Occupant detection and temperature forewarn safety system and method

• US 20070013531A1
• Filed: 07/18/2005
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hules, Frank, Hoshide, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 7,348,880 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/584
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001

Abstract

A system and method are provided for alerting of an occupant endangered by being situated in a variable temperature setting. The system can be utilized within a motor vehicle, and occupants include an infant, a child, a person, and an animal or pet. In an aspect, when a security device receives a signal that an occupant sensor detects the presence of an occupant and a temperature sensor detects a predetermined temperature, both within a predetermined time period, then a security response is initiated. A security response can include triggering an audible alarm, flashing a light, lowering a window, unlocking a door, notifying an owner of the security device, and transmitting an emergency signal to an emergency system including telephone 911 and an emergency response company. The occupant sensor and the temperature sensor may be affixed to a key fob such that an antenna transmits to the security device.

Claims

1. A detection system for alerting of the presence of an occupant situated in a variable temperature location comprising:

a first sensor for detecting one of the presence and absence of an occupant;

a second sensor for detecting a predetermined temperature adjacent to the first sensor; and

a security device for receiving a sensor signal from at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor and to initiate a security response when, within a predetermined time period, the first sensor detects the presence of an occupant and the second sensor detects the predetermined temperature.

2. The detection system as in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is affixed to one of an infant seat, child seat, handicapped person seat, pet collar, human and an animal.

3. The detection system as in claim 1, wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, and the security device are employed within a motor vehicle.

4. The detection system as in claim 1, wherein the security response includes at least one of triggering an audible alarm, flashing a light, lowering a window, unlocking a door, notifying an owner of the security device, and transmitting an emergency signal to an emergency system including at least one of telephone 911, and an emergency response company.

5. The detection system as in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is one of a pressure sensor, a motion detector, a CO₂ sensor, and a microwave-based sensor, and wherein the second sensor is one of a thermocouple, thermistor, resistance-temperature detector, and IC-temperature sensor.

6. The detection system as in claim 3, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are affixed to a control module comprising a key fob chip set, a battery and an antenna, wherein the antenna transmits the sensor signal to the security device.

7. The detection system as in claim 6, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are situated within a personality chip added to the key fob, and wherein the key fob is generic and adaptable to operate with an alternate security device.

8. The detection system as in claim 6, further comprising

a low battery alert for notification that at least one of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the key fob will malfunction within a predetermined time, and

a system test for verifying that the first sensor, the second sensor, the key fob, and the security device are functioning.

9. The detection system as in claim 3, further comprising a time delay for allowing a predetermined time for entering the motor vehicle, occupying the motor vehicle, and at least one of disarming the security device and adjusting the motor vehicle cabin temperature, wherein the second sensor detects the predetermined temperature and the first sensor detects the presence of the occupant when the motor vehicle is entered.

10. The detection system as in claim 3, wherein the security device further comprises an intruder alert function for alerting that the motor vehicle was entered without authorization.

11. A system for alerting of the presence of an occupant situated in a variable temperature motor vehicle cabin comprising:

a first sensor for detecting that a motor vehicle is stopped, one of a vehicle operator and passenger exits the motor vehicle, and a door is opened and closed;

a second sensor for detecting one of the presence and absence of an occupant, wherein the second sensor is affixed to one of an infant seat, child seat, handicapped person seat, pet collar, human and an animal; and

a security device for receiving a sensor signal from at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor, and to initiate a preliminary security response when the first sensor detects that the motor vehicle is stopped, one of the vehicle operator and passenger exits the motor vehicle, a door of the motor vehicle is opened and closed, and the second sensor detects the presence of an occupant.

12. The detection system as in claim 11, wherein the preliminary security response comprises a series of rapid chirp sounds.

13. The detection system as in claim 11, further comprising:

a third sensor for detecting a predetermined temperature adjacent to the second sensor, wherein the security device to receive a sensor signal from at least one of the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor and to initiate a secondary security response when the preliminary security response is disregarded with inaction by the vehicle operator, and within a predetermined time period, the first sensor detects that the motor vehicle is stopped, one of the vehicle operator and passenger exits the motor vehicle, a door of the motor vehicle is opened and closed, the second sensor detects the presence of an occupant, and the third sensor detects the predetermined temperature, wherein the secondary security response includes at least one of triggering an audible alarm, flashing a light, lowering a window, unlocking a door, notifying an owner of the security device, and transmitting an emergency signal to an emergency system including at least one of telephone 911, and an emergency response company.

14. The detection system as in claim 11, wherein the second sensor is one of a pressure sensor, a motion detector, a CO₂ sensor, and a microwave-based sensor, and wherein the third sensor is one of a thermocouple, thermistor, resistance-temperature detector, and IC-temperature sensor.

15. The detection system as in claim 11, wherein the second sensor and the third sensor are affixed to a control module comprising a key fob chip set, a battery and an antenna, wherein the antenna transmits the sensor signal to the security device.

16. A method of alerting of the presence of an occupant situated in a variable temperature location comprising:

detecting one of the presence and absence of an occupant, utilizing a first sensor;

detecting a predetermined temperature adjacent to the first sensor, utilizing a second sensor;

transmitting a signal, from at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor, to a security device; and

initiating a security response, utilizing the security device, when, within a predetermined time period, the first sensor detects the presence of an occupant and the second sensor detects the predetermined temperature.

17. The method as in claim 16, further comprising affixing the first sensor to one of an infant seat, child seat, handicapped person seat, pet collar, human and an animal.

18. The method as in claim 16, further comprising employing the first sensor, the second sensor, and the security device within a motor vehicle.

19. The method as in claim 16, wherein initiating the security response includes at least one of triggering an audible alarm, flashing a light, lowering a window, unlocking a door, notifying an owner of the security device, and transmitting an emergency signal to an emergency system including at least one of telephone 911, and an emergency response company.

20. The method as in claim 16, wherein utilizing the first sensor comprises one of employing a pressure sensor, a motion detector, a CO₂ sensor, and a microwave-based sensor, and wherein utilizing the second sensor comprises one of employing a thermocouple, thermistor, resistance-temperature detector, and IC-temperature sensor.

21. The method as in claim 18, further comprising affixing the first sensor and the second sensor to a control module comprising a key fob chip set, a battery and an antenna, and transmitting the sensor signal, via the antenna, to the security device.

22. The method as in claim 21, further comprising situating the first sensor and the second sensor within a personality chip added to the key fob, wherein the key fob is generic and adaptable to operate with an alternate security device.

23. The method as in claim 18, further comprising utilizing a time delay for allowing a predetermined time for entering the motor vehicle, occupying the motor vehicle, and at least one of disarming the security device and adjusting the motor vehicle cabin temperature, wherein the second sensor detects the predetermined temperature and the first sensor detects the presence of the occupant when the motor vehicle is entered.