Apparatus and Method for Automobile Child Seat Alarms

• US 20080164990A1
• Filed: 12/31/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Monte S. Anderson
• Original Assignee: Monte S. Anderson
• Inventors: Anderson, Monte S.
• Application Number:
  US11/968,011
• Publication Number:
  US 20080164990A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/457
• 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 2/267 alerting means responsive to presence or absence of children
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/268 detecting or alerting means responsive to the installation of the child seats in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2821 having a seat and a base part
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/46 Electric switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/20 Wireless data transmission
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus includes a first wireless transmitter configured to transmit a first wireless signal when the first wireless transmitter detects the presence of a child in a child seat. The apparatus also includes a second wireless transmitter configured to transmit a second wireless signal when the second wireless transmitter detects the presence of the child seat in an automobile. The apparatus also includes a module configured to activate an alert when a door of the automobile is ajar and the module receives both the first and second wireless signals.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising

a first wireless transmitter configured to transmit a first wireless signal when the first wireless transmitter detects the presence of a child in a child seat;

a second wireless transmitter configured to transmit a second wireless signal when the second wireless transmitter detects the presence of the child seat in an automobile; and

a module configured to activate an alert when a door of the automobile is ajar and the module receives both the first and second wireless signals.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first wireless transmitter includes means for detecting the presence of a child in a child seat.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first wireless transmitter includes a pressure sensitive switch for detecting the presence of a child in a child seat.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pressure sensitive switch is located in a cushion of the child seat.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first wireless transmitter is installed in the child seat.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second wireless transmitter is installed in a child seat base that is attached to the automobile.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second wireless transmitter includes means for detecting when the child seat is installed in a child seat base.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second wireless transmitter includes a first sensor connected to the child seat and a second sensor connected to a child seat base, and wherein the second wireless transmitted is capable of detecting when the first sensor is proximate to the second sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the module includes detection means for determining when a driver'"'"'s door of the automobile is ajar.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the module includes a sensor pair that are attached to the automobile to determine when a door is ajar.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the module includes alerting means for activating an audible alert.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the module includes alerting means selected from the group consisting of a buzzer, a speaker with a sound generator, a speaker with a speech generator, a light, and a vibrator.

13. An apparatus, comprising

a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a wireless signal when the wireless transmitter detects the presence of a child in a child seat and the presence of the child seat in an automobile;

and

a module configured to activate an alert when a door of the automobile is ajar and the module receives the wireless signal.

13-1. A method, comprising

receiving a first wireless signal indicating the presence of a child in a child seat;

receiving a second wireless signal indicating the presence of the child seat in an automobile;

detecting when a door of the automobile is ajar; and

activating an alert when the detecting, receiving the first wireless signal, and receiving the second wireless signal occur simultaneously.