Protecting children and passengers with respect to a vehicle

• US 8,044,782 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2010
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asher S. Saban
• Original Assignee: Asher S. Saban
• Inventors: Saban, Asher S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tai T
• Application Number:
  US12/857,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20100302022A1
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/439, 340/522, 340/457.1, 340/573.4, 701/29, 701/36, 701/45, 701/47
• US Class Current: 340/438
• 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

Abstract

There is provided a system and methods for mitigation of the potential dangers to which at least a child, and passengers, are exposed to prior to, during travel and after travel, when outside and adjacent a vehicle. Potential dangers to which a child is exposed are risks associated with driving and non-driving behavior of the driver, when the child is inside and outside the vehicle, when the vehicle is driven on public roads and on private property grounds, and as a result of deficient of mistaken operation of child and passenger related devices. The system and methods require input commands into an indicator to operate equipment elements aboard the vehicle, including sensors, operable devices and alert systems, and are operative for communication with remote stations, with adjacent-driven vehicles, and with the vehicle owner.

Claims

1. A method for protecting at least one child from hazards presented by a vehicle, the vehicle having equipment elements, the method being implemented by the equipment elements of the vehicle to perform functions comprising:

operating equipment elements pertaining to category A, which comprises elements which enable child safety related applications when the at least one child is identified as being present in the vehicle;

operating equipment elements pertaining to category B, which comprises elements which enable child safety related applications when the at least one child is identified as being an occupant of a specific vehicle seat VSj;

operating equipment elements pertaining to category C, which comprises elements which enable child safety related applications when the at least one child is identified as being an occupant of an ICSS operatively coupled to the vehicle seat VSj; and

operating equipment elements pertaining to category D, which comprises elements relating to applications the operations of which are based on attributes of an owner of the vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one child is identified by an indicator adapted to receive at least one of input commands entered by a user and automatic input commands delivered by an occupant classification sensing device.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein:

the indicator is selected alone and in combination from a group of indicators consisting of;

the ICSS, a child safety seat, the occupant classification sensing device, an occupant detection device, an I/O device accepting input from a user, an electrically portable entry device, a seat belt restraint device, a voice recognition device, a personal identification device, a vehicle information device, a driver message center device, a navigation device, a notification device, a parking imaging and observation device, a vehicle positioning device, a vehicle memory device, and a wireless communication module, and

the indicator is further configured to implement at least one feature selected alone and in combination from a group consisting of;

being accommodated for returning feedback signals selected alone and in combination from a group consisting of visible, audible, and tactile signals,

being implemented as an indicator permanently coupled to the vehicle, an indicator removable from the vehicle, a Portable removable indicator, and a remotely operating indicators,

being implemented as an indicator selected alone and in combination from a group consisting of a centralized indicator, a distributed indicator, and a remote indicator,

being accommodated to receive input commands selected alone and in combination from a group consisting of manual input commands, automatic input commands, vocal input commands, memory-stored input commands, memory-stored data input commands, and remotely communicated input commands,

being coupled in at least one of both single and bi-directional interactive communication with the equipment elements, and

being adapted for communication in a mode selected form a group consisting of wired communication, wireless communication, and both wired and wireless communication.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one child is identified as being present in the vehicle, and

wherein the method further comprises:

communicating to the vehicle data selected alone and in combination from a group consisting of traffic and safety advisory data, travel and navigation data, commercial and entertainment services data, and data received from communication interfaces.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the child safety related applications of the equipment elements of category A perform operations selected alone and in combination from a group of operations including at least one of;

an operation of a driver reminder application dealing with warnings delivered to the driver when the child is left unattended in the parked vehicle, the driver reminder application including at least one operation of;

an operation of an internal alert signal acknowledging the presence of the child in the vehicle, wherein the internal alert signal is commanded to stay lit during the child'"'"'s presence for at least one of a ride and only for a predetermined period of time,

an operation of an internal alert signal acknowledging the presence of the child, wherein the internal alert signal is operated in association or in combination with a belt buckling reminder warning light,

