Child seat occupant warning system for an auto

• US 7,319,382 B1
• Filed: 05/20/2005
• Issued: 01/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Long Bach Vu
• Original Assignee: Long Bach Vu
• Inventors: Vu, Long Bach
• Primary Examiner(s): La; Anh V.
• Application Number:
  US11/132,945
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 346/457, 346/573.1, 346/573.4, 346/425.5, 346/667, 346/522, 180/272, 180/273, 180/271, 180/290, 280/734, 280/735
• 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 2/268 detecting or alerting means responsive to the installation of the child seats in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/40 Force or pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A child seat occupant warning system for an auto, comprising a sensor detecting the connection of the removable seat to the seat base, further comprising a central processing unit that communicates with a sensor in the driver seat of the auto, a vibration sensor sensing engine operation of the auto, a GPS transmitter with delay, and a low battery warning mechanism, whereby engine cessation, driver absence and seat base connection to child seat triggers an audio alarm to remind a driver to remove the child from the vehicle, the system reset by removing the child seat from the base.

Claims

1. A child seat occupant warning system for an auto, the system for use with an existing seat base with removable child seat, the system comprising:

a central processing unit for installation to the seat;

a sound chip within the central processing unit;

a power connection from the central processing unit to the electrical power source of the auto;

a low battery warning indicator light engaged when the power source is less than 12 volts;

a sensor for detecting an attachment of the child seat to the seat base, the sensor in communication with the central processing unit;

a vibration sensor connected to the central processing unit, the vibration sensor for attachment to the auto;

an audio emission device connected to the sound chip, the audio emission device for playback from the sound chip;

a low power warning indicator for indicating a low power condition from the power source, the low power warning indicator for attachment to the child seat;

whereby cessation of engine operation of the auto is detected by the vibration sensor, the central processing unit thereby signaled to sound the alarm of a child in the child seat when the sensor detects the child seat connection to the seat base.

2. The warning system in claim 1 wherein the low battery warning indicator is a flashing light.

3. The warning system in claim 1 wherein the central processing unit further comprises a GPS transmitter whereby the child seat base location is broadcast.

4. The warning system in claim 2 wherein the central processing unit further comprises a GPS transmitter whereby the child seat base location is broadcast.

5. A child seat occupant warning system for an auto, the system for use with an existing base with removable child seat, the system comprising:

a central processing unit for installation to the seat base;

a sound chip within the central processing unit;

an electrical connection between the central processing unit and the seat base;

a child seat sensor, the child seat sensor sensing a connection between the seat base and the seat, the child seat sensor in communication with the central processing unit;

a connection from the seat base to the power source of the auto;

a vibration sensor connected to the central processing unit, the vibration sensor for attaching to the auto;

an audio emission device connected to the sound chip, the audio emission device for playback from the sound chip;

a low power warning for indicating a low power condition from the power source;

a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor installed within a driver seat of the auto, the pressure sensor for indication the presence of a driver in the seat,

whereby cessation of engine operation of the auto is detected by the vibration sensor, the central processing unit thereby signaled to sound the alarm of a child in the child seat when the child seat sensor detects the child seat connection to the seat base and when the pressure sensor of the driver seat detects absence of the driver.

6. The warning system in claim 5 wherein the low battery warning indicator is engaged when the power source is less than 12 volts.

7. The warning system in claim 6 wherein the lower battery warning indicator is a light.

8. The warning system in claim 7 wherein the low battery warning indicator is a flashing light.

9. The warning system in claim 6 wherein the low battery warning indicator is an audio signal.

10. The warning system in claim 6 wherein the central processing unit further comprises a GPS transmitter whereby the child seat base location is broadcast.

11. The warning system in claim 7 wherein the central processing unit further comprises a GPS transmitter whereby the child seat base location is broadcast.

12. The warning system in claim 8 wherein the central processing unit further comprises a GPS transmitter whereby the child seat base location is broadcast.

13. The warning system in claim 9 wherein the central processing unit further comprises a GPS transmitter whereby the child seat base location is broadcast.