Method and apparatus for alerting a user to presence of an item in a vehicle
First Claim
1. Apparatus for alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having a near-field communication (NFC) reader associated therewith, the apparatus comprising:
- a passive NFC tag located adjacent to a storage compartment within the vehicle and establishing communication with the NFC reader 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 NFC reader and the passive NFC tag are in communication with one another.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having a near-field communication (NFC) reader associated therewith, the apparatus comprising:
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a passive NFC tag located adjacent to a storage compartment within the vehicle and establishing communication with the NFC reader 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 NFC reader and the passive NFC tag are in communication with one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having a near-field communication (NFC) reader associated therewith, the apparatus comprising:
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a first passive NFC tag located adjacent to a first storage compartment within the vehicle and establishing communication with the NFC reader when the item is in the first storage compartment; a second passive NFC tag located adjacent to a second storage compartment within the vehicle and establishing communication with the NFC reader 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 NFC reader is in communication with either of the first and the second passive NFC tags. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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transmitting a message from a controller communicatively connected with a vehicle upon occurrence of a journey completion event; establishing communication between a passive near-field communication (NFC) tag within the vehicle and a NFC reader associated with an item when the item is proximal to the passive NFC tag; and outputting an alert from the item in response to the message if the NFC reader is in communication with the passive NFC tag. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification