Vehicle alarm system for alerting a vehicle operator that the vehicle is still occupied with a child or pet

• US 8,841,997 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2012
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orlando L. Silveira
• Original Assignee: Orlando L. Silveira
• Inventors: Silveira, Orlando L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hung T.
• Application Number:
  US13/507,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20130106598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/457, 340/457.1, 340/539.21, 340/539.23, 340/666, 340/667, 340/686.1, 340/686.6, 180/271, 180/272, 701/29, 701/45
• US Class Current: 340/457.1
• 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 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle

Abstract

A portable vehicle alarm system alerts a vehicle operator of the presence of a child/pet left in the vehicle. The system includes at least one first portable wireless alarm unit in communication with a second portable wireless unit. The first and second portable wireless alarm units include a microprocessor in communication with a transmitter and receiver, having a power supply. The first portable unit is located on a key chain. The second wireless unit has attachment means for attachment to a seat belt associated with a child'"'"'s car seat or a pet'"'"'s collar. An activation sensor detects a disengagement action related to the vehicle, including powering-off of the vehicle ignition or unbuckling of the driver'"'"'s seat belt. A distance sensor has a selected range. If the range is exceeded, an audible alarm is actuated from the first unit.

Claims

1. An automobile alarm system comprising:

a. at least one first portable wireless alarm unit having a speaker for generating an audible alarm, a microprocessor in communication with a transmitter and receiver, and a power source, wherein said unit is adapted to remain within possession of a driver/user when said driver exits a vehicle;

b. a second portable wireless unit in communication with said first portable wireless alarm unit and having a microprocessor in communication with a transmitter and receiver, and a power source;

c. said second wireless unit having attachment means for attachment to an object;

d. said automobile alarm system being capable of being used both within a vehicle and outside of a vehicle;

e. an activation sensor for detecting a disengagement action related to a vehicle in communication with at least said first portable wireless alarm unit for activating said unit from a standby mode;

f. a distance/range sensor having a selected range from 1 to 30 feet integrated within said first or second wireless unit, wherein if said selected range is exceeded an audible alarm is actuated from said first unit.

2. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said second wireless unit'"'"'s attachment means is constructed as a clasp for removable attachment to said object.

3. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 2, wherein said object is a child'"'"'s car seat belt.

4. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 2, wherein said object is a pet collar.

5. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said activation sensor is a vehicle ignition sensor that senses when said vehicle ignition is in the off condition.

6. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said activation sensor is a vehicle ignition sensor that senses when said vehicle ignition goes from an on condition to an off condition.

7. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said activation sensor disengagement action is a driver'"'"'s seat belt sensor that senses when said driver'"'"'s seat belt is disengaged or unbuckled.

8. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said activation sensor disengagement action is a driver'"'"'s seat belt sensor that senses when said driver'"'"'s seat belt is engaged or buckled followed directly by disengagement or unbuckling.

9. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said second unit comprises a second unit activation sensor that provides for automatic engagement of said second unit, wherein said second unit activation sensor detects activation of said first portable wireless alarm unit upon its activation resulting form said activation sensor.

10. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said first portable wireless alarm unit comprises an on/off switch for manual activation.

11. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said second unit comprises an on/off switch for manual activation.

12. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said first wireless unit is formed having an appendage to render a key chain member/or be attached to a keychain.

13. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1 comprising a smart phone application programmable and downloadable within a smart phone for transmitting said alarm to said first portable wireless alarm unit and said smart phone.

14. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said first portable wireless alarm unit is a smart phone, said smart phone comprising a smart phone application programmable and downloadable for transmitting said alarm directly to said smart phone.

15. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said first portable wireless alarm unit includes flashing lights in addition to said audible alarm.

16. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said distance/range sensor'"'"'s said selected range is from about 3 feet to about 80 feet.

17. An automobile alarm system as recited by claim 1, wherein said distance/range sensor'"'"'s said selected range is from about 10 feet to about 20 feet.