U.S. patent application number 16/393311 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-15 for vehicular safety device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Igor Friedman. Invention is credited to Igor Friedman.
Application Number | 20190251820 16/393311 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58558729 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-15 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190251820 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedman; Igor |
August 15, 2019 |
Vehicular Safety Device
Abstract
A device which detects a child presence in a car seat and
communicates an audible and mobile-device reminder to the driver
that a child occupant is in the seat is disclosed. The system
utilizes internal sensors to monitor various vehicle occupancy
conditions to determine when a triggering event has occurred while
the car seat occupancy sensor is engaged. Once triggered, the
system will immediately notify the driver that the child remains in
the car seat inside the vehicle, and will also sent follow-up
alerts.
Inventors: |
Friedman; Igor; (Tampa,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Friedman; Igor |
Tampa |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58558729 |
Appl. No.: |
16/393311 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15332506 |
Oct 24, 2016 |
10297130 |
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16393311 |
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62246071 |
Oct 25, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/002 20130101;
G08B 21/22 20130101; G08B 21/24 20130101; G08B 21/0269 20130101;
G08B 21/0283 20130101; B60N 2/26 20130101; B60N 2/28 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G08B 21/02 20060101
G08B021/02; B60N 2/28 20060101 B60N002/28; B60N 2/00 20060101
B60N002/00; B60N 2/26 20060101 B60N002/26 |
Claims
1. A system for indicating child presence within a vehicle,
comprising: a control device; an occupancy sensor, for detecting
whether a child is occupying a car seat within the vehicle, wherein
the occupancy sensor is in communication with the control device;
and an optical sensor in communication with the control device to
determine whether a driver side door is open or closed; wherein
when the driver side door is open and the occupancy sensor detects
a presence of a child, the control device sends a first audible
warning alert and, after a predetermined time period, additional
warning alerts are sent to a mobile device; and wherein the first
audible warning alert from the control device stops sounding once
the driver's door is closed, and the alert to the mobile device
continues until the child is removed from the car seat.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the occupancy sensor is
manufactured directly within the child seat.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a Doppler-based
microwave motion sensor for detecting movement inside the vehicle
made by a child, pet, or other occupant.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of facial
recognition sensors, wherein the facial recognition sensors
recognize numerous occupants.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device further
comprise an output device further comprising a means of sending the
first audible warning, wherein the output device further comprises
an alert sent through a digital audio circuit, wherein the digital
audio circuit is connected to an audio amplifier through a speaker
within the control device.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device further
comprises: a mobile computing device.
7. A child presence detection and alert system integrated into a
vehicle, comprising: a control device comprising a microcontroller
and updatable firmware; an occupancy sensor for detecting whether a
child is occupying a car seat within the vehicle, wherein the
occupancy sensor is in communication with the control device; and
an optical sensor in communication with the control device, wherein
the optical sensor determines whether a driver's door is open or
closed, wherein the control device sends a first audible warning
alert when the driver's side door is open and the child sensor
pressure pad detects the presence of a child, and, wherein the
control device sends additional audible warning alerts after a
specified period of time to a proprietary app within a mobile
device wherein the control device and occupancy sensor communicate
and interface with an automotive Controller Area Network (CAN) bus
standard as an electronic control unit (ECU) through a standard
node or gateway noted to connect as an independent subsystem;
wherein the child presence detection and alert system integrates
into the vehicle as standalone firmware code for an existing
electronic control unit (ECU) already built into the vehicle to
utilize the vehicle's various existing sensor and alert devices;
and wherein the first audible warning alert from the control device
stops sounding once the driver's door is closed, and the alert to
the mobile device continues until the child is removed from the car
seat.
8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a vehicle horn and
alarm system.
9. The system of claim 7 further comprising a vehicle's lights.
10. The system of claim 7, further comprising vehicle's existing
wireless communication networks.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a proprietary app
facilitating two way wireless communication between the mobile
device and the controller device for receiving trigger alert
messages for the child sensor device and to allow for
configurability of the system from the app itself.
12. The system of claim 11, further comprising: an option within a
GUI located inside the proprietary app which allows selection of
pausing an alert for a pre-determined period of time.
13. The system of claim 11, further comprising: the proprietary app
having a plurality of configuration option GUIs comprising an
option to take a photo of a child and make it a profile photo, an
option to enter the child's name, an option to enter a secondary
emergency contact for text alerts, and an option to enter an
emergency service contact in case the secondary contact does not
answer.
