Vehicle temperature control system for children and pets

A vehicle temperature control system for children and pets provides a plurality of pressure switches beneath the seats, as well as motion sensors, to detect the presence of a child or pet in a vehicle that has been shut off and parked with the doors locked. If the presence of a child or pet is detected, the system engages the climate control system, and maintains a comfortable temperature within the vehicle interior. The system provides a key fob wherein an alert light is provided, and transmits a signal to the key fob which activates the flashing alert light The system also transmits an SMS text message to the user's cellular telephone, indicating that a child or pet may have been left in the vehicle. The system also locks the transmission in park, to prevent a child from shifting the vehicle into gear after the engine has been started.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to electronic systems for a vehicle and in particular to a vehicle temperature control system for children and pets. Leaving a young child or pet locked in a vehicle is unwise in most instances and illegal in many states. Unfortunately, many people still do it. They may only intend to be away from the vehicle for a minute or two, however, if something goes wrong, they could be away from the vehicle much longer. In the summer or winter, the interior temperature may become very uncomfortable and even life threatening. A vehicle temperature control system for children and pets, which detects the presence of a child or pet in a parked vehicle, starts the engine, engages the climate control system, and notifies the driver or others, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a vehicle temperature control system for children and pets. The system provides a plurality of pressure switches beneath the seats, as well as motion sensors, to detect the presence of a child or pet in a vehicle that has been shut off and parked with the doors locked. If the presence of a child or pet is detected, the system starts the engine, engages the climate control system, and maintains a comfortable temperature within the vehicle interior. The system provides a key fob wherein an alert light is provided, and transmits a signal to the key fob which activates the flashing alert light. The system also transmits an SMS text message to the user's cellular telephone, indicating that a child or pet may have been left in the vehicle. A similar message is also displayed on a dashboard display panel. The system also locks the transmission in park, to prevent a child from shifting the vehicle into gear after the engine has been started.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a vehicle temperature control system for children and pets.

The invention is intended for installation as original equipment by a vehicle manufacturer. An alternate embodiment, which may be installed as an after-market modification by the vehicle owner or by a vehicle repair or customizing shop, is contemplated.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a plurality of pressure switches10beneath the seats17, as well as one or more motion sensors11, installed in the vehicle16to detect the presence of a child or pet in a vehicle16that has been shut off and parked with the doors locked. If the presence of a child or pet is detected, the system proceeds with an alert procedure which consists of starting the engine, engaging the climate control system, and maintaining a comfortable temperature within the interior of the vehicle16. The system is preferably powered by drawing a small amount of current from the vehicle electrical system.

A combination of live conditions must be satisfied before the system will start the engine and proceed with the alert procedure. First, the pressure switch10beneath the driver's seat17A must indicate pressure of less than 90 pounds, indicating that the driver has exited the vehicle. Second, the vehicle must have its doors locked with the engine off and the transmission in park. Third, a pressure switch10beneath a seat17other than the driver's seat17A must indicate pressure greater than 5 pounds, indicating the possible presence of a child or pet. Fourth, due to the common practice of leaving heavy objects on the seats17, such as a child safety seat or a briefcase, a motion sensor12must detect motion in the vehicle.

The system provides a key fob13wherein an alert light14is provided, and when the alert procedure is activated, the system transmits a signal to the key fob13which activates the flashing alert light14. The key fob13is preferably battery powered. The system also transmits an SMS text message15to be displayed on the visual display19of the user's cellular telephone18, indicating that a child or pet may have been left in the locked vehicle. A similar alert message is also displayed on a dashboard display panel12, which may be installed on the dashboard or the center console16A. The system also locks the transmission in park, to prevent a child from shifting the vehicle17into gear after the engine has been started.

The dashboard display panel12preferably provides a touchscreen function, and transitions to a display of a standard 10-key keypad after display of the alert message for a predetermined period, such as 10 seconds. The alert procedure may be deactivated by entering a three-digit code on the keypad. The keypad may be accessed at any time the engine is running by double-tapping on the touchscreen, and the system itself may be manually deactivated, preventing activation of the alert procedure, or reactivated by entering a five-digit code. Optionally, the system may also be configured to alert a vehicle security service, such as OnStar®, or other parties when the alert procedure has been activated.

Preferably, the electronic components of the dashboard display panel32, include a transmitter which activates the alert light14and operates on any one of several short-range wireless communications protocols, such as Radio Frequency (RF); a transmitter which transmits an SMS text message15to the user's cellular telephone18and operates on a digital cellular telephone communications protocol; an internal ring antenna; a microprocessor; a memory device; and a touchscreen visual display. Electronic components of the key fob13preferably include the alert light14; an internal ring antenna; a receiver which operates on any one of several short-range wireless communications protocols, such as Radio Frequency (RF); and one or more replaceable batteries.

To use the system, the user simply drives the vehicle. Further operation of the system is automatic.

The pressure switches10, the motion sensors11, the key fob13, the alert light14, the transmitters, the receiver, the ring antennas, the microprocessor, the memory device, and the touchscreen visual display are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials such as steel, aluminum alloy, brass, copper alloy, acrylic polymer, methacrylate, and plastic.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.