Device and method to detect presence in a motor vehicle

• US 7,394,349 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2005
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Muenzel, Horst, Marek, Jiri, Arndt, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland; Donnie L
• Application Number:
  US11/111,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20050280515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426.2, 340/426.25, 340/426.26
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/544 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle occupants, e.g. for indicating disabled occupants
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A device to detect the presence of a living being in a motor vehicle includes

• • a carbon dioxide sensor to measure a concentration value representing the carbon dioxide concentration in the motor vehicle,
  • an analysis unit to compare the concentration value or a change value representing the change in the concentration value over time to a threshold,
  • a transmitting device activated when the concentration value or the change value exceeds the threshold and emitting radiated signals by way of an antenna and
  • a receiving device that activates an indicator device when these radiated signals are received by way of an additional antenna.

Claims

1. A device to detect the presence of a living being in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a carbon dioxide sensor to measure a concentration value representing a carbon dioxide concentration in the motor vehicle;

an analysis unit to compare at least one of the concentration value and a change value representing a change in the concentration value over time with at least one threshold;

a transmitting device activated when at least one of the concentration value and the change value exceeds the threshold and emitting radiated signals; and

a receiving device to activate an indicator device when the radiated signals are received, wherein the receiving device and the indicator device are attached to a vehicle key, and wherein the indicator device issues at least one of a visual and haptic warning signal upon activation.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device includes a radio transmitter and the receiving device includes a radio receiver.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device includes a cellular telephone transmitter and the receiving device includes a cellular telephone.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide sensor measures the concentration value prevailing in a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device is permanently mounted on the vehicle and the receiving device is mounted external to the vehicle.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device emits radiated signals by way of an antenna and the receiving device receives the radiated signals by way of another antenna.

7. A method to detect the presence of a living being in a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

measuring a concentration value representing a carbon dioxide concentration in the motor vehicle;

comparing at least one of the concentration value and a change value representing a change in the concentration value over time to a threshold;

activating a transmitting device for emitting radiated signals via an antenna when at least one of the concentration value and the change value exceeds the threshold; and

activating an indicator device by a receiving device when the radiated signals are received by way of another antenna, wherein the receiving device and the indicator device are attached to a vehicle key, and wherein the indicator device issues at least one of a visual and haptic warning signal upon activation.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the transmitting device is activated only if at least one of (a) all vehicle doors are detected as locked and (b) all vehicle doors are detected as locked and then at least one vehicle door is detected as opened not using a vehicle key.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the transmitting device is activated only if an ignition system is also switched off.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein, in addition, a warning signal is emitted by way of at least one of a lighting system and a horn of the vehicle.