Patent Grant
11763654
This Patent Application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 National Stage filing of International Application No. PCT/IB2020/053730, filed on Apr. 20, 2020, which Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102019000006092 filed on Apr. 18, 2019, the entire disclosures of which are is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a monitoring and signaling system and to a method to prevent the abandonment of infants and/or pets in vehicles thereof.
As is known, in recent years, the number of cases of abandonment of infants and/or pets, such as dogs, in closed vehicles and in adverse conditions (for example, in conditions of extreme heat) by parents or by pet caretakers (for example, dogsitters or catsitters) has increased; in particular, such situations of abandonment can compromise the physical and/or mental health of the infant and/or pet, since the latter are exposed to potentially deadly events.
Therefore, monitoring and signaling systems and methods adapted for preventing such events of abandonment events have been developed.
An example of a known monitoring and signaling system to prevent the abandonment of infants in vehicles is shown in
With joint reference to
The child seat 2 is coupled to a detection and signaling device for a seat 5 (defined hereinafter as device 5), housed in an additional pad, which may be releasably coupled with the bottom part of the child seat 2 (for example, through velcro). Alternatively, the device 5 is integrated in the bottom part of the child seat 2.
In particular, the pressure sensor 10 is configured to detect the presence of the infant on the child seat 2; in detail, when the infant is arranged on the child seat 2, the pressure sensor 10 detects the presence of the infant (for example, through capacitive detection) and generates a corresponding electric signal, which is transmitted to the first beacon 11.
The first beacon 11 is, in a first approximation, a point-like source, for example positioned in a first point O′, configured to emit a first signal S1, for example in radio frequency, using, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy technology, based on the aforementioned electric signal. In particular, the first signal S1 is emitted by the first beacon 11 with a first periodicity T1, comprised, for example, between 1 ms and 200 ms (for example 100 ms).
The system 1 further comprises a mobile device 7, for example a smartphone, a tablet or a notebook, schematically shown in
The integrated logic 14 is configured to process the first signal S1 to generate a first processed datum; in particular, the first processed datum is a datum, obtained through known algorithms adapted to convert the first signal S1 into a corresponding distance between the mobile device 7 and the first beacon 11 (i.e. the device 5).
The integrated logic 14 is further configured to verify, based on the distance obtained from the first signal S1, that the mobile device 7 is positioned in a first signaling region 6 (shown with a dashed line in
Furthermore, the integrated logic 14 is configured to generate a monitoring signal when it detects that the system 20 is in the distance condition.
Furthermore, the integrated logic 14 is configured to execute an application (“app”), installed in the mobile device 7, to generate a signaling notification as a function of the corresponding monitoring signal; in particular, the signaling notification is, for example, an SMS or an acoustic signal.
In addition, the integrated logic 14 of the mobile device 7 is configured to determine in a per se known way a GPS (“Global Positioning System”) position of the mobile device 7 through a GPS receiver 16 (schematically shown in
In use, the system 1 operates according to a monitoring and signaling method described in detail hereinafter with reference to
In a first operative step, in particular at a first time instant to,
At a second time instant t1, defined as the sum between the first time instant to and a first time interval Δt0, 1 (i.e. the propagation time of the first signal S1 from the device 5 to the mobile device 7 in the step of
Thereafter, the integrated logic 14 carries out a verification through the app, in which it compares the first distance do with the radius Rth1 of the first signaling region 6 to determine whether the mobile device 7 is in the first signaling region 6. In the first operative step shown in
After the aforementioned verification, the integrated logic 14 activates the GPS receiver 16, which determines a first GPS position P0 of the mobile device 7 at the second time instant t1; thereafter, the integrated logic 14 receives the aforementioned first GPS position P0 and memorizes it in the memory 15.
After verifying and determining the first GPS position P0, in the first operative step, the integrated logic 14 generates a first signaling notification, for example showing the phrase “baby on board” on the mobile device 7 (for example, on the screen of the mobile device 7); in particular, the first signaling notification is adapted for warning the user of the mobile device 7 (for example, a parent or a babysitter) that the infant is on the child seat 2 and in the vehicle 3 and that the mobile device 7 is in the first signaling region 6.
In the second operative step, in particular at a third time instant t2, after the second time instant t1,
Therefore, at a fourth time instant t3, defined as the sum between the third time instant t2 and a second time interval Δt0, 2 (i.e. the propagation time of the first signal S1 from the device 5 to the mobile device 7 in the step of
The integrated logic 14 once again carries out the verification step through the app, in which it compares the second distance d1 with the radius Rth1 of the first signaling region 6, i.e. whether the system 20 is in the proximity condition at the fourth time instant t3. In particular, in the second operative step, the integrated logic 14 determines that the second distance d1 is greater than the radius Rth1 (distance condition) and, therefore, the mobile device 7 is far from the device 5. In other words, the integrated logic 14 determines whether the infant on the child seat 2 has been abandoned in the vehicle 3. Consequently, the integrated logic 14 generates a first monitoring signal Sm0 indicative of the distance condition of the mobile device 7; based on the first monitoring signal Sm0, the integrated logic 14 generates, through the app, a second signaling notification on the mobile device 7, for example showing the phrase “baby on board”, adapted for signaling the user of the abandonment in the vehicle 3 of the child seat 2 (and therefore of the infant).
