Methods, systems, and products for detection of environmental conditions

• US 9,556,812 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2014
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ozkan, Mehmet
• Primary Examiner(s): DALLO, JOSEPH J
• Application Number:
  US14/466,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20160053699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 701/112, 701/102, 701/22, 602/74, 602/72, 123/179.4, 123/332, 340/5.71, 340/5.2, 340/5.23
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/72 responsive to emergency conditions, e.g. fire
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/42 against smoke or gas
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/70 said parameters being related to the vehicle exterior
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 for stopping the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0837 Environmental conditions thereof, e.g. traffic, weather or road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/123 Information about vehicle position, e.g. from navigation systems or GPS signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/004 CO or CO2
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0063 using a threshold to release an alarm or displaying means
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

Methods, systems, and products monitor the environmental conditions in an enclosed environment, such as a garage or storage shed. If a dangerous environmental condition is determined, such as elevated carbon monoxide, an entry door may be opened. If further remedial measures are required, ignition of an internal combustion engine may be prohibited.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a receiver in a vehicle, a signal transmitted from an environmental sensor, the signal indicating an environmental condition sensed by the environmental sensor, and the signal indicating a closed position associated with a door to a garage;

determining, by a processor in the vehicle, a signal strength of the signal transmitted by the environmental sensor;

determining, by the processor based on the signal strength, that the vehicle is located inside the garage; and

generating, by the processor, a command to open the door to the garage.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising comparing the signal strength to a threshold value.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising generating another command to cease operation of an engine in the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising inferring the vehicle is located inside the garage in response to determining the signal strength exceeds the threshold value.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising inferring the vehicle is located outside the garage in response to determining the signal strength is less than or equal to the threshold value.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving a notification address.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising sending a notification to the notification address to alert of the environmental condition.

8. A vehicle, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device, the memory device storing instructions, the instructions when executed causing the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising;

receiving, at a receiver in the vehicle, a signal transmitted from an environmental sensor, the signal indicating an environmental condition sensed by the environmental sensor, and the signal indicating a closed position associated with a door to a garage;

determining a signal strength of the signal transmitted by the environmental sensor;

determining that the vehicle is located inside the garage based on the signal strength; and

generating a command to open the door to the garage in response to the environmental condition and the signal strength.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise comparing the signal strength to a threshold value.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise generating another command to cease operation of an engine in the vehicle.

11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise inferring the vehicle is located inside the garage in response to determining the signal strength exceeds the threshold value.

12. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise inferring the vehicle is located outside the garage in response to determining the signal strength is less than or equal to the threshold value.

13. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise retrieving a notification address.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise sending a notification to the notification address to alert of the environmental condition.

15. A memory device storing instructions that when executed causes a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

receiving a signal by a receiver in a vehicle, the signal transmitted from an environmental sensor, the signal indicating a carbon monoxide level determined in a garage and a position of a door to the garage;

determining a signal strength of the signal received by the receiver;

determining, based on the signal strength, that the vehicle is located inside the garage;

querying an electronic database for the carbon monoxide level, the electronic database having electronic associations between different positions associated with the door to the garage and different carbon monoxide levels including the carbon monoxide level indicated by the signal;

retrieving a position of the different positions from the electronic database, the position electronically associated with the carbon monoxide level; and

generating a command to open the door to the position that is electronically associated with the carbon monoxide level.

16. The memory device of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise comparing the signal strength to a threshold value.

17. The memory device of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise generating another command to cease operation of an engine in the vehicle.

18. The memory device of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise inferring the vehicle is located inside the garage in response to determining the signal strength exceeds the threshold value.

19. The memory device of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise maintaining a historical log of the signal strength according to date and time.

20. The memory device of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:

retrieving a notification address; and

sending a notification to the notification address to alert of the carbon monoxide level.