Patent Publication Number: US-10777070-B1

Title: Occupancy alarm system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
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     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     The disclosure and prior art relate to alarm systems and more particularly pertains to a new alarm system for warning a driver of vehicle occupancy. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising an electronics module that is configured to couple to a vehicle, and which is operationally couplable to an electronic control unit (ECU) and an electrical circuit of the vehicle. The electronics module comprises a module transceiver and a plurality of sensors, which is configured to determine an occupancy status of the vehicle. A fob device that is retained by a driver who exits the vehicle comprises a fob receiver, which is GPS enabled, a fob transceiver, and a speaker. CPU programming code that is positioned on a CPU of the ECU enables the ECU to selectively actuate the module transceiver, based on occupancy status of the vehicle and a position of the driver relative to the vehicle, to communicate an alert signal to the fob device via the fob transceiver to alert the driver to the occupancy status. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an in-use view of an occupancy alarm system according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a fob device of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 4  thereof, a new alarm system embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the occupancy alarm system  10  generally comprises an electronics module  12  that is configured to couple to an interior surface of a vehicle. The electronics module  12  is operationally couplable to an electronic control unit and an electrical circuit of the vehicle. The electronics module  12  comprises a module transceiver  14  and a plurality of sensors  16 . The plurality of sensors  16  is configured to determine an occupancy status of the vehicle. 
     The electronics module  12  comprises a module housing  18  that defines an interior space  20 . The module transceiver  14 , an infrared sensor  22 , and a transducer  24  are coupled to the module housing  18  and are positioned in the interior space  20 . The infrared sensor  22  is configured to detect motion and body heat to determine the occupancy status of the vehicle. The transducer  24  is configured to convert sound into an electrical signal so that the transducer  24  is configured to detect sound that is produced by an occupant of the vehicle to determine the occupancy status of the vehicle. 
     The system  10  also comprises a fob device  26  that is coupled to an ignition key of the vehicle so that the fob device  26  is retained by a driver who exits the vehicle. The fob device  26  comprises a fob receiver  28 , a fob transceiver  30 , and a speaker  32 . The fob receiver  28  is global positioning system enabled. 
     CPU programming code  34  that is positioned on a central processing unit of the electronic control unit enables the electronic control unit to selectively actuate the module transceiver  14 , based on the occupancy status of the vehicle and a position of the driver relative to the vehicle, and to communicate an alert signal to the fob device  26  via the fob transceiver  30  so that an alert is broadcast via the speaker  32  to alert the driver to the occupancy status of the vehicle. 
     A detector  36  is coupled to the module housing  18  and is positioned in the interior space  20 . The detector  36  is configured to determine a carbon monoxide level within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. 
     The fob device  26  comprises a fob housing  38  that defines an internal space  40 . The fob receiver  28 , the fob transceiver  30 , a power module  42 , and a fob microprocessor  44  are coupled to the fob housing  38  and are positioned in the internal space  40 . The speaker  32  is coupled to the fob housing  38 . The power module  42  comprises a battery  46 . The fob microprocessor  44  is operationally coupled to the power module  42 , the fob receiver  28 , the fob transceiver  30 , and the speaker  32 . The fob receiver  28  is positioned to receive location coordinates that correspond to a location of the driver and to relay the location coordinates to the fob microprocessor  44 . The fob microprocessor  44  is positioned to selectively actuate the speaker  32 . 
     A button  48  that is coupled to the fob housing  38  is operationally coupled the fob microprocessor  44 . The button  48  is configured to be depressed to signal the fob microprocessor  44  to deactivate the speaker  32 , and, as discussed further below, to send a delay command to the electronics module  12 . 
     A bulb  50  that is coupled to the module housing  18  is configured to selectively illuminate the passenger compartment of the vehicle. A module microprocessor  52 , a timer  54 , a module receiver  56 , and a controller  58  are coupled to the module housing  18  and are positioned in the interior space  20 . The CPU programming code  34  is positioned on the module microprocessor  52 . The module microprocessor  52  is operationally coupled to the module transceiver  14 , the infrared sensor  22 , the transducer  24 , the detector  36 , the timer  54 , the module receiver  56 , the controller  58 , and the bulb  50 . 
