FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a passenger detection system and method. The system and method are particularly suited to detecting the presence of passengers in the aisle of a passenger vehicle. Passenger vehicles include aircraft, buses, trains and boats.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

Passenger security on passenger vehicles such as aircraft is addressed by various security measures. Security measures are typically dictated by individual airlines and by a regulatory body such as the Civil Aviation Authority in New Zealand.

In smaller domestic airports, passengers are often not subject to security checks. There is a potential for passengers to bring weapons onto an aircraft either in hand luggage or on their person. Once airborne, there is a risk that one or more passengers may attempt to interfere with die safe operation of the aircraft by the pilots.

There is a further potential problem with small aircraft that carry 19 passengers or less. In such small aircraft, there is no requu-ement for cabin crew. This means that a passenger is able to enter the aisle of an aircraft and approach the pilots. There is no cabin crew to restrain the passenger and to alert the pilots.

It is an object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to address some of the aforemendoned disadvantages. An additional and/or alternative object is to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passenger detection system comprising one or more sensors located proximate a vehicle operator area within a passenger vehicle, the sensor(s) configured to detect the presence of a passenger proximate the vehicle operator area; and a warning device located within the vehicle operator area, the warning device coupled to at least one of the sensors to alert one or more vehicle operators to the presence of a passenger proximate the vehicle operator area. The term 'comprising' as used in this specificadon and claims means 'consisting at least in part of, that is to say when interpreting statements in this specificadon and claims which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in similar manner.

Preferably die sensor(s) comprise one or more pressure sensors, the pressure sensor(s) configured to detect a mass applied to the pressure sensor(s).

Preferably the pressure sensor(s) are configured to detect a mass above a threshold weight.

Preferably the threshold weight comprises an expected passenger weight.

Preferably the pressure sensor(s) are mounted on respective removable floor secdons.

Preferably the sensor(s) comprise one or more infrared light beams configured to detect a passenger proximate the vehicle operator area.

Preferably the warning device is configured to emit a visual warning.

Preferably the warning device is positioned within the primary field of view of at least two vehicle operators.

Preferably the warning device is configured to operate at two or more brightness levels.

Preferably the brightness level is selected by one of the vehicle operators.

Preferably the passenger vehicle comprises an aircraft. Preferably the aircraft has a passenger capacity of less than 20 passengers.

Preferably the system comprises two or more sensors located proximate the vehicle operator area.

Preferably the system is further configured to calculate the velocity of a passenger moving proximate the vehicle operator area.

Preferably the system is further configured to calculate the direction of movement of a passenger moving proximate die vehicle operator, area. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passenger detection system comprising one or more sensors located within a passenger vehicle, the sensor(s) configured to detect the presence of a passenger within a monitored area; and a warning device located within a vehicle operator area, the warning device coupled to at least one of the sensors to alert one or more vehicle operators to the presence of one or more passengers within the monitored area.

Preferably die sensor(s) comprise one or more pressure sensors, die pressure sensor(s) ^■ configured to detect a mass applied to the pressure sensor(s).

Preferably the pressure sensor(s) are configured to detect a mass above a threshold weight.

Preferably the threshold weight comprises the expected weight of two passengers.

Preferably the pressure sensor(s) are mounted on respective removable floor sections.

Preferably the sensor(s) comprise one or more infrared light beams configured to detect a passenger within the monitored area.

Preferably the warning device is configured to emit a visual warning.

Preferably the warning device is posiuoned within the primaiy field of view of at least two vehicle operators.

Preferably the warning device is configured to operate at two or more brightness levels.

Preferably the brightness level is selected by one of the vehicle operators.

Preferably the passenger vehicle comprises an aircraft. Preferably the aircraft has a passenger capacity of greater than 19 passengers.

Preferably the monitored area comprises a restioom and/or an area proximate a restroom. Preferably the monitored area comprises a galley and/or an area proximate a galley. In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of detecting the presence of a passenger proximate a vehicle operator area within a passenger vehicle, the method comprising locating one or more sensors proximate the vehicle operator area; coupling a warning device to at least one of the sensors, the warning device located within the vehicle operator area; and the warning device emitting a warning if the sensor(s) to which the warning device is coupled detect(s) the presence of a passenger proximate the vehicle operator area.

