SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOVABLE VEHICLE SEAT SENSOR

• US 20170236396A1
• Filed: 12/16/2016
• Published: 08/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Two Cool Dads L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Two Cool Dads L.L.C.
• Inventors: Borovansky, Ryan, Wilcock, Christian, Roisen, Roger, McHugh, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,163,316 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 2/2821 having a seat and a base part
• 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 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0266 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact distance between parent and child or surveyor and item
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0277 Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth, piconet, zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

Methods and systems for detection of removable vehicle seats may be used to indicate presence or absence of a child in the vehicle. In some examples, an alarm system includes a radio frequency (RF) transceiver and a removable seat magnetic coupling. Various actions are triggered when the parent (e.g., guardian) goes beyond a predefined range while the removable seat is within the vehicle, such as sounding an alarm on a mobile electronic device.

Claims

1. A removable object proximity detection system, the system comprising:

a magnet attached to a removable object;

a magnetic sensor attached to a base, the magnetic sensor configured to generate a magnetic proximity signal representative of a magnetic proximity between the removable object and the base, the removable object configured to be removably attached to the base;

a radio frequency (RF) circuit, the RF circuit configured to communicate with a mobile electronic device and to generate an RF proximity indication, the RF proximity indication representative of a device distance between the RF circuit and the mobile electronic device; and

a device processor electrically coupled to the magnetic sensor and to the RF circuit, the device processor specifically programmed to;

receive the magnetic proximity signal from the magnetic sensor;

determine, based on the magnetic proximity signal, that the removable object is attached to the base;

receive the RF proximity indication from the RF circuit;

determine, based on the RF proximity indication, that the device distance exceeds a maximum device distance threshold; and

generate an abandonment alert, the alert indicating that the removable object is attached to the base and that the device distance exceeds the maximum device distance threshold.