The present disclosure provides a vehicle occupant detection and alert system including an onboard apparatus including a controller operably connected to an occupancy sensor, an environment sensor and a transceiver. The controller generates a signal indicating that an occupant is present. A mobile communication device is operably connected to the transceiver. The mobile communication device includes a processor which upon execution of instructions performs the steps including:

receiving a signal from the controller indicating that an occupant is in the vehicle, responsive to an alert condition, initiating a first alert mode, wherein a first notification is generated and the functionality of the mobile device is restricted; and

generating a prompt to enter a code to acknowledge the first notification, wherein the functionality restriction is removed in response to entry of the code.

An alarm system can remind or alert an adult about the presence of a child in a vehicle. A child detector, such as a weight sensor or weight-activated circuit, can detect whether a child is occupying the child safety seat. The child detector may be integrated with or coupled to a child safety seat. The child detector can be used in coordination with a vehicle alarm system to remind or alert a driver that a child is occupying the child safety seat when a key is not in the ignition.

The present invention discloses a mm-wave radar sensor to be deployed in the vehicles for seat occupation detection applications. The key system relevant components are utilization of mm-wave integrated radar, specific planar high-gain antenna radiation pattern, and analyzing of the heartbeat and optionally also respiratory dynamics. The method of operation calculates probability of the seat occupation event regarding: detection of the passenger on the seat, detection of a baby or a child on the seat, detection of the presence of a baby or a child in the vehicle after the driver has left the vehicle, detection of the human or animal presence of intrusion in specific vehicle environment. In case that probability is above a predefined threshold, typically the interaction with vehicle control system is initiated using arbitrary automotive interfaces. Corresponding predefined actions are taken in that case. The predefined actions could be one or combination of the following: audio signal alerts to driver, inside cabin light condition change, engine operation condition change, opening of the windows or corresponding communication using arbitrary wireless means to outside vehicle environment. Optionally, the system is utilizing additional parameters like vehicle cabin temperature and/or timing information about engine stop and driver leaving the car. Preferably, the system is using 60 GHz or 77-79 GHz integrated radar front end working in Doppler operation mode, with 4?4 Tx and Rx planar radiation elements, with physical size typically in the range 4?2?1 cm, or smaller.

A load exerted on one of supporting parts supporting a seat of a vehicle is detected and is corrected according to an inclination of the vehicle. A load object on the seat is determined a plurality of times of turning on and turning off an ignition of the vehicle using the load thus corrected or the load detected. The load object is determined as an adult at least when the load is greater than or equal to a first threshold and determined as other than an adult at least when the load is less than a second threshold that is less than the first threshold. A function is further provided of determining the load object from a combination of a magnitude relation between the load and a third threshold less than or equal to the first threshold and greater than the second threshold and the inclination of the vehicle.

A child detection device for a child safety seat for an automobile according to an example includes a plurality of sensors to be positioned on the child safety seat, wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least one capacitive sensor to generate analog capacitive signals. The child detection device includes a conversion circuit to convert the analog capacitive signals to digital capacitive values. The child detection devices includes a controller to identify movement of an object based on the digital capacitive values, and determine whether a child is positioned in the child safety seat based on the digital capacitive values and the identified movement.

A vehicle seat with an embedded occupancy detector system and manufacturing method for same, and an occupant protection system including an occupancy detector system embedded in a vehicle seat as described herein. Examples include a molded vehicle seat with one or more inserts including an occupant detection system with one or more sensor pads. A gap housing one or more sensor pads of an occupant detection system may be provided between a surface of an insert and a recessed surface of the molded vehicle seat.

A car seat occupancy alert system includes an occupancy sensor imbedded in or positioned atop the seat portion of an infant car seat in a vehicle. The alert system includes an engine sensor configured to detect when a vehicle engine has been turned off. The occupancy sensor may be electrically connected to a controller (e.g. a control circuit or process). When the engine is deactivated, the controller determines if the car seat is still occupied after a predetermined time and, at first, energizes a dash light as a gentle reminder for the driver to retrieve the child and, later, actuates more aggressive audio and visual alarms to alert the driver and public to a child left in the vehicle. The alert system also provides an interrupt so that a user can add additional time before an alarm is actuated.

An instrument panel interaction system for an automotive vehicle is provided that includes an alerting device configured to produce an alert. A controller is controllably coupled to the alerting device, the controller being operable to activate the alerting device to produce the alert. An inquiring device is communicatively coupled to the controller. The inquiring device is configured to ask the driver whether a child is present. The controller is configured to activate the alerting device to produce the alert when a predetermined condition is met and an affirmative response has been received that a child is present. A method of reminding a driver of the presence of a child within a motor vehicle is also provided.

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.