Preferably the sensor(s) comprise one or more pressure sensors, the pressure sensor(s) configured to detect a mass applied to the pressure sensor(s).

Preferably die pressure sensor(s) are configured to detect a mass above a threshold weight.

Preferably die threshold weight comprises an expected passenger weight.

Preferably locating the pressure sensor(s) comprises mounting the pressure sensor(s) on respective removable floor sections.

Preferably the sensor(s) comprise one or more infrared light beams configured to detect a passenger proximate the vehicle operator area.

Preferably the warning comprises a visual warning.

Preferably the warning device is positioned within the primary field of view of at least two vehicle operators.

Preferably the warning device is configured to operate at two or more brightness levels.

Preferably the brightness level is selected by one of the vehicle operators.

Preferably the passenger vehicle comprises an aircraft. Preferably the aircraft has a passenger capacity of less than 20 passengers.

Preferably the method further comprises locating two or more sensors proximate the vehicle operator area. Preferably the method further comprises calculating the velocity of a passenger moving proximate the vehicle operator area.

Preferably the method furdier comprises calculating the direction of movement of a passenger moving proximate the vehicle operator area.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of detecting the presence of a passenger within a monitored area within a passenger vehicle, the mediod comprising locating one or more sensors within the passenger vehicle; coupling a warning device to at least one of the sensors, the warning device located within the vehicle operator area; and the warning device emitting a warning if the sensor(s) to which the warning device is coupled detect(s) the presence of one or more passengers within the monitored area.

Preferably the sensor(s) comprise one or more pressure sensors, the pressure sensor(s) configured to detect a mass applied to the pressure sensor(s).

Preferably the pressure sensor(s) are configured to detect a mass above a threshold weight.

Preferably the threshold weight comprises the expected weight of two passengers.

Preferably locating the pressure sensor(s) comprises mounting the pressure sensor(s) on respective -removable floor sections.

Preferably the sensor(s) comprise one or more infrared light beams configured to detect a passenger within the monitored area.

Preferably the warning comprises a visual warning.

Preferably the warning device is positioned within the primary field of view of at least two vehicle operators.

Preferably the warning device is configured to operate at two or more brightness levels.

Preferably the brightness level is selected by one of the vehicle operators.

Preferably the passenger vehicle comprises an aircraft. Preferably the aircraft has a passenger capacity of greater than 19 passengers. Preferably the monitored area comprises a restroom and/or an area proximate a restroom.

Preferably the monitored area comprises a galley and/or an area proximate a galley. As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The invention consists in die foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention may be more fully understood by way of example only having reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows the floor area of a small aircraft in which the invention is implemented. Figure 2 shows removable floor sections to which one or more sensors are attached. Figure 3 shows the sensors attached to the removable floor sections.

Figure 4 shows a preferred form attachment mechanism for securing a cover over the sensors. Figure 5 shows a preferred form warning device located within a cockpit. Figure 6 shows a preferred form schematic of the passenger detection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a passenger vehicle 10 in die form of an aircraft. The aircraft shown is a Beechcraft 1900D aircraft having a passenger capacity of 19 passengers. The aircraft 10 is a small aircraft and does not require cabin crew. The aircraft is typically operated by two vehicle operators seated at 20 and 20A respectively within a vehicle operating area 30. In the case of an aircraft the vehicle operators are pilots and the vehicle operating area 30 is a cockpit.

The passenger area typically includes two passenger seats per row separated by an aisle. Passengers and crew enter and exit the aircraft through door 40. Some models of this aircraft are provided with a restroom located at die rear of the aircraft and accessible through door 50.

The invention provides a system that detects the presence of a passenger proximate the cockpit 30. The area in which the presence of a passenger is detected is shown as monitored area 60. One or more sensors operate within the monitored area 60 to detect the presence of a passenger within monitored area 60.

