Reminder apparatus and method for items left in a vehicle

• Main Authors: Spahl Robert, Fleming Stephen David
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.01.2017
• Subjects: ALARM SYSTEMS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDEDFOR ELSEWHERE; CHECKING-DEVICES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; PHYSICS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; SIGNALLING; SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS

A vehicle has an interior antenna for detecting transmissions from a keyless entry device (KED) and/or a radio frequency device (RFD) associated with a portable item when inside the vehicle, and an exterior antenna for detecting transmissions from the KED and/or the RFD when outside the vehicle. A processor receives determines, based on transmissions received by the interior and exterior antennas, passing of the KED from inside to outside the vehicle, and generates an alert if the interior antenna detects the RFD remaining inside the vehicle after said passing. The processor may further determine passing of the RFD from outside to inside the vehicle based upon detection by the exterior antenna of transmissions indicating the RFD is outside the vehicle, and subsequent detection by the interior antenna of transmissions from the RFD indicating it is inside the vehicle.