (61) which is disposed in front of the seated occupant in the vehicle interior away from the image sensor and emits diffused light toward the seated occupant; An auxiliary light unit (60A) having a plurality of second light emitting elements (62a to 62d) each of which irradiates a beam light toward an irradiation point; In the state, the first light emission is performed such that the seated occupant is sequentially imaged as image data in accordance with each selective irradiation of each light beam by the plurality of second light emitting elements. Drive processing means (70, 80, 144) for selectively driving a child, selectively driving the plurality of second light emitting elements, and driving the image sensor; preceding image data and subsequent images of the respective image data The difference between the preceding image data and the succeeding image data is calculated as the first difference data for each data pair, and the difference between the first difference data and the preceding first difference data is defined as the second difference data. By calculating, the extracting means (145, 146) for sequentially extracting each of the irradiation points, and for each of the irradiation points, the irradiation points and the respective positional relationships of the second light emitting element and the image sensor corresponding thereto. Distance calculating means (14) for sequentially calculating the distance between the image sensor and the irradiation point by triangulation based on the distance
An occupant determination device for a vehicle airbag system, comprising: 7) an attitude determination means (126) for determining the attitude of the seated occupant according to the length of each of the calculated distances of the distance calculation means. 4. An image sensor that is provided in an airbag system that operates to protect an occupant in the event of a vehicle collision so as to be located at an appropriate position in a vehicle interior and captures a seated occupant in the vehicle interior as two-dimensional image data. (50) a first light-emitting element (61) disposed in front of the seated occupant in the vehicle interior, away from the image sensor, and irradiating the seated occupant with diffused light; An auxiliary light unit (60B) having a plurality of second light emitting elements (63a to 63c) for respectively irradiating light beams toward different irradiation points in the directions; and irradiating diffuse light by the first light emitting elements by the image sensor. Under the non-irradiation state, the seated occupant is imaged as the first image data, and then the seated occupant is simultaneously illuminated by the plurality of second light emitting elements with each light beam. Selective driving of the first light emitting element so as to image as handsome image data, driving processing means for driving the simultaneous drive and the image sensor of the plurality of second light-emitting element (7
0, 80, 151), an extracting means (152) for calculating the difference data between the first image data and the second image data to extract each of the irradiation points, For each irradiation point, a distance calculation for sequentially calculating the distance between the image sensor and the irradiation point by triangulation based on the irradiation point and the respective positional relationships of the second light emitting element and the image sensor corresponding thereto. Means (15
An occupant determination device for a vehicle airbag system, comprising: 3); and an attitude determination means (126) for determining the attitude of the seated occupant according to the length of each distance calculated by the distance calculation means.