The monitoring and signaling method described above memorizes the most recent GPS position associated with a respective distance from the device 5 only when the aforementioned positioning verification in the first signaling region 6 gives a positive outcome (i.e. the mobile device 7 is in the first signaling region 6).
Further examples of systems and of relative monitoring and signaling methods are described in US patent US 2018/0322758 A1.
Monitoring systems for infants and for pets in a vehicle are also known, like, for example, the monitoring and signaling system indicated in the article “Low-cost low-power in-vehicle occupant detection with mm-wave FMCW radar” by Alizadeh M. et al. (https://arxiv.org/pdf/1908.04417pdf).
However, the aforementioned systems and methods have drawbacks.
In particular, with reference to the system 1 of
However, in some cases, the verification operation by the integrated logic 14 can generate false alarms. For example, when the infant is arranged on the child seat 2, but it is not in the vehicle 3, and the mobile device 7 is outside the first signaling region 6, the integrated logic 14 of the mobile device 7 detects the distance condition and, therefore, generates a corresponding signaling notification; such a signaling notification represents a false alarm, since the infant has not been abandoned in the vehicle 3.
Similar considerations are also valid for monitoring and signaling systems for pets.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a system and a method that at least partially overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
According to the present invention a monitoring and signaling system and a relative method for preventing the abandonment of infants in vehicles are made, as defined in the attached claims.
In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, purely as a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
In particular, the vehicle 3 is coupled to a second beacon 28, arranged, for example, on the dashboard of the vehicle 3. In greater detail, the second beacon 28 is, in a first approximation, a point-like source, for example positioned at a second point O″, configured to emit, independently from the first beacon 11, a second signal S2, for example in radio frequency, using, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy technology; in particular, the second signal S2 is emitted with a second periodicity T2, which, as a non-limiting example, is assumed to be equal to the first periodicity T1 (i.e. comprised, for example, between 1 ms and 200 ms, for example 100 ms).
In further embodiments, the second periodicity T2 is defined as the sum between the first periodicity T1 and a delay ΔT, for example equal to 1 ms; in this way, in use, the receiver 13 of the mobile device 7 receives the second signal S2 with a delay equal to the delay ΔT with respect to the first signal S1.
Assuming, for the sake of simplicity, that the first and the second beacon 11, 28 respectively emit the first and the second signal S1, S2 at the same time instant, the first and the second beacon 11, 28 emit the first and the second signal S1, S2 in an approximately spherical region (not shown and defined hereinafter as region of maximum reception), with radius equal, for example, to 70 meters. In greater detail, in the hypothetical case in which the first and the second signal S1, S2 propagate in free space, the receiver 13 of the mobile device 7 has a sensitivity such as to be capable of correctly receive (and thus process to determine the corresponding data) both the first and the second signal S1, S2, when inside the aforementioned region of maximum reception.
The integrated logic 14 is further configured to process the second signal S2 to generate a second processed datum; in particular, the second processed datum is a datum obtained through known algorithms adapted to determine, from the second signal S2, a corresponding distance between the mobile device 7 and the second beacon 28 from the second signal S2.
The integrated logic 14 is further configured to verify, based on the distance obtained from the second signal S2, that the mobile device 7 is positioned in a second signaling region 30 (shown with a dashed line in
In particular, the system 20 is in a proximity condition when the distances obtained from the first and second signals S1, S2 are less, respectively, than the first and second radius Rth1, Rth2, i.e. the mobile device 7 is both in the first and in the second signaling region 6, 30; furthermore, the system 20 is in a distance condition when the aforementioned distances are both greater than the first and the second radius Rth1, Rth2 respectively, i.e. the mobile device 7 is outside of both the first and the second signaling region 6, 30.
In addition, the system 20 is in a first intermediate condition when the distance obtained from the first signal S1 is greater than the first radius Rth1 and the distance obtained from the second signal S2 is less than the second radius Rth2, i.e. the mobile device 7 is outside the first signaling region 6 and inside the second signaling region 30; furthermore, the system 20 is in a second intermediate condition when the distance obtained from the first signal S1 is less than the first radius Rth1 and the distance obtained from the second signal S2 is greater than the second radius Rth2, i.e. the mobile device 7 is inside the first signaling region 6 and outside the second signaling region 30.
Furthermore, the integrated logic 14 is configured to generate respective monitoring signals when it detects that the mobile device 7 is in the first or in the second intermediate condition or in the distance condition.
