System to detect the presence of an unattended child in a vehicle

• US 7,170,401 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2004
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles J. Cole
• Original Assignee: Charles J. Cole
• Inventors: Cole, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US10/889,144
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 340/457, 340/438, 340/439, 340/457.1, 340/425.5, 340/430, 340/426.12, 340/426.24, 340/426.28, 340/573.1, 340/667, 701/44, 701/45, 701/1
• US Class Current: 340/457
• 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: B60R 25/10 actuating a signalling device
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A system detects the presence of an unattended child within a vehicle and when the child is so detected, disables the vehicle'"'"'s door locks by preventing doors from being locked or remaining locked and sounds an alarm. The presence of a child is detected by measuring pressure on the back seat and measurements above a threshold limit signify a child is present or if any of the rear seat belts are buckled a child is detected. The system can be shut off by the driver, although the system has an override in the shutoff mode so that if the temperature rises above or falls below a certain level and the presence of a child is detected, the alarm is sounded. In this mode, the presence of the child can also be detected by a motion sensor.

Claims

1. A detection system for detecting an unattended mammal within a vehicle, the vehicle having an ignition switch, a seat, a door having a lock, an alarm, and a seat belt buckle proximate the seat, the detection system comprising:

a system switch;

a temperature sensor installed within the vehicle

a detector for detecting the presence of a mammal within the vehicle; and

such that when the system switch is on and the ignition switch has been shut off and the detector detects the presence of the mammal, the lock of the door is disabled and such that when the system switch is off and temperature senses a temperature that exceeds a threshold limit and the detector detects the presence of the mammal, the alarm is activated.

2. The detection system as in claim 1 wherein the lock of the door is disabled only if a driver of the vehicle has exited the vehicle.

3. The detection system as in claim 2 wherein the driver of the vehicle has exited the vehicle whenever a door proximate a seat of the driver has been opened after the ignition has been shut off.

4. The detection system as in claim 2 wherein the alarm of the vehicle is activated if the presence of the mammal continues to be detected after the expiration of a fixed amount of time after the driver has exited the vehicle when the system switch is in the on position.

5. The detection system as in claim 4 wherein a communication system of the vehicle is activated when the alarm is activated in order to alert authorities.

6. The detection system as in claim 1 wherein the weight pressure on the rear seat is measured and if the weight pressure is above a fixed threshold the presence of the mammal is detected otherwise, the detector does not detect the presence of the mammal.

7. The detection system as in claim 1 wherein if seat belt buckle is buckled the detector detects the presence of the mammal and if the seat belt buckle is unbuckled, the detector does not detect the presence of the mammal.

8. The detection system as in claim 1 wherein if motion is detected within the vehicle the detector detects the presence of the mammal and if motion is not detected within the vehicle, the detector does not detect the presence of the mammal.

9. The detection system as in claim 1 wherein when the system switch is on the weight pressure on the rear seat is measured and if the weight pressure is above a fixed threshold or if seat belt buckle is buckled the detector detects the presence of the mammal otherwise the detector does not detect presence of the mammal and wherein when the system switch is off the weight pressure on the rear seat is measured and if the weight pressure is above a fixed threshold or if motion is detected within the vehicle the detector detects the presence of the mammal otherwise the detector does not detect presence of the mammal.

10. The detection system as in claim 1 wherein when the system switch is off and the alarm is activated the lock of the door is disabled.

11. The detection system as in claim 1 wherein the alarm comprises a horn or siren.

12. The detection system as in claim 1 wherein the alarm system comprises lights of the vehicle flashing.

13. The detection system as in claim 1 wherein the alarm comprises a horn or siren or lights of the vehicle flashing.