Automatic child safety lock release

• US 10,077,582 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2016
• Issued: 09/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Ring
• Original Assignee: Mark Ring
• Inventors: Ring, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Sood, Anshul
• Application Number:
  US15/214,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20170370129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/22 Functions related to actuation of locks from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/26 specially adapted for child safety
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/54 Automatic securing or unlocking of bolts triggered by certain vehicle parameters, e.g. exceeding a speed threshold triggered by vehicle collision E05B77/12
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/58 including time control, e.g. for controlling run-time of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/76 Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/77 comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/71 responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0841 Registering performance data recording measured values G01D; information storage G11B

Abstract

An automated child safety unlocking system which disengages the child safety locks and may unlock the vehicle door in appropriate circumstances such as when the vehicle ignition has been turned to the off position or when engine is stopped. The automated child safety unlocking system enables operability of the interior vehicle doors by an occupant to allow unencumbered egress from the vehicle to prevent a child or other individual from being trapped in the vehicle. The result is reduced risk that children or other vehicle occupants become dangerously entrapped within an overly hot, cold, or dangerous vehicle.

Claims

1. An automated child safety control system for controlling a child safety lock device of a motor vehicle, said motor vehicle having rear inside door handles and rear outside door handles, said system comprising:

a control device for controlling said child safety lock device between a first operating position in which said child safety lock device allows the rear doors of said motor vehicle to be opened using said rear inside door handles and using said rear outside door handles and a second operating position establishing a child safety lock mode in which said child safety lock device does not allow said rear doors to be opened using said rear inside door handles but still allows said rear doors to be opened using said rear outside door handles;

a vehicle status detection sensor configured to detect whether said motor vehicle is turned on or turned off;

wherein said control device is configured to control said child safety lock device to said first operating position in response to a first signal received from said vehicle status detection sensor indicating that said motor vehicle is turned off; and

wherein said control device is further configured to control said child safety lock device to said second operating position in response to a second signal received from said vehicle status detection sensor indicating that said motor vehicle is turned on.

2. The automated child safety control system of claim 1, wherein the system is programmed to control said child safety lock device to said first operating position some delay time after said control device receives said first signal from said vehicle status detection sensor indicating that said motor vehicle is turned off.

3. The automated child safety control system of claim 1, further comprising:

an alarm providing an audible or visual warning or an audible and visual warning when the system is used to control said child safety lock device to said first operating position.

4. The automated child safety control system of claim 1, further comprising:

a manually activated temporary consent function for temporarily controlling said child safety lock device to said second operating position.

5. An automated child safety control system for controlling a child safety lock device of a motor vehicle, said motor vehicle having rear inside door handles and rear outside door handles, said system comprising:

a control device for controlling said child safety lock device between a first operating position in which said child safety lock device allows the rear doors of said motor vehicle to be opened using said rear inside door handles and using said rear outside door handles and a second operating position establishing a child safety lock mode in which said child safety lock device does not allow said rear doors to be opened using said rear inside door handles but still allows said rear doors to be opened using said rear outside door handles;

a wireless device detection sensor configured to detect whether a wireless device has moved a predetermined distance from said motor vehicle;

a vehicle status detection sensor configured to detect whether said motor vehicle is turned on or turned off;

wherein said control device is configured to control said child safety lock device to said first operating position in response to a first signal received from said wireless device detection sensor indicating that said wireless device has moved a predetermined distance form said motor vehicle and a second signal received from said vehicle status detection sensor indicating that said motor vehicle is turned off; and

wherein said control device is configured to control said child safety lock device to said second operating position in response to a third signal received from said vehicle status detection sensor indicating that the motor vehicle is turned on.

6. The automated child safety control system of claim 5, wherein the wireless device uses near field communications.

7. The automated child safety control system of claim 5, wherein the system is programmed to control said child safety lock device to said first operating position some delay time after said control device receives said first and second signals from said vehicle status detection sensor and wireless device detection sensor.

8. The automated child safety control system of claim 5, further comprising:

an alarm providing an audible or visual warning or an audible and visual warning when the system is used to control said child safety lock device to said first operating position.

9. The automated child safety control system of claim 5, further comprising:

a manually activated temporary consent function for temporarily controlling said child safety lock device to said second operating position.

10. An automated child safety control system for controlling a child safety lock device of a motor vehicle, said motor vehicle having rear inside door handles and rear outside door handles, said system comprising:

a control device for controlling said child safety lock device between a first operating position in which said child safety lock device allows the rear doors of said motor vehicle to be opened using said rear inside door handles and using said rear outside door handles and a second operating position establishing a child safety lock mode in which said child safety lock device does not allow said rear doors to be opened using said rear inside door handles but still allows said rear doors to be opened using said rear outside door handles;

a vehicle occupant detection sensor configured to detect whether an occupant is in the interior of said motor vehicle;

a vehicle status detection sensor configured to detect whether said motor vehicle is turned on or turned off;

wherein said control device is configured to control said child safety lock device to said first operating position in response to a first signal received from said vehicle occupant detection sensor indicating that there is an occupant in the interior of the motor vehicle and a second signal received from said vehicle status detection sensor indicating that said motor vehicle is turned off; and

wherein said control device is further configured to control said child safety lock device to said second operating position in response to a third signal received from said vehicle status detection sensor indicating that the motor vehicle is turned on.

11. The automated child safety control system of claim 10, further comprising:

an interior vehicle temperature detection sensor configured to detect the interior temperature of said motor vehicle;

a window control device;

wherein said window control device is used to move the motor vehicle'"'"'s window glass to an opening direction in response to a third signal received from said vehicle occupant detection sensor indicating that there is an occupant in the interior of said motor vehicle and a fourth signal from said interior vehicle temperature detection sensor indicating that the interior vehicle temperature has reach a set limit.

12. The automated child safety control system of claim 10, wherein the system is programmed to control said child safety lock device to said first operating position some delay time after said control device receives said first and second signals from said vehicle status detection sensor and vehicle occupant detection sensor.

13. The automated child safety control system of claim 10, further comprising:

an alarm providing an audible or visual warning or an audible and visual warning when the system is used to control said child safety lock device to said first operating position.

14. The automated child safety control system of claim 10, further comprising:

a manually activated temporary consent function for temporarily controlling said child safety lock device to said second operating position.

15. The automated child safety control system of claim 10 wherein the vehicle occupant detection sensor is a human touch detection sensor that is configured to detect whether a human hand has touched one or more of said rear inside door handles of the vehicle.

16. The automated child safety control system of claim 10 wherein the vehicle occupant detection sensor is a motion sensor configured to detect motion in the interior of the vehicle.