Electronic safety device for a motor vehicle

• US 20050230947A1
• Filed: 11/17/2004
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Chen, Ga-Lane
• Application Number:
  US10/991,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20050230947A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 using piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components

Abstract

An electronic safety device for a motor vehicle includes a mobile phone (10), a GPS module (20), an air bag assembly (40) and a trigger (30), which are all electrically connected together. The phone includes a camera module (106) adapted to take images from inside the vehicle, and a phone number stored therein. The GPS module is for providing information on a position of the vehicle. The air bag assembly includes an extensile air bag (402). When the trigger is activated, it enables the camera module to take an image, the GPS module to obtain information on the position of the vehicle and send the position information to the phone, and the extensile air bag to be instantaneously charged. The phone then sends the image and the position information to a receiver according to the phone number. Thus timely and informed help is automatically summoned for the driver and passengers.

Claims

1. An electronic safety device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a mobile phone comprising at least one predetermined contact number stored therein, and a camera module adapted to take images from inside the motor vehicle;

a Global Positioning System (GPS) module for providing information on a position of the motor vehicle;

an air bag assembly comprising an extensile air bag; and

a trigger electrically connected with said mobile phone, said GPS module, and said air bag assembly;

whereby when said trigger is activated, it enables said camera module to take an image, said GPS module to obtain information on the position of the motor vehicle and send the position information to said mobile phone, and said extensile air bag to be charged, and said mobile phone is further enabled to send the image and the position information to at least one receiver according to said predetermined contact number.

2. The electronic safety device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air bag assembly further comprises a gas generator.

3. The electronic safety device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said gas generator comprises an ignitor and a solid fuel, and when said gas generator is enabled, said ignitor ignites said solid fuel to produce gases that instantaneously charge said extensile air bag.

4. The electronic safety device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said trigger comprises a controller therein, and said controller is electrically connected with said mobile phone, said GPS module, and said air bag assembly.

5. The electronic safety device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said trigger further comprises an impact-activated panel on a side thereof, and said impact-activated panel is electrically connected with said controller.

6. The electronic safety device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said mobile phone further comprises a microphone and a voice recognition device, whereby a predetermined voice command can be received by the microphone and recognized by the voice recognition device, which can then enable said controller.

7. A method for automatically summoning help regarding a motor vehicle involved in a road accident, comprising the steps of:

activating a trigger;

enabling a camera module of a mobile phone to take at least one image from an inside of the motor vehicle, enabling an air bag assembly, and enabling a Global Positioning System (GPS) module to obtain information on a position of the motor vehicle and send the position information to said mobile phone; and

enabling said mobile phone to send the image and the position information to a predetermined receiver.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said trigger comprises a controller, and said controller is electrically connected with said mobile phone, said air bag assembly, and said GPS module.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said trigger further comprises an impact-activated panel electrically connected with said controller, and step a. further comprises the steps of:

activating said impact-activated panel; and

enabling said controller.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said mobile phone comprises a microphone and a voice recognition device, and step a. further comprises the steps of:

activating said voice recognition device; and

enabling said controller.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said mobile phone comprises a predetermined contact number of the predetermined receiver.

12. An electronic safety device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an impact-sensing trigger disposed in said motor vehicle for identifying a crash of said motor vehicle;

a physical protection assembly installed in said motor vehicle and used to provide physical protection to a driver of said motor vehicle, said physical protection assembly electrically connected to said impact-sensing trigger so as to perform said physical protection based on signals from said impact-sensing trigger; and

a remote communicating device disposed in said motor vehicle and reachable by said driver, and electrically connected to said impact-sensing trigger so as to perform remote communication with a predetermined receiver based on said signals from said impact-sensing trigger.

13. The electronic safety device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said remote communicating device comprises a camera module adapted to take pictures of said motor vehicle based on said signals from said impact-sensing trigger.

14. The electronic safety device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said impact-sensing trigger comprises one of the group consisting of a sound activated sensor, a piezo-electric sensor, a force transducer, a Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) sensor and an acoustic sensor.

15. The electronic safety device as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a Global Positioning System (GPS) module electrically connected to said impact-sensing trigger for providing information on a position of said motor vehicle based on said signals from said impact-sensing trigger.