     The timer  54  is positioned to selectively communicate an elapsed time to the module microprocessor  52 . The module receiver  56  is Global Positioning System enabled and thus configured to receive location coordinates that correspond to a location of the vehicle and to relay the location coordinates to the module microprocessor  52 . 
     A first temperature sensor  60  is coupled to the module housing  18 . A second temperature sensor  62  is configured to be coupled to an exterior element of the vehicle. The first temperature sensor  60  and the second temperature sensor  62  are operationally coupled to the module microprocessor  52 . The first temperature sensor  60  is configured to determine a temperature of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and to relay a temperature reading to the module microprocessor  52 . The second temperature sensor  62  is configured to determine an ambient temperature and to relay an ambient temperature reading to the module microprocessor  52 . 
     The controller  58  is operationally coupled to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit of the vehicle so that the module microprocessor  52  is positioned to compare the temperature reading for the passenger compartment to the ambient temperature reading and to signal the controller  58 . The controller  58  is configured to selectively actuate the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit to selectively heat and cool the passenger compartment so that the passenger compartment is maintained a safe temperature for an occupant. 
     A key sensor  64  that is operationally coupled to the module microprocessor  52  is configured to operationally couple to an ignition switch of the vehicle. The key sensor  64  is configured to determine whether the ignition key to the vehicle is inserted into the ignition switch and to signal the module microprocessor  52  as to the status of the ignition switch. 
     An idling sensor  66  that is operationally coupled to the module microprocessor  52  is configured to operationally couple to a crankshaft of the vehicle. The idling sensor  66  is configured to determine an idling state of the vehicle and to communicate the idling state to the module microprocessor  52 , positioning the module microprocessor  52  to selectively actuate the controller  58  to selectively actuate the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit. 
     A plurality of door lock position sensors  68  is operationally coupled to the module microprocessor  52 . Each door lock position sensor  68  is configured to be operationally coupled to a respective door lock of the vehicle. The door lock position sensor  68  is configured to determine a lock state of the respective door lock, positioning the module microprocessor  52  to selectively actuate the electronic control unit to unlock the respective door lock. 
     A plurality of window position sensors  70  is operationally coupled to the module microprocessor  52 . Each window position sensor  70  is configured to be operationally coupled to a respective operable window of the vehicle. The window position sensor  70  is configured to determine a position of the respective operable window, positioning the module microprocessor  52  to selectively actuate the electronic control unit to reposition the respective operable window. 
     A loudspeaker  72  that is operationally coupled to the module microprocessor  52  is configured to couple to an engine compartment of the vehicle. The module microprocessor  52  is positioned to selectively actuate the loudspeaker  72  to broadcast an audio signal to an area proximate to the vehicle. 
     Alert programming code  74  that is positioned on an electronic device of the driver enables emulation of the fob device  26  on the electronic device. The emulation of the fob device  26  allows the driver to interact with the electronics module  12  using the electronic device. 
     As will be obvious to those skilled in the arts of vehicle electronic components, many of the components of the system  10  as described herein may be integral to the vehicle, or they may be selectively added to the vehicle, as required, as aftermarket modifications. 
     The CPU programming code  34  that is positioned either on the module microprocessor  52  or the central processing unit of the electronic control unit (if the system is integral to the vehicle) is anticipated to cover any foreseeable situation. By way of nonlimiting example of CPU programming code  34  and use of the system  10 , four different scenarios are presented below. 
     In a first scenario wherein the vehicle is parked, the ignition is off, and both the doors and the windows are closed, if the plurality of sensors  16  does not detect occupancy, the CPU programming code  34  would direct the electronics module  12  to shut down after two minutes. Should the plurality of sensors  16  detect occupancy, the CPU programming code  34  would direct the timer  54  to initiate a countdown process. Once the driver is twenty feet away from vehicle, the CPU programming code  34  would direct the electronics module  12  to send a signal to the fob device  26  and to the electronic device of the driver to activate the speaker  32  to remind the driver that an occupant or pet remains in vehicle. A voice recording of the ambient temperature reading and temperature reading of the passenger compartment would be repeated every 10 seconds. The driver could press the button  48  on the fob device  26  or the button  48  as emulated on the electronic device to acknowledge the alert and to delay a broadcast from the loudspeaker  72  for 90 seconds. The pressing of the button  48  would delay the broadcast, but the pressing of the button  48  to delay the broadcast could only be performed once. The fob device  26  would continue to remind the driver every 10 seconds until the driver returns to vehicle. Should the driver not return with three minutes, the loudspeaker  72  would broadcast a loud and unique message, such as “Save Me”, as well as an audible alarm, which would alert passersby of a potential emergency situation, such as a baby, a child, a senior, a disabled person, or a pet in the vehicle when the vehicle is dangerously hot, dangerously cold, or contains carbon monoxide. 
