US5793291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Child alert system for automobiles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-05-13
•
Granted: 1998-08-11
•
Expires: 2016-05-13
Abstract
Abstract The present invention, in one form, is an alarm system for detecting the presence of a person locked in a parked automobile. The alarm system includes a motion detector and a temperature detecting element coupled to a NOR gate. The motion detector transmits a low signal to the NOR gate once it detects motion within the interior of the automobile. The temperature detecting element transmits a low signal to the NOR gate if the temperature in the automobile exceeds a pre-determined extreme temperature. The NOR gate, upon receiving low signals from both the temperature detecting element and the motion detector, transmits an alarm signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Carolyn M. Thornton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/10; B60R25/1004; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/002; B60N2/0021; B60N2/0035; B60N2/24; B60N2/26; B60N2/266; B60N2/267; B60R99/00; G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/22; G08B21/24; B60N2210/00; B60N2210/30; B60N2230/00; B60N2230/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of warning of a person trapped in an automobile, said method comprising the steps of: detecting motion within the interior of the automobile; determining an actual temperature within the interior of the automobile; comparing the determined actual temperature to an extreme temperature; and activating an alarm to produce an alarm signal if motion is detected within the interior of the automobile and the actual temperature is greater than the extreme temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of warning of a person trapped in an automobile, said method comprising the steps of: detecting motion within the interior of the automobile; determining an actual temperature within the interior of the automobile; comparing the determined actual temperature to an extreme temperature; and activating an alarm to produce an alarm signal if motion is detected within the interior of the automobile and the actual temperature is greater than the extreme temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the extreme temperature is approximately about 100 degrees fahrenheit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the automobile includes a horn, and wherein activating the alarm comprises the step of transmitting an alarm signal to the horn.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
An alarm system for warning of a person trapped in an automobile, said alarm system comprising: a motion detecting element detecting motion within the interior of the automobile; a temperature detecting element detecting an actual temperature within the interior of the automobile; and an alarm element having a motion input portion and a temperature input portion, said motion detecting element electrically coupled to said alarm element motion input portion, said temperature detecting element electrically coupled to said alarm element temperature input portion, said alarm element configured to transmit an alarm signal when said motion detecting element detects motion and said temperature detecting element detects an extreme temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
An alarm system for warning of a person trapped in an automobile, said alarm system comprising: a motion detecting element detecting motion within the interior of the automobile; a temperature detecting element detecting an actual temperature within the interior of the automobile; and an alarm element having a motion input portion and a temperature input portion, said motion detecting element electrically coupled to said alarm element motion input portion, said temperature detecting element electrically coupled to said alarm element temperature input portion, said alarm element configured to transmit an alarm signal when said motion detecting element detects motion and said temperature detecting element detects an extreme temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An alarm system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said alarm element comprises an NOR gate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An alarm system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said automobile includes a horn, and wherein said alarm element comprises an output coupled to the horn.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An alarm system in accordance with claim 4 further comprising a relay coupled between said temperature detecting element and said alarm element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An alarm system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said alarm element further comprises an output portion, and wherein said alarm system further comprises a timing circuit coupled to said output portion of said alarm element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An alarm system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said temperature detecting element comprises a normally open switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An alarm system in accordance with claim 4 wherein the automobile includes an accessory switch, and said motion detecting element is coupled to the accessory switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An alarm system in accordance with claim 10 further comprising a timing circuit coupled in electrical series circuit between the accessory switch and said motion detecting element.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of warning of a person trapped in an automobile, said method comprising the steps of: detecting motion within the interior of the automobile; determining an actual temperature within the interior of the automobile; comparing the determined actual temperature to an extreme temperature; and activating an alarm to produce an alarm signal if motion is detected within the interior of the automobile and the actual temperature is less than the extreme temperature.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of warning of a person trapped in an automobile, said method comprising the steps of: detecting motion within the interior of the automobile; determining an actual temperature within the interior of the automobile; comparing the determined actual temperature to an extreme temperature; and activating an alarm to produce an alarm signal if motion is detected within the interior of the automobile and the actual temperature is less than the extreme temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein the extreme temperature is approximately about 0 degrees fahrenheit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-10 | 2002-02-09 | 2002-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-10 | 2006-02-09 | 2006-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-10 | 2010-02-09 | 2010-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |