Self-activating system and method for alerting when an object or a person is left unattended

A system comprising:

• at least one detector for monitoring the presence of at least one object in a position;
• at least one means, coupled to the at least one detector, for transmitting one of a plurality of wireless signals to include a first signal when the at least one object is placed in the position, a second signal while the at least one object remains in the position, and a third signal when the at least one object is moved from the position;
• and
• means, remotely located with respect to the at least one transmitting means, for sensing each of said first signal, said second signal, and said third signal, the sensing means having a first timing function and a second timing function,
• said first timing function being enabled when the sensing means senses said first signal, said first timing function timing to a first time interval wherein, at the completion of each said first time interval, the sensing means (i) repeats said first timing function if said second signal is sensed, (ii) disables said first timing function if said third signal is sensed, and (iii) enables said second timing function if neither of said second signal and said third signal is sensed,
• said second timing function, if enabled, timing to a second time interval having a first time and ending at a second time that is later than said first time,
• the sensing means issuing a first alarm signal commencing at said first time if neither of said second signal and said third signal is sensed thereat,
• the sensing means discontinuing said first alarm signal if said second signal is sensed during said second time interval, and
• the sensing means issuing a second alarm signal if said second signal is not sensed during said second time interval, said second alarm signal continuing after said second time until said third signal is sensed.

A system for alerting a caregiver that a child has been left unattended in a safety seat in a vehicle, comprising:

• a detector for monitoring one of presence and absence of the child in the safety seat;
• a transmitter maintained at the vehicle and capable of transmitting a plurality of wireless signals to include at least a first signal and a second signal;
• a receiver for possession by the caregiver and capable of receiving each of said plurality of wireless signals provided said receiver is within a predetermined range of said transmitter;
• a transmitter controller coupled to said detector and said transmitter for monitoring said detector and for activating said transmitter to generate said first signal when said detector senses that the child is in the safety seat and for activating said transmitter to generate said second signal when said detector senses that the child has left the safety seat;
• a receiver controller coupled to said receiver and having a first timing function and a second timing function, said first timing function being enabled when said receiver is within said predetermined range and said first signal is sensed,
• said first timing function timing to a first time interval wherein, at the completion of each said first time interval, said receiver controller (i) repeats said first timing function if said receiver senses said first signal, (ii) disables said first timing function if said receiver senses said second signal, and (iii) enables said second timing function if said receiver senses neither of said first signal and said second signal,
• said second timing function, if enabled, timing to a second time interval having a first time and ending at a second time that is later than said first time wherein, once said second timing function has been enabled, said receiver controller
• i) issues a first alarm signal at said first time if said receiver is beyond said predetermined range,
• ii) discontinues said first alarm signal, disables said second timing function and re-starts said first timing function if said receiver is brought back within said predetermined range during said second time interval while the child is in the safety seat, and
• iii) issues a second alarm signal if said receiver is not brought within said predetermined range during said second time interval, said second alarm signal continuing after said second time until said receiver is brought back within said predetermined range and the child is removed from the safety seat;
• and
• an audible sound producer coupled to said receiver controller for generating a first audio output in response to said first alarm signal and for generating a second audio output in response to said second alarm signal.

A system for alerting a caregiver that a child has been left unattended in a safety seat in a vehicle, comprising:

• a detector for monitoring one of presence and absence of the child in the safety seat;
• a transmitter maintained at the vehicle and capable of transmitting a plurality of wireless signals to include a first signal, a second signal and a third signal;
• a receiver for possession by the caregiver and capable of receiving each of said plurality of wireless signals provided said receiver is within a predetermined range of said transmitter;
• a transmitter controller coupled to said detector and said transmitter for periodically monitoring said detector and for activating said transmitter to generate said first signal only when said detector first senses that the child has been placed in the safety seat, for activating said transmitter to generate said second signal when said detector senses that the child is in the car seat after a transmission of said first signal, and for activating said transmitter to generate said third signal when the child has left the safety seat;
• a receiver controller coupled to said receiver and having a first timing function and a second timing function, said first timing function being enabled when said receiver is within said predetermined range and said second signal is sensed,
• said first timing function timing to a first time interval wherein, at the completion of each said first time interval, said receiver controller (i) repeats said first timing function if said receiver senses said second signal, (ii) disables said first timing function if said receiver senses said third signal, and (iii) enables said second timing function if said receiver senses neither of said second signal and said third signal,
• said second timing function, if enabled, timing to a second time interval having a first time and ending at a second time that is later than said first time wherein, once said second timing function has been enabled, said receiver controller
• i) issues a first alarm signal at said first time if said receiver is beyond said predetermined range,
• ii) discontinues said first alarm signal, disables said second timing function and restarts said first timing function if said receiver is brought back within said predetermined range during said second time interval while the child is in the safety seat, and
• iii) issues a second alarm signal if said receiver is not brought within said predetermined range during said second time interval, said second alarm signal continuing after said second time until said receiver is brought back within said predetermined range and the child is removed from the safety seat;
• and
• an audible sound producer coupled to said receiver controller for generating a first audio output in response to said first alarm signal and for generating a second audio output in response to said second alarm signal.