Occupant detection and temperature forewarn safety system and method

• US 7,348,880 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2005
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hoshide, Brian A., Hules, Frank J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLOUNT, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US11/183,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20070013531A1
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 340/522
• US Class Current: 340/522
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001

Abstract

A system and method are provided for alerting of an occupant endangered by being situated in a variable temperature setting. The system can be utilized within a motor vehicle, and occupants include an infant, a child, a person, and an animal or pet. In an aspect, when a security device receives a signal that an occupant sensor detects the presence of an occupant and a temperature sensor detects a predetermined temperature, both within a predetermined time period, then a security response is initiated. A security response can include triggering an audible alarm, flashing a light, lowering a window, unlocking a door, notifying an owner of the security device, and transmitting an emergency signal to an emergency system including telephone 911 and an emergency response company. The occupant sensor and the temperature sensor may be affixed to a key fob such that an antenna transmits to the security device.

Claims

1. An occupant detection and temperature forewarn safety system, comprising:

a portable control module affixable to an infant seat, a child seat, a handicapped person'"'"'s seat, a pet collar, a human or an animal, the portable control module including a key fob adaptable to operate with a host security device, an occupant sensor, a temperature sensor, a manual disarming feature, and a radio transmitter for wirelessly communicating occupant status, temperature and arming status to a host security device; and

a host security device including a radio receiver for wirelessly receiving occupant status, temperature, and arming status communications from the portable control module, and logic circuitry for generating a security response when an occupant is detected, a predetermined temperature is detected, and the manual disarming feature has not been activated.

2. The detection system as in claim 1, wherein the security response includes at least one of triggering an audible alarm, flashing a light, lowering a window, unlocking a door, notifying an owner of the security device, and transmitting an emergency signal to an emergency system including at least one of telephone 911, and an emergency response company.

3. The detection system as in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is one of a pressure sensor, a motion detector, a CO₂ sensor, and a microwave-based sensor, and wherein the second sensor is one of a thermocouple, thermistor, resistance-temperature detector, and IC-temperature sensor.

4. The detection system as in claim 1, further comprising

a low battery alert for notification that at least one of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the key fob will malfunction within a predetermined time, and

a system test for verifying that the first sensor, the second sensor, the key fob, and the security device are functioning.

5. The detection system as in claim 1, wherein the portable control module is employed within a motor vehicle, and the system further comprises a time delay for allowing a predetermined time for entering the motor vehicle, occupying the motor vehicle, and at least one of disarming the security device and adjusting the motor vehicle cabin temperature, wherein the second sensor detects the predetermined temperature and the first sensor detects the presence of the occupant when the motor vehicle is entered.

6. The detection system as in claim 1, wherein the portable control module is employed within a motor vehicle, and the system further comprises an intruder alert function for alerting that the motor vehicle was entered without authorization.