System and method of use for vehicular occupant safety

• US 9,998,899 B1
• Filed: 01/30/2017
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eve Ventures LLC
• Original Assignee: Adam B. Tannenbaum
• Inventors: Tannenbaum, Adam Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Dean, Jr., Joseph
• Application Number:
  US15/418,948
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0272 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect exact location of child or item using triangulation other than GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/38 using flashing light
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72421 with automatic activation of emergency service functions, e.g. upon sensing an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

The invention is a system and use method for providing safety to living occupants inside a closed, locked vehicle, such as a child or a pet left inside, or a driver who has become incapacitated after parking but while still inside the closed, locked vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of use wherein a lifeform is left in a vehicle once a driver exits, setting off a series of responses of increased intensity, based on sequential time interval qualifications, comprising:

detecting a door event;

sensing the presence and position of living occupants anywhere inside the vehicle based on body temperature, wherein living occupants includes humans and pets;

returning to said door event detecting, if no living occupants sensed;

returning to said door event detecting, if living occupant is sensed in driver position;

starting a timer if living occupant is sensed anywhere inside the vehicle but not in driver position;

monitoring elapsed time against a first preset elapsed-time limit;

pulsing of vehicle horn when elapsed time exceeds said preset first elapsed time limit;

flashing of vehicle hazard lights when said elapsed time exceeds said preset first elapsed time limit;

continuing said horn pulsing and light flashing while monitoring for said door event;

reverting to standby if said door event is detected and said living occupant is detected in driver position;

reverting to standby if said door event is detected and said living occupant is no longer detected.

2. A method of use as in claim 1 further comprising:

starting a said timer concurrently with said pulsing of said vehicle horn and said flashing of said hazard lights;

monitoring said elapsed time against a second said preset time limit;

ceasing said horn pulsing while continuing said light flashing if said second said second preset time limit is exceeded.

3. A method of use as in claim 2 further comprising:

calling a first preset telephone number and, if answered, conveying emergency message, said vehicle description and said real-time GPS location data for said system;

calling a said first preset telephone number and, if not answered or the line is engaged, hanging up and calling the next number on a list of preset telephone numbers;

calling an emergency telephone number and, when answered, conveying said emergency message, said vehicle description and said real-time GPS location data for said system;

accessing the Internet using cellular connectivity and invoking a mobile-device application;

conveying said emergency message inviting a control option response;

receiving via said Internet any said control option response selected by a first said mobile-device application user.

4. A method of use as in claim 3 further comprising:

responding to said control option response.

5. A method of use as in claim 4 further comprising:

monitoring temperature and carbon monoxide levels;

opening said vehicle windows and operating said vehicle air-temperature-control accessories if unsafe said temperature or said carbon monoxide levels are detected;

continuing to monitor said temperature and said carbon monoxide levels;

closing said vehicle windows and operating said vehicle air-temperature-control accessories if unsafe said temperature or said carbon monoxide levels are detected;

monitoring for said door event;

reverting system to standby if said door event is detected and no living occupant is detected inside.