Proximity activated vehicle signaling system

• US 7,408,445 B1
• Filed: 02/23/2005
• Issued: 08/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bill Cunningham
• Original Assignee: Bill Cunningham
• Inventors: Cunningham, Bill
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US11/064,407
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/433, 340435-436, 340/457, 340/457.1, 340/539.1, 340/540, 340/573.1, 340/459, 340/686.4, 180271-272, 180286-287
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• 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 system for generating a reminder signal to one or more individuals exiting a vehicle for purposes of preventing the inadvertent leaving of a child, pet or other object therein. A sensor assembly monitors the presence of an individual within a predetermined proximity area and actuates an alarm assembly so as to generate a demonstrable reminder signal of significant intensity. A control assembly operatively connected to the sensor assembly comprises both arming and shut-off capabilities which are automatically and/or manually operable, respectively, to activate and deactivate the sensor assembly. In operation, the sensor assembly will cause the alarm assembly to generate the reminder signal upon the passage of one or more individuals out of the predetermined proximity area thereby forcing a return to the vehicle to deactivate the system, wherein the interior of the vehicle is readily observable to determine the existence of an inadvertently left object.

Claims

1. A system for generating a vehicle reminder signal, said system comprising:

a sensor assembly disposed on the vehicle and structured to monitor activity within a predetermined proximity area relative to the vehicle,

an alarm assembly operatively connected to said sensor assembly and structured to produce a demonstrable reminder signal,

a control assembly disposed on the vehicle and connected to said sensor assembly, said control assembly structured to activate and deactivate said sensor assembly,

said sensor assembly and said alarm assembly cooperatively structured to generate said reminder signal upon occurrence of a predetermined activating condition within said predetermined proximity area, and

said activating condition comprising a passage of an individual from the vehicle interior out of said predetermined proximity area;

wherein said control assembly further comprises an arming assembly structured to automatically activate said sensor assembly upon occurrence of at least one other activating condition comprising an entry into the vehicle by a person.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said alarm system is operative independently of a vehicle alarm system.

3. A system as recited in claim 2 wherein said alarm assembly is structured to produce an audible alarm defining said demonstrable reminder signal.

4. A system as recited in claim 2 wherein said sensor assembly and said alarm assembly are operatively interconnected by wireless communication.

5. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said alarm assembly comprises an alarm system integrated into the operation of the vehicle.

6. A system as recited in claim 5 wherein said demonstrable reminder signal comprises an audible alarm.

7. A system as recited in claim 6 wherein said demonstrable reminder signal comprises a visual alarm.

8. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said control assembly comprises a shut-off device manually operable to at least partially deactivate said sensor assembly.

9. A system as recited in claim 8 wherein said shut-off device is mounted on an interior of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

10. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one activating condition comprises the presence of an individual within vehicle interior said.

11. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one activating condition comprises ignition operation of the vehicle.

12. A system for generating a vehicle reminder signal, said system comprising:

a sensor assembly disposed on the vehicle and structured to monitor activity within a predetermined proximity area relative to the vehicle,

an alarm assembly operatively connected to said sensor assembly and structured to produce a demonstrable reminder signal,

a control assembly connected to said sensor assembly, said control assembly structured to activate or at least partially deactivate said sensor assembly,

said control assembly comprising a shut-off device disposed on an interior of the vehicle and manually operable to at least partially deactivate said sensor assembly, and

said sensor assembly and said alarm assembly cooperatively structured to generate said reminder signal upon passage of an individual from the vehicle interior out of said predetermined proximity area;

wherein said control assembly further comprises an arming assembly structured to automatically activate said sensor assembly upon occurrence of at least one of activating conditions comprising an entry into the vehicle by a person.

13. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said activating condition comprises the presence of an individual within said vehicle interior.

14. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said activating condition comprises ignition operation of the vehicle.