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 invention is directed to apparatus for detecting a child left unattended in a car seat as well as the status of the connection between the car seat and the vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensor module and a processor. The sensor module including a sensor for measuring force data associated with the coupling between car seat and a vehicle. The processor receives and analyzes the sensor data to determine the status of the child/child seat, and then communicates status data to a caretaker. Counter-measure instructions can also be provided to the vehicle for altering the vehicle state/environment.

An apparatus for avoiding abandoning an infant in a vehicle, the apparatus including: a mechanism, for providing a first state of avoiding removal of the key from a vehicle's lock, and a second state of allowing removal of the key; and a control, for controlling the mechanism to one of the states of the mechanism as a function of presence of an infant in the vehicle, thereby avoiding the key's removal as a function of the presence of the infant.

A child safety seat is provided and includes a base, a seat body and a notifying system. The seat body is movable relative to the base between a first position and a second position. The notifying system includes at least one actuated device, an actuating component and a notifying device. The at least one actuated device is disposed on one of the base and the seat body. The actuating component is disposed on another one of the base and the seat body and for actuating the at least one actuated device when the seat body reaches at least one of the first position and the second position. The notifying device is electrically connected to the at least one actuated device and configured to generate different types of notifying signals in response to the at least one actuated device when the seat body reaches the first position and the second position.

A seat load detection method includes a process in which a control unit records a transition of a load detection signal and a transition of a seat load, a process in which the control unit specifies a timing when a load sensor detects a collision of a vehicle based on a transition record of the load detection signal, and a process in which the control unit calculates a correction value of the seat load based on a difference value between a stable seat load provided after the control unit detects the collision of the vehicle and a stable seat load provided before the load sensor detects the collision of the vehicle.

Systems, Methods and Apparatuses are provided for a seat adjustment system for a vehicle which includes: a plurality of sensors configured to produce sensor data associated with an occupancy by an internal or external user of a particular seat of the vehicle and a processor, configured to receive the sensor data to: determine a state of one or more settings of the seat adjustment system for the particular seat of the vehicle based on stored data or the received sensor data; determine in a near future whether a particular seat will be occupied by the external user based on the received sensor data; determine currently whether a particular seat is occupied by the internal user based on the received sensor data; and adjust settings of the particular seat in accordance with determinations of the state of settings and occupancy of the particular seat.

The present invention is directed to apparatus for detecting a child left unattended in a car seat as well as the status of the connection between the car seat and the vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensor module and a processor. The sensor module including a sensor for measuring force data associated with the coupling between car seat and a vehicle. The processor receives and analyzes the sensor data to determine the status of the child/child seat, and then communicates status data to a caretaker. Counter-measure instructions can also be provided to the vehicle for altering the vehicle state/environment.

Methods and systems for detection of removable vehicle seats may be used to indicate presence or absence of a child in the vehicle. In some examples, an alarm system includes a radio frequency (RF) transceiver and a removable seat magnetic coupling. Various actions are triggered when the parent (e.g., guardian) goes beyond a predefined range while the removable seat is within the vehicle, such as sounding an alarm on a mobile electronic device.

Systems and methods of impact handling and ultrasound alerting are provided. Systems comprise an ultrasound transmitter is configured to transmit ultrasound signals at specified frequencies, a controller associated with a vehicle seat and configured to generate the ultrasound signals with respect to seat statuses and control the transmitter accordingly, and an application installable on a user's communication device to be associated with a device's audio receiver. The seat may comprise a dynamic part mounted on a static part and energy absorbing element(s) configured to restrain a movement of the dynamic part relative to the static part upon impact, via connection(s) between the static and dynamic parts that have static element(s) attached to the static part and dynamic element(s) attached to the dynamic part.

Methods and systems for detection of removable vehicle seats may be used to indicate presence or absence of a child in the vehicle. In some examples, an alarm system includes a radio frequency (RF) transceiver and a removable seat magnetic coupling. Various actions are triggered when the parent (e.g., guardian) goes beyond a predefined range while the removable seat is within the vehicle, such as sounding an alarm on a mobile electronic device.