Furthermore, the integrated logic 14 is configured to execute the app to generate a signaling notification as a function of the aforementioned monitoring signals; in particular, the signaling notification is, for example, an SMS or an acoustic signal generated by the mobile device 7.
In a further embodiment of the device 5, shown in
In use, the system 20 operates according to a monitoring and signaling method described in detail hereinafter. In particular, three operating modes are described hereinafter, alternative to one another. In particular, hereinafter and without any loss of generality, reference is made to a monitoring and signaling method for monitoring whether or not an infant is present on the child seat 2. In addition, for the sake of simplicity of description, hereinafter reference is made to a device of the type shown in
Hereinafter, it is assumed, without any loss of generality, that the system 20 of
In greater detail, the operative step shown in
In a first time instant t0′, the infant is arranged on the child seat 2 and, therefore, on the device 5; consequently, the pressure sensor 10 detects the presence of the infant, generates an electric signal and transmits it to the first beacon 11, which is activated and generates the first signal S1.
At the first time instant t0′, the second beacon 28 emits the second signal S2 independently from the first beacon 11. For the sake of simplicity of description and without any loss of generality, it is assumed that the first and the second beacon 11, 28 emit the respective first and second signal S1, S2 in the same first time instant t0′. Furthermore, it is assumed that the mobile device 7 receives the aforementioned first and second signal S1, S2 at the same time instant; in other words, hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, the distance between first and second beacon 11, 28 will be ignored, except where specified otherwise.
At a second time instant t1′, defined as the sum between the first time instant t0′ and a first time interval Δt0, 1′, the receiver 13 receives the first signal S1 and transmits it to the integrated logic 14; in detail, the integrated logic 14 processes the aforementioned first signal S1 according to the previously described modalities to determine the first processed datum, i.e. a first distance d0′ of the mobile device 7 with respect to the device 5 at the second time instant t1′.
At the same second time instant t1′, the receiver 13 further receives the second signal S2 and transmits it to the integrated logic 14; in detail, the integrated logic 14 processes the aforementioned second signal S2 according to the previously described modalities with reference to the first signal to determine the processed second datum, i.e. a second distance d0″ of the mobile device 7 with respect to the second beacon 28 at the second time instant t1′.
It should be noted that, since the receiver 13 receives both the first and the second signal S1, S2 at the second time instant t1′, the first time interval Δt0, 1′ represents the propagation time of the first and second signals S1, S2 from the device 5 and from the second beacon 28 respectively to the receiver 13 in the step of
The first and the second signals S1, S2 received at the second time instant t1′ form a first pair of signals.
Thereafter, the integrated logic 14 carries out a first verification through the app, in which it compares the first distance d0′ with the radius Rth1 of the first signaling region 6 to determine whether the mobile device 7 is in the first signaling region 6. In the operative step of
At the same second time instant t1′, the integrated logic 14 carries out a second verification through the app, in which it compares the second distance d0″ with the radius Rth2 of the second signaling region 30 to determine whether the mobile device 7 is in the second signaling region 30. In the step shown in
Therefore, since both the verification of the first distance d0′ with respect to the radius Rth1 and the verification of the second distance d0″ with respect to the radius Rth2 have given a positive outcome, i.e. the system 20 is in the proximity condition, the integrated logic 14 activates the GPS receiver 16, which determines a first GPS position P0′ of the mobile device 7 at the second time instant t1′. Thereafter, the first GPS position P0′, which is associated to the first and the second distance d0′, d0″, is received by the integrated logic 14 and is memorized in the memory 15.
Furthermore, in the operative step described above, the integrated logic 14 executes the app to generate a first signaling notification, for example a text notification showing the phrase “baby on board” on the mobile device 7 (for example, on the screen); such a signaling notification makes it possible to warn the user of the mobile device 7 that the infant is on board the vehicle 3.
In particular,
At a fourth time instant t3′, defined as the sum between the third time instant t2′ and a second time interval Δt0, 2′, the receiver 13 receives the first signal S1 and transmits it to the integrated logic 14; the integrated logic 14 processes the aforementioned first signal S1 according to the previously described modalities to once again determine the first processed datum, i.e. a third distance d1 of the mobile device 7 with respect to the device 5 at the fourth time instant t3′.
At the same fourth time instant t3′, the receiver 13 receives the second signal S2 and transmits it to the integrated logic 14; in detail, the integrated logic 14 processes the aforementioned second signal S2 according to the previously described modalities with reference to the first signal S1 to once again determine the processed second datum, i.e. a fourth distance d1′ of the mobile device 7 with respect to the second beacon 28 at the fourth time instant t3′.
In particular, the first and the second signal S1, S2 received at the fourth time instant t3′ form a second pair of signals.
