Access and egress detection system for assignable locations

• US 9,302,618 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conservention Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Thomas J Shaw
• Inventors: Shaw, Thomas J
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/041,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20140043155A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 340/457, 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/665, 340/545.4, 340/667, 340/425.5, 340/309.7, 340/686.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2/0024 for identifying, categorising or investigation of the occupant or object on the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/26 for children B60N2/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/267 alerting means responsive to presence or absence of children
• 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: 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 child safety and alert system and method that detect and monitor access and egress for assignable locations within a motor vehicle by identifying designated positions within the vehicle, by monitoring at least one of the motor, the driver door and other doors or closures in the vehicle, by activating a timer if the motor is stopped or the driver door is opened and closed, and by triggering an alarm if the designated doors or closures are not opened within a predefined time interval after the motor stops or the driver door is opened. The alarm can be deactivated from the driver seat or by a remote device. The system and method are similarly useful for alerting a driver to retrieve objects from storage locations within a vehicle.

Claims

1. A driver-interactive child-alert warning system for a motor vehicle having a driver door and at least one passenger door, the system comprising:

an on-board digital processor having a user interface proximal to the driver;

a timer;

an alarm;

a driver door sensor proximal to the driver door; and

at least one passenger door sensor proximal to the at least one passenger door;

wherein the user interface is adapted to receive information input by a driver to confirm the placement of a child passenger in a seat associated with the at least one passenger door; and

wherein, any subsequent opening of the driver door starts the timer and, after a predetermined interval, activates the alarm unless the at least one passenger door is also opened within the predetermined interval.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor associated with a closure providing access to at least one storage area of the motor vehicle,

wherein the user interface is adapted to receive information input by a driver to confirm the placement of an object in the storage area;

and

wherein any subsequent opening of the driver door starts the timer and, after a predetermined interval, activates the alarm unless the closure providing access to the at least one storage area of the motor vehicle is opened within the predetermined interval.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the storage area is a trunk or glove box.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the alarm can be deactivated before the driver exits the motor vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a device that can be used by the driver to deactivate the alarm remotely after exiting the motor vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the digital processor does not allow the alarm to be activated until the motor vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance from a first location where the system is activated.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the alarm is not activated until a sensor associated with the at least one passenger door sensor detects that the at least one passenger door passenger door has traveled a predetermined activation distance.

8. The system of claim 1 comprising sensors associated with at least two passenger doors.

9. The driver-interactive child-alert warning system of claim 1 wherein the alarm is configured to generate an audible alert, a visual alert, or both an audible and visual alert whenever an engine in the vehicle in which the system is installed is turned off following operation.

10. The driver-interactive child-alert warning system of claim 9 wherein the user interface comprises an electronic control unit through which the driver can provide input into the system regarding the timing and duration of the alerts generated by the alarm.

11. A driver-interactive retrieval alert system for a motor vehicle having at least one closed storage area and a closure providing access to the at least one closed storage area, the system comprising:

an on-board digital processor with a user interface;

a timer;

an alarm;

a driver door sensor proximal to the driver door; and

at least one closure sensor proximal to the at least one closed storage area;

wherein the user interface is adapted to receive information input by a driver to confirm the placement of an object in the at least one closed storage area; and

wherein, any subsequent opening of the driver door starts the timer and, after a predetermined interval, activates the alarm unless the closure is opened within the predetermined interval.