14. The system of claim 11, further comprising: an option within a
GUI located inside the proprietary app allowing a driver to poll
the microwave motion sensor inside the vehicle to see if there is a
possible intruder concealed therein.
15. The system of claim 11, further comprising: an option within a
GUI located inside the proprietary app to provide a visual alert
regarding the current state of battery levels of both the control
device and the occupancy sensor.
16. The system of claim 11, further comprising: the proprietary app
having an in-app device locator beacon utilizing a GPS location
feature within the mobile device hardware; wherein when a child
alert is triggered, the device locator beacon is configured to
alert a secondary care provider or emergency services provider with
GPS coordinates of the vehicle location; further wherein the GPS
coordinate information can be sent through a text message or
directly through app to app push notifications.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation Application and claims
priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/332,506 filed on
Oct. 24, 2016, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/246,071, filed Oct. 25, 2015, the entire
contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The subject invention relates to a vehicle child presence
and reminder system based on internal sensors and data processing
to determine triggering events.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Although child car seats are becoming safer every year,
another problem still exists that threatens the lives of children
in vehicles. When faced with common daily distractions or when
performing everyday routines, parents sometimes make unsafe
decisions that can impact a child's safety. Upon arriving at a
destination, a pre-occupied parent can forget a child who may be
quietly sleeping out of sight in the backseat of a vehicle.
Hyperthermia or heat related deaths are the third most frequent
cause of non-traffic automotive child deaths.
[0004] Consequently, a mechanism for reminding individuals of the
presence of a child occupant in a vehicle is desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The features, advantages and details appear, by way of
example, in the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments.
[0006] FIG. 1 shows an overview of an embodiment;
[0007] FIGS. 2 and 3 show details of the elements of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 4 shows additional embodiments;
[0009] FIGS. 5-7 show GUIs displayed on a mobile device; and
[0010] FIG. 8 shows an example code-flow code-module diagram of
activity within the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] The embodiments herein comprise a system of three main
parts, along with an installation procedure. FIG. 1 shows a system
100 comprising a child sensor 104, located underneath a child
situated within a conventional car seat, a control device 108, and
an optical sensor 112. The child sensor 104 communicates wirelessly
with the control device 108 located under the driver's seat. The
optical sensor 112 detects the driver's door opening and closing,
is located on the side of the driver's seat. To prevent false
alarms and reduce user-annoyance, a driver's seat pressure pad,
face recognition sensor or other mechanism for detecting driver
presence within the vehicle may also be implemented.
[0012] These three parts are installed by anyone who can understand
how Velcro.TM. works. Mainly, a user will located the control
device 108 for example under the driver's seat and turn it on. The
user will also located the child sensor 104 within the existing
child seat. The user will also attach the optical sensor 112 at the
left hand side of the drivers seat, using e.g. Velcro.TM..
[0013] Within the embodiments disclosed herein, it is not necessary
to purchase a specially-modified car seat. The embodiments proposed
here are not limited to any one type of child seat design, but can
be implemented to any car seat, including an infant carrier, a
convertible toddler seat, a standard child car seat, or even a
booster seat. However, an embodiment exists where the child sensor
104 is pre-packaged within a child seat.
[0014] The optical sensor 112 is connected to the control device
108. Once the driver-door is opened, if a child is still in the
seat, the controller device sends a first audible alert as well as
an alert to a proprietary mobile app (e.g. FIGS. 5-7) located
within a user's mobile device 116 such as Android or iPhone (among
other platforms). However, other notification mechanisms can also
be employed, so that the system 100 can work effectively even for
users who do not have any mobile device 116.
[0015] A user may ignore the first alert for several reasons, one
being that they have not completely exited the vehicle, for example
when the driver's door happens to be open. The driver may have
temporarily stepped out of the vehicle just to pump gas, to load up
the trunk, etc. However, a second visual and audible alert
notification is sent to the mobile device 116, as well as the
initial alert played through an audio speaker within the control
device 108.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows additional components of the control device 108
as well as the optical sensor 112, which is actually part of the
control device 108 but is drawn separately in FIG. 1 because these
two are located at differing places within the vehicle. From FIG. 2
it is apparent that the control device 108 further comprises a
rechargeable battery 204, a microcontroller 212 interacting with
updateable firmware 214, a battery charging circuit 216 and battery
monitor 217, a voltage step-up power supply circuit 220, an audio
sound module 224, a speaker 228, an audio amplifier 232, and a
wireless RF module 236. Additionally, the optical sensor 112
comprises an optical proximity detector 208, and a multi-color LED
248.
