US 2019/0168711 A1 · IN-VEHICLE SMOKE DETECTION AND REPORTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAR SHARING AND RIDE SHARING VEHICLES

Abstract

A smoke detection system for an interior of a vehicle is provided. The smoke detection system includes a detection module and a reporting module. The detection module, while the vehicle is being used as part of a car sharing or ride sharing service: receives a sensor signal from a smoke detector; compares data included in the sensor signal to smoke characteristic or smoke pattern data; based on the comparison, determines whether an occupant of the vehicle is smoking; and generates an alert signal if the occupant is smoking. The reporting module at least one of: based on the alert signal, visually or audibly provides a warning to the occupant to stop smoking; transmits the alert signal to a mobile device of the occupant to indicate that a smoking event has been detected; or transmits the alert signal to a network device of a service provider to report the smoking event.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A smoke detection system for an interior of a vehicle, the smoke detection system comprising:

a memory configured to store at least one of smoke characteristic data and smoke pattern data;
a detection module configured to, while the vehicle is being used as part of a car sharing or ride sharing service,
receive a sensor signal from a smoke detector,
compare data included in the sensor signal to the at least one of the smoke characteristic data and the smoke pattern data,
based on the comparison, determine whether an occupant of the vehicle is smoking, and
generate an alert signal if the occupant is smoking, wherein the alert signal indicates that a smoking event has occurred;
and
a reporting module configured to at least one of (i) based on the alert signal, visually or audibly provide a warning to the occupant to stop smoking, (ii) transmit the alert signal to a mobile device of the occupant to indicate to the occupant that the smoking event has been detected, or (iii) transmit the alert signal to a network device of a service provider to report the smoking event, wherein the vehicle is reserved by the service provider for the occupant as part of the car sharing or ride sharing service.

5 more elements

A network device for a service provider providing car sharing or ride sharing services, the network device comprising:

a control module configured to schedule a reservation of a vehicle for a customer;
a transceiver configured to receive an alert signal and report from at least one of the vehicle or a mobile device of the customer, wherein the alert signal indicates that a smoking event has occurred in the vehicle, and wherein the report includes data corresponding to the smoking event;
and
a memory configured to store the alert signal and the report,
wherein the control module is configured to
remove the vehicle from service,
initiate scheduling of cleaning of the vehicle,
schedule an alternative vehicle for a future reservation for the vehicle,
generate alert response data, wherein the alert response data includes at least one of (i) an indication to return the vehicle to the service provider or fleet office, (ii) a fee for having the vehicle cleaned, (iii) a command for the vehicle to direct the customer to return the vehicle to the service provider or a fleet office, or (iv) a command for the vehicle to autonomously return the vehicle to the service provider or the fleet office, and
transmit the alert response data to at least one of the vehicle or the mobile device.

7 more elements

A mobile device comprising:

a display;
a first transceiver configured to receive a first alert signal from a sharing module of a vehicle while the vehicle is being used as part of a car sharing or ride sharing service, wherein the first alert signal indicates that a smoking event has been detected within the vehicle;
a control module configured to, based on the first alert signal, generate a warning signal and display the warning signal on the display to warn at least one of an owner of the mobile device to have smoking in the vehicle stopped, wherein the control module is configured to generate a second alert signal, wherein the second alert signal indicates that the smoking event has been detected;
and
a second transceiver configured to transmit the second alert signal to a network device at a service provider office to report the smoking event, wherein the vehicle is reserved by the service provider for the owner of the mobile device as part of the car sharing or ride sharing service.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

In-vehicle smoke detection and reporting system and method for car sharing and ride sharing vehicles

Life of this patent

In-vehicle smoke detection and reporting system and method for car sharing and ride sharing vehicles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20