WO2012049678A2

WO2012049678A2 - Method and system for care and safety of a living creature in a closed space

Info

Publication number: WO2012049678A2
Application number: PCT/IL2011/000798
Authority: WO
Inventors: Amikam Gershonowitz
Original assignee: Amikam Gershonowitz
Priority date: 2010-10-10
Filing date: 2011-10-10
Publication date: 2012-04-19
Also published as: WO2012049678A3

Abstract

I It is provided a living creature module for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space, and a method for operating the module. The module includes a processor configured for receiving indications of the closed space, receiving indications for presence of a living creature, analyzing the indications and initiating emergency operations for preventing continued confinement. The indications for presence of a living creature may be issued by a volume sensor, an image sensor, a microphone, a sensor of carbon dioxide level, or a sensor of oxygen level, for example. The module is linked to a temperature sensor sensing the interior of the closed space, and includes a communication interface for conveying data items to recipients". The data items are an identification of the inappropriate confinement status, indications of the closed space, indications of the presence of the living creature, and location of the closed space. Possible recipients are a police station, a control center and the owner of the closed space. The closed space may be the interior of a vehicle, while the living creature may be a baby or a small child. The processor is linked to a global positioning system(GPS) device or to a cellular communication device.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CARE AND SAFETY OF A LIVING CREATURE IN

A CLOSED SPACE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the invention

The invention is in the fields of alarm systems, human and animal safety, and in special it deals with preventing inappropriate confinement of living creatures to closed spaces.

Description of related art

Recently, there is much attention in preventing child death or injury in a non-traffic, motor vehicle-related event. For example, a website KIDS AND CARS promotes high level of understanding and awareness in parents, caregivers, legislators, and the general public about the dangers inherent in leaving children unattended in or around motor vehicles. While children should never be left unattended in or around parked cars, as there are too many risks is such a situation. Here are some of the dangers children are exposed to: being left in or entering by themselves into a vehicle (passenger space or trunk) where the temperatures can reach deadly levels in minutes, knocking the vehicle into gear and setting the vehicle into motion, strangulation by a power window, sunroof or power accessory, being taken by a stranger in the course of a car theft, carbon monoxide poisoning, etc.

In general, it is needed to prevent continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space. As mentioned, the living creature most exposed to such a danger is a baby or a small child forgotten by mistake, intentionally left by a guardian or entering alone and unable to get out from respectively a car, or a school bus. In addition, it may occur that a guardian leaves a sleeping child in a car for a moment, and unexpectedly that moment continues too long, placing the child in danger. However, that need is also applicable for other living creatures, and for static closed spaces, like an old man in a bus, a bank associate in a safe room, a worker in a food plant locked in a deep freezer, and a pet which was left in the car or had entered a car while owner arrives home and has been left locked in the car unintentionally.

It would be advantageous to provide a system and a method to prevent continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is provided according to certain implementations of the invention, a living creature module for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space. The module includes a processor configured for receiving indications associated with parameters of the closed space, receiving indications for presence of a living creature in the closed space, analyzing the indications and initiating emergency operations for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of the living creature to the closed space. The indications for presence of a living creature in the closed space may be issued by a variety of sensors, a volume sensor, a motion sensor, an image sensor, a microphone, a sensor of carbon dioxide level, or a sensor of oxygen level, for example.

In some embodiments, the living creature module is linked to a temperature sensor, oxygen level sensor or carbon dioxide sensor sensing the interior of the closed space, thereby receiving one of the indications associated with parameters of the closed space.

In some embodiments, the living creature module includes a communication interface for conveying data items to recipients. The data items are associated with an identification of an inappropriate confinement of the living creature to the closed space, with indications of the closed space, with indications of the presence of the living creature, and with location of the closed space. Possible recipients are a police station, a control center and a person associated with the closed space and/or living creature.

In some embodiments, the living creature module includes an interface to an alarm system associated with the closed space. The alarm system may issue indications associated with parameters of the closed space. In addition, certain emergency operations may be executed using the alarm system.

In some embodiments, the living creature module includes an interface to a control system associated with the closed space. The control system may issue indications associated with parameters of the closed space. In addition, certain emergency operations may be executed using the control system.

In some embodiments, the closed space is the interior of a vehicle. The processor is linked to a global positioning system (GPS) device residing on the vehicle, or to a cellular communication device residing in the vehicle, such that it receives an indication of the location of the vehicle.

It is provided according to certain implementations of the invention, a method for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space. The method receiving indications associated with parameters of the closed space, receiving indications for presence of a living creature in the closed space, and analyzing the indications of the closed space and the indications for presence of a living creature in the closed space, initiating emergency operations for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of the living creature to the closed space. The indications associated with parameters of the closed space may be issued by a variety of sensors, a volume sensor, a motion sensor, an image sensor, a microphone, a sensor of carbon dioxide level, or a sensor of oxygen level, for example.

