Automatic trunk release system
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring a compartment and opening the compartment when predetermined conditions exist in the compartment, the system comprising:
- a first sensor for measuring a first parameter, the first sensor being disposed within the compartment;
a second sensor for measuring a second parameter, the second sensor being disposed within the compartment;
a comparator in communication with the first and second sensors, wherein the comparator compares the measured first parameter to a predetermined stored first parameter and if the measured first parameter exceeds the value of the predetermined stored first parameter the comparator compares the measured second parameter to a predetermined stored second parameter if the measured second parameter exceeds the value of the predetermined stored second parameter;
a timer communicating with the comparator for determining a first time elapse and a second time elapse, the first time elapse corresponding to the period said first measured parameter exceeds said predetermined stored first parameter and the second time elapse corresponding to the period said second measured parameter exceeds said predetermined stored second parameter, the comparator compares the first time elapse to a first predetermined time elapse and the second time elapse to a second predetermined time elapse, if said first time elapse and said second time elapse exceed said first predetermined time elapse and said second predetermined time elapse, respectively, a signal device communicating with the comparator generates a control signal for receipt by a controller communicating with the signal device, wherein the controller causes the compartment to open in response to receiving the control signal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
According to the present invention, a system for monitoring an enclosure for a set of parameters and for opening the enclosure upon detecting the set of parameters is provided. The system comprises a sensing device disposed in the enclosure for detecting a plurality of events in the enclosure, a comparator connected to the sensing device for comparing the plurality of events to the set of parameters, a timer connected to the comparator for determining a time elapse of the plurality of events, a signal device connected to the timer for transmitting a signal when the plurality of events reaches or exceeds the set of parameters, and a controller connected to the signal device for receiving the signal and for opening the enclosure. In a preferred embodiment the enclosure comprises a trunk of a vehicle and the parameters include a maximum carbon dioxide gas concentration, a maximum air temperature, and motion.
26 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring a compartment and opening the compartment when predetermined conditions exist in the compartment, the system comprising:
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a first sensor for measuring a first parameter, the first sensor being disposed within the compartment;
a second sensor for measuring a second parameter, the second sensor being disposed within the compartment;
a comparator in communication with the first and second sensors, wherein the comparator compares the measured first parameter to a predetermined stored first parameter and if the measured first parameter exceeds the value of the predetermined stored first parameter the comparator compares the measured second parameter to a predetermined stored second parameter if the measured second parameter exceeds the value of the predetermined stored second parameter;
a timer communicating with the comparator for determining a first time elapse and a second time elapse, the first time elapse corresponding to the period said first measured parameter exceeds said predetermined stored first parameter and the second time elapse corresponding to the period said second measured parameter exceeds said predetermined stored second parameter, the comparator compares the first time elapse to a first predetermined time elapse and the second time elapse to a second predetermined time elapse, if said first time elapse and said second time elapse exceed said first predetermined time elapse and said second predetermined time elapse, respectively, a signal device communicating with the comparator generates a control signal for receipt by a controller communicating with the signal device, wherein the controller causes the compartment to open in response to receiving the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
an alarm device which is in communication with the controller wherein in response to receiving the control signal the alarm device emits an audible sound.
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6. The system of claim 1, further including:
an ignition device for sensing the ignition of a vehicle in which the compartment is present in the form of a vehicle trunk, the ignition device being adapted to determine whether an engine of the vehicle is running and the ignition device sends a signal to disable the system and prevent the controller from sending the control signal to unlatch the compartment.
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7. The system of claim 1, further including:
a motion detecting device disposed within the compartment, the motion detecting device is adapted for sensing motion within the compartment, the motion detecting device generating a motion signal when motion is detected within the compartment, the motion signal being communicated to the signal device so that the control signal is generated only when motion is detected in the compartment, the motion detecting device being activated if said first time elapse and said second time elapse exceed said first predetermined time elapse and said second predetermined time elapse respectively.
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8. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is a central processing unit of a vehicle.
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9. The system of claim 1, further including:
a device for sensing a transmission mode of a vehicle in which the compartment is included in the form of a vehicle trunk, wherein the system is disabled when the transmission mode is not in a passive mode so as to prevent the controller from sending the control signal to unlatch the compartment.