As shown in Figure 1 , monitored area 60 extends from close to the vehicle operator area towards the rear of the plane. In Figure 1 , the monitored area 60 is shown as extending through three rows of seats. It is anticipated that the length of the monitor area could be longer or shorter than that shown in Figure 1.

A warning device 70 is located within the vehicle operator area 30. The warning- device 70 is referred to here as an annunciator. The annunciator 70 is coupled to at least one or more of the sensors operating within the monitored area 60. The annunciator 70 alerts one or both pilots 20/20A to the presence of a passenger proximate the cockpit 30. In this case, a passenger proximate the cockpit 30 will be located in the aisle within monitored area 60.

Figures 2-4 show one preferred form sensing technique to detect the presence of a passenge within monitored area 60.

Referring to Figure 2, the Beechcraft 1900D has a series of removable floor sections. The first floor section 200 is located adjacent the cockpit 30. The second floor section 210 is positioned adjacent floor section 200. The thud floor section 220 is positioned adjacent floor section 210. In the embodiment described below, a pressure sensor is fitted to each of floor sections 200, 210 and 220.

Figure 3 shows pressure sensors 300, 310 and 320 fitted to floor sections 200, 210 and 220 respectively.

It is preferable to include a separate pressure sensor on each removable floor section to facilitate maintenance in which floor sections are required to be removed individually. Individual pressure sensors 300, 310 and 320 are attached to respective floor sections 200, 210 and 220. An aperture through each floor section permits electrical connection of each pressure sensor to the annunciator 70 located within the cockpit 30.

In one preferred embodiment, the underside of each floor section includes an electrical connector that allows quick disconnect of the floor section and pressure sensor from the wiling coupling the pressure pad to the warning device.

Referring to Figure 4, the floor sections 200, 210 and 220 including the pressure sensors 300, 310 and 320 are covered by a single section of carpet. The preferred method of fixing the carpet to the floor sections is by using strong double-sided tape. The pressure sensors are generally rectangular in shape. Tape is positioned adjacent each edge of each pressure sensor. Examples are shown at 400 and 410. It is not preferred to fix the tape directly to the pressure sensor, as damage could occur to the pressure sensor over time.

It is expected that some packing will be required around the pressure sensors to ensure the aisle has a level surface. Each pressure sensor is approximately 12mm thick. Packing material is preferably positioned on the floor sections adjacent each edge of each pressure sensor. The packing material is preferably the same height as the pressure sensor. The tape is positioned on top of the packing material. A ramp strip is preferably installed from the entrance area shown at 40 in Figure 1 , as the pressure sensors cause some elevation of the caipet.

Individual pressure sensors are preferably dustproof and waterproof. The sensors are typically resistant to several types of fluid and will be able to withstand the traffic caused by the embarkation and debarkation of passengers through single door 40. Figure 5 shows a preferred form warning device 70 located within the cockpit 30. Figure 5 shows an example cockpit 30. The air crew will be seated at 20 and 20A.

The position of the annunciator 70 within the cockpit is preferably selected so that die annunciator 70 is within the primary field of view of both operators 20 and 20A. The device preferably does not emit an audible warning. All that is required is a visual warning. The visual warning is provided by a light emitting device 500. The light 500 is preferably powered by the electrical power of the aircraft.

In one preferred embodiment, the annunciator 70 is configured to emit a visual indication whenever one of the pressure sensors 300, 310 or 320 detects a mass above a threshold weight. It is expected that this threshold weight is an expected passenger weight. The pressure sensors 300, 310 or 320 detect the presence of a passenger actually standing on the pressure sensors as opposed to a passenger seated in one of the front seats resting a foot in the aisle.

In a further preferred embodiment, the annunciator 70 includes several different visual indicators. One of these visual indicators could show when a passenger is standing on pressure sensor 300 immediately proximate the cockpit. Other visual indicators are illuminated when a passenger is detected on pressure sensor 310 and/or pressure sensor 320.