[0017] The speaker 228 can broadcast an audible tone or
voice-alert. The wireless module 236 may or may not use the
Bluetooth.RTM. protocol. An optional blinking light is also
contemplated for the system 100.
[0018] The optical proximity detector 208 detects whether the car
door (drivers side only) is opened or closed. The system 100
further comprises a battery-alert monitor, and employs encryption
to ensure that each copy of the system 100 sold does not
accidentally trigger any other copies of the system 100, other than
the intended one.
[0019] The system 100 employs logic executable by the control
device 108, which among other things monitors child occupancy via,
for example, the child sensor pressure pad 104. More information
about this can be found in FIG. 8 and the descriptions thereof
[0020] FIG. 3 shows additional detail about the child sensor
pressure pad 104, including a voltage step-up power supply circuit
304, transmitter 308, processor 312, and battery monitor integrated
circuit 316.
[0021] The child sensor 104 can be a pressure pad, although other
implementations can also be used. The control device 108
continuously collects data from the child sensor 104 relating to
child-occupancy, and the optical sensor 112 relating to the state
of the driver side door. The collected data is constantly acted
upon by a code driven algorithm contained within firmware 214
working with the microcontroller 212 that determines whether a
triggering event has occurred. In response to determining a
triggering event, the code driven algorithm (firmware 214) includes
an alert generating function that triggers an alert component, such
as the built-in loud speaker or a mobile phone app via Bluetooth
communication, or other mechanisms as discussed below.
[0022] Details of Firmware 214
[0023] More information about the code-driven algorithms within the
firmware 214 can be found in FIG. 8.
[0024] Sequence of Events within Microcontroller 212
[0025] The microcontroller 212 constantly polls the internal RF
receiver and waits for data to be received from the child sensor
pad 104 device. The initial transmitted RF data string from the
child sensor device is a handshake signal. This initial string
instructs the microcontroller 212 to sound an audible alert and
blink a visual LED on the optical sensor 112 to notify the
caretaker that the two devices are synced up properly. The firmware
214 then initiates a delay loop for a specified number of seconds
to allow the caretaker to get into the vehicle so that the door
trigger alert does not initiate the first time the door is
opened.
[0026] The firmware 214 continuously polls the child seat sensor RF
signal to check whether the child occupant is still in the car
seat. The firmware 214 then continuously polls the optical sensor
112 to determine whether the driver side door is opened or closed.
It also polls the battery charge state of the main device to
determine whether the rechargeable battery is below a certain
charge state. If the battery falls below the set limit, the
firmware 214 instructs the red LED inside the optical sensor 112 to
blink several times.
[0027] Once the optical sensor 112 reports that the driver's door
has opened, the firmware 214 instructs the microcontroller 212 to
send a trigger signal to the digital voice chip to verbally alert
the caregiver that there's a child present in the car seat. It also
sends an encoded Bluetooth message to a smart phone app to initiate
a delay timer in the app to alert the caregiver after a preset time
period from the initial trigger event, if the child still remains
in the car seat. It also instructs the visual green LED in the
optical sensor 112 to light up for several seconds for a visual
alert.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 8, the cycle then repeats indefinitely
until the child is removed from the car seat, which then
deactivates the child sensor 104. The verbal audio alert from the
control device 108 will stop sounding once the driver's door is
closed, even if the child remains in the car seat. The alert to the
mobile device 116 will however continue to indefinitely alert the
driver or caregiver until the child is removed from the car
seat.
[0029] Sequence of Events within Firmware 214
[0030] The firmware 214 initiates a sequence of events after the
child sensor 104 is activated e.g. when a child is placed in the
car seat. The firmware 214 blinks the built-in multicolor LED 248
to be green several times to indicate that device is working
properly. The firmware 214 then continuously polls the battery
charge state of the various batteries within the system 100 to
trigger an alert event when the battery falls below a certain
preset level. If the level is below the set limit, the red LED is
blinked several times and the battery status is also transmitted to
the control device 108 to notify the mobile device 116 through the
proprietary app, and thus to alert the caregiver that the battery
is running low and needs to be recharged soon. The firmware 214
then sends an encoded serial data string through the RF transmitter
to the control device 108 to notify the microcontroller 212 that a
child is still in the child seat.