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10. A method for monitoring and unlatching a trunk compartment of a vehicle when first predetermined conditions are observed in the trunk compartment, comprising:
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sensing a first parameter within the trunk compartment, comparing the sensed first parameter to a stored first parameter and sensing a second parameter within the trunk compartment, when the sensed first parameter exceeds said stored first parameter and comparing the sensed second parameter to a stored second parameter and determining a first elapsed time period and a second elapsed time period when the sensed second parameter exceeds the stored second parameter, said first time period representing when the sensed first parameter is equal to or greater than the stored first parameter and the second elapsed time period representing when the sensed second parameter is equal to or greater than the stored second parameter;
generating a control signal when the first elapsed time period is equal to or greater than a stored first time limit and when the second elapsed time period is equal to or greater than a stored second time limit; and
unlatching the trunk compartment and sounding an audible alarm in response to the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
sending the control signal to an unlatching device which causes the unlatching of the trunk compartment.
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14. The method as in claim 10, further including:
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activating a motion detecting device within the compartment, said motion detecting device sensing motion within the compartment, said motion detecting device being activated after the first elapsed time period is equal to or greater than a stored first time limit and when the second elapsed time period is equal to or greater than a stored second time limit; and
generating a motion signal when motion is detected within the compartment, the control signal being generated only when motion is detected within the compartment.
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15. The method as in claim 10, further including:
monitoring the ignition of the vehicle in which the trunk compartment is present, the ignition device being adapted to determine whether an engine of the vehicle is running and the ignition device sends a signal to disable the system and prevent the activation of the unlatching mechanism.
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16. The method as in claim 10, further including:
monitoring a transmission mode of the vehicle in which the trunk compartment is present, wherein the system is disabled when the transmission mode is not in a passive mode so as to prevent the activation the unlatching mechanism.
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17. An automatic release system for opening an enclosed compartment of a vehicle, comprising:
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a carbon dioxide sensor positioned to measure the carbon dioxide level in the enclosed compartment, said carbon dioxide sensor providing a first signal indicative of the carbon dioxide level;
a temperature sensor positioned to measure the temperature level in the enclosed compartment, said temperature sensor providing a second signal indicative of the temperature within the enclosed compartment;
a comparator for receiving said first signal and said second signal, said comparator comparing said first signal to a first predetermined level and if said first signal exceeds said first predetermined level, said comparator compares said second signal to a second predetermined level and if said second signal exceeds said second predetermined level, said comparator activates a timing device for providing a first time interval and a second time interval, said first time interval corresponding to the period of time said first signal is greater than or equal to said first predetermined level and said second time interval corresponding to the period of time said second signal is greater than or equal to said second predetermined level, said comparator compares said first time interval to a first predetermined time limit and said second time interval to a second predetermined time limit and said comparator provides an enable signal if said first time interval and said second time interval are greater than or equal to said first predetermined time limit and said second predetermined time limit respectively;
a motion detecting device positioned to detect motion within the enclosed compartment, said motion detecting device upon receipt of said enable signal provides a third signal indicative of motion with the enclosed compartment; and
a system controller being configured to receive said third signal and activate an unlatching mechanism if said third signal it is indicative of motion within the enclosed compartment. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
a device for sensing a transmission mode of the vehicle in which the enclosed compartment is included in the form of a vehicle trunk, wherein the system is disabled when the transmission mode is not in a passive mode so as to prevent the controller from activating the unlatching mechanism.
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22. The automatic release mechanism as in claim 21, further including:
an ignition device for sensing the ignition of a vehicle in which the enclosed compartment is present in the form of a vehicle trunk, the ignition device being adapted to determine whether an engine of the vehicle is running and the ignition device sends a signal to disable the system and prevent the controller from activating the unlatching mechanism.
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23. The automatic release mechanism as in claim 17, further including:
an ignition device for sensing the ignition of a vehicle in which the enclosed compartment is present in the form of a vehicle trunk, the ignition device being adapted to determine whether an engine of the vehicle is running and the ignition device sends a signal to disable the system and prevent the controller from activating the unlatching mechanism.
Specification