In a further preferred embodiment, the annunciator 70 is configured to operate at two or more brightness levels. The brightness level is selected by one of the pilots using a two-position switch 510. The dimming of die annunciator is preferably independent of the aircraft instrument dimming system. Dimming in one embodiment is provided by the switch 510. There is typically a brightness level for day operations and a different brightness level for night operations. These levels are shown in Figure 5 as "BRT" and "DIM" respectively. It is anticipated that these levels are fixed and not variable.

It is anticipated that the passenger detection system functions through all phases of flight extending from aircraft power on through to aircraft power off. There is typically no requirement to include a test function of the system, as correct operation of the system can be determined during passenger boarding or final pre-takeoff passenger brie ting. During passenger briefing one of the pilots is typically standing within the monitored area 60. In one embodiment the annunciator 70 is an aerospace-approved sunlight readable 0.75" square LED type. The annunciator includes two pairs of LEDs to ensure luminance uniformity of any test on the annunciator 70, as well as redundancy in the event of a single LED failure. LED technology is preferable over incandescent type in order to improve mean time between failures and to minimise maintenance.

Positioned within annunciator 70 are terminal junctions that are used to provide interconnect to the aircraft power and sensing system. Also requiring connection are dimming resistors and interconnection between the annunciator 70 and the dimming switch 510.

One position within the cockpit to ensure that the device is positioned within the primary field of view of both pilots is shown in Figure 5. This is achieved by positioning the annunciator 70 in the center of the glare shield above the warning panel. This position has the combined benefits of locating the device within the primary field of view of both pilots but also has minimal affect on external field of view. A further benefit is that the switch 510 forming part of the annunciator 70 is within reach of both air crew.

Figure 6 shows a preferred form system schematic of the passenger detection system. Monitored area 60 includes floor panels 200, 210 and 220 with pressure sensors 300, 310 and 320 mounted on them respectively.

Annunciator 70 includes LEDs 600 and 610 and a dim switch 510. The annunciator 70 is coupled to the pressure sensors 300, 310, 320 within the monitored area 60. It is also coupled to the aircra ft power 620.

As described above, the passenger detection warning system is particularly suited to small aircraft having a passenger capacity less than 20. Such aircraft do not typically include cabin crew and operate between regional airports where cany on baggage is not screened. It is anticipated that the same detection system could be installed in any passenger vehicle, such as commuter buses and trains, as well as ferries.

It is also envisaged that the passenger detection system could be used in larger aircraft. Larger aircraft typically include sensitive areas, such as those immediately proximate a cockpit where the presence of just one passenger or cabin crew ought to be brought to die attention of the pilots. Within a larger aircraft, there are areas where passengers are allowed to move around and congregate in small numbers only. These include restrooms and galleys. Sensors could be installed around galleys and restrooms where passengers typically gather. It is expected that the threshold sensitivity tor such areas are higher than less sensitive areas. One or two passengers gathering in such areas might not be suspicious.

The passenger detection system preferably uses pressure sensors. It is anticipated that other types of detection systems could be used. One example is one or more infrared light beams as an alternative to or in addition to pressure sensors. Such light beams could be positioned across the aisle or along the aisle to detect passenger movement within the aisle.

It is also anticipated that the use of multiple pressure sensors such as that described above permits further detection of suspicious activity. The use of multiple sensors positioned along an aircraft aisle enables the calculation of passenger velocity and also passenger direction.

Use of multiple sensors for example could detect a passenger seated in the seat immediately behind the cockpit entering the aisle and strolling back to the restroom at the rear of the plane. Such activity would not be deemed suspicious. Suspicious activity could be the movement of a passenger toward the cockpit when rearward movement has not previously been detected from that location.

Furthermore, the quick movement of a passenger between the sensors could also be detected which would indicate an emergency or safety incident. It is expected that the rapid movement of a passenger would be deemed suspicious regardless of the direction die passenger is moving. For example, a passenger moving quickly backward or forward within die monitored area should be- brought to the attention of the pilots.

The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.