A control system is disclosed for enhancing the visibility of a driver of a vehicle. The control system may include a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a weight placed on a passenger seat and at least one motor configured to adjust a position of the passenger seat. The control system may also include a controller in communication with the sensor and the at least one motor. The controller may be configured to receive the signal from the sensor, determine that the passenger seat is unoccupied based on the signal, and automatically generate a command signal directed to the at least one motor to adjust the passenger seat to a prospective position.

A system and application to alert parents or guardians to the solitary status of a dependent accidentally left within the confines of a vehicle is described. The system alerts individuals in the event that a dependent such as a child is left behind via the use of sensors configured to detect the presence of the dependent, and determine if he or she is alone. Upon recognizing that the dependent has been left alone, an alert is sent to the parent or guardian's wirelessly connected key fob and/or mobile device via a proprietary mobile application. Simultaneously, the system employs an active display sticker, configured to calm or entertain the dependent left within the vehicle until the alerted parent or guardian returns.

Embodiments include a vehicle comprising a user interface, a first sensor coupled to a child seat for detecting a child seat belt status; a gear selector for selecting a vehicle gear, and a processor communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the gear selector, and configured to cause the user interface to present a first notification if a first alarm condition is detected based on the child seat belt status and a selected gear. Embodiments also include a method of providing child seat monitoring in a vehicle, the method comprising receiving a gear position from a vehicle gear selector, receiving a child seat belt status from a first sensor coupled to a vehicle child seat, and presenting a first notification using a vehicle user interface if the gear position is a non-park position and the child seat belt status is unbuckled.

Some embodiments are directed to an indicator assembly for indicating an orientation between a vehicle seat back and a seat bottom. The indicator assembly can include an outer plate assembly that is configured to be supported by the seat bottom, and a movable plate that is movably supported by the outer plate assembly. A biasing device can apply a biasing force to bias the movable plate toward the seat back when the outer plate assembly is supported by the seat bottom to thereby define a projecting portion of the movable plate. The biasing device can enable the movable plate to move upon application of a force to the projecting portion that is greater than the biasing force. An indicator can indicate a relative orientation between the seat back and the seat bottom based on the amount of movement of the movable plate.

In embodiments, apparatuses, methods and storage media (transitory and non-transitory) are described that are associated with providing alerts to a caregiver in a vehicle. In various embodiments, an apparatus may include a first sensor coupled with a restraint to provide a restraint indicator, a second sensor coupled with a securing component to provide an attachment indicator, and an alert module operated by one or more processors to cause a wireless transmitter to transmit an alert signal based at least in part on the restraint indicator and the attachment indicator. In various embodiments, a warning apparatus may include an output device and a warning module operated by one or more processors to activate the output device based at least in part on a wireless alert signal from a car seat in a vehicle that indicates the car seat is in use.

The present disclosure comprises methods and devices for alerting those outside a vehicle that a passenger or package is present within the vehicle.

A system comprising: a heater located within a steering wheel and a heater located within a vehicle seat; wherein the steering wheel is a first plate and the vehicle seat is a second plate and a shift in a signal is monitored from the first plate, the second plate, or both so that a presence and absence of an occupant is detected, and wherein the heater in the steering wheel and the heater in the vehicle seat are a sensor.

A dongle that may be plugged into an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle and provide notification if a human or animal is left within a parked car. The dongle accesses a first sensor from the vehicle's communication system and a second sensor from within the dongle. If data from the first and second sensors exceeds predetermined threshold values programmed into the dongle's memory, then the dongle sends out a response signal. The response signal may be sent to an owner's cellular phone or to a 911 dispatch center. Additional sensors within the vehicle, or placed within the dongle, may also be used to verify the presence of a human or animal left within the parked vehicle.

A vehicle child safety seat alert system for alerting a caregiver if a child has been left behind in a vehicle. The vehicle child safety seat alert system includes a seat component configured to determine whether a child is sitting on the seat component, identify a Bluetooth signal from the target vehicle and use that signal to determine when the vehicle is turned off, and duplicate an RF signal that actuates the vehicle's sensory alarm system so as to be able to selectively actuate the vehicle's sensory alarm system. In use, with the seat component placed under a child's seat, whenever the vehicle has been turned off, if a child is still on top of the seat component, the seat component will wirelessly actuate the vehicle sensory alarm system after a predetermined period of time.

An apparatus for classifying a passenger in a vehicle includes a seat cushion for a seat in the vehicle, the seat cushion having an adult detection area and a child detection area. A first chamber is disposed in the adult detection area and a second chamber is disposed in the child detection area. A margin improvement unit includes a pressure sensor configured to measure a first pressure based on a first weight applied to the first chamber and a second pressure based on a second weight applied to the second chamber. The margin improvement unit is configured to output a first adjusted pressure value based on the first pressure and a second adjusted pressure value based on the second pressure. The first adjusted pressure value is greater than the second adjusted pressure value when the first weight is substantially equal to the second weight.