Automatic Child Safety Lock Release

• US 20170370129A1
• Filed: 07/20/2016
• Published: 12/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Ring
• Original Assignee: Mark Ring
• Inventors: Ring, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 10,077,582 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/22 Functions related to actuation of locks from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/26 specially adapted for child safety
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/54 Automatic securing or unlocking of bolts triggered by certain vehicle parameters, e.g. exceeding a speed threshold triggered by vehicle collision E05B77/12
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/58 including time control, e.g. for controlling run-time of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/76 Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/77 comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/71 responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0841 Registering performance data recording measured values G01D; information storage G11B

Abstract

An automated child safety unlocking system which disengages she child safety locks and may unlock the vehicle door in appropriate circumstances such as when the vehicle ignition has been turned to the off position or when engine is stopped. The automated child safety unlocking system enables operability of the interior vehicle doors by an occupant to allow unencumbered egress from the vehicle to prevent a child or other individual from being trapped in the vehicle. The result is reduced risk that children or other vehicle occupants become dangerously entrapped within an overly hot, cold, or dangerous vehicle.

Claims

1. An automated child safety unlocking system comprising:

a control device to optionally inhibit or allow the interior operability of a door latch by an occupant of a motor vehicle;

a vehicle status detection sensor configured to detect the operational status of a vehicle ignition or engine;

wherein said control device is used to allow interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle in response to a signal received from said vehicle status detection sensor.

2. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 1, wherein the system is programmed to allow interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle some delay time after said control device receives a signal from said vehicle status detection sensor.

3. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 1, wherein the system is programmed to inhibit the interior operability of a door latch by an occupant of a motor vehicle in response to a signal received from said vehicle status detection sensor indicating that the vehicle ignition or engine is turned back on.

4. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 1, further comprising:

an alarm providing an audible or visual warning or an audible and visible warning when the system is used to allow the interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle alerting an individual that the child locks have been disabled.

5. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 1, further comprising:

a manually activated temporary consent function for temporarily inhibiting the interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle.

6. An automated child safety unlocking system comprising;

a control device to optionally inhibit or allow the interior operability of a door latch by an occupant of a motor vehicle;

a wireless device detection sensor configured to detect whether a wireless device has moved a predetermined distance from a motor vehicle;

a vehicle status detection sensor configured to detect the operational status of a vehicle ignition or engine;

wherein said control device is used to allow interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle in response to one or more signals received from said wireless device detection sensor and said vehicle status detection sensor.

7. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 6, wherein the wireless device uses near field communications such as radio-frequency identification technology, Bluetooth, or infrared ray communications.

9. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 6, wherein the system is programmed to inhibit the interior operability of a door latch by an occupant of a motor vehicle in response to a signal received from said vehicle status detection sensor indicating that the vehicle ignition or engine is turned back on.

10. The automated child safely unlocking system of claim 6, further comprising:

an alarm providing an audible or visual warning or an audible and visible warning when the system is used to allow the interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle alerting an individual that the child locks have been disabled.

8. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 8, wherein the system is programmed to allow interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle some delay time after said control device receives one or more signals from said vehicle status detection sensor and wireless device detection sensor.

11. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim further comprising:

a manually activated temporary, consent function for temporarily inhibiting the interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle.

12. An automated child safety unlocking system comprising:

a control device to optionally inhibit or allow the interior operability of a door latch by an occupant of a motor vehicle;

a vehicle occupant detection sensor configured to detect whether a living being is in the interior of a vehicle;

a vehicle status detection sensor configured to detect the operational status of a vehicle ignition or engine;

wherein said control device is used to allow interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle in response to one or more signals received from said vehicle occupant detection sensor and said vehicle status detection sensor.

13. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 12, wherein the interior and exterior vehicle door latches become operable in response to one or more signals received from said vehicle occupant detection sensor and said vehicle status detection sensor.

14. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 12, further comprising:

an interior vehicle temperature detection sensor configured to detect the interior temperature of a vehicle;

a window control device to optionally move the vehicle window glass to an opening direction or a closing direction;

wherein said window control device is used to optionally move the vehicle window glass to an opening direction in response to one or more signals received from said vehicle occupant detection sensor said vehicle status detection sensor, and said interior vehicle temperature detection sensor.

15. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 12, wherein the system is programmed to allow interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle some delay time after said control device receives a signal from said one or more said vehicle status detection sensor and vehicle occupant detection sensor.

10-1. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 12, wherein the system is programmed to inhibit the interior operability of a door latch by an occupant of a motor vehicle in response to a signal received from said vehicle status detection sensor indicating that the vehicle ignition or engine is turned back on.

17. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 12, further comprising:

an alarm providing an audible or visual warning or an audible and visible warning when the system is used to allow the interior operability of the door latch by the;

occupant of the motor vehicle alerting an individual that the child locks have been disabled.

18. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 12, further comprising:

a manually activated temporary consent function for temporarily inhibiting the interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle.

19. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 12 wherein the vehicle occupant detection sensor Is a human touch detection sensor that is configured to detect whether a human hand has touched the interior handle of the vehicle.

20. The automated child safety unlocking system of claim 12 wherein the vehicle occupant detection sensor is a motion sensor configured to detect motion in the interior of the vehicle.

21. A method for releasing a motor vehicle'"'"'s child safety lock comprising:

allowing interior operability of a door latch by an occupant of a motor vehicle in response to a signal received from a vehicle status detection sensor indicating that the vehicle engine or the vehicle Ignition has been turned off.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of allowing the interior operability of a door latch by an occupant of a motor vehicle occurs some delay time after said signal is received from said vehicle status detection sensor.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

inhibiting the interior operability of a door latch by an occupant of a motor vehicle in response to a signal received from said vehicle status detection sensor indicating that the vehicle engine or the vehicle ignition has been turned back on.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

alerting an individual that the child locks have been disabled by sounding an audible or visual warning or an audible and visible warning upon allowing the interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising;

providing a manually activated temporary consent function for temporarily inhibiting the interior operability of the door latch by the occupant of the motor vehicle.