THEREIN Technical field

The present invention relates to a monitoring system in a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a monitoring system used in a vehicle for monitoring the temperature inside the vehicle so as to prevent the temperature from becoming too high or too low, thereby reducing the risk to any human or living object (e.g., pets) inside the vehicle caused by the extreme temperature. The monitoring system can also be used to monitor other aspects such as the duration for which the vehicle has been locked, the air quality or humidity inside the vehicle. The present invention further relates to a monitoring method performed therein.

Background art

Vehicles such as cars play an important role in the daily life of people, and have become a part of life of many people. People drive cars to work, home, for business, or for leisure. The most basic function of a vehicle is transportation Children, the elderly, and sometimes pets are very often in vehicles. A very common situation is that children and the elderly may be left in the car for a period of time, while the driver, who may be their family or friend, may leave the car to attend to his own business for some time. It has been reported that some children died of heat stroke because their parents left them in the car for prolonged time in hot weather. The temperature inside a car can rise rapidly to an extreme extent during the summer. Even on a relatively mild day, it can become very hot inside a car after a long period of time. Vulnerable people, especially kids and the elderly, and pets are at great risk of heat stroke, which may lead to heat illness, even death. Also, cold temperatures inside the car may pose a risk to the health and even the life of children or the elderly left in the vehicle.

It is desirable to have a monitoring system for a vehicle for monitoring the temperature inside the vehicle so as to prevent the temperature from becoming too high or too low, thereby reducing the risk to any human or animal inside the vehicle caused by extreme temperature.

The present invention aims to provide such a monitoring system embodied in the claims attached to the disclosure, and a monitoring method therefor. Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a monitoring system in a vehicle comprises:

a sensing module for detecting existence of a living object inside the vehicle and at least a temperature value inside the vehicle;

a data processor connected to the sensing module, the data processor receiving data from the sensing module and determining whether or not to activate an action module on the basis of analysis of the data received from the sensing module; and the action module connected to the data processor, the action module carrying out a predetermined action according to the determination of the data processor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a monitoring method for used in a vehicle comprises steps of:

providing a sensing module to the vehicle;

detecting existence of a living object inside the vehicle and at least a temperature value inside the vehicle by the sensing module;

sending data associated with the detection of the sensing module to a data processor of the vehicle connected to the sensing module,

the data processor receiving the data from the sensing module and determining whether or not to activate an action module connected to the data processor on the basis of analysis of the data received from the sensing module;

the action module carrying out a predetermined action upon receipt of the determination to activate the action module from the data processor.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a monitoring method for used in a vehicle comprises steps of:

starting a process of monitoring a temperature inside a vehicle as result of an event associated with a locking state of the vehicle or a command from a user of the vehicle;

determining whether there is a living object inside the vehicle;

stopping the process of monitoring upon the determination indicating that there is no living object inside the vehicle; and

upon detecting existence of the living object inside the vehicle by a sensor,

measuring the temperature inside the vehicle;

carrying out a predetermined action if a temperature threshold is measured. Brief description of the drawings

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more particular description, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating the structure of the monitoring system in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the process performed in the monitoring system in accordance with the present invention. Embodiments of the invention

Fig. 1 of the drawings shows a simplified block diagram of the monitoring system for a vehicle in accordance with the present invention. The monitoring system, generally indicated by 10, comprises a sensing module 12, an optional controller module 14, a data processor 16 and an action module 18. The sensing module 12 may comprise two sensors, one of which is for detecting the existence of a living object, such as a human or animal, inside the vehicle, while the other is for detecting a temperature value within the compartment of the vehicle. Although the two sensors may be sensors separated from each other, it is also possible to form the two sensors as an integrated member. It is understood that the sensing module 12 may be provided with a switch for the user to turn on or off the sensor(s). As used herein, "living object" refers to a living human or animal.