an operation of an internal alert signal(s) emitted to the driver in an interior of the vehicle in response to a detection that a driver'"'"'s seat is occupied, and the vehicle is residing at standstill in a non-traffic parked mode with a status of an engine ignition being at least one of an ignition-off status, an accessory-mode status, and a running engine status,

an operation of the internal alert signal emitted to attract the attention of the driver when the vehicle is parked including at least one operation selected from a group consisting of internal alert signal(s) and prevention of key removal out of the ignition switch by a key interlock device for a predetermined period of time, during which emission of a “

remove child”

alert is provided to the driver, or until after the child is retrieved from the vehicle,

an operation of an external alert signal(s) emitted to an exterior of the vehicle either promptly or after a predetermined period of time from a detection that the driver'"'"'s seat is unoccupied, the vehicle is residing at standstill in the non-traffic parked mode with a status of an engine ignition in at least one of ignition-off status, accessory-mode status, and running engine status, and suspension of operation upon an indication that the “

child is under adult supervision”

,

an operation of the external alert signal selected from a group consisting of external alert signal(s), an operation commanding a central doors locking device to disable locking of doors of the vehicle, and communication with at least one of an event notification system response center and a user, and

an operation to automatically disable operation of a roof-panel switch of a roof-panel device in response to detection of at least one of the driver'"'"'s seat is unoccupied, the vehicle resides at standstill in the non-traffic parked mode, and suspension of operation upon the indication that the “

child is under adult supervision”

,

an operation of an event data recorder device to record a predetermined set of child-related-data to enable accident inquiry,

an operation to simultaneously disable at least one of the door locks and power windows'"'"' switches of both rear doors and rear windows,

an operation of a notification device,

an operation of a secondhand smoke warning, the secondhand smoke warning application including at least one operation of;

an operation of an internal alert signal to warn the driver against smoking in the interior of the vehicle,

an operation of the internal alert signal to warn the driver against smoking in the interior of the vehicle in response to a detection of a smoke signal emitted by a smoke sensor, and

an operation of a “

smoking forbidden”

warning light, which remains lit during an entire ride of the vehicle or only for a predetermined period of time,

an operation of cigarette lighter automatic disablement application including at least one operation of;

an operation to disable powering to a cigarette lighter in response to detection of at least one of the driver'"'"'s seat is unoccupied, the vehicle resides in parked mode, and not receiving an indication stipulating the child passenger is under adult supervision, and

an operation to disable powering to the cigarette lighter for more than one ride of the vehicle to prevent accidental setting on fire,

an operation of an automatic collision notification device to include in an after crash communicated report an indication that the “

child occupant is present in the vehicle”

,

an operation of an automatic climate control device to automatically regulate a desirable environment air temperature when the child is aboard the vehicle,

an operation of a driver condition warning including activation of at least one of an internal alert signal and communication of an alert signal to the remote station device in response to detection of at least one of the driver is intoxicated and the driver is lacking alertness,

an operation of a driving assistance warning including activation of at least one of an internal alert signal and communication of an alert signal to the remote device in response to determination of inappropriate driving by the driver,

an operation of a communication acknowledging the presence of the child in the vehicle to remote station(s), and in response at least one of traffic, safety advisory, travel and navigation, commercial and entertainment services, are directed and sent to the vehicle, and

an operation of a vehicle-to-vehicle communication interface to include in a communicated message that “

child(ren) is/are present in the vehicle”

to raise the awareness of other drivers riding cars adjacent to the vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the equipment elements of category B enable child safety related applications including the category A operations and at least one operation selected from a group of operations including at least one of;

an operation of A belt pretension device in response to a detection of an unavoidable imminent collision to apply a selective force upon a buckled seat belt of the identified passenger seat VSj, the buckled seat belt being identified as at least one of buckling the child when seated on the cushion of the vehicle seat VSj, and buckling the child when seated in a booster seat,

an operation of an automatic climate control device to automatically regulate a desirable environment air temperature,

