Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for providing an indication to a person external to a vehicle, of an occupant inside the vehicle. The method comprises determining whether a first object in the vehicle is an occupant, based, in part, on a weight of the first object; sensing whether an ignition of the vehicle is in an off position; detecting whether a first door coupled to the vehicle has been opened and closed, if the vehicle ignition is in an off position; if the first door has been opened and closed and an occupant is in the vehicle, measuring a first time (T 1 ) from an instant the first door is closed to an instant after the first door is closed; and activating the alert, if T 1  is greater than a predetermined threshold time (T threshold ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to alert systems, and more particularly a system for alerting a person outside of a vehicle of the presence of a person or being inside the vehicle.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Research has shown that an occupant who is left in a closed, parked vehicle for an extended amount of time on a hot or sunny day may face the possibility of suffering from a physical injury due to the heat and humidity that may be present in the automobile. Several types of products are available that provide various safety features intended to prevent injuries of these types. One common product used by drivers or adults responsible for transporting children is a child safety seat.  
         [0003]     For the most part, child safety seats have been designed to accommodate and protect a child in the event of a vehicular collision. In recent years, child seat technology has become more sophisticated. Some child seats are now configured to detect the presence of a child in the child seat. Other child safety seats may operate in conjunction with some type of wireless transceiver, wherein the child seat sends signals to the transceiver regarding the presence of the child within the seat.  
         [0004]     Although child seat assemblies of these types are useful, they may present certain drawbacks. For example, the wireless transceiver is typically capable of being carried from location to location. Thus, if a driver is in possession of the transceiver and fails to provide it to a subsequent driver, the subsequent driver may not receive the alert from the transceiver. Therefore, the subsequent driver will not be notified or reminded of the presence of the occupant in the vehicle. Moreover, because the wireless transceiver is transportable, it may become misplaced or may be lost.  
         [0005]     Furthermore, child seat assemblies of this type are not useful in the protection of other occupants, such as older children or persons that do not fit into the child seat and who may be inadvertently left in an unattended, closed vehicle.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a device that is capable of alerting a person or driver who is outside of an automobile to an occupant inside of the automobile. In addition, it is desirable to provide an alert system that is useful for all drivers who operate the automobile. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY  
       [0007]     A method is provided for providing an indication to a person external to a vehicle, of an occupant inside the vehicle. The method comprises determining whether a first object in the vehicle is an occupant, based, in part, on a weight of the first object; sensing whether an ignition of the vehicle is in an off position; detecting whether a first door coupled to the vehicle has been opened and closed, if the vehicle ignition is in an off position; if the first door has been opened and closed and an occupant is in the vehicle, measuring a first time (T 1 ) from an instant the first door is closed to an instant after the first door is closed; and activating the alert, if T 1  is greater than a predetermined threshold time (T threshold ).  
         [0008]     Another method is provided for providing an alert to a person external to a vehicle of an occupant in the vehicle. The method comprises the steps of determining whether a first object in the vehicle is an occupant, based, in part, on a weight of the first object; sensing whether an ignition of the vehicle is in an off position; detecting whether a first door coupled to the vehicle has been opened and closed, if the vehicle ignition is in an off position; sensing whether the first door and a second door coupled to the vehicle have been locked; and if the first and second doors have been locked and an occupant is in the vehicle, activating the alert.  
         [0009]     An apparatus is provided for providing an indication to a person external to a vehicle, of an occupant inside the vehicle, the vehicle having a seat and at least a first and a second door. The apparatus comprises a weight sensor, a controller, a door sensor, ignition indicator and an alert. The weight sensor is operatively coupled to at least a portion of the vehicle to sense a weight of an object disposed inside of the vehicle. The controller is electrically coupled to the weight sensor and configured to determine whether the object is an occupant, based in part, on the sensed weight of the object in the vehicle. The door sensor is coupled to the controller and configured to sense the opening and closing of the first and second doors. The ignition indicator is coupled to the controller and configured to sense whether an ignition of the vehicle is in an off position. The alert is electrically coupled to the controller and configured to produce a signal external the vehicle if the controller determines that the object is an occupant and if, after the first door was closed, the second door has not been opened within a predetermined threshold time.  
