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

• US 20130278408A1
• Filed: 06/20/2013
• Published: 10/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cars-N-Kids LLC
• Original Assignee: Cars-N-Kids LLC
• Inventors: Schoenberg, Gregory B., Steffen, Robert S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,266,471 B2
• 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 2/0022 for sensing anthropometric parameters, e.g. heart rate or body temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0025 by using weight measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0029 for detecting the motion of the occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0033 mounted on or in the foam cushion
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0035 characterised by the sensor data transmission, e.g. wired connections or wireless transmitters therefor; characterised by the sensor data processing, e.g. seat sensor signal amplification or electric circuits for providing seat sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/267 alerting means responsive to presence or absence of children
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/18 Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/40 Force or pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/20 using a deterministic algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/10 Wired data transmission
• 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
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range

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.

Claims

1. A child car seat and notification device, in combination, comprising:

a sensor integral with said child car seat;

an accelerometer;

a notification system; and

a controller;

wherein

if said sensor detects a child in said child car seat and said accelerometer detects repeated acceleration along a fixed axis, then said controller does not activate said notification system; and

if said sensor does not detect a child in said child car seat and said accelerometer detects repeated acceleration along a fixed axis, then said controller activates said notification system to provide a first notification.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein

If said sensor does detect a child in said child car seat and said accelerometer does not detect repeated acceleration along a fixed axis, then said controller activates said notification system to provide a second notification.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said first notification and said second notification are the same.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said first notification and said second notification are different.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said sensor is a pressure sensor.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said sensor is an optical sensor.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said sensor detects that a buckle has been fastened about said child.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said accelerometer is not integral to said car seat.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said controller is not integral to said car seat.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein said notification system is not integral to said car seat.

11. A child car seat and notification system, in combination, comprising:

a sensor integral with said child car seat;

an accelerometer;

a notification system; and

a controller;

wherein

if said sensor detects a child in said child car seat and said accelerometer detects repeated acceleration along a fixed axis, then said controller does not activate said notification system; and

if said sensor does detect a child in said child car seat and said accelerometer does not detect repeated acceleration along a fixed axis, then said controller activates said notification system to provide a notification.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said sensor is a pressure sensor.

13. The combination of claim 11 wherein said sensor is an optical sensor.

14. The combination of claim 11 wherein said sensor detects that a buckle has been fastened about said child.

15. The combination of claim 11 wherein said accelerometer is not integral to said car seat.

16. The combination of claim 11 wherein said controller is not integral to said car seat.

17. The combination of claim 11 wherein said notification system is not integral to said car seat.