Method and apparatus for alerting a user to presence of an item in a vehicle
US9374135B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 5, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B21/24
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method and apparatus for alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having an active near-field communication device (NFCD) associated therewith, such as a smartphone. A passive NFCD is located adjacent to a storage compartment within a vehicle. When the active NFCD-equipped item is placed in the compartment, communication is established between the active and passive NFCDs. A controller device is communicatively connected to the vehicle to detect a journey completion event and send a wireless message (via Bluetooth, for example) to the item. The message instructs the item to output an alert if the active and passive NFCDs are in communication with one another. Journey completion events may be turning off of a vehicle ignition, opening of a vehicle door, or a vehicle seat becoming unoccupied.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.