US 7,009,522 B2 · Object-proximity monitoring and alarm system

Abstract

A weight-sensitive mat or other sensor determines whether a child seat in a vehicle is occupied, a transmitter is proximate to the sensor, and a keychain fob or other portable unit includes a receiver and an alarm. Generally, if the child seat is occupied and the keychain fob is removed from proximity to the transmitter, the transmitter communicates this to the keychain fob receiver and the alarm is activated. Exemplary embodiments include an add-on kit including a base unit with a transceiver for use with existing car seats having a base and a detachable shell, an add-on kit without the base unit for use with existing unitary car seats, a car seat with the child sensor, transmitter, and/or base unit built into it, and an automatic checklist feature for diaper bags, strollers, etc.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A child-proximity monitoring and alarm system for use with a child seat securable within a vehicle, comprising:

a detector assembly including a sensor and a transmitter, wherein the sensor is adapted to determine whether the child seat is occupied and the transmitter is operable to transmit a first indication that the child seat is occupied responsive to input from the sensor;
a base unit including a transceiver operable to receive the first indication that the child seat is occupied and, responsive thereto, to transmit a second proximity-sensitive indication that the child seat is occupied;
a portable unit housing an alarm and a receiver operable to receive the second proximity-sensitive indication that the child seat is occupied and to activate the alarm if the portable unit is removed beyond a first predetermined proximity range of the transmitter while the child seat is occupied;
and
a plurality of satellite units each having a transceiver operable to communicate to the base unit whether they are within a predetermined accessory proximity range.

2 more elements

A base unit for use in a child-proximity monitoring and alarm system used with a child seat securable within a vehicle, the monitoring and alarm system including a sensor, a transmitter operable to transmit a first indication that the child seat is occupied based on input from the sensor, and a portable unit comprising a receiver and an alarm, the base unit comprising:

a base unit including a transceiver in communication with the sensor and a plurality of indicators, the transceiver operable to receive the first indication from the transmitter that the child seat is occupied based on the input from the sensor and, responsive thereto, to transmit a second proximity-sensitive indication that the child seat is occupied that is receivable by the portable unit receiver only within a first predetermined proximity range, wherein the alarm is activated if the portable unit is removed beyond the first predetermined proximity range of the transceiver;
and
a plurality of satellite units each including a transceiver in communication with the base unit transceiver, wherein the satellite units are operable to communicate to the base unit whether they are within a predetermined accessory proximity range, and the base unit indicators are operable to indicate whether the satellite units are within the predetermined accessory proximity range.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Object-proximity monitoring and alarm system

Life of this patent

Object-proximity monitoring and alarm system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20