METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALERTING A USER TO PRESENCE OF AN ITEM IN A VEHICLE

• US 20140218189A1
• Filed: 02/05/2014
• Published: 08/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: FLEMING, Stephen David, SPAHL, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,374,135 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/457
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0275 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] tag technology used for parent or child unit, e.g. same transmission technology, magnetic tag, RF tag, RFID
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/70 specially adapted for specific purposes

Abstract

Method and apparatus for alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having an active near-field communication device (NFCD) associated therewith, such as a smartphone. A passive NFCD is located adjacent to a storage compartment within a vehicle. When the active NFCD-equipped item is placed in the compartment, communication is established between the active and passive NFCDs. A controller device is communicatively connected to the vehicle to detect a journey completion event and send a wireless message (via Bluetooth, for example) to the item. The message instructs the item to output an alert if the active and passive NFCDs are in communication with one another. Journey completion events may be turning off of a vehicle ignition, opening of a vehicle door, or a vehicle seat becoming unoccupied.

Claims

1. Apparatus for alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having an active near-field communication device (NFCD) associated therewith, the apparatus comprising:

a passive NFCD located adjacent to a storage compartment within the vehicle and establishing communication with the active NFCD when the item is in the storage compartment; and

a controller communicatively connected to the vehicle to detect a journey completion event and send a message to the item, the message instructing the item to output an alert if the active and passive NFCDs are in communication with one another.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is Bluetooth enabled to send the message to the item.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is communicatively connected to a vehicle ignition and the journey completion event comprises the ignition being switched off.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is communicatively connected to a door sensor associated with at least one vehicle door and the journey completion event comprises opening of the at least one vehicle door.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is communicatively connected to a seat sensor associated with at least one vehicle seat and the journey completion event comprises the at least one vehicle seat becoming unoccupied.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second passive NFCD located adjacent to a second storage compartment of the vehicle and establishing communication with the active NFCD when the item is in the second storage compartment, and the message instructs the item to output an alert if the active and second passive NFCDs are in communication with one another.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the storage compartment is located adjacent to a front seating position of the vehicle and the second storage compartment is located adjacent to a rear seating position of the vehicle.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the journey completion event comprises opening of a rear door of the vehicle and the message instructs the item to output the alert if the active NFCD is proximal to the second passive NFCD.

9. Apparatus for alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having an active near-field communication device (NFCD) associated therewith, the apparatus comprising:

a first passive NFCD located adjacent to a first storage compartment within the vehicle and establishing communication with the active NFCD when the item is in the first storage compartment;

a second passive NFCD located adjacent to a second storage compartment within the vehicle and establishing communication with the active NFCD when the item is in the second storage compartment; and

a controller communicatively connected to the vehicle to detect a journey completion event and send a message to the item, the message instructing the item to output an alert if the active NFCD is in communication with either of the first and the second passive NFCDs.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first storage compartment is located adjacent to a front seating position of the vehicle and the second storage compartment is located adjacent to a rear seating position of the vehicle.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is Bluetooth enabled, to send the message to the item.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is communicatively connected to a vehicle ignition and the journey completion event is the ignition being switched off

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is communicatively connected to a door sensor associated with at least one vehicle door and the journey completion event comprises opening of the at least one vehicle door.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is communicatively connected to a seat sensor associated with at least one vehicle seat and the journey completion event comprises the at least one vehicle seat becoming unoccupied.

15. A method of alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having an active near-field communication device (NFCD) associated therewith, comprising:

transmitting a message from a controller communicatively connected with the vehicle when the controller detects a journey completion event;

providing a passive NFCD within the vehicle which establishes communication with the active NFCD when the item is located proximal to the passive NFCD; and

outputting an alert from the item in response to receipt of the message if the active NFCD is in communication with the passive NFCD.

16. The method claim 15, wherein the passive NFCD is provided adjacent to a storage compartment of the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the journey completion event comprises switching off of a vehicle engine.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the journey completion event comprises opening of a vehicle door.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the journey completion event comprises a vehicle seat becoming unoccupied.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

providing a second passive NFCD within the vehicle at a location separate from the passive NFCD which establishes communication with the active NFCD when the item is located proximal to the second passive NFCD; and

outputting an alert from the item in response to receipt of the message if the active NFCD is in communication with the second passive NFCD.