Wireless seatbelt monitoring system
First Claim
1. A seatbelt status indication method comprising:
- at a repeater module, receiving a first wireless seatbelt status signal (WSSS) from a plurality of seatbelts indicating a latch condition of at least one of the plurality of seatbelts;
transmitting a second WSSS to a receiver a plurality of times, the second WSSS corresponding to the first WSSS; and
indicating the latch condition of the plurality of seatbelts based at least in part upon the second WSSS.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless seatbelt monitoring system and method is provided for informing a driver that a seatbelt that should be latched is unlatched. The system includes a wireless seatbelt assembly having a buckle equipped with a piezoelectric element and a transmitter. The transmitter sends a wireless seatbelt status signal when the seatbelt assembly is buckled by harvesting energy during the insertion process. The wireless seatbelt status signal is transmitted to a dedicated repeater module, which retransmits the wireless seatbelt status signal to a receiver. Based upon the wireless seatbelt status signal, the system informs the driver of the status of the seatbelt assemblies audibly, visually, or both.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A seatbelt status indication method comprising:
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at a repeater module, receiving a first wireless seatbelt status signal (WSSS) from a plurality of seatbelts indicating a latch condition of at least one of the plurality of seatbelts; transmitting a second WSSS to a receiver a plurality of times, the second WSSS corresponding to the first WSSS; and indicating the latch condition of the plurality of seatbelts based at least in part upon the second WSSS. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A wireless seatbelt monitoring system comprising:
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at least one seatbelt including a transmitter configured to transmit a first wireless seatbelt status signal (WSSS) indicating a latch condition of the at least one seatbelt; a repeater module configured to receive the first WSSS and transmit a second WSSS a plurality of times, the second WSSS corresponding to the first WSSS; a receiver configured to receive the second WSSS from the repeater module; and an indicator in communication with the receiver configured to convey the latch condition of the at least one seatbelt based at least in part upon the second WSS. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A wireless seatbelt monitoring system comprising:
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at least one wireless seatbelt assembly including a buckle affixed to a first strap and a tongue affixed to a second strap, the tongue configured to be inserted into the buckle securing the second strap to the first strap, the buckle including a piezoelectric element operable to convert mechanical stress applied by the tongue during insertion into an electrical signal having energy sufficient to power a transmitter, the transmitter configured to transmit a first wireless seatbelt status signal based at least in part upon the electrical signal generated by the piezoelectric element, the first wireless seatbelt status signal indicating the status of the buckle associated with the at least one wireless seatbelt assembly; a repeater module configured to receive the first wireless seatbelt status signal and transmit a second wireless seatbelt status signal a plurality of times, the second wireless seatbelt status signal corresponding to the first wireless seatbelt status signal; a receiver configured to receive the second wireless seatbelt status signal from the repeater module; and an indicator in communication with the receiver, the indicator configured to inform the driver whether the at least one wireless seatbelt assembly is latched or unlatched based at least in part upon the second wireless seatbelt status signal.
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Specification