[0031] The vehicle employing the system 100 may be any type of
vehicle that can accommodate child seats and has a driver-side
door. The system 100 may also send alerts from the vehicle's
communication system, through digital satellite and/or cellular
data, or other communication networking systems, e.g., to a
wireless service provider, like a subscription-based service, such
as OnStar.RTM.. In addition, communication components also include
localized wireless communications, e.g., signal protocols such as
RF telemetry data and Bluetooth.RTM. communications. The system 100
may thus be implemented without costly system or network
infrastructure components. In all embodiments, no hard wiring to
the vehicle's electrical system is required, although embodiments
exist in which some connections may be made to the vehicle's
diagnostic port.
[0032] The proximity detector 208 (within the optical sensor 112)
tracks the opening and closing status of a door in the vehicle, and
communicates this information to control device 108. This logic can
be utilized to detect the event of a driver about to leave the
vehicle. Other sensors within the system 100 may be employed. For
example, a driver seat pressure sensor (not shown) can be used for
preventing unnecessary alerts such as when the driver is clearly
still within the vehicle. Also, a temperature sensor 246 (FIG. 2)
can be used to collect cabin temperature data which will be
communicated to the control device 108 and used by the logic to
determine when to generate a critical temperature alert (see FIG.
5). Further, facial recognition detectors can be located in the
dash and within the back-end of the front seat; first to make sure
that the correct person and not an intruder is driving in the car,
and second (potentially) to verify the identity of the child
located within the child seat.
[0033] As stated, the system 100 includes one or more alert
components for outputting an alert. The primary alert component is
the digital audio sound module 224, which is a programmable audio
device that's used to record a human voice or a digitally
synthesized voice. Upon a triggering event, as determined by the
control device 108, a trigger signal is then sent to the digital
audio sound module 224 to activate the audio voice alert and
enunciate it through the speaker 228.
[0034] The control device 108 monitors the occupancy sensor 104,
which is installed or disposed in a child car seat as shown in FIG.
1, but also can be located within a seatbelt restraint system in a
vehicle, for example, such as in a belt-clip type sensor. The child
occupancy sensor 104 transmits a signal to the control device 108
when it becomes engaged or activated, as well as when it is
disengaged, or deactivated.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows a variety of accessory add-on devices can be
added to the control device 108 to potentially detect older kids in
the vehicle that normally would not be seated on e.g. a pressure
pad, as well as pets. One such device is a Doppler module 412 (see
FIG. 4), a device which communicates any motion sensed inside the
vehicle to a microcontroller in the control device 108. The
firmware 214 can continuously poll a built-in gyro/accelerometer
circuit 206, to determine whether the vehicle has stopped moving
for a certain period of time. If stopped, then the Doppler device
412 gets polled for motion detection inside the vehicle's rear
cabin to determine if a child or pet is still located inside the
vehicle. When motion is detected, the firmware 214 sends an alert
event to trigger the voice or tone generator circuit to sound an
alert through a resonance speaker device 404, which will alert any
bystanders or parents outside the vehicle that the child or pet is
inside the vehicle. An alert is also sent to an app within the
mobile device 116 to notify a nearby parent or caregiver.
[0036] Also as shown in FIG. 4, an optional accessory in the form
of a sonar sensor 404 can also be added to alert the driver of a
possible back-over of a bystander. This sonar backup obstacle
sensor 404 communicates wirelessly with the controller device when
the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. The power is activated to
the sonar backup obstacle detector via, for example, the backup
bulb circuit of a vehicle to which the sonar module is wired to.
The firmware 214 continuously polls the signal from the wireless
sonar module to determine if the sonar sensor 404 has turned on and
whether it has detected an obstacle behind the vehicle. If an
obstacle is detected, the microcontroller 212 triggers an alert and
generates a series of tones or a vocal alert through the speaker in
the control device 108 to notify the driver that an obstacle has
been detected.
[0037] Turning now to packaging and manufacturing processes, the
various enclosures for the elements of the system 100 can be
manufactured out of various materials, including extruded aluminum,
ABS plastic, thermoplastic made out of polycarbonate (PC) or
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, high impact-resistant polystyrene,
injected silicone, or other materials. ABS plastic enclosures can
be molded with top and bottom sections that fit together snugly,
eliminating the need for screws. If needed, the top and bottom can
be glued together for permanent closure. The color and texture of
the plastic enclosures can be infused during the plastic injection
molding process.
