Vehicle child detection and response system
First Claim
1. A child detection system incorporated into a vehicle, comprising:
- a radar sensor mounted within a passenger cabin of said vehicle and configured to detect motion within said passenger cabin;
a monitoring system, wherein said monitoring system outputs a first control signal when a driver of said vehicle exits said passenger cabin, and wherein said monitoring system outputs a second control signal when said driver re-enters said passenger cabin;
an alert system configured to output an alert, said alert utilizing an alert mode selected from a plurality of alert modes; and
a control system coupled to said radar sensor and to said monitoring system and to said alert system, said control system configured to activate said radar sensor when said control system receives said first control signal, said control system configured to monitor said radar sensor for a preset period of time after receipt of said first control signal, said control system configured to activate said alert system when said radar sensor detects motion within said passenger cabin during said preset period of time, said control system configured to select said alert mode for said alert output by said alert system, said control system configured to alternate said alert mode selected for said alert over time from said plurality of alert modes, said control system configured to deactivate said alert system upon receipt of said second control signal; and
a system over-ride switch, said system over-ride switch comprising at least one pressure-based sensor integrated into a driver seat of said vehicle, wherein a cut-off weight corresponding to said at least one pressure-based sensor is settable by a user via a user interface, wherein said system over-ride switch is activated when a pressure applied to said at least one pressure-based sensor corresponds to a first weight greater than said cut-off weight, and wherein said system over-ride switch is not activated when said pressure applied to said at least one pressure-based sensor corresponds to a second weight less than said cut-off weight, and wherein said control system is configured to not activate said radar sensor when said control system receives said first control signal if said system over-ride switch is activated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor system is provided that is incorporated into the passenger cabin of a vehicle and which is configured to detect children and/or pets left unattended and who are therefore at risk of serious injury or death due to heat stroke. The system is designed to transmit a variety of alerts over time after an unattended child or pet is detected, the escalating nature of the alerts intended to insure a rapid response. After the system has operated long enough to insure that no child or pet has been left behind, the sensor system is automatically placed into a standby mode. In standby mode the sensor system may either be turned completely off in order to minimize off-line power consumption or it may be incorporated into an on-board security system.
35 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A child detection system incorporated into a vehicle, comprising:
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a radar sensor mounted within a passenger cabin of said vehicle and configured to detect motion within said passenger cabin; a monitoring system, wherein said monitoring system outputs a first control signal when a driver of said vehicle exits said passenger cabin, and wherein said monitoring system outputs a second control signal when said driver re-enters said passenger cabin; an alert system configured to output an alert, said alert utilizing an alert mode selected from a plurality of alert modes; and a control system coupled to said radar sensor and to said monitoring system and to said alert system, said control system configured to activate said radar sensor when said control system receives said first control signal, said control system configured to monitor said radar sensor for a preset period of time after receipt of said first control signal, said control system configured to activate said alert system when said radar sensor detects motion within said passenger cabin during said preset period of time, said control system configured to select said alert mode for said alert output by said alert system, said control system configured to alternate said alert mode selected for said alert over time from said plurality of alert modes, said control system configured to deactivate said alert system upon receipt of said second control signal; and a system over-ride switch, said system over-ride switch comprising at least one pressure-based sensor integrated into a driver seat of said vehicle, wherein a cut-off weight corresponding to said at least one pressure-based sensor is settable by a user via a user interface, wherein said system over-ride switch is activated when a pressure applied to said at least one pressure-based sensor corresponds to a first weight greater than said cut-off weight, and wherein said system over-ride switch is not activated when said pressure applied to said at least one pressure-based sensor corresponds to a second weight less than said cut-off weight, and wherein said control system is configured to not activate said radar sensor when said control system receives said first control signal if said system over-ride switch is activated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification