Endangered child in vehicle alarm

• US 20080157985A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Wilson, Bruce R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,710,277 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/584
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

An alarm system is disclosed for detecting and signaling that a human or an animal is in an enclosed space such as a motor vehicle which includes a monitoring device for monitoring temperature in an enclosed space. The monitoring device may specify a minimum and/or maximum temperature, or a range of temperatures in the enclosed space. A detection device detects the presence of a human or animal in the enclosed space when an unacceptable temperature is reached. In the system disclosed, the human or animal is unable to exit the enclosed space, and a signaling device is used to communicate a signal to a receiver outside the enclosed space indicating the presence of the human or the animal in the enclosed space.

Claims

1. A system for detecting and signaling that an animal or human is in an enclosed space, which comprises:

a monitoring device for monitoring temperature in an enclosed space wherein the monitoring device specifies an unacceptable temperature for the enclosed space;

a detection device for detecting a presence of a human or animal in the enclosed space when the unacceptable temperature is reached and wherein the human or animal is unable to exit the enclosed space; and

a signaling device for communicating a signal to a receiver outside the enclosed space indicating the presence of the human or the animal in the enclosed space when the unacceptable temperature is reached.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the detecting device includes sensing sound in the enclosed space.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the detecting device includes using an infrared sensor for detecting the unacceptable temperature.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal includes an image of the animal or human.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal includes a sound.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal is wireless.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosed space is locked.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosed space is in a motor vehicle.

9. The system claim 1, wherein the person is a child.

10. A method for detecting and signaling that an animal or person is in a enclosed space, comprising:

monitoring temperature in an enclosed space;

initiating a detection device when the temperature exceeds a specified temperature;

detecting an animal or human in the enclosed space when the temperature in the enclosed space exceeds the specified temperature and the animal or person is unable to exit the enclosed space; and

communicating an alarm outside the enclosed space when the animal or person is detected in the enclosed space.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of detecting the animal or human includes sensing sound in the enclosed space.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of detecting the animal or human includes using an infrared sensor.

13. The method of claim 10, further including the step of:

activating an alarm system by a first person when the first person leaves the enclosed space.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of activating the alarm system is automatic.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the alarm system is substantially continuously on.

16. The method of claim 10, further including communicating the alarm to a person.

17. The method of claim 10, further including monitoring the enclosed space continuously.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the signal communicates global positioning coordinates to emergency personnel.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the signal includes communicating a location of the animal or human.

20. A method for detecting and signaling that an animal or person is in a enclosed space, comprising:

monitoring temperature in an enclosed space;

initiating a detection device when the temperature exceeds a specified temperature range;

detecting an animal or human in the enclosed space when the temperature in the enclosed space exceeds the specified temperature range and the animal or person is unable to exit the enclosed space;

sensing sound in the enclosed space;

detecting the image of an animal or human in the enclosed space using an infrared sensor; and

;

communicating an alarm including an image and/or recorded sounds of the enclosed space including a pre-recorded message outside the enclosed space when the animal or person is detected in the enclosed space and the temperature in the enclosed space exceeds the specified temperature range.