Access and Egress Detection System for Assignable Locations

• US 20140043155A1
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Published: 02/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conservention Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Thomas J Shaw
• Inventors: Shaw, Thomas J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,302,618 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 2/26 for children B60N2/30 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

A child safety and alert system and method that detect and monitor access and egress for assignable locations within a motor vehicle by identifying designated positions within the vehicle, by monitoring at least one of the motor, the driver door and other doors or closures in the vehicle, by activating a timer if the motor is stopped or the driver door is opened and closed, and by triggering an alarm if the designated doors or closures are not opened within a predefined time interval after the motor stops or the driver door is opened. The alarm can be deactivated from the driver seat or by a remote device. The system and method are similarly useful for alerting a driver to retrieve objects from storage locations within a vehicle.

Claims

1. A driver-interactive child-alert warning system for a motor vehicle having a driver door and at least one passenger door, the system comprising:

an on-board digital processor having a user interface proximal to the driver;

a timer;

an alarm;

a driver door sensor proximal to the driver door; and

at least one passenger door sensor proximal to the at least one passenger door;

wherein the user interface is adapted to receive information input by a driver to confirm the placement of a child passenger in a seat associated with the at least one passenger door; and

wherein, any subsequent opening of the driver door starts the timer and, after a predetermined interval, activates the alarm unless the at least one passenger door is also opened within the predetermined interval.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor associated with a closure providing access to at least one storage area of the motor vehicle,

wherein the user interface is adapted to receive information input by a driver to confirm the placement of an object in the storage area;

and

wherein any subsequent opening of the driver door starts the timer and, after a predetermined interval, activates the alarm unless the closure providing access to the at least one storage area of the motor vehicle is opened within the predetermined interval.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the storage area is a trunk or glove box.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the alarm can be deactivated before the driver exits the motor vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a device that can be used by the driver to deactivate the alarm remotely after exiting the motor vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the digital processor does not allow the alarm to be activated until the motor vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance from a first location where the system is activated.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the alarm is not activated until a sensor associated with the at least one passenger door sensor detects that the at least one passenger door passenger door has traveled a predetermined activation distance.

8. The system of claim 1 comprising sensors associated with at least two passenger doors.

9. A driver-interactive retrieval alert system for a motor vehicle having at least one closed storage area and a closure providing access to the at least one closed storage area, the system comprising:

an on-board digital processor with a user interface;

a timer;

an alarm;

a driver door sensor proximal to the driver door; and

at least one closure sensor proximal to the at least one closed storage area;

wherein the user interface is adapted to receive information input by a driver to confirm the placement of an object in the at least one closed storage area; and

wherein, any subsequent opening of the driver door starts the timer and, after a predetermined interval, activates the alarm unless the closure is opened within the predetermined interval.

10. A driver-interactive method for detecting and alarming others of the presence of a child sitting in a passenger seat of a motor vehicle from which a driver has exited, the method comprising:

providing the motor vehicle with an onboard digital processor and a user interface;

providing the motor vehicle with at least one driver door sensor and at least one passenger door sensor associated with a position in the motor vehicle where the child is seated; and

inputting the position where the child is seated to the digital processor through the user interface;

wherein the digital processor is programmed to activate an alarm if the at least one passenger door is not opened within a predetermined interval after the driver door is opened following inputting of the position where a child is seated.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing an access sensor associated with at least one closed storage area of the motor vehicle and identifying the at least one closed storage area to the digital processor, wherein the digital processor is programmed to activate an alarm unless the access sensor communicates to the digital processor that a closure providing access to the closed storage area is opened within a predetermined interval after the driver door is opened.

12. A driver-interactive vehicular driver alert system comprising an alert generation device configured to generate an audible alert, a visual alert, or both an audible and visual alert, to a driver whenever an engine in a vehicle in which the system is installed is turned off following operation.

13. The driver-interactive vehicular driver alert system of claim 12 comprising an electronic control unit through which the driver can provide input into the system regarding the timing and duration of the alerts generated by the alert generation device.