The controller module 14, which is an optional element of the monitoring system 10, may be connected to the data processor 16, and used to control and configure the operation parameters for the operation of the monitoring system 10. The controller module 14 may be a software application or any suitable hardware, which relates to the configuration of parameters such as a temperature threshold above or below which the system may activate the action module 18 or any other functions for the operation of the system. The controller module 14 may configure a plurality of temperature thresholds, for each of which different actions may be performed. For example, the controller module may set two temperature thresholds, e.g., the first threshold of 27 ^° C at which it is somewhat hot but still safe to the living object inside the vehicle, and the second threshold of 35 ^° C which may put people inside the vehicle in danger. When the first threshold is reached, the system may simply send information indicative of the temperature inside the vehicle to the user. However, when the second threshold is reached, the system may perform some predetermined actions, such as notifying a police officer to take necessary steps to alleviate the extreme situation inside the vehicle. It is understood that the predetermined thresholds and the predetermined actions may be configured, either by a user of the vehicle or the vendor of the vehicle. Preferably, the controller module 14 may comprises instruction(s) for defining any stop events, e.g., a door of the vehicle being opened, the vehicle being powered on, or a stop command being received from the user, for the system to stop the monitoring process. Also, the controller module 14 may configure the type of warning/alarm described below to alert people of the status inside the vehicle or as an action to be carried out by the action module. The controller module may further configure the manner in which the monitoring system operates, e.g., the temperature-measuring and action may be repeated as required even if the temperature threshold is reached. Nonetheless, the monitoring system 10 can be configured such that the controller module 14 can be operated at any time when appropriate command or instruction is received. The configuration of the parameters in the controller module 14 may be defined by a user. Alternatively, the controller module may be connected to an interface of the vehicle for receiving the configuration of the parameters predetermined by the vendor or producer of the vehicle. Therefore, the data processor 16 connected to the controller module 14 can process and control the operation of the monitoring system 10 according to the configuration of the controller module 14. It should be noted that some configuration data of the monitoring system 10 may be directly stored in the data processor 16. Also,

Preferably, the monitoring system 10 of the present invention may have an application module 20, which serves as a man-machine interface of the system for interaction between the user and the monitoring system 10. For example, the application may be a keyboard for a user to input the parameters of the operation of the monitoring system 10, e.g., the threshold of the temperature for the system to activate the action module 18. The application module 20 may take any suitable form, such as keyboard, touch screen, voice recognition system etc. for a user to input any commands, parameters or other configuration data to the controller module 14. Although the controller module 14 and the application module 20 are shown as two separated modules, it is understood that the two modules may be integrated as a single unit.

The data processor 16 may receive the command from the application module 20 input by a driver or user of the vehicle. The data processor 16 also connects the sensing module 12 for receiving the data from the sensing module 12, e.g., whether there is a living object within the compartment of the vehicle or the detected temperature value within the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the data processor 16 may receive data from other sensors of the vehicle indicating the operation or situation of the vehicle. For example, the system may receive information or data from a car door sensor indicating that the car door is locked. In particular, the data processor 16 of the system may receive the data of car- locking, and then activates the temperature monitoring process of the system. On the basis of the analysis of the input command and the received data by the data processor 16, the data processor 16 determines whether or not to activate the action module 18. Preferably, the monitoring system 10 of the present invention may further comprise an alarm module 22, which may be a part of the action module 18 or a separate module in addition to the system. The alarm module 22 may be activated upon the determination of the data processor 16 so as to produce sounds or flashing lights that alert people outside the vehicle, such as the parents, police or people passing by, of the situation inside the vehicle for them to take necessary steps to resolve the issue.

It is understood that the alarm signal may also be transmitted to a receiver carried on the driver of the car, e.g., a mobile phone, a PDA, or any designated receiver via suitable wireless communication protocols such as infrared communication, blue-tooth communication, WiFi, etc.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of the process of the monitoring system 10 in accordance of the present invention, showing the steps of the operation of the system. At step 1 (SI), the monitoring system 10 is started as a result of an event such as, and without limitation, the driver of the car taking the key or closing the car door. Also, the monitoring system 10 may be activated by the system receiving the car-locking command from relevant sensor(s) installed in the car. Alternatively, the monitoring system 10 may be provided with a suitable switch for the user to turn on the system manually when the user leaves the car.

At step 2 (S2), the sensor(s) of the monitoring system 10 is activated to detect the existence of any human or other living object within the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor may be a camera which may take picture or video of the interior cabin of the vehicle to be sent to the head unit (HU) of the vehicle. However, it is understood that other sensors rather than a camera, such as infrared sensors or heat sensitive sensors, are also feasible as long as they are capable of detecting the existence of the human or animal within the compartment of the vehicle. The sensor(s) and the HU may be separated members, but they can also be integrated as a single unit. It would be appreciated that the number of the sensors may be decided as required. In addition, the sensor(s) may be powered by the power system of the vehicle. Preferably, when the user powers off the car, the power system of the car will not stop immediately so that the sensors (e.g. cameras) and HU still have power to work. Nonetheless, using an independent battery is an alternative to power the camera and HU. At step 3 (S3), the HU of the vehicle will detect whether there is any living object inside the vehicle on the basis of the analysis of the pictures or videos taken by the camera. If sensors other than cameras are used, the detection and analysis of the HU of the vehicle may be different. If the HU determines that there is no human or any other object of interest within the compartment of the car, it goes to step 7 (S7) and stops the whole system of the car, particularly the power system of the car and the independent battery for the cameras and HU, if any. If the HU determines that there is a living object inside the car, a temperature sensor of the sensing module 12 of the monitoring system 10 starts to measure the temperature inside the car at step 4 (S4).

In some embodiments, before the temperature sensor of the system starts to measure the temperature inside the car, there may be a step 3' (S3') that the system sends out suitable warning signals, such as sounds, flashing lights or voice reminder. This step may remind the driver that there still is someone in the car. It can also prompt the driver to take the necessary action for precaution. For example, the driver can decide whether or not to start the temperature measuring process, determine the high/ low temperature threshold, call the police for assistance, or turn on the air-conditioner when the temperature may be too high.

At step 5 (S5), the system determines whether the detected temperature value inside the car has reached the temperature threshold. If the detected temperature value inside the car has not reached the temperature threshold, the temperature-measuring process continues till the process is interrupted by someone opening the car door, powering on the car, or stopping the monitoring system 10. On the other hand, if the detected temperature value inside the car has reached the temperature threshold, the data processor 16 of the monitoring system 10 determines to activate the action module 18 at step 6 (S6) to take suitable actions to reduce the risk of people or animal being hurt inside the car. Depending on the design of the system, the suitable actions may include, but are not limited to, opening the windows of the car or turning on the air conditioner. For realization of such functions, the vehicle should have the interface connected to the monitoring system 10 for the control of the actions of opening the windows or turning on the air conditioner. Alternatively, the actions may comprise producing warning signals such as sounds, flashing lights or voice reminder, sending information, message or signal to someone who may help reduce the risk of overheating or overly coldness to the people or animal in the car. For example, the information, message or signal may be sent to a remote receiver carried on the parents, driver, police or any other people it may be concerned via any suitable communication protocol. At step 7 (S7), the whole monitoring system 10 is stopped after some aforesaid actions have been carried out. For example, the whole system is stopped after the opening of the car window or activation of the air conditioner as a result of the detection of temperature value inside the car reaching the predetermined threshold by the temperature sensor of the system. In other circumstances, e.g., where the system sends out warning signal to whom it may concern, the system may stop the measurement of the temperature, but continues to send out the warning signal until the situation within the vehicle is alleviated and/or the system manually turned off. However, if required, the system may continue to measure and monitor the temperature inside the vehicle even if the predetermined actions have been carried out.

In summary, the invention relates to a monitoring system 10 used in a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a monitoring system 10 used in a vehicle for monitoring the temperature inside the vehicle so as to prevent the temperature from becoming too high or too low, thereby reducing the risk to any human or animal inside the vehicle caused by the extreme temperature. The present invention also relates to a temperature monitoring method performed therein.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, the monitoring system 10 of the present invention may not only monitor the temperature inside the car, but also measure time so as to prevent children, the elderly, pets from being locked in the car for too long time. It is understood that the monitoring system 10 of the present invention may also monitor the air quality or humidity etc. inside the car. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention.