VEHICLE TRACKING OF PERSONAL DEVICES WITH RESPONSE SYSTEM

• US 20140277935A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation, Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation, Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Daman, Laith, Golsch, Kyle Nicholas
• Granted Patent: US 9,123,244 B2
• 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 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
• 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: G08G 1/127 to a central station ; Indicators in a central station

Abstract

A method for tracking an object through a system onboard a motor vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting a wireless device, determining a position of the wireless device, recognizing the position of the wireless device relative to the vehicle, analyzing the position of the wireless device with respect to a predefined conditional statement and activating an alert according to the satisfying of the predefined conditional statement.

Claims

1. A method for tracking an object through a system onboard a motor vehicle comprising:

detecting a wireless device;

determining a position of the wireless device;

recognizing the position of the wireless device relative to the vehicle;

analyzing the position of the wireless device with respect to a predefined conditional statement; and

activating a response according to the satisfying of the predefined conditional statement.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein satisfying the predefined conditional statement comprises determining that the position of the wireless device is outside of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the response emanates from at least one of the wireless device or the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the response comprises at least one of a telephone communication to a user, an electronic communication to a user or notifying emergency service providers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the position of the wireless device comprises at least one of measuring a distance between the wireless device and the system or measuring an angle between the wireless device and the system.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

capturing images of the vehicle and area surrounding the vehicle;

storing the images of the vehicle and the area surrounding the vehicle into system memory; and

sending the images of the vehicle and the area surrounding the vehicle to a user.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prompting a user to deactivate the response through a mobile electronic device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a user access to functionality of the system through at least one of the vehicle or a mobile electronic device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the position of the wireless device comprises periodic communication with the wireless device, and wherein the frequency of periodic communication with the wireless device may vary according to at least one of a user input, a geographical location of the vehicle or battery life of the wireless device or the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the system may detect a plurality of wireless devices and a user may select which of the plurality of wireless devices to track.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is attached to the object to be tracked.

12. A method for tracking an object through a system onboard a motor vehicle comprising:

detecting a wireless device;

determining a position of the wireless device;

recognizing the position of the wireless device relative to the vehicle;

collecting information regarding a state of the vehicle;

collecting information regarding an area surrounding the vehicle;

analyzing the position of the wireless device, the information regarding the state of the vehicle and the information regarding the area surrounding the vehicle with respect to a predefined conditional statement; and

activating a response according to the satisfying of the predefined conditional statement.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein collecting information regarding the state of the vehicle comprises sensing an occupant inside of the vehicle utilizing onboard vehicle systems.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein collecting information regarding the state of the vehicle comprises measuring of an interior cabin temperature of the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein satisfying the predefined conditional statement comprises determining that the interior cabin temperature of the vehicle may harm the object.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein activating a response according to the satisfying of the predefined conditional statement comprises at least one of increasing the interior cabin temperature of the vehicle or decreasing the interior cabin temperature of the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein collecting information regarding an area surrounding the vehicle comprises wirelessly communicating with a carbon monoxide detector.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein collecting information regarding an area surrounding the vehicle comprises detecting a level of carbon monoxide.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein satisfying the predefined conditional statement comprises determining that the level of carbon monoxide may harm the object.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein activating a response according to the satisfying of the predefined conditional statement comprises at least one of opening a garage door.