[0038] The rechargeable batteries utilized in the system 100 can be
rechargeable, including Lithium Ion, Lithium polymer, nickel metal
hydride, or other types.
[0039] The manufacturing method utilized in the production of the
integrated circuit boards for the main controller and the child
sensor devices can be any of various Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
manufacturing processes, including but not limited to Computer
Aided Manufacturing (CAM) for large scale fabrication line
production.
[0040] Alternate Embodiments
[0041] In one alternative embodiment of the system 100, the
complete functionality of the child sensor 104, including the
microcontroller 212, various sensors, and batteries may be fully
incorporated directly into a child car seat.
[0042] In another alternative embodiment of the system 100, the
alert signal sent from the control device 108 can trigger one of
several of the vehicle's existing devices, such as a horn, vehicle
lights, or vehicle alarm system. This can be accomplished through a
wireless device connected to the vehicle's diagnostic port and
linked to the main controller device's Bluetooth transceiver. The
main control device 108 can optionally be wired directly into a
vehicle's Controller Area Network (CAN) bus network also. This
could be used to alert any bystanders to the presence of a child
left inside the vehicle. The CAN bus is a vehicle bus standard
designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with
each other in applications without a host computer. It is a
message-based protocol, designed originally for multiplex
electrical wiring within automobiles, but is also used in many
other contexts.
[0043] The system 100 may be configured to monitor or perform
self-diagnostic functions for diagnosing various conditions of the
system 100, such as determining when the battery power inside the
system 100 is running low. The alerts can be communicated to the
driver through various LED lights (e.g. multi-color LED 248) on the
system 100 and also to the proprietary app within the mobile device
116. The system 100 thus acquires and processes driver detection
and child presence without costly system or wiring infrastructure
components.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the sonar sensor 404 based on sonar ping
technology can be used to detect obstacles (such as individuals or
pets) in the rear area of the vehicle. The sonar sensor 404
utilizes an ultrasonic transmitter transducer and an ultrasonic
receiver. The sonar sensor 404 is integrated into the system 100
via a wireless RF link that transmits the telemetry data from the
ultrasonic transducers to the control device 108, where the data is
acted upon by the microcontroller 212 and processed by the firmware
214 to detect the distance to an object and determine whether to
trigger an alert. The alert can be in the form of a voice alert,
but also digital frequency tones. A visual alert can also be
deployed. This can alert the driver to avoid any run over related
injuries or fatalities. The sonar sensor 404 could for example
attach to the rear vehicle bumper, either on top or below the
bumper, and could be powered, for example, through the rear back-up
light supply circuit and can be wired directly into the rear
back-up lamp socket.
[0045] Connecting the sonar sensor 404 to a vehicle and to the
system 100 could be achieved for example by professional
installation, potentially using a pre-installed wiring harness
connector (not shown), since the rear backup light cable is
attached via a standard socket used within most vehicles. This
connector would come with a Y type of cable (not shown), so a
technician would not even need to cut any wires to install it.
[0046] Instead, such a technician would just need to open the lamp
fixture assembly and connect the Y-type of cable to it, then
connect the other end of the cable back to the main harness. It
would still stay waterproof and no wires would be coming out from
the lamp assembly. All connections would be made below the
bumper.
[0047] Additionally, another audio device has also been developed
to alert bystanders outside the vehicle. This is done by utilizing
a full-range resonance speaker 408 (also shown in FIG. 4). The
device works on the principle of tactile bass vibrations that
resonate with the object they are attached to. The resonance
speaker 408 attaches to any window surface of the vehicle using
rubber suction cups or other attachment mechanism and creates a
glass resonance speaker by resonating with the pane of glass to act
as an audio transducer.
[0048] The resonance speaker 408 works with any window or mirror
glass surface to allow sound waves to be passed through directly to
the exterior of the vehicle. The volume of the audio alert can be
increased by adjusting the power output of the amplifier that feeds
the resonance speaker 408. Further, the resonance speaker 408
integrates into the control device 108 via a direct cable wire or
through a wireless Bluetooth audio signal stream.