     Should the driver not return within three minutes and the temperature reading in the passenger compartment is dangerously high, the CPU programming code  34  would direct the electronic control unit to turn the vehicle engine on, to unlock all the doors, and to reposition all the operable windows to open positions. If the temperature reading in the passenger compartment is dangerously low, the CPU programming code  34  would direct the electronic control unit to turn the vehicle on, to unlock all the doors, and to reposition all the operable windows to closed positions. In this situation, the CPU programming code  34  would cause the vehicle will run for 15 minutes of every 30 minutes until disengaged by insertion of the ignition key into the ignition switch or until a signal from the fob device  26  is received by the electronics module  12 . If the detector  36  detects carbon monoxide, the CPU programming code  34  would direct the electronic control unit to reposition all the operable windows to open positions. 
     In a second scenario, wherein the vehicle is parked, the vehicle engine is running, both the doors and the windows are closed, and the plurality of sensors  16  indicates occupancy, should the first temperature sensor  60  read a dangerously high or a dangerously low temperature in the passenger compartment, the CPU programming code  34  would direct the controller  58  to actuate the electronic control unit to selectively actuate the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit to maintain the passenger compartment at a safe temperature for the occupant. Should the driver not return with three minutes, the loudspeaker  72  would broadcast a loud and unique message, such as “Save Me”, as well as an audible alarm, which would alert passersby of a potential emergency situation, such as a baby, a child, a senior, a disabled person, or a pet in the vehicle when the vehicle is dangerously hot, dangerously cold, or contains carbon monoxide. If the detector  36  detects carbon monoxide, the CPU programming code  34  would direct the electronic control unit reposition all the operable windows to open positions and to turn the vehicle engine off. 
     In a third scenario, wherein the vehicle is parked, the vehicle engine is either running or off, the doors and the windows are either open or closed, and the plurality of sensors  16  indicates no occupancy, the CPU programming code  34  would retain only the detector  36 , the plurality of sensors  16 , and the module receiver  56  in an active mode until either the vehicle engine is shut off, a vehicle door is opened, or the plurality of sensors  16  detects occupancy, at which point the timer  54  would be actuated. 
     In a fourth scenario, wherein the vehicle is in motion, the CPU programming code  34  would retain only the detector  36  and the module receiver  56  in an active mode. Should the detector  36  detect carbon monoxide, the CPU programming code  34  would direct the electronic control module to compel a speaker integral to the vehicle to broadcast an associated alarm and to flash the bulb  50  on and off until the driver pulls over to the side of road, removes the ignition key from the ignition switch, and exits the vehicle. The CPU programming code  34  also would signal the electronic control unit to reposition all the operable windows to open positions. 
     The system  10  is typically limited in activating alarms and safety features to when the driver is 25 feet or more distant to the vehicle. This to allow a driver to perform activities, such as filling a tank of the vehicle with gas, without “false” alarms or unwarranted activation of the safety features of the system  10 . However, the plurality of sensors  16 , the first temperature sensor  60 , and the detector  36  still are monitoring the passenger compartment. Should the first temperature sensor  60  read a dangerously high or a dangerously low temperature in the passenger compartment, or the detector  36  detect carbon monoxide, the CPU programming code  34  will activate the safety features of the system  10 . Additionally, if the vehicle is left with the air conditioning running in the summer or the heat running in the winter, only detection of carbon monoxide by the detector  36  would cause the CPU programming code  34  to activate the alarms and safety features of the system  10 . 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.