# US 11,027,684 B2 · Occupant protection device

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- Number: US 11,027,684 B2
- Document ID: US11027684B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/544,087
- Filed: 2016-01-15
- Published: 2018-01-11
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-01-27
- Assignees: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki; Takayuki Ikeda; Yoshiyuki Kurokawa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027684B2

## CPC

- B60R 21/0134: responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle {, e.g. using radar systems}
- B60R 21/00: Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks (safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles B60R22/00; seats constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats, B60N2/42; energy-absorbing arrangements for hand wheels for steering vehicles B62D1/11; energy-absorbing arrangements for vehicle steering columns B62D1/19)
- G06V 20/56: exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
- B60R 21/013: including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
- B60R 2021/01013: {Means for detecting collision, impending collision or roll-over}
- B60R 2021/01211: {Expansion of air bags}
- G06T 2207/30252: Vehicle exterior; Vicinity of vehicle
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL

## Abstract

An occupant protection device which can protect an occupant without delay is provided. An image taken by an imaging device is analyzed to judge whether there is an object approaching the subject car. In the case where a collision between the object and the subject car is judged to be inevitable, an airbag device is activated before the collision, whereby the occupant can be protected without delay. By using selenium for a light-receiving element of the imaging device, an accurate image can be obtained even under low illuminance. Imaging in a global shutter system leads to an accurate image with little distortion. This enables more accurate image analysis.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An occupant protection device comprising:
an imaging device;
a control device; and
an airbag device,
wherein the imaging device comprises:
a light-receiving element comprising selenium; and
a transistor comprising an oxide semiconductor including a channel formation region, the transistor being electrically connected to the light-receiving element, and
wherein the control device is configured to predict a collision with the use of an image taken by the imaging device and to activate the airbag device.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the occupant protection device comprises a plurality of the imaging devices.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the oxide semiconductor comprises indium.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the oxide semiconductor comprises zinc.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is configured to operate in a global shutter system.

### Claim 6

An occupant protection device comprising:
an imaging device;
a control device; and
an airbag device,
wherein the imaging device comprises:
a light-receiving element comprising selenium; and
a transistor comprising an oxide semiconductor including a channel formation region, the transistor being electrically connected to the light-receiving element, and
wherein the control device is configured to predict a collision with the use of an image taken by the imaging device and to activate, before the collision, the airbag device on the basis of the prediction.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The occupant protection device according to claim 6, wherein the occupant protection device comprises a plurality of the imaging devices.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The occupant protection device according to claim 6, wherein the oxide semiconductor comprises indium.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The occupant protection device according to claim 6, wherein the oxide semiconductor comprises zinc.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The occupant protection device according to claim 6, wherein the imaging device is configured to operate in a global shutter system.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The occupant protection device according to claim 1,
wherein the control device estimates a collision impact by the prediction, and
wherein a pressure in the airbag device is determined in accordance with the collision impact estimated.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the airbag device comprises a plurality of inflators.

### Claim 13 (depends on 6)

The occupant protection device according to claim 6,
wherein the control device estimates a collision impact by the prediction, and
wherein a pressure in the airbag device is determined in accordance with the collision impact estimated.

### Claim 14 (depends on 6)

The occupant protection device according to claim 6, wherein the airbag device comprises a plurality of inflators.