Post-trip bus inspection alert system

• US 7,378,946 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2006
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Lahr, Jeremy A., Kreft, Allyson K., Backlund, Clark L., Miars, Marilyn R., Taylor, Douglas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAI T
• Application Number:
  US11/557,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20070085666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 340/433, 340/456, 340/457, 340/430, 340/436, 340/487, 340/545.4, 340/425.5, 340/438
• US Class Current: 340/433
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling

Abstract

A system and method for alerting responsible personnel to perform a post-trip inspection check for passengers remaining on a bus at the end of a trip by issuing audible and/or visual alerts when the bus is parked and the motor shut off at the end of the trip. The ignition switch (47) must be placed in ACCESSORY position and a park brake applied for the system to be rendered capable of being disarmed by operation of a disarming device (45S) at the rear of the bus. Operation of the disarming device is indicated by a correct sequence of operating conditions of the device, namely first non-actuated, then actuated, and then non-actuated. The system includes a SNOOZE state that allows the ignition switch to be temporarily turned off during a trip and the alert to be stopped by pressing a snooze switch.

Claims

1. A post-trip inspection alert system for a passenger bus having a motor that propels the bus and that is turned on and off by an ignition switch that is selectively operable to at least OFF, IGNITION, and ACCESSORY positions, and an electrical system controller (ESC) and one or more alert devices for alerting responsible personnel when the bus has not been checked at the conclusion of a trip, for the presence of passengers who may have remained inside the bus after they should have exited, the alert system comprising:

a virtual controller in the ESC controlling the one or more alert devices for causing the one or more alert devices to give an alert within and immediately surrounding the bus after the bus has been parked and the motor turned off after the bus has transported passengers unless within some interval of time after the bus has been parked and the motor turned off, a disarming device at the rear of the bus has been operated concurrent with the ignition switch being in ACCESSORY position.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the virtual controller causes the one or more alert devices to give an alert within and immediately surrounding the bus after the bus has been parked and the motor turned off after the bus has transported passengers unless a park brake of the bus is applied and within some interval of time after the bus has been parked and the motor turned off, the disarming device has been operated concurrent with the ignition switch being in ACCESSORY position.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the virtual controller comprises a timing function for measuring a first amount of time followed by a second amount of time, and causes the one or more alert devices to give a low-level alert while the first amount of time is elapsing, and if the disarming device has not been operated by the time that the first amount of time has elapsed, causes the one or more alert devices to give a high level alert.

4. A system as set forth in claim 3 wherein the virtual controller causes the one or more alert devices to cease giving any alert if the disarming device has not been operated by the time that the second amount of time has elapsed.