         [0010]     Another apparatus is provided for providing an indication to a person external to a vehicle, of an occupant inside the vehicle, the vehicle having a seat and at least a first and a second door. The apparatus comprises a weight sensor, a controller, a door sensor, ignition indicator and an alert. The weight sensor is operatively coupled to at least a portion of the vehicle to sense a weight of an object disposed inside of the vehicle. The controller is electrically coupled to the weight sensor and configured to determine whether the object is an occupant, based in part, on the sensed weight of the object in the vehicle. The door sensor is coupled to the controller and configured to sense the opening and closing of the first and second doors. The ignition indicator is coupled to the controller and configured to sense whether an ignition of the vehicle is in an off position. The alert is electrically coupled to the controller and configured to produce a signal external the vehicle if the controller determines that the object is an occupant and if after the first door has been shut, the first and second doors have been locked. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary occupant alert system;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of an exemplary seat that may be employed in the exemplary occupant alert system depicted in  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for implementing an occupant alert system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the drawings.  
         [0016]     An exemplary embodiment of an occupant alert system  100  for an automobile  102  is provided and shown in block diagram form in  FIG. 1 . The occupant alert system  100  is implemented into the automobile  102  to alert persons external to the automobile  102  of an occupant that may be inside the automobile  102 . The occupant alert system  100  includes at least one weight sensor  104  that communicates weight data to a sensor electronic control module (ECM) or controller  106 . The sensor ECM  106  is also operatively coupled to a door sensor  108  and a portion of an ignition module  110 . The sensor ECM  106  is configured to receive signals from the door sensor  108  indicating whether one or more of the doors  124 ,  126  coupled to the automobile  102  is opened or closed, and from the ignition module  110  as to whether the ignition  114  has been turned off. An alert ECM  116  is also coupled to the sensor ECM  106  and is configured to cause an alert or alarm in the event an occupant is left in the vehicle for over a predetermined amount of time. Each of these components will now be discussed.  
         [0017]     The weight sensor  104  is at least partially located in a seat  118  that is disposed within the automobile  102 , and is configured to sense a weight that may be present on the seat  118 . The weight sensor  104  may be located in any one of the seats  118  that may be disposed within the automobile  102 , including the front passenger, rear row, or rear seats. More preferably, the sensor  104  is located in at least one of the seats or rows of seats where an occupant may sit or lay, a child seat may be located, or where a driver may not remember to look, such as rear seats. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the weight sensor  104  can also be positioned on any portion of the seat  118 . For instance, the sensors  104  can be positioned in the bottom seat cushion, or within the back cushion. Depending on the design of the seat  118  itself, the sensor  104  may be placed under or in the upholstery of the seat  118  or embedded within or under the foam cushion of the seat  118  or with the metal structure of the seat  118 . Although only one weight sensor  104  is referred to herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of weight sensors may be used.  
         [0018]     The weight sensor  104  is preferably configured to sense weight or force that is exerted on a seating surface. Any one of numerous types of sensors capable of sensing weight and that is appropriate for use on an automotive vehicle may be employed. Examples of suitable types of weight sensors include, but are not limited to load cell sensors, force sensitive resistors, and fluid-filled bladders. Moreover, although a weight sensor  104  is referred to herein, a sensor wherein a change of pressure exerted against the seat  118  may also be used. Once the appropriate data is collected it is then communicated to and received by the controller  106 .  
         [0019]     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the sensor ECM  106  includes at least a processor  120  that operates in conjunction with a memory  122 . The processor  120  is configured to compare the collected weight, force, or pressure data with a predetermined threshold weight, force, or pressure to determine whether or not an occupant is on the seat  118 . The predetermined threshold weight, force, or pressure may be set and programmed to a preferred setting into the processor  120  and/or memory  122  at any time during manufacture of the automobile, or alternatively, the threshold may be subsequently increased or decreased. For weight data, the predetermined threshold weight is preferably about four to twelve (4-12) pounds and most preferably about five (5) pounds.  
         [0020]     The sensor ECM  106  may optionally be coupled to a re-zero switch  130  that may receive a manual input to disregard a weight or force exerted by an object that may be temporarily or permanently coupled to the seat  118  or seating surface, such as a child safety seat or other passenger restraint device. The re-zero switch  130  is configured to allow an operator to cause the processor  120  to take into account the weight of the object that is on the seat  118 . Thus, the re-zero switch  130  provides a means to re-calibrate the weight sensor  104  so that if additional weight or force, such as the weight of an occupant, is exerted against the seat  118 , the weight sensor  104  only senses the additional weight. Once the re-zero switch  130  is activated, the sensor ECM  106  can be programmed to automatically re-zero or re-calibrate with any sensed decrease in weight or pressure exerted against the seat  118 . Alternatively, the sensor ECM  106  can be programmed to automatically activate the re-zero switch if a weight or pressure is exerted against the seat  118  for a prolonged amount of time.  
         [0021]     As previously mentioned, the sensor ECM  106  is also coupled to a door sensor  108 . The door sensor  108  is coupled to a door  124  of the automobile  102  and configured to provide data to the sensor ECM  106  as to whether the door  124  has been opened, closed, locked, or unlocked. Any one of numerous types of sensors suitable for detecting whether a door  124  is open or closed or locked or unlocked may be employed. The door sensor  108  may also be coupled to a second door  126 , or some or all of the remaining doors, so as to determine whether those doors have been opened or closed or locked or unlocked. Alternatively, separate door sensors  108  may be coupled to the other doors  126  to sense the opening or closing or locking or unlocking of the doors.  
         [0022]     The sensor ECM  106  is also in communication with the ignition module  110 . The sensor ECM  106  senses whether the ignition is off to determine whether to activate the system  100 .  
         [0023]     These door sensor  108  and ignition module  110  each provide serial data to the sensor ECM  106  that aid the sensor ECM  106  in the determination of whether to send a signal to the alert ECM  116 .  
         [0024]     A timing mechanism  128  is coupled to the door sensors  108 . The timing mechanism is configured to activate and measure various time periods, such as from the moment that the door sensor  108  senses that the first door  124  has been open and subsequently shut, to the moment the second door  126  has been opened. The timing mechanism  128  may be configured to reset when the second door  126  has been shut and if a weight that is greater than the predetermined threshold weight remains on the seat  118 . The timing mechanism  128  may be integrated into a single component embedded in the system  100 , or alternatively, incorporated into the sensor ECM  106 , or can be a separate timer component. As appreciated by those with skill in the art, the timing mechanism  128  may also be set to measure any other times that may be useful in determining whether an occupant has remained in the automobile  102  for an unacceptable length of time.  
         [0025]     The timing mechanism  128  sends the collected timing data to the sensor ECM  106 , which compares the measured time with a predetermined threshold time (T safe ) that may be stored in its memory  122 . The predetermined threshold time is preferably an acceptable time period within which a driver or other person can reasonably attend to the occupant after the driver exits the vehicle from the first door  124 . In one embodiment, the predetermined threshold time may be between about two to twenty (2-20) seconds, more preferably about ten (10) seconds.  
         [0026]     If the sensor ECM  106  determines that the occupant has remained in the automobile  102  for a time period that is greater than the predetermined threshold time, the sensor ECM  106  is configured to send a serial data message to the alert ECM  116  to activate an alert. The alert ECM  116  can be configured to produce any one of numerous types of alarm or alert mechanisms that can be used to notify the driver that an occupant may be in the automobile  102 . In one embodiment, the alert ECM  116  is coupled to an automobile horn. As appreciated by those with skill, the horn can be a typical car horn sound, or a different sound that can be associated with an alert alerting others that an occupant may be in the automobile  102 . In another embodiment, the alert ECM  116  can be coupled to a separate audible noise that is not associated with the car horn. In yet another embodiment, the alert ECM  116  may be coupled to a visual alert, such as flashing car headlights or some other type of visible indication. As those familiar with the art may appreciate, one or more of these alerts may be used in conjunction with one another. In yet another embodiment, the form of alert may be a few short horn sounds.  