Certain emergency operations are initiated one after another, whereby a predetermined time period is allowed to elapse between consequent emergency operations while waiting to a responsive action. Other emergency operations are initiated substantially simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the analysis determines an emergency status on a scale of several escalating emergency categories. An indication of temperature inside the closed space may be associated with that scale.

In some embodiments, an instant audio alarm is initiated in case of an identification of a life danger to the living creature inside the closed space.

In some embodiments, the method includes the step of remote controlling features associated with the closed space to prevent continued inappropriate confinement of the living creature to the closed space.

In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of remote controlling initiation of emergency operations for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of the living creature to the closed space, and manually controlling initiation of emergency operations thereof.

In some embodiments, the closed space is the interior of a vehicle. The parameters associated with the closed space of the vehicle may include a closed doors indication, an engine operating status, and an alarm system triggering status. The emergency operations may include a siren operation, a pre-recorded vocal announcement, and a flashing light operation. In some embodiments, the method includes fool proof measures like automatic activating of a module for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space, necessitating a conscious action for neutralization of the module, limiting neutralization of the module to a predetermined time duration after which the module is re-activated, rendering the system activation completely free of human intentional action.

The method may be performed by a program of instructions. A program storage device readable by a computerized apparatus is provided, tangibly embodying the program of instructions executable by the computerized apparatus to perform the method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to system organization and method of operation, together with features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanied drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a baby alarm module according to one embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will now be described in terms of specific example embodiments. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the example embodiments disclosed. It should also be understood that not every feature of the methods and systems handling the described cover is necessary to implement the invention as claimed in any particular one of the appended claims. Various elements and features of a module are described to fully enable the invention. It should also be understood that throughout this disclosure, where a method is shown or described, the steps of the method may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless it is clear from the context that one step depends on another being performed first. Before explaining several embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The systems, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs "comprise", "include" and "have", and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.

It is provided a living creature module for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space. The living creature most exposed to such a danger is a baby or a small child forgotten by mistake by a guardian in respectively a car, or a school bus. In addition, it may occur that a guardian consciously leaves a child in a car for a moment, and unexpectedly that moment continues too long, placing the child in danger. Moreover, the provided module is applicable as well for other living creatures, and for static closed spaces, like an old man in a bus, a bank associate in a safe room, a worker in a food plant locked in a deep freezer, and a pet which had entered a car while owner arrives home and has been left locked in the car unintentionally. In the following paragraphs several non- limiting embodiments are described for example.

A baby alarm module embodiment

Referring to Fig. 1, baby alarm module 5 is described within the frame of a system 8 which is associated with a closed space of a vehicle. Module 5 includes a processor 10 configured for receiving indications associated with the vehicle parameters, receiving indications for presence of a baby in the vehicle, analyzing the indications and initiating emergency operations for preventing life danger to a baby left in the closed vehicle. The indications associated with the vehicle parameters may arrive from a variety of sources. A car control 12, which may be either a digital or analog control system may provide indications for engine operation, closed doors, and weight on seats from which the operational status of the car as manned or left may be deduced. Car control 12 may be connected to module 5 directly or through an interface 14. Interface 14 may be used in the reversed direction as detailed below.

Another important car parameter is the temperature within the car, as indicated by a temperature sensor 16 sensing the car interior. Depending on climate, after leaving a car the interior temperature may quickly approach extreme temperatures, 50-70°c in open parking lot on one hand, and below freezing temperature on the other hand. Such extreme temperatures endanger a baby left in the car and necessitate urgent emergency operations, as detailed below.

Temperature sensor 16 may be connected to module 5 directly or through a temperature sensor interface 18. Temperature interface 18 may issue the temperature reading along with an indication for the temperature trend, a positive indication for an increasing temperature reading and a negative indication for a decreasing temperature reading.

Yet another crucial indication on the car may be obtained from the car alarm system 20, which is either triggered manually by locking the car, or triggered automatically after leaving the car unattended for a predetermined time duration. Thus, an indication for a triggered alarm system is associated to the state of the car. Moreover, the very indications used by alarm system 20 to trigger itself automatically may be sent to module 5 as indication for the car status. In addition, module 5 may be integrated within alarm system 20, thus saving duplicate features like connection to the car control 12. If separated, module 5 may be either connected directly to alarm system 20 or connected to it through an alarm interface 22.

An indication for the location of the car may be obtained from a global positioning system (GPS) device 24 residing on the vehicle and linked to module 5, or from a cellular communication device 26 residing in the vehicle. Module 5 may be either connected directly to GPS device 24 or connected to it through a location interface 28.

The indications for presence of a baby in the vehicle may be issued by a variety of sensors, motion sensor 31, volume sensor 32, an image sensor 34, microphone 36, sensor 38 of carbon dioxide level, or sensor 40 of oxygen level, for example. Module 5 may be connected to those sensors directly or through a sensor interface 42.

Module 5 analyses the car indications and the baby presence indication and thus may identify an emergency situation in which a baby has been left alone in the unattended car and the baby life is in danger to certain degree. The analysis may determine an emergency status on a scale of several escalating emergency categories or statuses, no emergency, preliminary emergency status, intermediate emergency status, and urgent crisis state, for example. In particular, an indication of car internal temperature may strongly affect emergency status. At least part of the undertaken emergency operations are derived from the emergency status as detailed below.

Here are several examples of the obtained indications and the derived emergency status:

1. Volume sensor presence indication- positive, doors locked - positive , engine operation- positive - car is attended and no action is needed.

2. Image sensor presence indication- positive, doors locked - positive , engine operation- closed - car is unattended while a baby may be present, and thus an preliminary emergency status is declared for a predetermined time duration, five minutes, for example. Once that predetermined time duration has been elapsed while indications remain as before, the module increases emergency status to intermediate emergency status.

3. Microphone presence indication-positive, doors locked-positive, engine operation- closed, temperature indication- 40°c and increasing, windows closed- car is unattended while a baby may be present and be in life danger. Thus an urgent crisis status is declared.

Module 5 initializes emergency operations, preferably in dependence on the emergency status. Certain emergency operations may be executed using alarm system 20. For example, module 5 submits alarm system 20 an order to issue an operation of siren 50, a pre-recorded vocal announcement using a speaker 52, or an operation of a flashing light 54. Other emergency operations may be executed using control system 12. For example, module 5 may submit an order to car control system 12 to switch door lock 56, open window 58, activate car fan 57, or initiate a flashing light 54.

Additional emergency operations may be conducted using a communication interface 26 which is included in module 5. Through communication interface 26, module 5 conveys data items to recipients 28, 29 and 30. The data items include an identification of the emergency status of dangerous confinement of a baby in the closed space, indications of the car parameters like engine non-operation, locked doors 56 and closed windows 58, indications of the presence of baby like a recording of a microphone 36 containing a fierce baby cry, along with location of the car. The recipients include several predetermined recipients 28, car owner, nearby police station 29, and a control center 30 associated with the Car alarm system 20, for example. A possible response of the car owner is remote opening of the windows 58 and/or activating the car internal fan 57 to let fresh air enter the car interior, thus decreasing and the temperature, or at least stopping its increase.

Certain emergency operations are initiated one after another, whereby a predetermined time period is allowed to elapse between consequent emergency operations while waiting to a responsive action. Preferably, the predetermined waiting time is between three and ten minutes, and more preferably, four to six minutes. Other emergency operations are initiated substantially simultaneously. For example, in a preliminary emergency status a first call is made to the car owner and additional predetermined recipients 28. After five minutes, for example, of no action like window opening, door opening or engine start, is detected, a phone call to a nearby police station 29 is issued and simultaneously a local siren 50 starts to operate to attract close by persons. The simultaneous operations are initiated within less than three minutes difference, preferably less than half a minute time difference.

An alarm module embodiment for a freezing room

Large freezer may be used in certain food plants for storing food which should be kept at low temperature, and plant workers are getting in and out of the freezer, or freezing room. It might occur that a worker is locked in a freezer at the very end of a working day, confined there with no way to get out. As the temperature in the freezer is rather low, module 5 may be installed in the freezer to prevent continuing confinement of such a worker to the closed space of the freezer, thus saving life or preventing irrecoverable medical damage.

Module 5 is connected to a motion sensor 31 or image sensor 34 which indicates that a person is present in the freezer. Module 5 is also connected to a control system 12 of the whole plant, which submits an indication from an interlock sensor at the door that the door is closed, as well as an indication from the freezer temperature sensor that the reading is -18°c, for example, and a time reading from control system 12 that working time has elapsed. As module 5 identifies that a person is present in the closed freezer and might be exposed to freezing, it first send an SMS(short message service) message to a plant associate 28 appearing in an emergency calling list. After a short while without response, it calls another associate 28 from that list, a nearby police station, etc. A possible response is remote opening of the door lock 56 by the called associate, letting the confined worker to get out of the freezer.

A method embodiment for preventing confinement to a closed space

A method 100 for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space is presented in the flowchart of Fig. 2. The method includes several steps which may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless it is clear from the context that one step depends on another being performed first. Step 110 is receiving indications associated with parameters of the closed space. Step 120 is receiving indications for presence of a living creature in the closed space. Step 130 is analyzing the indications of the closed space and the indications for presence of a living creature in the closed space. Step 140 is initiating emergency operations for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of the living creature to the closed space. The indications associated with parameters of the closed space may be issued by a variety of sensors, a volume sensor 32, an image sensor 34, a microphone 36, a sensor 38 of carbon dioxide level, or a sensor 40 of oxygen level, for example.

