Child detection system for a child seat

• US 7,218,218 B1
• Filed: 08/09/2004
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Susan A. Rogers
• Original Assignee: Susan A. Rogers
• Inventors: Rogers, Susan A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAI T
• Application Number:
  US10/914,066
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 340/522, 340/687, 340/457, 340/667, 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/438, 340/867
• US Class Current: 340/522
• 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 2/0025 by using weight measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/267 alerting means responsive to presence or absence of children
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2821 having a seat and a base part
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2839 having a front guard or barrier
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/40 Force or pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/20 Wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems

Abstract

A child detection system for a child seat includes a pressure sensor is adapted for detecting when weight is positioned on the presser sensor. The pressure sensor is selectively positioned within a seat cushion of a restraining seat. A primary processor is electrically coupled to the pressure sensor. The primary processor is adapted for is electrically coupled to a vehicle computer system of a vehicle in which is positioned the restraining seat. A sound emitter for emitting an audible sound is operationally coupled to the primary processor. The primary processor turns on the sound emitter for at least 3 seconds when the pressure sensor senses a weight thereon and the vehicle computer system determines that a driver'"'"'s side door of the vehicle is open.

Claims

1. A child indicating system for indicating the presence of a child sitting in a child restraining seat within a vehicle, said system including:

a pressure sensor being adapted for detecting a weight being positioned on said pressure sensor, said pressure sensor being selectively positioned within a seat cushion of said restraining seat;

a primary processor being electrically coupled to said pressure sensor, said primary processor being adapted for being electrically coupled to a vehicle computer system of the vehicle;

a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal being electrically coupled to said primary processor; and

a key chain assembly including;

a housing;

a receiver being mounted within said housing;

a secondary processor being mounted in said key chain and being electrically coupled to said receiver;

an audible alarm being electrically coupled to said secondary processor, wherein said primary processor actuates said transmitter to send the wireless signal when said pressure sensor has continuously sensed a weight thereon for a selected amount of time after the ignition key of the vehicle has been removed.

2. The system of claim 1, further including a sound emitter for emitting an audible sound being operationally coupled to said primary processor, said primary processor turns on said sound emitter for at least 3 seconds when said pressure sensor senses a weight thereon and the vehicle computer system determines that an ignition key of the vehicle has been removed from an ignition actuator of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, further including a sound emitter for emitting an audible sound being operationally coupled to said primary processor, said primary processor turns on said sound emitter for at least 3 seconds when said pressure sensor senses a weight thereon and the vehicle computer system determines that a driver'"'"'s side door of the vehicle is open.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said selected amount of time is greater than or equal to three minutes.

5. A child indicating system for indicating the presence of a child sitting in a child restraining seat within a vehicle, said system including:

a pressure sensor being adapted for detecting a weight being positioned on said pressure sensor, said pressure sensor being selectively positioned within a seat cushion of said restraining seat;

a primary processor being electrically coupled to said pressure sensor, said primary processor being adapted for being electrically coupled to a vehicle computer system of the vehicle;

a sound emitter for emitting an audible sound being operationally coupled to said primary processor, said primary processor turning on said sound emitter for at least 3 seconds when said pressure sensor senses a weight thereon and the vehicle computer system determines that a driver'"'"'s side door of the vehicle is open, said primary processor turning on said sound emitter for at least 3 seconds when said pressure sensor senses a weight thereon and the vehicle computer system determines that an ignition key of the vehicle has been removed from an ignition actuator of the vehicle;

a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal being electrically coupled to said primary processor;

a key chain assembly including;

a housing;

a receiver being mounted within said housing;

a secondary processor being mounted in said key chain and being electrically coupled to said receiver;

an audible alarm being electrically coupled to said secondary processor, wherein said primary processor actuates said transmitter to send the wireless signal when said pressure sensor has continuously sensed a weight thereon for at least three minutes after the ignition key of the vehicle has been removed, wherein said receiver receives said wireless signal and said secondary processor turns on said audible alarm, wherein said primary processor signals the vehicle computer system to turn on a horn of the vehicle if the pressure sensor has continuously sensed a weight thereon for at least five minutes after the ignition key of the vehicle has been removed.

6. A method of signally the presence of a sitting in a child restraining seat within a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a pressure sensor being adapted for detecting a weight being positioned on said pressure sensor;

positioning said pressure sensor within a seat cushion of said restraining seat;

providing a primary processor being electrically coupled to said pressure sensor, said primary processor being adapted for being electrically coupled to a vehicle computer system of the vehicle;

providing a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal being electrically coupled to said primary processor;

providing a key chain assembly including;

a housing;

a receiver being mounted within said housing;

a secondary processor being mounted in said key chain and being electrically coupled to said receiver;

an audible alarm being electrically coupled to said secondary processor;

actuating said transmitter by said primary processor such that said transmitter sends the wireless signal when said pressure sensor has continuously sensed a weight thereon for at least three minutes after the ignition key of the vehicle has been removed; and

receiving the signal by said receiver such that said secondary processor turns on said alarm.

7. The method of claim 6, further including the steps of:

providing a sound emitter for emitting an audible sound being operationally coupled to said primary processor;

turning on said sound emitter by said primary processor if said pressure sensor senses a weight thereon and the vehicle computer system determines that a driver'"'"'s side door of the vehicle is open; and

turning on said sound emitter by said primary processor if said pressure sensor senses a weight thereon and the vehicle computer system determines that an ignition key of the vehicle has been removed from an ignition actuator of the vehicle.