Systems and Methods for Monitoring the Orientation, Tensioning, and Installation of a Child Safety Restraint

• US 20140085070A1
• Filed: 10/10/2012
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cars-N-Kids LLC
• Original Assignee: Cars-N-Kids LLC
• Inventors: Schoenberg, Gregory B.
• Application Number:
  US13/648,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20140085070A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/457.1
• 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 2/0035 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 2/268 detecting or alerting means responsive to the installation of the child seats in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2816 with additional belt accessories, e.g. belt tension detectors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/2815 with additional belt accessories, e.g. a belt tension detector
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/30 Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/20 Wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/30 Signal processing of sensor data
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/00 Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor for lighting vehicle interior B60Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4841 for sensing belt tension
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4866 Displaying or indicating arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/105 for children adaptation of children's seats for seat belts B60N2/265, B60N2/2803
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

Child seat installation monitoring system and methods that monitor child seat orientation, belt tension, air temperature, and other factors, and provide notifications and alerts to a user of conditions via indications, a mobile device such as a smart phone, an in-car notification system, and other systems.

Claims

1. A child seat orientation monitor comprising:

a housing;

an orientation detector within said housing;

a force transducer within said housing;

wherein force exerted on said housing is translated to said force transducer;

wherein when said monitor is attached to a child seat installed in a vehicle, said orientation detector determines the orientation of said child seat and said force transducer determines the tension of a belt attaching said child seat to said vehicle.

2. The monitor of claim 1, wherein said orientation detector is a three-axis accelerometer.

3. The monitor of claim 1, said monitor further comprising:

a wireless transmitter within said housing transmitting data about said orientation and said tension.

4. The monitor of claim 3, wherein a mobile device receives and displays said data.

5. The monitor of claim 4, wherein said mobile device is a mobile phone.

6. The monitor of claim 4, wherein said mobile device is a tablet computer.

7. The monitor of claim 3, wherein a vehicle computer system receives and displays said data.

8. The monitor of claim 3, wherein said wireless transmitter uses a BlueTooth protocol.

9. The monitor of claim 1, said monitor further comprising:

a temperature sensor within said housing determining the air temperature near said child seat.

10. A system for providing notifications about the installation of a child seat in a vehicle, said system comprising:

an orientation detector attached to a child seat for detecting the orientation of said child seat in a vehicle;

a force transducer attached to said child seat for detecting the tension of a belt attaching said child seat to said vehicle;

a wireless transmitter transmitting data about said orientation and said tension;

a wireless receiver receiving said data; and

a display for conveying said data transmitted by said wireless transmitter and received by said wireless receiver to a user.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said wireless transmitter uses a BlueTooth protocol.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said orientation detector is a three-axis accelerometer.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said display is a mobile phone.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein said display is a vehicle computer system.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a temperature sensor detecting the air temperature near said child seat;

wherein said wireless transmitter transmits data about said air temperature, said wireless receiver receives said data, and said display conveys said data to a user.

16. A method for providing notifications about the installation of a child seat in a vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a child seat orientation monitor including;

an orientation detector;

a force transducer;

a wireless transmitter;

providing a display separate from said orientation monitor and configured to receive transmissions from said wireless transmitter;

providing a child seat;

providing a vehicle;

installing said orientation monitor in said child seat;

installing said child seat in said vehicle with a belt;

said orientation monitor detecting the orientation of said child seat in said vehicle with said orientation detector;

said orientation monitor detecting the tension of said belt with said force transducer;

said orientation monitor transmitting data about said orientation and said tension to said display with said wireless transmitter;

said display providing a notification of said orientation and said tension to a user.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said orientation detector is a three-axis accelerometer.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said display is a mobile phone.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said display is a vehicle computer system.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

in the providing, said child seat orientation monitor further comprising a temperature sensor;

said orientation monitor detecting the air temperature near said child seat with said temperature sensor;

said orientation monitor transmitting data about said air temperature to said display with said wireless transmitter;

said display providing a notification of said air temperature to a user.