Furthermore, similarly to what was discussed with reference to the first time interval Δt0, 1′, the second time interval Δt0, 2′ represents the propagation time of the first and of the second signal S1, S2 from the device 5 and from the second beacon 28 respectively to the receiver 13 in the step of
Thereafter, the integrated logic 14 once again carries out the first verification through the app, in which it compares the third distance d1 with the radius Rth1 of the first signaling region 6 to determine whether the mobile device 7 is in the first signaling region 6. In the operative step of
At the same fourth time instant t3′, the integrated logic 14 further carries out the second verification through the app, in which it compares the fourth distance d1′ with the radius Rth2 of the second signaling region 30 to determine whether the mobile device 7 is in the second signaling region 30. In the step shown in
Therefore, in
In the operative step described above, the integrated logic 14 generates a second monitoring signal Sm1, indicative of the first intermediate condition of the mobile device 7; based on the second monitoring signal Sm1, the integrated logic 14 generates, through the app, a second signaling notification, for example a text notification showing the phrase “baby on board” for example on the screen of the mobile device 7. Furthermore, in the operative step of
In greater detail, at a fifth time instant t4′, after the fourth time instant t3′, the first and the second beacon 11, 28 respectively emit the first and the second signal S1, S2. The first and the second signal S1, S2 thus emitted are received by the receiver 13 at a sixth time instant t5′, the latter defined as the sum between the fifth time instant t4′ and a third time interval Δt0, 3′.
The first and the second signal S1, S2 received at the sixth time instant t5′ form a third pair of signals.
Furthermore, similarly to what is discussed with reference to the first and to the second time interval Δt0, 1′, Δt0, 2′, the third time interval Δt0, 3′ represents the propagation time of the first and of the second signal S1, S2 respectively from the device 5 and from the second beacon 28 to the receiver 13 in the step of
Consequently, the receiver 13 transmits the first and the second signal S1, S2 thus received to the integrated logic 14, so that the latter determines, according to the previously described modalities, a fifth and a sixth distance d2, d2′ between the mobile device 7 and, respectively, the device 5 and the second beacon 28. Thereafter, the integrated logic 14 once again carries out the first and the second verification through the app, in which it compares the fifth and the sixth distance d2, d2′ with the radii Rth1, Rth2 of the first and the second signaling region 6, 30 respectively to determine whether the mobile device 7 is in the first and/or the second signaling region 6, 30. In the operative step of
Therefore, in the operative step described above, the integrated logic 14 generates a third monitoring signal Sm2 indicative of the distance condition of the mobile device 7; therefore, based on the third monitoring signal Sm2, the integrated logic 14 generates a third signaling notification, for example a text notification showing the phrase “baby on board” for example on the screen of the mobile device 7. Furthermore, also in this case, the integrated logic 14 deactivates the GPS receiver 16, i.e. it does not acquire the GPS position of the mobile device 7 at the sixth time instant t5′, so that the first GPS position P0′ determined in the operative step described with reference to
In further embodiments, the integrated logic 14 carries out a third verification, adapted for determining the veracity of the aforementioned notification of abandonment of the infant (
If the mobile device 7 is outside the first and/or the second signaling region 6, 30 (first intermediate condition or distance condition), the integrated logic 14 determines that the previous signaling notification is an indication of an actual abandonment of the infant in the vehicle 3; therefore, such a signaling notification is once again signaled to the user on the mobile device 7 through the app.
The aforementioned verification mechanism makes it possible to reduce the number of false signaling notification; for example, the present method can advantageously be used in situations of momentarily going away from the vehicle 3 and from the child seat 2.
In particular,
At a fourth time instant t3″, defined as the sum between the third time instant t2″ and a second time interval Δt0, 2″, the receiver 13 receives the first signal S1 and transmits it to the integrated logic 14; in detail, the integrated logic 14 processes the aforementioned first signal S1 according to the previously described modalities to once again determine the first processed datum, i.e. a third distance d3 of the mobile device 7 with respect to the device 5 at the fourth time instant t3″.
At the same fourth time instant t3″, the receiver 13 receives the second signal S2 and transmits it to the integrated logic 14; in detail, the integrated logic 14 processes the aforementioned second signal S2 according to the previously described modalities with reference to the first signal S1 to once again determine the second processed datum, i.e. a fourth distance d3′ of the mobile device 7 with respect to the second beacon 28 at the fourth time instant t3″.
The first and the second signal S1, S2 received at the fourth time instant t3″ form a fourth pair of signals.
It should be noted that, since the receiver 13 receives both the first and the second signal S1, S2 at the fourth time instant t3″, the second time interval Δt0, 2″ represents the propagation time of the first and of the second signal S1, S2 respectively from the device 5 and from the second beacon 28 to the receiver 13 in the step of
Thereafter, the integrated logic 14 carries out a verification through the app, in which it compares the third and the fourth distance d3, d3′ with the radii Rth1, Rth2 of the first and the second signaling region 6, 30 respectively to determine whether the mobile device 7 is in the first and/or the second signaling region 6, 30. In the operative step of
Consequently, in light of the aforementioned verifications, the integrated logic 14 activates the GPS receiver 16, which determines a second GPS position P1′ of the mobile device 7 at the fourth time instant t3″; thereafter, the integrated logic 14 receives the aforementioned second GPS position P1′ and memorizes it in the memory 15.
