Patent Application
20210046898
The present invention relates to a vehicle occupancy detection and notification system. More specifically, the present system relates to an integrated apparatus for detecting an individual within a targeted area and notifying a secondary individual outside of the targeted area.
When individuals become distracted or are in a hurry, tragedies too often occur as children are forgotten or otherwise left in unattended vehicles. When children are left in vehicles while they are exposed to high or low temperatures, serious medical risks, including heat stroke, hypothermia, or death may occur. In addition to parents or relative caretakers, bus drivers are also charged with the safety of children. For bus drivers, it can be difficult to keep track of a large number of children.
Additionally, when people leave valuables or expensive possessions in their vehicles while they are unattended, these items may attract thieves. When thieves break into vehicles to steal valuables, they not only take the value of the stolen possessions away from the vehicle owner, but they also can cause damage by breaking windows or locks. Since these types of crimes can occur at night or in unmonitored areas, it is not common for these criminals to be identified.
Therefore, there is a defined need amongst the known art for a versatile system of notifying vehicle owners, of the presence of an individual, such as a child or a thief, if such an individual is left in an automobile or enters the automobile once the automobile is turned off.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of occupancy detection and alert systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a vehicle occupancy detection and notification system wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when alerting them to the presence of an individual in a targeted area.
The present system comprises a camera. The camera is configured to capture photographic and videographic data. Furthermore, the camera is in operable connection with a processor. The system further comprises at least one sensor. The sensor is configured to detect the presence of an occupant within a targeted area. The sensor is in operable connection with the processor. The processor comprises a presence detection protocol. The presence detection protocol is engaged upon the detection of an occupant within a targeted area, such as a vehicle. A wireless signal transceiver is in operable connection with the processor. The wireless signal transceiver is configured to release a wireless signal when an alert is generated by the processor.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the vehicle occupancy detection and notification system. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
The vehicle occupancy detection and notification system further comprises at least one sensor 12. The sensor 12 is configured to detect the presence of an occupant within a targeted area. The sensor 12 is of any suitable configuration for detecting the presence of an individual. For example, at least one sensor 12 may comprise an infrared sensor, such as to detect the presence of an individual utilizing a plurality of infrared beams. Additionally, at least one sensor 12 may comprise an audio sensor, such as to detect the presence of an individual by sensing noise generated by an individual in the targeted area. In a further embodiment, at least one sensor 12 may comprise a motion sensor, such as to detect motions of an individual located within the targeted area. Additionally, in some embodiments, at least one sensor 12 may comprise a temperature sensor, such as to detect temperature signatures within the targeted area.
The camera 11 and the sensor 12 are in operable connection with a processor 13. The processor 13 comprises a presence detection protocol. The presence detection protocol is engaged upon the detection of an occupant within the targeted area. The processor 13 is of any suitable configuration for receiving and analyzing visual data and sensory data gathered by the camera 11 and the sensors 12, respectively. The presence protection protocol may utilize any known form of identification. For example, in one embodiment, the processor 13 may utilize a facial recognition protocol to determine the presence of an individual in the targeted area. The camera 11 may comprise a microphone to collect audio data.
Additionally, the vehicle occupancy detection and notification system further comprises a wireless signal transceiver 14. The wireless signal transceiver 14 is in operable connection with the processor 13. As such, the wireless signal transceiver 14 is configured to release or transmit a wireless signal when an alert is generated by the processor 13. In one embodiment, the processor 13 and the wireless signal transceiver 14 are programmed to create a video and audio stream, recorded by the camera 11, that is broadcasted by the wireless signal transceiver 14 and accessible by a remote device, such as a mobile phone or tablet.
In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle occupancy detection and notification system comprises a wireless signal receiver 15. The wireless signal receiver 15 is configured to receive the wireless signal emitted from the wireless signal transceiver 14 when the alert is generated by the processor 13. In one embodiment, the wireless signal receiver 15 comprises a stand-alone unit, such as a key fob or tag. In another embodiment, the wireless signal receiver 15 comprises a multi-functional device, such as a mobile phone.
The vehicle occupancy detection and notification system comprises a power source 16. The power source 16 is operably connected to the camera 11, the sensor 12, the processor 13 and the wireless signal transceiver 14. Furthermore, the power source 16 is of any suitable configuration for providing usable power to the connected components. For example, the power source 16 may be a stand-alone power system, such as a battery. Alternatively, the power source 16 may comprise the power system of a vehicle upon which the vehicle occupancy detection and notification system is installed. In some embodiments, the processor 13 may be configured to activate the vehicle occupancy detection and notification system when the vehicle engine of a vehicle on which the system is installed is turned off.
In the demonstrated embodiment, the camera 11, the sensor 12, the processor 13, the wireless signal transceiver 14, and the power source 16 are disposed within the targeted area 17. In some embodiments, the camera 11, the sensor 12, the processor 13 and the wireless signal transceiver 14 are in operable connection via an electrical wiring system. In alternate embodiments, the camera 11, the sensor 12, the processor 13 and the wireless signal transceiver 14 are operably connected via a wireless connection to the local network.
Referring now to
Furthermore, in the demonstrated embodiment, the camera 11 comprises at least one light 24 in operable connection with the camera 11. In the shown embodiment, the plurality of lights 24 extend around the circumference of the camera 11 adjacent to a lens 23 of the camera 11. As such, the camera 11 will be able to record images and video in the absence of light. The plurality of lights 24 are of and suitable configuration for providing directional light. For example, the plurality of lights 24 may comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes.
Referring now to
In use, the camera and at least one sensor will transmit visual and sensory data to the processor from the targeted area defined by the placement of the housing 20. The processor, utilizing the presence detection protocol, will identify the presence of an individual (such as a child 32) within the targeted area (such as the passenger compartment 31 of the automobile 30). An alert is transmitted by the processor, through the wireless signal transceiver, once the presence of an individual is detected. The alert is transmitted to the wireless signal receiver 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the wireless signal receiver 15 is a mobile phone in possession of the user 33. Once the user 33 receives the alert, they will be notified of the presence of the individual in the targeted area.
In some embodiments, the processor is in operable connection with a timer. In such an embodiment, the processor comprises a snooze protocol. The snooze protocol is defined wherein an alert generated by the processor may be dismissed, or postponed, for a temporary amount of time, as determined by the timer. The processor may further be programmed to enact an emergency services protocol, wherein emergency services are notified of the alert and summoned to the location via the vehicle's GPS location device after a threshold amount of time, determined by the timer.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, 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 the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention 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 invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/887,310 filed on Aug. 15, 2019. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62887310 | Aug 2019 | US |
