Child seat and method for recognition of a child seat

• US 7,100,981 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Mack, Frank, Lich, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US10/522,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20050264061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 297/250.1, 297/253, 297/254, 297/255, 297/256, 297/256.1, 297/256.11, 297/256.12, 297/256.13, 297/256.14, 297/256.15, 297/256.16
• US Class Current: 297/250.1
• 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 2/26 for children B60N2/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems

Abstract

In a child seat and a method for child-seat detection, a radio-identification chip, which is configured solely as a transmitter module, is introduced in the child seat, preferably in the fabric. Due to the automatically emitted radio signal, the child seat is detected by corresponding receiver devices in the vehicle.

Claims

1. A child seat having radio-based identification, the child seat comprising:

at least one radio-identification chip configured as a transmitter module and situated in the child seat, the at least one radio-identification chip having a specific identifier for transmission via a radio signal, wherein the at least one radio-identification chip is woven into fabrics used for the child seat; and

a thermogenerator for supplying the at least one radio-identification chip with electrical energy.

2. A method for detecting a child seat, the method comprising:

supplying by a theremogenerator an electrical energy to a radio-identification chip; and

detecting the child seat with the aid of a radio signal produced by the radio-identification chip that is automatically transmitted from the child seat.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the radio signal is emitted on a permanent basis.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein a seat-pressure profile is additionally utilized for child-seat detection.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein an optical identification system is additionally utilized for child-seat detection.