Furthermore, in the operative step described above, the integrated logic 14 executes the app to generate a fourth signaling notification on the mobile device 7, for example showing the phrase “baby on board”, to indicate that the mobile device 7 is in the first and in the second signaling region 6, 30.
In greater detail, at a fifth time instant t4″, after the fourth time instant t3″, the first and the second beacon 11, 28 respectively emit the first and the second signal S1, S2. The first and the second signal S1, S2, here forming a fifth pair of signals, thus emitted are received by the receiver 13 at a sixth time instant t5″, defined as the sum between the fifth time instant t4″ and a third time interval Δt0, 3″. Consequently, the receiver 13 transmits the first and the second signal S1, S2 to the integrated logic 14, so that the latter once again determines, according to the previously described modalities, the first and the second processed datum, i.e. a fifth and a sixth distance d4, d4′ between the mobile device 7 and, respectively, the device 5 and the second beacon 28.
Furthermore, similarly to what has been discussed with reference to the second time interval Δt0, 2″, the third time interval Δt0, 3″ represents the propagation time of the first and of the second signal S1, S2 respectively from the device 5 and from the second beacon 28 to the receiver 13 in the step of
Thereafter, the integrated logic 14 once again carries out the first verification through the app, in which it compares the fifth and the sixth distance d4, d4′ with, respectively, the radii Rth1, Rth2 of the first and the second signaling region 6, 30 to determine whether the mobile device 7 is in the first and/or the second signaling region 6, 30. In the operative step of
Therefore, the mobile device 7 is in the second intermediate condition, i.e. it is outside the second signaling region 30 and inside the first signaling region 6.
Therefore, in the operative step described above, the integrated logic 14 generates a fourth monitoring signal Sm3 indicative of the second intermediate condition; based on the fourth monitoring signal Sm3, the integrated logic 14 executes the app to generate a fifth signaling notification, for example a text notification showing the phrase “thank you for using us” and determines that, since the mobile device 7 is close to the child seat 2, but not to the vehicle 3, the signaling can be deactivated and, therefore, it is not necessary to generate further notifications. In other words, the fourth monitoring signal Sm3 is a signaling inhibiting signal for the mobile device 7.
In greater detail, at a seventh time instant t6″, after the sixth time instant t5″, the first and the second beacon 11, 28 respectively emit the first and the second signal S1, S2. The first and the second signal S1, S2 thus emitted and here forming a sixth pair of signals are received by the receiver 13 at an eighth time instant t7″, defined as the sum between the seventh time instant t6″ and a fourth time interval Δt0, 4″; consequently, the receiver 13 transmits the first and the second signal S1, S2 to the integrated logic 14, so that the latter determines, according to the previously described modalities, a seventh and an eighth distance d5, d5′ between the mobile device 7 and, respectively, the device 5 and the second beacon 28.
Furthermore, similarly to what has been discussed with reference to the third time interval Δt0, 3″, the fourth time interval Δt0, 4″ represents the propagation time of the first and the second signal S1, S2 respectively from the device 5 and from the second beacon 28 to the receiver 13 in the step of
Thereafter, the integrated logic 14 carries out a verification through the app, in which it compares the seventh and eighth distance d5, d5′ with the radii Rth1, Rth2 of the first and of the second signaling region 6, 30 respectively to determine whether the mobile device 7 is in the first and/or in the second signaling region 6, 30. In the operative step of
In this case, the integrated logic 14 generates a fifth monitoring signal Sm4 indicative of the distance condition of the mobile device 7; based on the aforementioned fifth signal Sm4, the integrated logic 14 once again determines that, since the previous verification has not given a positive outcome, the signaling continues to be interrupted. Therefore, the fifth monitoring signal Sm4 is also a signaling inhibiting signal for the mobile device 7.
In particular, at a third time instant t2′″, the infant is not arranged on the child seat 2 and, therefore, on the device 5; consequently, the pressure sensor 10 does not detect the presence of the infant and, therefore, the first beacon 11 is not active. Therefore, the first beacon 11 does not emit the first signal S1. Moreover, at the same third time instant t2′″, the second beacon 28 once again emits the second signal S2 upon command of the respective integrated logic (not shown).
At a fourth time instant t3′″, defined as the sum between the third time instant t2′″ and a second time interval Δt0, 2′″, the receiver 13 receives the second signal S2 and transmits it to the integrated logic 14; in detail, the integrated logic 14 processes the aforementioned second signal S2 according to the previously described modalities to once again determine the second processed datum, i.e. a fourth distance d6′ of the mobile device 7 with respect to the second beacon 28 at the fourth time instant t3′″.