         [0027]     Turning to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of one of the methods by which to operate the occupant alert system  100  will now be discussed. Although each step herein is discussed as if they are to be performed in a particular order, it will be appreciated that some of the steps need not be performed in the described order and that some steps may be performed simultaneously, or before or after another step that may be described in the method. In any event, each of the steps referred to in  FIG. 3  are referenced herein by parentheticals.  
         [0028]     While the automobile  102  is in operation or when the system  100  is not activated, the system  100  is in a sleep or standby mode ( 202 ). The system  100  is activated when the sensor ECM  110  senses that the ignition  114  has been shut off ( 204 ). The sensor ECM  110  then detects via the door sensor  108  whether a first door  124  is opened and subsequently shut ( 206 ). If the first door  124  is opened, but not shut, the controller  106  causes the system to return to standby mode ( 250 ). If the first door  124  is opened and subsequently shut, the sensor ECM  106  causes the weight sensor  104  to sense whether a weight or force is present on the seat  118  ( 208 ). Specifically, the weight sensor  104  collects the weight data and sends the data to the sensor ECM  106  to determine whether the weight is above or below a predetermined threshold weight (W threshold ) that is stored within the controller memory  122 . If the weight sensor  104  detects a weight (W init ) that is below a predetermined threshold weight (W threshold ), then the controller  106  assumes that no occupant is present on the seat  118  and the system returns to standby mode ( 250 ). If the weight sensor  104  detects a weight that is above the predetermined threshold weight, the timing mechanism  128  is activated and begins to track the time from the closing of the first door  124  so that a determination can be made as to whether the tracked time (T 1 ) is greater than the predetermined threshold time (T safe ) ( 210 ). Alternatively, if W init  is greater than W threshold  and the sensor ECM  106  detects that all of the doors  112 ,  126  are locked ( 209 ), time is not tracked and the sensor ECM  106  sends a serial data message to the alert ECM  116  to activate the alert ( 214 )  
         [0029]     If time is tracked, the sensor ECM  106  detects whether the second door  126  has been opened within T safe  ( 212 ). If T 1  is more than T safe , then the sensor ECM  106  sends a serial data message to the alert ECM  116  to activate an alert ( 214 ). If T 1  is less than T safe , then the timing mechanism  128  is reset ( 216 ) to track additional time (T 2 ). The sensor ECM  106  then senses whether the second door  126  has been shut ( 218 ). If the second door  216  has been shut, then the sensor ECM  106  senses whether a weight (W 2 ) is on the seat  118  and determines whether W 2  is greater than W threshold  ( 220 ). If W 2  is less than W threshold , then the system returns to standby mode ( 250 ). If W 2  is greater than W threshold , then the sensor ECM  106  compare T 2  to T safe  ( 222 ). If T 2  is less than T safe , then the system  100  continues to detect whether the second door  216  is shut. If T 2  is greater than T safe , then the sensor ECM  106  sends a serial data message to the alert ECM  116  to activate the alert ( 214 ).  
         [0030]     In another embodiment, the system  100  includes a re-zero switch  130 . If a child seat or some other object is permanently or temporarily coupled to the seat  118 , the automobile operator can activate the re-zero switch  130 . Alternatively, the re-zero switch and sensor ECM  106  can be configured to sense the weight of an object coupled to the seat  118  (W 3 ) based on the duration for which the object may exert constant force or pressure against with the weight sensors  104 . In such case, the re-zero switch is activated with no human intervention. If the re-zero switch has been activated, then the sensor ECM  106  re-calibrates and “re-zeroes” to disregard W 3 . After calibration, the system  100  can be configured to operate via the method disclosed in  FIG. 3   
         [0031]     Thus, there has been provided a system for alerting a person external to an automobile of an occupant inside the automobile. While an exemplary embodiment(s) has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that these exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing a preferred embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.