Image processing system for detecting when an airbag should be deployed

An image processing system for use with an airbag deployment system having a seat, an occupant in the seat, a sensor for generating sensor readings, an airbag, and an airbag controller, said image processing system comprising:

• a segmented image of the occupant obtained from the sensor reading;
• a tracking and predicting subsystem, including an occupant characteristic, said tracking and predicting subsystem identifying said occupant characteristic from said segmented image, said tracking and predicting subsystem further including:
• a plurality of occupant characteristics, comprising a plurality of shape characteristics and a plurality of motion characteristics,
• a motion tracker and predictor for tracking and predicting said plurality of motion characteristics, and
• a shape tracker and predictor for tracking and predicting said plurality of shape characteristics, wherein said occupant characteristic is generated from at least one said motion characteristic and at least one said shape characteristic;
• and
• a crash detection subsystem, including a crash determination, said crash detection subsystem generating said crash determination from said occupant characteristic.

An image processing system for use with an airbag deployment system having a seat, an occupant in the seat, a sensor for capturing ambient images, an airbag, an airbag controller, said image processing system comprising:

• a segmentation subsystem, including an ambient image and a segmented image, said segmentation subsystem generating said segmented image from said ambient image;
• an ellipse fitting subsystem, including an ellipse, said ellipse fitting subsystem generating said ellipse from said segmented image;
• a tracking and predicting subsystem, including a plurality of occupant characteristics, said tracking an predicting subsystem generating said plurality of occupant characteristics from said ellipse;
• and
• a crash detection subsystem, including a crash determination, said crash detection subsystem generating said crash determination from said plurality of occupant characteristics.

A method for detecting a vehicle collision by evaluating characteristics of the occupant in the vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• isolating a segmented image of the occupant;
• applying a plurality of mathematical heuristics to the segmented image of the occupant to generate a plurality of characteristics relating to the occupant;
• and
• determining which of a plurality of motion models best describes said plurality of characteristics.