Given the lack of the first signal S1, the integrated logic 14 is not able to verify that the mobile device 7 is in the first signaling region 6.
Therefore, the second time interval Δt0, 2′″ is the propagation time of the second signal S2 from the second beacon 28 to the receiver 13.
However, at the same fourth time instant t3′″, the integrated logic 14 once again carries out the second verification through the app, in which it compares the fourth distance d6′ with the radius Rth2 of the second signaling region 30 to determine whether the mobile device 7 is in the second signaling region 30. In the step shown in
Consequently, in the operative step described above, the integrated logic 14 does not generate a further monitoring signal and does not execute the app to generate a new signaling notification, since the infant is not on the child seat 2; therefore, the signaling is interrupted.
In particular, in the system 120, the device 5, which can be either of the type shown in
In use, the system 120 operates in an analogous way to what has been described with reference to
The present method and the present system have different advantages.
In particular, the present system uses the first and the second beacon 11, 28 and the receiver 13 for monitoring and signaling a possible abandonment of an infant in a vehicle. The synergy between the aforementioned elements makes it possible to verify that the user, using the mobile device 7, is distant both from the child seat 2 and from the vehicle 3.
In particular, the verification of proximity to the vehicle 3 through the reception of the second signal S2, emitted by the second beacon 28, makes it possible to determine the distance of the mobile device 7 with respect to the second beacon 28 at any time instant. In this way, the generation of signaling notifications is subject to at least two verifications by the integrated logic 14, which make it possible to verify whether the abandonment of the infant and/or of the pet has actually occurred, consequently limiting the false signaling notifications. As an example, as described with reference to
Finally, it is clear that modifications and variants can be brought to the system and to the method described and illustrated here without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, as defined in the attached claims.
For example, the device 5 can be a sensor different from a pressure sensor, for example an optical sensor.
Furthermore, in another embodiment, alternative to the one shown in
It should also be noted that the microcontroller 41 is configured to control the position sensor 43, the inertial sensor 44 and the PIR sensor 45 through corresponding control signals. Furthermore, the microcontroller 41 is configured to communicate through radio frequency signals, using, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy technology, both with the first beacon 11 in a unidirectional manner (i.e. the microcontroller 41 is configured to receive the first signal S1 at any time instant) and with the mobile device 7 in a bi-directional manner. In particular, in this latter case, the microcontroller 41 and the integrated logic 7 are configured to communicate with each other, i.e. the microcontroller 41 is capable of interrogating the integrated logic 14 through the emission of a verification signal (for example, in radio frequency, using, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy technology) to investigate the operative state thereof, as well as of receiving a response signal from the integrated logic 14 indicative of the operative state of the mobile device 7. In other words, the response signal is processed by the microcontroller 41 to determine whether the mobile device 7 is capable of receiving signals from external devices, for example from the device 5 and from the second beacon 28.
In greater detail, the microcontroller 41 interrogates the mobile device 7 sending, at a time instant of a time interval Tctrl, verification signals to the mobile device 7.
If the microcontroller 41 receives a response signal at a time instant after the one at which the verification signal was sent and belonging to the time interval Tctrl, the microcontroller 41 determines that the mobile device 7 is active (first operating condition); alternatively, if the microcontroller 41 does not receive a response signal within the time interval Tctrl, the microcontroller 41 determines that the mobile device 7 is inactive (second operating condition).
In addition, the battery 42 is for example a lithium battery that can be replaced and recharged through a connection port (not shown) to the vehicle 3, like, for example, a USB connection port or cigarette lighter socket of the vehicle 3. Furthermore, the battery 42 is capable of determining whether the aforementioned battery 42 is connected to the vehicle 3 through the connection port or whether the vehicle 3 is turned off and, therefore, the aforementioned battery 42 is not powered by means of the connection port; in particular, if the battery 42 is disconnected from the connection port or does not receive further power signals from the vehicle 3, the power circuit (not shown) of the same battery 42 generates a notification signal, which is transmitted to the microcontroller 41 to warn it. In other words, upon the disconnection of the battery 42 from the vehicle 3, i.e. in a condition of a lack of power, the battery 42 sends a signal to the microcontroller 41.
When in use, the microcontroller 41 is capable of determining the geographical position of the vehicle 3 at a time instant as a function of a position signal of the plurality of position signals transmitted by the position sensor 43; in particular, each position signal is processed by the microcontroller 41 to determine the geographical position of the vehicle 3 at a given time instant.
Similarly, when in use, the microcontroller 41 is capable of determining the motion state of the vehicle 3 at a time instant as a function of a corresponding inertial signal of the plurality of inertial signals transmitted by the inertial sensor 44; in particular, as stated briefly earlier, the inertial sensor 44 allows to detect a magnitude relative to the motion of the vehicle 3 (for example, an acceleration in the case of an accelerometer or an orientation in a triaxial XYZ reference system in the case of a gyroscope). Furthermore, each inertial signal is processed by the microcontroller 41 to determine the motion state of the vehicle 3 at a given time instant.
