Systems and Methods for Indicating the Presence of a Child in a Vehicle

• US 20120232749A1
• Filed: 02/09/2012
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cars-N-Kids LLC
• Original Assignee: Gregory B Schoenberg, Robert S. Steffen
• Inventors: Steffen, Robert S., Schoenberg, Gregory B.
• Application Number:
  US13/370,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20120232749A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• 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 2/26 for children B60N2/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• 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: B60R 21/015 including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats , and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01526 using piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• 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

Systems and methods which provide for an alarm or notification that a child is in a car seat. The systems generally determine if a child is in the seat and that the seat, and therefore the vehicle, is not in motion. Upon detecting both situations, the notification or alarm is activated. The system will generally provide for an alarm to a smartphone or other remote notification device to improve the likelihood that the alarm will be received.

Claims

1. A system for providing remote notice that a child is in a car seat comprising:

a child detector placed in a vehicle, said child detector detecting the presence of a child in a vehicle;

a motion sensor, said motion sensor detecting that said vehicle is in motion;

a computer processor obtaining the output of said child detector and said motion sensor and determining if a child is in said vehicle when said vehicle is not in motion; and

a communication device for transmitting said determination of said processor to a receiver, the receiver displaying to a user a result of the determination.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor whose output is obtained by said computer processor.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein output of the temperature sensor is also displayed on said receiver.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein if said output of said temperature sensor is above a specified range, a warning is sent to said receiver.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein if said output of said temperature sensor is above a specified range, said receiver is instructed to initiate an action to lower the temperature.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said child detector comprises a pressure sensor.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said motion sensor comprises an accelerometer.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said accelerometer is a multi-dimensional accelerometer.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said multi-dimensional accelerometer is a 3-axis accelerometer.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiver is a smartphone.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiver is a tablet computer.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises a component of said vehicle.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said receiver can control features of said vehicle.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said receiver can activate a climate control system, can start said vehicle, can activate or deactivate car door locks, can adjust airbag strength, or can enable or disable airbags.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said communication device communicates using radio frequency communications.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiver determines if said receiver is moving away from said vehicle.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein, if said receiver determines if said receiver is moving away from said vehicle and said processor determines that there is a child in said vehicle, said receiver issues an alarm.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein said receiver determines if said receiver is moving out of range of said communication device.

19. A system for providing remote notice that a child is in a car seat comprising:

means for detecting a child placed in a vehicle;

means for detecting that said vehicle is in motion;

means for obtaining the output of said child detector and said motion sensor and determining if a child is in said vehicle when said vehicle is not in motion; and

means for transmitting said determination to a remote receiver, the receiver displaying to a user a result of the determination.

20. A receiver for providing remote notice that a child is in a car seat, the receiver comprising a computer readable memory, the memory including:

computer readable instructions for receiving indications from a remote monitor as to whether or not;

a child is present in a vehicle;

the vehicle is not in motion; and

the temperature of the vehicle;

computer readable instructions for displaying said indications to a user; and

computer readable instructions for issuing an alarm should a child be present in said vehicle and said vehicle not be in motion.

21. The receiver of claim 20 wherein said receiver comprises a smartphone.

22. The receiver of claim 20 wherein said receiver can automatically pair with said remote monitor when in communication range of said remote monitor.