an operation of a power-child-lock device of door locks to automatically disable an internal door-handle adjacent to the passenger seat VSj from operation,

an operation of an internal alert signal advising the driver to check a setting of a mechanical child-lock,

an operation of a power-window module to automatically disable from operation a power-window switch adjacent the passenger seat VSj,

an operation of simultaneous disablement from operation of at least one of the power-window switch(s) and the internal door-handle(s) of both rear doors and rear windows associated with a row of the passenger seat VSj,

an operation of a child-central-door-locking application to simultaneously disable from operation of at least one of the power-window switch(s) and the internal door-handle(s) in response to detection of a signal commanding locking of all the doors of the vehicle,

an operation of at least one of an internal alert signal advising the driver to correct a detected incorrect setting of an airbag cut-off switch in response to a detection of a mismatch between the setting of the airbag cut-off switch and a class to which pertains a passenger detected seated in the front passenger seat, and overriding the incorrect setting of the airbag cut-off switch,

an operation of an internal alert signal advising a backwards movement of the front passenger seat VSj in response to detection of an undesirable seat position by position sensors of the vehicle seat VSj,

an operation of an internal alert signal to recommend the driver moving the child to rear vehicle seats whenever occupancy of the child is registered in the front passenger seat VSj,

an operation of an internal alert signal advising the driver to switch a disposition of a rear facing infant seat when detected to be installed to the front passenger seat VSj, and

an operation of an automatic collision notification device to include in an after crash communicated report the retrieved data “

child occupant occupies the vehicle seat VSj”

.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the operations of the equipment elements of category B further include an operation of at least one of speed/size and shape of deployment and suppression of deployment of airbag(s) associated with the vehicle seat Vsj.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the ICSS includes an electronic unit for identifying at least one of ID data of an identification module, sensor signal data of a sensor module, and operative device signal data of a devices module, and

the ID data of the identification module includes at least one item of seat type, seat orientation, seat limitations, seat dimensions, seat manufacturer, seat model data and features, and seat restraints.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein:

the equipment elements of category C enable child safety related applications including the category B operations and at least one operation selected from a group of operations including at least one of;

an operation of providing installation instructions for the ICSS seat in real time, the seat installation instructions being included in ID data of an identification module of the ICSS presented as instructions selected alone and in combination from a group consisting of visually presented and vocally sounded installation instructions,

an operation of a check to verify compatibility between the ICSS and the vehicle including at least one operation of;

an operation of a check to verify compatibility of g data items received from the identification module of the ICSS by comparison with safety data stored by the vehicle,

an operation of an internal alert signal indicating a detection of incompatibility between the specific ICSS with respect to the specific vehicle into which the ICSS is coupled,

an operation of an internal alert signal after detecting if a seat manufacturer of the ICSS is not included in a list of an automaker'"'"'s and/or of a regulatory agencies'"'"' approved child safety seat manufacturers stored as safety data by the vehicle, and

an operation of an internal alert signal after detecting if a seat model of the ICSS is not included in a list of seat models of child safety seats compatible with the specific model of the vehicle stored as safety data by the vehicle,

an operation of a check to verify compatibility between the ICSS and the vehicle seat VSj including at least one operation of;

the operation of the check to verify compatibility of g data items received from the identification module of the ICSS by comparison with safety data stored by the vehicle,

an operation of an internal alert signal indicating a detection of incompatibility between the specific ICSS with respect to the specific vehicle seat VSj into which the ICSS is coupled,

an operation of an internal alert signal after detecting if the seat model of the ICSS, installed in the vehicle seat VSj, is not included in a list of recommended vehicle seats VSs stored as safety data by the vehicle,

an operation of an internal alert signal after detecting if a seat restraint of the ICSS is not compatible with an anchorage of the vehicle seat VSj included in a list providing a type of anchorage of each of the vehicle seats VSs of the vehicle stored as safety data by the vehicle,

an operation of an internal alert signal after detecting if the seat restraints of the ICSS are identified as ISOFIX or LATCH attachments, in response to detection of a belt buckled signal for the vehicle seat VSj,

an operation of an internal alert signal advising to install the ICSS or a child safety seat by at least one of the own ISOFIX/LATCH attachments and the seat belt of the vehicle seat VSj,

an operation of an internal alert signal recommending to move the child to a rear vehicle seat VS when a seat type of the ICSS is a rear facing infant seat, and

an operation of an internal alert signal after detecting undesired disposition of the ICSS or the child safety seat in the vehicle seat VSj and advising correction,

an operation of a check to verify compatibility between the ICSS and the child including at least one operation of;

an operation of a check to verify compatibility of f signals received from the sensor module of the ICSS, and of g data items of the identification module of the ICSS by comparison with safety data stored by the vehicle,

an operation of an internal alert signal indicating a detection of incompatibility between the child with respect to the specific ICSS into which the child is seated,

an operation of an internal alert signal after detecting a mismatch between the seat limitations of the ICSS regarding a weight range set by specifications of the ICSS and a weight of the child as measured by a weight sensor pertaining to the sensor module of the electronic unit of the ICSS,

an operation of an internal alert signal after detecting if the ICSS identified by seat type is compatible with an age of the child,

an operation of an internal alert signal selected from a group consisting of “

Graduate the child to a front facing child seat”

, “

Graduate the child to a booster seat”

, and “

Graduate the child to a vehicle seat”

, and

an operation of an internal alert signal advising to restrain the child in an age appropriate child safety seat,

an operation to detect a defective or wrong installation or a misuse of the ICSS,

an operation of an internal alert signal to compel the driver to engage in corrective actions regarding the ICSS after determining a status condition received from a sensor f of the electronic unit of the ICSS is not within desirable thresholds for the sensor f,

an operation to detect misuse of the ICSS including a detection operation selected from a group of;

an operation of an internal alert signal after detecting an ICSS expiration date has passed,

an operation of an internal alert signal after detecting a match between ID data of the ICSS and properties of a child safety seat included in a product recall announcement, and

an operation of an internal alert signal stipulating “

ICSS crash involvement”

after a crash flag is detected,

an operation of an airbag control module to adapt airbag inflation and airbag suppression according to ID data of the identification module, where the ID data include at least one of seat type, seat dimensions and seat restraints,

an operation of the airbag control module to adapt airbag suppression when the ID data of the ICSS identify seat restraints as ISOFIX and LATCH attachments,

an operation of an automatic collision notification to include in an after crash communicated report data retrieved from the electronic unit of the ICSS,

an operation of a belt pretension device to exert selective force upon the seat belt of vehicle seat VSj, when the seat type of the ICSS is a booster seat,

an operation of a notification device to communicate the ICSS is coupled to the vehicle seat VSj, and in response entertainment related data are directed and sent to an operative device of an operative devices module of the ICSS,

an operation of a data recording device to record information originating from the ICSS,

an operation of a power-window module to adapt a power-window switch to enable limited window opening in response to detection of the seat type of the ICSS, and

an operation to enable, disable or partially enable operation of selected devices according to input command(s) from the ICSS.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the vehicle owner attributes include at least one item of datum selected from a group consisting of family and personal information, number and age of child/ren usually being driven in the vehicle, an indication that children are usually being driven in the vehicle, child identity data including;

names, age, birth date, certain medical condition information, contact information, driver identity data including;

name, age, birth date, certain medical condition information, contact information, and location of high-risk parking zone(s).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein:

the equipment elements of category D enable child safety related applications the operations of which are selected alone or in combination from a group of operations including at least one of;

an operation of a child-parking alert, the child-parking alert application including at least one operation of;

an operation of a detection of the vehicle within a high-risk parking zone when at least one of the vehicle is parked and the vehicle is maneuvering,

an operation of at least one of a visual warning signal and an audible warning signal to acknowledge presence of the vehicle within a high-risk parking zone,

the operation of the at least one of the visual warning signal and the audible warning signal is directed to at least one of an interior of the vehicle intended to warn the driver and an exterior to the vehicle intended to warn children adjacent to the vehicle,

an operation of an internal alert signal to acknowledge a potential presence of child(ren) within the high-risk parking zone based on a detection that a number of children occupying the vehicle seat(s) VSj is less than a registered number of children usually being driven in the vehicle, and

an operation of a safety system to provide the driver with a view for observation of otherwise hidden zones, the safety system comprising a driving assisting device(s), and the driving assisting device(s) including a camera-based apparatus employing at least one imaging camera and at least one display,

an operation of a doors-being-left-unlocked alert, the doors-being-left-unlocked alert application including at least one operation of;

an operation of a detection that a last recorded GPS location position before parking matches with an area recorded as being the high-risk parking zone, the vehicle resides in a standstill parked mode, either with the ignition off or with a running-engine, doors of the vehicle are not locked, and a driver'"'"'s seat is unoccupied, and in response

where the retrieved data does not include an indication stipulating either one of “

child under adult supervision” and

“

supervision of the vehicle”

,

an operation of at least one of an external alert signal(s) as a warning(s) that the doors of the vehicle are not locked, and a message signal indicating to “

lock doors”

is sent to the doors'"'"' locking module of the vehicle,

an operation of shift interlock applications including an operation of at least one of a key-interlock and a brake-to-shift interlock according to the vehicle owner attributes,

an operation of an engine ignition device to compel the driver to enter an input command into an indicator to allow the starting of the vehicle, and alleviating the task compelling the driver to enter the input command into the indicator when not retrieving the item of datum “

children usually being driven in the vehicle”

,

an operation of a seat belt device based also on the vehicle owner attributes data,

an operation of a safety bag(s) device based also on the vehicle owner attributes data,

an operation of an automatic collision notification to include in an after crash communicated report the vehicle owner attributes including communication of the child identity specific data,

an operation of personalizing services directed towards the occupant, the services including entertainment services,

an operation of an internal alert signal advising the driver to manage graduation of the child to an appropriate restraint system including advising the driver to transfer the child from a rear facing infant seat to a front facing child seat,

an operation of a child-to-booster compatibility check, the child-to-booster compatibility check application including at least one operation of;

an operation of an internal alert signal to advise the driver to conduct a child-to-booster compatibility check to determine if the at least one child is eligible for restraint in a booster seat,

an operation of a power-window module to deploy a window(s) of the vehicle to at least one of the minimum height from the ground from which the child should be restrained in a booster seat and the maximum height after which the child should be seated on the cushion of the vehicle seat VSj, and

an operation of adjusting the window(s)'"'"' height to match the height of the child while the measured height will appear on a display,

an operation of shift interlock applications including an operation of at least one of a key-interlock and a brake-to-shift interlock according to retrieved data,

an operation of delivering dedicated message signal(s), including at least one of “

children are usually driven in this vehicle”

signal and a “

high-risk parking zone”

signal, to an operable device pertaining to the equipment elements,

an operation of delivering personal messages corresponding to family related information, and

an operation of an internal alert signal to warn the driver against smoking in an interior of the vehicle when the age of the child passenger is under a predetermined age.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

an equipment element pertaining to at least one of the category A, the category B, and the category C utilizes the vehicle owner attributes.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the equipment elements include;

a plurality of sensors,

a plurality of operable devices,

a plurality of alert systems useful for providing at least one warning signal, and

a system for protecting the at least one child passenger from a plurality of potential dangers associated with the vehicle, the system comprising;

at least one indicator adapted to receive input command(s), the input commands identifying the child as being at least one of;

present in the vehicle, the occupant of the specific vehicle seat VSj, the occupant of the ICSS operatively coupled to the vehicle seat VSj, and a part of the vehicle owner attributes,

a report module operatively coupled to the equipment elements and adapting the report module to sample and report a status condition of the equipment elements,

a control module having a processor operating in association with a memory adapted for storing commands and computer programs, wherein an input command received by the at least one indicator is selected to be stored in the memory as at least one of a command stored for one drive only and a command stored for more than one drive of the vehicle, and wherein the control module is operatively coupled to the at least one indicator, the report module, and the equipment elements, and the control module is adapted to control the equipment elements, the control module being configured to;

receive input commands from the at least one indicator,

receive the status condition from the report module,

execute control programs responsive to information received from the at least one indicator identifying the at least one child with the vehicle and from the report module,

be implemented for operation in a mode selected from a group consisting of central control, hybrid control, and decentralized control, and

control activation and deactivation of the system.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein:

the control module is configured to perform at least one command operation selected alone and in combination from a group consisting of;

commanding at least one of an enablement, a disablement, and an update of the operable devices according to an input command(s) received from the indicator,

commanding activation of a child parking alert including at least one command of;

commanding activation of at least one of a visual warning signal and an audible warning signal to acknowledge presence of the vehicle within a high-risk parking zone, and

commanding activation of a camera-based apparatus to provide a driver with a view for observation of otherwise hidden zones,

commanding activation of an internal alert signal in response to a detection of an incorrect setting of at least one of a power child-lock, a power window switch, a power roof-panel, and an airbag cut-off switch,

commanding automatic disablement from operation of at least one of the power child-lock and the power window switch adjacent the vehicle seat VSj,

commanding automatic disablement from operation of at least one of the power child-lock and the power window switch adjacent the vehicle seat VSj in response to detection of a signal commanding locking of all the doors of the vehicle,

commanding automatic disablement from operation of at least one of the power child-lock and the power window switch associated with doors of a row of the vehicle seat VSj,

commanding activation of an internal alert signal advising the driver to check a setting of a mechanical child-lock,

commanding a power window module to adapt the power window switch to allow at least one of an enablement, a disablement and a limited enablement of a window opening,

commanding activation of an internal alert signal in response to a detection of misuse of a seat belt of the vehicle seat VSj,

commanding activation of an internal alert signal advising the driver to switch a disposition of a rear facing infant seat in response to a detection that the rear facing infant seat is coupled to the front passenger seat VSj,

commanding activation of an internal alert signal advising a backwards movement of the front passenger seat VSj in response to a detection of an undesirable position of the front passenger seat VSj,

commanding activation of an internal alert signal recommending a move of the child to rear vehicle seats when the child is the occupant of the front passenger seat VSj,

commanding activation of a doors-being-left-unlocked alert to prevent the child from gaining access to the vehicle when the vehicle is detected to be parked unlocked within the high-risk parking zone,

commanding activation of a child-to-booster compatibility check to advise the driver to check if the child is eligible to transfer to either one of a booster seat and a vehicle seat,

commanding activation of a driver reminder alert to prevent the child from being left unattended in the vehicle when the vehicle is parked, the driver reminder alert including at least one command of;

commanding activation of an internal alert signal to acknowledge the presence of the child in the vehicle,

commanding activation of at least one of an internal alert signal(s), an external alert signal(a), and a communication with at least one of an event notification system response center and a user,

commanding prevention of key removal from the ignition switch for a predetermined period of time when the driver'"'"'s seat is detected as being occupied,

commanding an override of a vehicle locking signal to prevent locking of the vehicle with the child inside when the driver'"'"'s seat is detected as being unoccupied, and

commanding suspension of alert signals in response to receiving an input command stipulating the child is under adult supervision,

commanding activation of a secondhand smoke warning alert to warn the driver against smoking in an interior of the vehicle,

commanding activation of an internal alert signal stipulating an inadequate driver'"'"'s condition in response to a detection that at least one of the driver is intoxicated and the driver is lacking alertness,

commanding activation of an internal alert signal stipulating inadequate driver'"'"'s driving performance in response to a detection of inappropriate driving by the driver,

commanding regulation of at least one of deployment and suppression of an airbag associated with the vehicle seat VSj according to at least one of the ID data of the ICSS and the input command(s) received by the at least one indicator,

commanding exertion of a selective belt pre-tension force upon the seat belt of the vehicle seat VSj in response to a prediction of an imminent collision,

commanding activation of an automatic collision notification to include in an after crash communicated report at least one input command received by the at least one indicator,

commanding automatic disconnection of power to a cigarette lighter when the driver'"'"'s seat is detected as being unoccupied,

commanding activation of an event data recorder to record a predetermined set of child-related-data to enable an accident inquiry,

commanding automatic regulation of a desirable environment air temperature,

commanding activation of a vehicle-to-vehicle communication interface to communicate that “

child(ren) is/are present in the vehicle”

,

commanding activation of a communication interface to communicate a warning related to activation of a trunk entrapment apparatus,

commanding operation of gear shift interlock applications to prevent setting into motion of the vehicle according to at least one input command received by the at least one indicator,

commanding activation of an internal alert upon detection of incompatibility between the child and the ICSS,

commanding activation of an internal alert upon detection of incompatibility between the ICSS and the vehicle,

commanding activation of an internal alert upon detection of incompatibility between the ICSS and the vehicle seat VSj,

commanding activation of an internal alert signal advising graduation of the child to an age appropriate ICSS,

commanding activation of an internal alert signal selected from a group consisting of alert signals stipulating “

Graduate the child to a front facing child seat”

, “

Graduate the child to a booster seat”

, and “

Graduate the child to a vehicle seat”

,

commanding activation of an internal alert signal in response to a detection of misuse of the ICSS, the internal alert signal being selected from a group of alert signal(s) consisting of a detection that an ICSS expiration date has passed, a detection of a match between ID data of the ICSS and properties of a child safety seat included in a product recall announcement, and a detection a crash flag regarding the ICSS,

commanding provision of real-time child safety seat installation instructions,

commanding communication of input command(s) received by the at least one indicator to remote station(s), and in response, at least one of traffic, safety advisory, travel and navigation, commercial and entertainment services, are directed and sent to the vehicle,

commanding channeling of services to at least one of the driver and the at least one child, and

commanding operation of the system prior to a ride and during the ride of the vehicle, when approaching the high-risk parking zone and when the vehicle is parked.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein:

at least one element out of the equipment elements is controlled by at least one of a processor dedicated to the at least one element out of the equipment elements, and the processor dedicated to the control module, and

the at least one element out of the equipment elements operates in association with the input commands received by the at least one indicator.

16. A vehicle implementing the method according to claim 1.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the category A comprises at least one equipment element selected alone and in combination from a group consisting of;

a system for protecting the at least one child from a plurality of potential dangers associated with the vehicle, an engine ignition device, a key interlock device, a shift-lock device, a key-free device, a gearbox functioning device, a parking brake device, an engine RPM device, a seat belt reminder device, a seat-load detection sensor device, a belt buckle-detection sensor device, a central door locking device, a portable remote electronic car-entry device, a power roof-panel device, a power cigarette lighter device, a smoke-detection sensor device, an internal trunk-lid releasing device, an automatic collision notification device, an automatic climate control device, a communication device communicating with communication networks, an event notification device, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication interface, an Internet communication device, a vehicle information device, a driver message center, a voice recognition device, a dialog-based device, a navigation device, a vehicle positioning device, a driving assisting device selected as at least one of a lane departure warning device and a lane change warning device, a driver condition warning device selected as at least one of a driver intoxication detection device and a driver drowsiness detection device, an occupant classification sensing device, an occupant detection device, an infotainment/entertainment device, an event data recording device, an audio device, a burglar alarm, a horn, an immobilizer device, an internal light, an external light, a clock device, a timer device, and an alert device(s), the alert device(s) providing attention-calling alert signal(s) selected alone and in combination from a group consisting of;

visual alerts, audible alerts, alerts intended for the interior of the vehicle, alerts intended for the exterior of the vehicle, alerts communicated to remote station(s), alerts indicating the presence of a child, alerts indicating smoking is forbidden, chimes, buzzes, vocally recorded messages, screen readable messages, screen displayed images, warning labels and messages, the audio device, tactile signals and vibration emitting signals.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein:

the category B comprises the equipment elements pertaining to category A and at least one equipment element selected alone and in combination from a group consisting of;