Furthermore, the PIR sensor 45 makes it possible, in use, to optically detect the presence, for example, of a driver of the vehicle 3 at a time instant and to generate a signal of the plurality of signals indicative of the optical detection carried out by the PIR sensor 45; in particular, such a signal is transmitted to the microcontroller 41, which processes it to determine whether the driver is in the vehicle 3.
In addition, when in use, the microcontroller 41 is configured to send telematic signals (for example, SMS) to the at least one emergency telephone number, memorized in the at least one SIM card 46, if there are connection problems between the mobile device 7 and the device for a vehicle 40 and the first beacon 11 is active (i.e. the microcontroller 41 determines, receiving the first signals S1, that the infant or the pet are in the vehicle 3).
In particular, if the mobile device 7 is temporarily inactive (for example, it is in an area at a greater distance than the second reference distance Rth2, or in an area with poor coverage or the battery of the mobile device 7 has run out) and, therefore, it cannot receive the first and the second signal S1, S2 generated respectively by the device 5 and by the device 40, the integrated logic 14 is unable to generate any signal to warn the user of the abandonment of the infant or of the pet in the vehicle 3; in addition, the integrated logic 14 is unable to respond to a possible signal coming from the microcontroller 41, which investigates whether the mobile device 7 is reachable and operative. Consequently, the microcontroller 41, not receiving a signal from the mobile device 7 in the time interval Tcrtl, determines that the mobile device 7 is not in the conditions to receive the first and the second signal S1, S2.
In addition to such information, the microcontroller 41 verifies the geographical position of the vehicle 3; in particular, the microcontroller 41 interrogates the position sensor 43, which, in response to the interrogation of the microcontroller 41, detects the geographical position of the vehicle 3 and generates a corresponding position signal and transmits it to the microcontroller 41. The interrogation by the microcontroller 41 and the consequent reception of the position signals is carried out at a predetermined time interval, indicated hereinafter as sample time interval Ts: in particular, if the position signals sampled at any time instant of the sample time interval Ts are indicative of the fact that the vehicle 3 is in the same geographical position (i.e. the vehicle 3 is in a first position condition, where the position signals are indicative, except for an error, of the same geographical position), the microcontroller 41 determines that the vehicle 3 is stationary in a geographical position; alternatively, if, starting from a reference time instant trif of the sample time interval Ts, the position signals are indicative of the fact that the vehicle 3 has moved (i.e. the vehicle 3 is in a second position condition, where the position signals, starting from the reference time instant trif, are indicative of one or more different geographical positions), the microcontroller 41 determines that the vehicle 3 has moved.
In addition to the aforementioned information, the microcontroller 41 verifies the motion state of the vehicle 3; in particular, the microcontroller 41 interrogates the inertial sensor 44, which, in response to the interrogation of the microcontroller 41, detects the motion state of the vehicle 3 and generates a corresponding inertial signal and transits it to the microcontroller 41. The interrogation by the microcontroller 41 and the consequent reception of the inertial signals is carried out in a predetermined time interval, which is assumed to be equal to the sample time interval Ts(i.e. the microcontroller 41 verifies, in the same time interval, both the geographical position and the motion state): in particular, if the inertial signals sampled at any time instant of the sample time interval Ts are indicative of the fact that the vehicle 3 is not in motion (i.e. the vehicle 3 is in a first motion condition, where the inertial signals are indicative, except for an error, of zero acceleration and speed), the microcontroller 41 determines that the vehicle 3 is not in motion; alternatively, if, starting from a further reference time instant trif′ of the sample time interval Ts, the inertial signals are indicative of the fact that the vehicle 3 is in motion (i.e. the vehicle 3 is in a second motion condition, where the inertial signals, starting from the further reference time instant trif′, are indicative of non-zero acceleration and/or speed), the microcontroller 41 determines that the vehicle 3 has moved, i.e. it is in motion.
In addition to the aforementioned information, the microcontroller 41 also interrogates the PIR sensor 45, which detects whether the driver is present on the vehicle 3 through optical detection; consequently, the PIR sensor 45 generates a signal indicative of the optical detection carried out and transmits it to the microcontroller 41, which processes it to determine whether the driver is in the vehicle 3 (i.e. whether the PIR sensor 45 detects a first occupation condition) or whether the driver is outside of the vehicle 3 (i.e. whether the PIR sensor 45 detects a second occupation condition). Also in this case, the interrogation by the microcontroller 41 and the consequent reception of the signals indicative of the optical detection is carried out in a predetermined time interval, which is assumed to be equal to the sample time interval Ts(i.e. the microcontroller 41 also verifies, in the same time interval, the occupation state of the vehicle 3): in particular, if the signals indicative of the optical detection sampled at any time instant of the sample time interval Ts are indicative of the fact that the driver is outside of the vehicle 3 (i.e. the PIR sensor 45 detects the second occupation condition), the microcontroller 41 determines that the vehicle 3 is unoccupied; alternatively, if, starting from another reference time instant trif″ of the sample time interval Ts, the signals indicative of the optical detection are indicative of the fact that the driver is not in the vehicle 3 (i.e. the PIR sensor 45 detects, starting from the other reference time instant trif″, the first occupation condition), the microcontroller 41 determines that the vehicle 3 is occupied.