The method may include the step 150 of remote controlling features associated with the closed space to prevent continued inappropriate confinement of the living creature to the closed space.

In some embodiments, the method includes the step 160 of remote controlling initiation of emergency operations for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of the living creature to the closed space, and the step 170 of manually controlling initiation of emergency operations thereof. Thus, a car owner 28, for example, might stop the emergency operations immediately after executing certain operation to remove the dangerous confinement. However, sometimes it is desired that such stopping is done with full awareness of the car owner 28. Thus, a manual operation, like opening engine cover and switching a toggle is needed for stopping emergency operations. In some embodiments, the method includes fool proof measures like automatic activating 180 of a module 5 for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space, necessitating 190 a conscious action for neutralization of module 5, and limiting 200 neutralization of module 5 for a predetermined time duration after which the module is re-activated.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. In particular, the present invention is not limited in any way by the examples described.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A living creature module for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space, the module comprising:

(a) a processor configured for:

(i) receiving one or more indications associated with parameters of the closed space;

(ii) receiving one or more indications for presence of a living creature in the closed space, the indications being issued by one or more sensors of a group of sensors consisting of a volume sensor, an image sensor, microphone, sensor of carbon dioxide level, sensor of oxygen level;

(iii) analyzing the indications associated with the closed space and the indications for presence of a living creature in the closed space; and

(iv) initiating one or more emergency operations for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of the living creature to the closed space.

2. The living creature module of claim 1 wherein the module is linked to a temperature sensor sensing the interior of the closed space, thereby receiving one of the indications associated with parameters of the closed space.

3. The living creature module of claim 1 wherein the module further includes:

(b) a communication interface for conveying one or more data items to one or more recipients of a group of recipients consisting of a police station, a control center, and a person associated with the closed space, said one or more data items associated with an identification of an inappropriate confinement of the living creature in the closed space and at least one of said indications of the closed space, said indications of the presence of the living creature, and location of the closed space.

4. The living creature module of claim 1 wherein the module further includes:

(c) an interface to an alarm system associated with the closed space, whereby the alarm system issues at least one of said one or more indications associated with parameters of the closed space and at least one of the emergency operations is executed using the alarm system.

5. The living creature module of claim 1 wherein the module further includes:

(d) an interface to a control system associated with the closed space,

whereby the control system issues at least one of said one or more indications associated with parameters of the closed space, and certain emergency operations are executed using the control system.

6. The living creature module of claim 1 wherein the closed space is the interior of a vehicle.

7. The living creature alarm module of claim 6 wherein the processor is linked to one of a global positioning device residing on the vehicle and a cellular communication device residing in the vehicle, thereby receiving an indication of location of said vehicle.

8. A method for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space, the method comprising:

(a) receiving one or more indications associated with parameters of the closed space;

(b) receiving one or more indications for presence of a living creature in the closed space, the indications being issued by one or more sensors of a group of sensors consisting of a volume sensor, an image sensor, microphone, sensor of carbon dioxide level, sensor of oxygen level;

(c) analyzing the indications of the closed space and the indications for presence of a living creature in the closed space; and

(d) initiating one or more emergency operations for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of the living creature to the closed space.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein two or more emergency operations are initiated one after another, whereby a predetermined time period is allowed to elapse between consequent emergency operations while waiting to a responsive action.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein two or more emergency operations are initiated substantially simultaneously.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the analysis determines an emergency status on a scale of two or more escalating emergency categories.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein an indication of temperature inside the closed space is associated with said scale.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein an instant audio alarm is initiated in case of a identification of a life danger to the living creature inside the closed space.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the method further includes the step of:

(e) remote controlling one or more features associated with the closed space to prevent continued inappropriate confinement of the living creature to the closed space.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein the method further includes the steps of:

(f) remote controlling initiation of emergency operations for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of the living creature to the closed space; and

(g) manually controlling initiation of emergency operations thereof.

16. The method of claim 8 wherein the closed space is the interior of a vehicle.

17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the parameters associated with the closed space of the vehicle include at least one of closed doors indication, engine operating status, and alarm system triggering status.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said one or more emergency operations include one of a siren operation, a human announcement, and a flashing light operation.

19. The method of claim 8 wherein the method includes at least one step of:

(h) automatically activating a module for preventing continued inappropriate confinement of a living creature to a closed space;

(i) necessitating a conscious action for neutralization of the module thereof; and (j) limiting neutralization of the module thereof for a predetermined time duration after which the module thereof is re-activated.

20. A program storage device readable by a computerized apparatus, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the computerized apparatus to perform the method of claim 8.