DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE SAFETY SENSING AND ALERTING

• US 20150286882A1
• Filed: 04/03/2014
• Published: 10/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Stuart Nicol
• Original Assignee: David Stuart Nicol
• Inventors: Nicol, David Stuart
• Granted Patent: US 9,953,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/593 Recognising seat occupancy
• 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 for detecting a subject in a vehicle are provided. A temperature sensor installed in the vehicle is automatically activated when the vehicle ignition switch is switched off. The temperature sensor monitors the internal vehicle temperature and activates a detection module when the monitored internal vehicle temperature reaches a threshold temperature. The detection module includes a camera that is configured to capture a first image of the vehicle interior and to subsequently capture a second image of the vehicle interior, and a monitoring module that is configured to analyze the first image and the second image to detect the subject. A response module is coupled to the detection module and configured to activate one or more alert mechanisms when the subject is detected.

Claims

1. A system for detecting a subject in a vehicle, the vehicle having an ignition switch and at least one seat, the detection system comprising:

a temperature sensor installed within the vehicle for monitoring an internal vehicle temperature, the temperature sensor coupled to the ignition switch and being automatically activated when the ignition switch is switched off;

a detection module coupled to the temperature sensor, the detection module having a camera and a monitoring module, the camera being activated when the monitored internal vehicle temperature reaches a threshold temperature;

the camera configured to capture a first image of the vehicle interior and to subsequently capture a second image of the vehicle interior;

the monitoring module configured to analyze the first image and the second image to detect the subject; and

a response module coupled to the detection module, the response module configured to activate one or more alert mechanisms when the subject is detected.

2. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the monitoring module is further configured to

compare the first image and the second image;

detect a change based on the comparison of the first image and the second image; and

detect the subject when the detected change is greater than a predefined threshold.

3. The system as defined in any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the camera is configured to subsequently capture the second image a predefined interval after capturing the first image.

4. The system as defined in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the camera is further configured to continually capture a subsequent image at the predefined interval after capturing an immediately preceding image;

and

the monitoring module is further configured to analyze the subsequent image and the immediately preceding image to detect the subject.

5. The system as defined in claim 4, wherein the monitoring module is further configured to

compare the subsequent image to the immediately preceding image;

detect a subsequent change based on the comparison of the subsequent image and the immediately preceding image; and

detect the subject when the detected subsequent change is greater than the predefined threshold.

6. The system as defined in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the vehicle has front seats and rear seats and the camera is installed in the vehicle so as to capture an image including the front seats and the rear seats.

7. The system as defined in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection module further comprises at least one additional detection sensor, the at least one additional detection sensor including at least one of an infrared motion sensor, an RF proximity sensor and an audio sensor.

8. The system as defined in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the one or more alert mechanisms comprise at least one of a wireless communication module, a vehicle alarm, a vehicle communication system, and vehicle hazard lights.

9. The system as defined in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the one or more alert mechanisms comprise a cellular communication module.

10. The system as defined in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the response module is further configured to take at least one preventative measure when the subject is detected, the at least one preventative measure including at least one of lowering at least one vehicle window, opening a vehicle sun roof, activating a vehicle interior fan and unlocking a vehicle door.

11. The system as defined in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the temperature sensor is installed in the vehicle headliner.

12. The system as defined in any of claims 1 to 11, further comprising

a door sensor installed in the vehicle, the door sensor configured to detect when a vehicle door is opened after the ignition switch is switched off;

and

the response module is further configured to activate a warning mechanism when the vehicle door is opened after the ignition switch is switched off.

13. The system as defined in claim 12, wherein the warning mechanism comprises an audible alert.

14. The system as defined in claim 13, wherein the response module is configured to output the audible alert through a vehicle audio system.

15. A method for detecting a subject in a vehicle, the vehicle having an ignition switch, at least one seat and a temperature sensor installed within the vehicle, the method comprising:

activating the temperature sensor when the vehicle ignition switch is switched off;

monitoring an internal vehicle temperature using the temperature sensor;

activating a camera when the monitored internal vehicle temperature reaches a threshold temperature;

capturing a first image of the vehicle interior using the camera;

subsequently capturing a second image of the vehicle interior using the camera;

analyzing the first image and the second image to detect the subject in the vehicle; and

activating an alert mechanism when the subject is detected.

16. The method as defined in claim 15, further comprising:

comparing the first image and the second image;

detecting a change based on the comparison of the first image and the second image; and

detecting the subject when the detected change is greater than a predefined threshold.

17. The method as defined in any of claims 15 and 16, wherein the second image is captured a predefined interval after the first image is captured.

18. The method as defined in any of claims 15 to 17, further comprising

continually capturing a subsequent image at the predefined interval after capturing an immediately preceding image;

and

analyzing the subsequent image and the immediately preceding image to detect the subject in the vehicle.

19. The method as defined in claim 18, further comprising:

comparing the subsequent image to the immediately preceding image;

detecting a subsequent change based on the comparison of the subsequent image and the immediately preceding image; and

detecting the subject when the detect subsequent change is greater than the predefined threshold.