In addition to the aforementioned information, the microcontroller 41 verifies the state of the battery 42 through the reception of the notification signal, which, as stated earlier, is indicative of the condition of a lack of power. Alternatively, the microcontroller 41 can verify the state of the battery 42 by sending a power verification signal at a time instant of a predetermined time interval, for example the sample time interval Ts; in this case, if the battery 42 responds at a subsequent time instant trif′″ belonging to the sample time interval Ts, the aforementioned battery 42 will generate a power response signal or, alternatively, the aforementioned signal indicative of the condition of a lack of power. Differently, if the aforementioned battery 42 does not respond to the aforementioned power verification signal at the aforementioned sample time interval Ts, the microcontroller 42 determines that the battery 42 is depleted, i.e. it is in a depletion condition.
If, together with the fact that the mobile device 7 is at a greater distance than the second reference distance Rth2, the microcontroller 41 detects that the vehicle 3 is stationary (i.e. it is in the first position condition and/or in the first motion condition) in the sample time interval Ts, the driver is not in the vehicle 3 (i.e. it is in the second occupation condition) and/or the battery 42 is disconnected from the vehicle 3 or is depleted (i.e. is alternatively in the condition of a lack of power or in the depletion condition), the aforementioned microcontroller 41 autonomously activates an emergency service, i.e. it generates a signaling notification (for example, an SMS or a pre-recorded voice message, which are supplied together with the GPS position, communicated by the position sensor 43, to the microcontroller 41) and transmits it to the at least one emergency telephone number memorized in the at least one SIM 46. In other words, the microcontroller 41 automatically activates one or more signals to the at least one emergency telephone number as a function of one or more signals indicative of the geographical position, of the motion state, of the occupation state and/or of the connection state of the device for a vehicle 40 to the vehicle 3 to notify other users, in order to notify them of the abandonment of the infant or of the pet in the vehicle 3.
In addition, the device 5 can be made according to further embodiments, described hereinafter with reference to
In detail, the device 50 here is in the form of a clip and is arranged on safety belts 52 of the child seat 2, so that, when the infant is arranged on the child seat 2, the device 50 operates as further closure element, besides the closure clip 58 of the child seat 2, which makes it possible to arrange the safety belts 52 so that they securely fix the infant to the child seat 2. The device 50 comprises a first and a second portion 54, 56 shaped in a matching manner and configured to physically and electrically couple with each other when the infant is arranged on the child seat 2. In detail, as shown in
In use, when the first and the second portion 54, 56 are disconnected from one another, the first beacon 11 is not powered by the battery 55 and, therefore, does not emit any first signal S1; differently, when the first and the second portion 54, 56 are connected to one another (i.e. the electric contacts 57, 58 are in contact with one another and, therefore, are electrically connected), the battery 55 is electrically connected to the first beacon 11, which is thus powered by the battery 55 and can emit the first signals S1 according to the previously described modalities with reference to
When the device 50 is used alternatively to the device 5 of
In further embodiments, now shown here, the device 50 can be integrated in the closure clip 58, i.e. the coupling of the portions 54, 56 also determines the fixing of the infant to the child seat 2.
In detail, the device 60 comprises a collar 62, shown partially and in open configuration in
The aforementioned embodiment can advantageously be used in the case in which it is wished to detect the presence in the vehicle 3 of a pet, the latter wearing the collar 62.
In use, the device 60 operates in an analogous way to what has been discussed with reference to
In detail, the device 70 comprises only the battery 64, the first beacon 11 and the solar cells 63, which are arranged as described earlier with reference to
In use, the device 70 operates in an analogous way to what has been discussed with reference to
In further embodiments, not shown here, the collar 62 has a closure clip independent from the closure elements 62A, 62B, i.e. the latter can be coupled independently from the coupling of the portions of the closure clip; in other words, the collar 62 can be closed on the neck of the pet without the electric contacts 72, 73 being connected and, therefore, allowing the powering of the first beacon 11.
In addition, the system 20, 120 can comprise more than one device 5, 50, 60, 70; in other words, in a same system 20, 120, there may be, for example, a device 5 of the type shown in
Furthermore, with reference to the step shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102019000006092 | Apr 2019 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2020/053730 | 4/20/2020 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2020/212960 | 10/22/2020 | WO | A |
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| 3312047 | Apr 2018 | EP |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220215734 A1 | Jul 2022 | US |
