Apparatus and method to encourage seat belt use

• US 20060108167A1
• Filed: 06/28/2005
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Safe Bed Technologies Company
• Original Assignee: Safe Bed Technologies Company
• Inventors: Finger, Brian
• Application Number:
  US11/168,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20060108167A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/268
• 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: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4883 Interlock systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4891 preventing use of the vehicle when the seatbelt is not fastened
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

An apparatus and method for encouraging seat belt use in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a control unit coupled to at least one seat unit and an entertainment unit. If sensors within one of the seat units detect that a seat is occupied and the user in the seat is not wearing a seat belt, the control unit may reduce the functionality of the entertainment unit. The entertainment unit may contain a CD player, radio, or any electronic device unnecessary for operation of the vehicle. The vehicle may not start if a seat unit is occupied and the user in the seat is not wearing a seat belt. In some embodiments of the invention, a temperature control unit may control the temperature within the vehicle if a user is not wearing a seat belt. A child seat unit is described to function with the seat belt encouragement system.

Claims

1. A method for encouraging use of a restraint device in a vehicle, comprising:

detecting if a restraint device in a seat unit is attached to a receiving device; and

allowing a comfort unit to function normally if the restraint device of the seat unit is attached to the receiving device of the seat unit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the seat unit is a child seat unit.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising allowing the comfort unit to function normally if the vehicle is in an accessory mode.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising:

detecting if the seat unit occupied; and

allowing the comfort unit to function normally if the seat unit occupied.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising allowing the vehicle to start if the seat unit is occupied and the restraint device of the seat unit is attached to the receiving device of the seat unit.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the vehicle is capable of starting if a drivers seat unit is not occupied.

7. The method of claim 5, comprising allowing the vehicle to start if the hood of the vehicle is raised.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the comfort unit is a temperature control unit capable of adjusting the temperature inside the vehicle or an entertainment unit.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein adjusting the temperature inside the vehicle further comprises adjusting the temperature inside the vehicle to a level uncomfortable for a human being if the seat unit is occupied and the restraint device of the seat unit is not attached to the receiving device.

10. The method of claim 8, comprising limiting the functionality of the entertainment unit if the seat unit is occupied and the restraint device of the seat unit is not attached to the receiving device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein limiting the functionality of the entertainment unit further comprises muting the entertainment unit.

12. An apparatus for encouraging use of a restraint device in a vehicle, comprising:

at least one seat unit;

a control unit coupled to the at least one seat unit; and

a comfort unit coupled to the control unit, wherein said control unit is capable of controlling the functionality of said comfort unit.

13. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the comfort unit is an entertainment unit or a temperature control unit capable of adjusting a temperature inside the vehicle.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein controlling the functionality of said entertainment unit further comprises muting the entertainment unit.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the entertainment unit is selected from the group consisting of a stereo, a radio, a tape player, a CD player, an MP3 player, an MP3 CD player, a DVD player, a display monitor, multiple display monitors, a speaker, multiple speakers, a navigation system, a computer, and a video game device.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one seat unit is a child seat unit.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the child seat unit further comprises:

a child sitting device;

a receiving device attached to the child sitting device;

a child restraint device attached to the child sitting device, said child restraint device capable of attaching to the receiving device;

a restraint sensor attached to the child restraint device, wherein the restraint sensor is capable of detecting if the child restraint device is detached from the receiving device;

a child seat sensor attached to the child sitting device, wherein the child seat sensor is capable of detecting if the child sitting device is occupied; and

a system interface device coupled to the child seat sensor and the restraint device sensor, wherein the system interface device is capable of communicating with the control unit.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the system interface device informs the control unit if the child sitting device is occupied and the child restraint device is detached from the receiving device.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the seat unit comprises:

a device for sitting attached to the vehicle;

a receiving device attached to the vehicle;

a restraint device attached to the vehicle, wherein the restraint device is capable of attaching to the receiving device; and

a restraint sensor attached to the restraint device and coupled to the control unit, wherein the restraint sensor is capable of indicating to the control unit if the restraint device is detached from the receiving device.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the device for sitting is selected from the group consisting of a seat, a captain'"'"'s chair, a bucket seat, and a bench seat.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the restraint device is a seat belt and the receiving device is a seat belt buckle.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the seat unit further comprises:

a seat sensor attached to the device for sitting, wherein said seat sensor is coupled to the control unit; and

wherein the seat sensor is capable of indicating to the control unit if the device for sitting is occupied.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, comprising:

a battery including a terminal, wherein the terminal is coupled to the seat sensor;

a pushbutton switch in the seat sensor that is normally in an open state if the device for sitting is not occupied; and

a tension switch in the restraint sensor that is normally in a closed state if the restraint device is detached from the receiving device.

24. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising:

a hood device attached to the vehicle;

a hood status unit coupled to the control unit, wherein the hood status unit is capable of indicating to the control unit if the hood device is raised;

a starter unit coupled to the control unit, wherein the starter unit is capable of allowing the vehicle to start;

a key status sensor coupled to the control unit, wherein the key status sensor is capable of indicating to the control unit if a key is used for vehicle ignition;

an entertainment unit coupled to the control unit, wherein the control unit is capable of operating the entertainment unit; and

a battery coupled to the control unit, wherein the battery further comprises a positive terminal coupled to the control unit and a negative terminal coupled to the control unit.

25. An apparatus of claim 24, wherein the control unit further comprises:

a first relay unit coupled to the negative terminal of the battery, entertainment unit, positive terminal of the battery, starter unit, hood status unit, and the at least one seat unit; and

a second relay unit coupled to the first relay unit, wherein the second relay unit couples to the at least one seat unit, the key status sensor, and the negative terminal of the battery.

26. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the control unit couples to the comfort unit and the at least one seat unit through a databus connection.