[0049] A variety of mechanisms can be used for the optical
proximity detector 208. In an embodiment, the optical proximity
detector 208 is an optical chip 208c (see FIG. 2) which combines
proximity ranging and ambient light level measurement capabilities
into a single package. Unlike simpler optical sensors that use the
intensity of reflected light to detect objects, the optical chip
208c precisely measures duration of time for emitted pulses of
infrared laser light to reach the nearest object and be reflected
back to a detector, making it essentially an optical range sensor.
This time-of-flight (TOF) measurement enables the optical chip 208c
to accurately determine the absolute distance to a target with 1 mm
resolution, without the object's reflectance influencing the
measurement. The optical chip 208c is rated to perform ranging
measurements of up to 10 cm (4''), but can also provide readings up
to 20 cm (8'') with its default settings. Furthermore, the optical
chip 208c can be configured to measure ranges of up to 60 cm (24'')
at the cost of reduced resolution, although successful ranging at
these longer distances will depend heavily on the target and
environment. If advantageous for manufacturing process or
parts-availability reasons, less complex infrared optical sensors
may be used instead of the optical chip 208c to achieve the purpose
of detecting the status of the driver side door being open or
closed.
[0050] In an alternate embodiment, the system 100 can employ a
microwave Doppler based sensor 412 (see FIG. 4) as an addition or a
substitute to the child sensor 104, to determine for example
whether a larger, non-car-seat-age child or pet has been left
inside a vehicle. The Doppler sensor 412 employs a low energy
microwave signal generator and a signal detection circuit to detect
slight changes in motion based on the Doppler shift principle. The
microwave signal can be in the 5 GHz or 10 GHz range band. The
Doppler sensor 412 communicates the detected motion to the control
device 108, which then determines whether to sound an alert to the
caregiver based on several factors. For example, the control device
108 may trigger an alert immediately, or delay an alert, as
selected by the user within the settings contained within the
proprietary app on the mobile device 116 (see e.g. FIG. 6). There
may be instances where an adult may intentionally wish to leave a
child locked inside a vehicle, albeit for a short time. Indeed this
happens every day without negative consequences.
[0051] This embodiment with the Doppler sensor 412 system enhances
the capabilities of the system 100 to determine various occupant
conditions inside the vehicle and allows detection of older kids or
animals that are not restrained in a car safety seat or not
situated on a pressure sensor pad. In this embodiment, the system
100 could also detect family pets stuck in a car, such as dogs and
cats. Some pets like to sneak into a car, because it feels safe.
The problem occurs when they cannot let themselves out.
[0052] Mobile Phone GUIs
[0053] FIGS. 5-7 show a screenshot example of GUIs (Graphical User
Interface) to be displayed on the mobile device 116. FIG. 5 shows
the potential configurability of the system 100, FIG. 6 shows an
example alert, and FIG. 7 shows that the system 100 continues to
function and is displayable even through the "lock" screen
typically found within a mobile device 116.
[0054] The GUIs could also include, for example, an option on the
main screen to pause the alert for stopping to fill up gas, e.g. 5
minutes. Further, the GUIs could also include, within the section
labeled "settings" (FIG. 6), an option to take a photo of a child
and make it a profile photo, an option to enter the child's name,
an option to enter a secondary emergency contact for text alerts,
an option to enter an emergency service contact in case the
secondary contact does not answer.
[0055] Also, one or more of the GUIs could include an option to
select whether the audio alert goes to the device speaker, or the
resonance speaker on the glass of the vehicle, or both.
[0056] The proprietary app GUI (e.g. FIG. 5) may also include an
option for a driver to poll the microwave Doppler sensor 412 inside
the vehicle to see if there is anyone inside.
[0057] Another configuration option exists to extend the delay
time, from 1 minute to e.g. 5 minutes. The volume can also be
changed for the second alert since it sounds on the mobile device
116, and not necessarily on the control device 108.
[0058] A third alert option also exists, as long as it's possible
to use the same type of text alert as the second alert option (in
other words, as long as the mobile device 116 supports this
feature). There is no limit on how many alert recipients the system
100 can send to because this requires only a minor setting within
the software running on the proprietary app running on the mobile
device 216. A user could have an option of adding up to, for
example 10 alert recipients.
[0059] The proprietary app on the mobile device 116 can also be
utilized as a locator beacon. By using the built-in GPS location
feature found in most modern day mobile devices 116, the
proprietary app can alert a secondary care provider or emergency
services with GPS coordinates of the vehicle location after the
child alert device gets triggered. The coordinate information can
be sent through a text message or directly through app to app push
notifications. This useful feature can allow loved ones or
emergency services to quickly locate the vehicle where the child is
located, in case the primary care provider does not respond to the
device alerts. The feature can also be integrated with existing
emergency location services such as the OnStar service.
[0060] Additional Embodiments
[0061] A: Integration into Child Car Seats
[0062] The system 100 can be easily integrated into production
child car seats. The electronic components within the child sensor
104 can be readily installed into a production child safety seat
via a molded compartment within the seat. For example, a pressure
sensor pad can be integrated into the seat, just below the padding
where the child would sit. The multi-color status LED 248 could,
for example, protrude through the plastic molding of the seat to
provide a visual indication of device functions to the parent or
caregiver. Such a seat sensor would still communicate with the
control device 108 via wireless communication. In this embodiment,
the control device 108 will still reside elsewhere inside the
vehicle as in the stand-alone version, and will continue to poll
the integrated child seat sensor and manage the control functions
associated with all sensor inputs, including the optical (door)
sensor 112. The control device 108 will still handle all alert
notifications, including the alert signals sent to the mobile
device 116.
[0063] B: Integration into Automotive Production Vehicles
[0064] The system 100 technology can also be integrated into
automotive production vehicles. The control device 108 and the
child sensor 104 can be configured to communicate with the
automotive Controller Area Network (CAN) bus standard, as an
electronic control unit (ECU), through a standard node or gateway
node to connect as an independent subsystem. The system 100 can
also integrate into a vehicle as standalone firmware code to an
existing electronic control unit (ECU) already built into a
vehicle. As stated, the CAN bus is a vehicle bus standard designed
to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each
other in applications without a host computer. It is a
message-based protocol, designed originally for multiplex
electrical wiring within automobiles, but is also used in many
other contexts.
[0065] The production vehicle's existing sensors can be utilized by
the system 100 to poll information from various sensors inside the
vehicle to collect data and act upon it. As an example, either in
conjunction with or in replacement for the optical sensor 112, the
driver's side door plunger switch can be polled by the system 100
to determine when the driver is about to exit the vehicle. The
built-in seat pressure sensors that are polled for airbag
deployment purposes can also be utilized by the system 100 to
determine whether an occupant resides in an automotive seat.
Seatbelt sensors also can be polled through the CAN bus to allow
detection of certain occupant situations. The vehicle's various
alert devices can also be triggered by the system 100 through the
CAN bus to alert the driver or caregiver of the presence of a child
in the automobile, such as the vehicle's alarm or horn system.
Automotive lights and dash panel alerts can also be activated to
broadcast an alert of a child in a car seat. The vehicle's seatbelt
sensor system can allow for the integration of a pressure sensor
from the child's car seat to link into the CAM bus also.
[0066] C: Assault-Prevention
[0067] The Doppler motion detection sensor 412 may also be utilized
in the system 100 as a security warning notifier by allowing the
driver to activate it remotely through the Smart phone app and get
a response back to check whether an unauthorized person is hiding
inside the vehicle.
[0068] Disclaimers\Non-Limitations
[0069] Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or
actions for performing the described method. The method steps
and/or actions can be interchanged with one another. In other
words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for
proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of
specific steps and/or actions can be modified.
[0070] In the above description of embodiments, various features
are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, Figure, or
description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.
This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as
reflecting an intention that any claim in this or any application
claiming priority to this application require more features than
those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following
claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer
than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment.
Thus, the claims following this Detailed Description are hereby
expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each
claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure
includes all permutations of the independent claims with their
dependent claims.
[0071] While specific embodiments and applications of the present
invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited to the precise
configuration and components disclosed herein. Various
modifications, changes, and variations which will be apparent to
those skilled in the art are made in the arrangement, operation,
and details of the methods and systems of the present invention
disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0072] In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention
have been described with reference to numerous specific details
that may vary from implementation to implementation. Thus, the sole
and exclusive indicator of what is the invention, and is intended
by the applicants to be the invention, is the set of claims that
issue from this application, in the specific form in which such
claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Any definitions
expressly set forth herein for terms contained in such claims shall
govern the meaning of such terms as used in the claims. Hence, no
limitation, element, property, feature, advantage or attribute that
is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such
claim in any way. The specification and drawings are, accordingly,
to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive
sense.
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