System and method for controlling the interior temperature of a vehicle
First Claim
1. A system for detecting and communicating an undesirable condition inside a vehicle when the vehicle is off, the system comprising:
- a temperature sensor disposed in the interior of the car;
a processor contained within the vehicle, the processor responsive to a signal from the temperature sensor and operative to compare the signal received from the temperature sensor to a temperature threshold and generate at least one control signal based on the comparison; and
a wireless communication module coupled to the processor operative to communicate with a vehicle operator in response to the at least one control signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for controlling the interior temperature within a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the system, the system responds to increases in exterior temperature by reducing the interior temperature of the vehicle passenger compartment. The system preferably includes a temperature sensor within the passenger compartment and a microprocessor programmed to respond to signals from the temperature sensor. The microprocessor operates to roll down windows and/or engage a fan or air conditioning unit until a desired and comfortable temperature is achieved within the passenger compartment. The user can pre-program the system with settings that are stored in a memory or use factory default settings. A moisture sensor can also be coupled to the microprocessor to respond to rainy conditions. In one alternate embodiment, a two-way paging and cellular network module is included to contact the vehicle operator when the system is engaged. In another alternate embodiment, the system is programmed to increase the interior vehicle temperature in response to decreases in the exterior ambient temperature by engaging the heater unit of the vehicle.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for detecting and communicating an undesirable condition inside a vehicle when the vehicle is off, the system comprising:
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a temperature sensor disposed in the interior of the car;
a processor contained within the vehicle, the processor responsive to a signal from the temperature sensor and operative to compare the signal received from the temperature sensor to a temperature threshold and generate at least one control signal based on the comparison; and
a wireless communication module coupled to the processor operative to communicate with a vehicle operator in response to the at least one control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for detecting and communicating an undesirable condition inside a vehicle when the vehicle is off, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing the interior of the vehicle through a temperature sensor disposed in the interior of the vehicle;
comparing the sensed interior to an interior threshold;
generating at least one control signal based on the comparison; and
transmitting a radio frequency signal to a vehicle operator in response to the at least one control signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification