Child seat monitoring system

• US 8,179,274 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2009
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Rork, Joseph Paul, Whitaker, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): BLOUNT, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US12/417,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20100253498A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 340/667, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/666, 297/468, 297/216.11, 297/219.12, 297/250.1
• US Class Current: 340/667
• 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 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/2815 with additional belt accessories, e.g. a belt tension detector
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4866 Displaying or indicating arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

A vehicle system for communicating with a child seat is provided with a receiver configured for receiving a seat sensor signal from a child seat controller. A controller is configured for communicating with the receiver for analyzing the seat sensor signal and comparing the seat sensor signal to pre-existing guidelines to determine a status message. A user interface is configured for communicating with the controller for displaying the status message. The child seat is provided with a plurality of seat sensors for measuring different adjustable features of the seat including; a harness sensor for measuring a tension within a harness; a buckle switch for measuring a connection of a buckle; and a level sensor for measuring an inclination of a seat sub-assembly. The seat controller is provided for receiving measurement signals from the seat sensors and transmitting the seat sensor signal.

Claims

1. A vehicle system comprising:

a receiver for receiving at least one seat sensor signal from a child seat controller;

a transmitter for providing output to the child seat controller;

a controller communicating with the receiver and transmitter for analyzing the at least one seat sensor signal and comparing the seat sensor signal to pre-existing guidelines to determine a status message; and

a user interface communicating with the controller for displaying the status message;

wherein the controller is configured to;

receive a seat identification signal indicative of an identification of a child seat,

compare the seat identification signal to pre-existing guidelines to determine if the child seat is recognized, and

request information for the child seat using an external network if the controller determines that the child seat is not recognized.

2. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the at least one seat sensor signal from a wireless transmitter.

3. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting an activation signal to the child seat for initiating communication between the vehicle system and the child seat controller.

4. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises a network receiver for receiving vehicle information from a vehicle communication network.

5. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the seat sensor signal includes at least one harness tension component for indicating a tension within a portion of a child restraint harness.

6. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the seat sensor signal includes at least one buckle component for indicating a connection of a buckle that is connected to a child restraint harness.

7. The vehicle system of claim 4, wherein the seat sensor signal includes a level component for indicating an angular inclination of the child seat.

8. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the seat sensor signal includes a tether component for indicating a tension within a portion of a tether extending from the child seat to the vehicle.

9. The vehicle system of claim 7, wherein the controller compares the level component to the vehicle information to determine a seat direction of the child seat.

14. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the user interface further comprises a pictorial display for displaying the status message.

15. The vehicle system of claim 3 wherein the transmitter also transmits vehicle information to the child seat;

and wherein the seat controller adjusts a lighting device of the child seat in response to the vehicle information.

16. The vehicle system of claim 14, wherein the user interface further comprises an audio component for conveying the status message to the user audibly.

17. The vehicle system of claim 1, further comprising a child seat for initiating communication with the controller upon detection of a change in the seat sensor signal.

10. A vehicle system comprising:

a controller configured to;

receive at least one seat sensor signal from a child seat controller, the seat sensor signal including a battery component for indicating a status of a child seat battery, and

compare the seat sensor signal to pre-existing guidelines to determine a status message,

a user interface communicating with the controller for displaying the status message; and

a charging circuit for charging the child seat battery.

11. The vehicle system of claim 10, further comprising a seat circuit formed by an anchor strap and the child seat battery, wherein the seat circuit directly connects to the charging circuit at a pair of vehicle anchors for charging the child seat battery.

12. The vehicle system of claim 10, wherein the charging circuit is positioned in proximity to the child seat such that the child seat battery may be inductively charged by a field emanating from the charging circuit.

13. The vehicle system of claim 10, wherein the controller selectively charges the child seat battery when the controller determines that the child seat is not occupied.

18. A vehicle system for monitoring the status of a child seat and communicating the status to a user, the vehicle system comprising:

a controller configured to;

receive a seat identification signal indicative of the identification of a child seat, a harness signal indicative of a measurement of a tension within a harness of the child seat, a level signal indicative of a measurement of an angular inclination of the child seat, and a buckle signal indicative of a measurement of a buckle connection of the child seat,

compare the seat identification signal to pre-existing guidelines to determine if the child seat is recognized,

request information for the child seat using an external network if the controller determines that the child seat is not recognized, and

control a user interface to display a seat status message that is generated based on a comparison of the seat identification signal, the harness signal, the level signal and the buckle signal to pre-existing guidelines.