a door lock module device, a power child-lock device, a mechanical child-lock, a power-window module, a seat position sensor(s) device of the vehicle seat VSj, a sensing and diagnostic module (SDM), an airbag device(s), a seat belt restraint device, a belt-pretension device, a belt-load limiter device, an airbag restraint device, an airbag cut-off device, a seat position sensor(s) device, a seat belt restraint device, collision prediction device, a crash event detection device, a seat-backrest recline detection sensor device, and a memory device storing physical dimensions of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein:

the category C comprises the equipment elements pertaining to category B and at least one equipment element selected from a group consisting of;

at least one memory device adapted for storing safety data, the safety data being selected from a group consisting of;

ID data of the ICSSs, and ID data including at least one item of datum selected from a group consisting of seat type, seat orientation, seat limitations, seat dimensions, seat manufacturer, seat model data and features, and seat restraints,

a list of child safety seat manufacturers approved by an automaker and/or regulatory agencies,

a list of seat models compatible with the specific vehicle model,

a list of seat product recall announcement(s) identifying the ICSS by at least the seat model of the ID data,

a list of recommended vehicle seats VSs which are compatible for restraining the ICSS identified by at least one of the seat model and the seat type,

a list of vehicle seat VSs by type of provided anchorage,

a list of desirable threshold(s) for the sensor f of the sensor module,

a list of operative devices of the operative devices module,

a list of at least one of an age range and weight range by at least one of the seat model and the seat type,

a list of a height range and weight range by child age,

a crash flag for a specific ICSS,

seat installation instructions, and

the ICSS expiration date,

a vehicle interface(s) associated with the vehicle seat VSj adapted for coupling a child seat interface of the ICSS,

an electronic unit of the ICSS is an integral portion of the equipment elements including at least one of an identification module, a sensor module, and an operative devices module,

the identification module having a memory for storing ID data of the ICSS, the ID data including at least one item of datum selected from a group consisting of seat type, seat orientation, seat limitations, seat dimensions, seat manufacturer, seat model data and features, and seat restraints,

the sensor module including at least one sensor selected alone and in combination from a group of sensors consisting of a safety seat buckle sensor, a weight/load sensor(s), an inclination sensor(s), a child seat contact sensor(s), a harness tension sensor(s), a seat attachment sensor(s), and a seat orientation sensor(s),

the operative devices module including at least one device selected alone and in combination from a group of devices consisting of harness pretension devices, restraint inflation devices, protective airbags, memory device, and an alarm device, and

the ICSS is selected from a group of child safety seats consisting of rear facing infant seats, convertible seats having forward facing and rear facing modes, forward facing child-seats, combination seats having forward facing and rear facing modes, booster seats, and vehicle integrated safety seats.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the category D comprises at least one equipment element selected alone and in combination from a group consisting of;

at least one memory device adapted for storing at least one item of datum selected from a group consisting of;

family and personal information, number and age of child/ren usually being driven in the vehicle, an indication that children are usually driven in the vehicle, child identity data including;

names, age, birth date, certain medical condition information, and contact information, driver identity data including;

name, age, birth date, certain medical condition information, and contact information, a location of a high-risk parking zone(s), a minimum height from which a child is eligible for transfer to a booster seat, a maximum height from which a child is eligible for transfer to a vehicle seat VS, an age from which a child-to-booster check is monitored, and a time interval between issued messages regarding activation of the child-to-booster check,

an engine ignition device, a key interlock device, a shift-lock device, a key-free device, a gearbox functioning device, a door lock module device, a power window module device, an I/O device accepting input command(s) regarding activation of a child-to-booster compatibility check, a driver message-center, a brake-to-shift interlock device, a door-open sensor, a key-in-switch sensor, a camera-based safety device providing a view for observation of otherwise hidden zones, a parking aid device, a vehicle positioning device, a navigation device, a notification device, and

at least one equipment element pertaining to at least one of the category A equipment elements, the category B equipment elements, and the category C equipment elements.