US Patent No: 6,480,103

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

Compartment sensing system

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)
 

Importance

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Abstract

A system for sensing ambient conditions in a compartment, such as the trunk of an automobile, generates a control signal in response to the sensed conditions. This control signal actuates indicators to notify operators of the vehicle that there is a person trapped in the trunk. The control signal is also used to actuate a lamp inside the trunk to provide light for the trapped person. A trunk release is also actuated, by a control module, to free the trapped person. The trunk release of the automobile can be prevented from being actuated if the automobile is moving, which prevents the trunk lid from unexpectedly opening while the vehicle is in motion.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
DONNELLY CORPORATIONHOLLAND, MI735

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Bingle, Robert L Zeeland, MI 42 1424
Bos, Brent J Tucson, AZ 37 2472
Hoekstra, Eric J Holland, MI 26 614
Koops, Roger Hamilton, MI 2 53
Lynam, Niall R Holland, MI 556 23869
McCarthy, Kevin C Tucson, AZ 44 1308
Schofield, Kenneth Holland, MI 290 14089
Taylor, David W Fenton, MI 60 1107
Teowee, Gimtong Westlake Village, CA 37 681
Uhlmann, Eugenie V Tucson, AZ 30 919

Cited Art

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
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4,704,533 Infrared intruder detection system 41 1986
 
DONNELLY CORPORATION (3)
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6,166,625 Pyroelectric intrusion detection in motor vehicles 119 1997
6,086,131 Safety handle for trunk of vehicle 119 1999
 
DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (2)
5,737,083 Multiple-beam optical position sensor for automotive occupant detection 30 1997
6,222,442 Vehicle trunk compartment emergency release and warning system and method 20 1999
 
DETECTION SYSTEMS, INC. (2)
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BRUSE, KURT (1)
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DAVID; ELLIS M. (1)
5,859,479 Anti-confinement device preventing confinement in locked vehicle trunk which flashes taillights in distress and unlatches trunk 38 1997
 
DENNINGHAM, EMMA (1)
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ELTEC INSTRUMENTS, INC., A COORP. OF FLORIDA (1)
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FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (1)
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GEC-MARCONI LIMITED (1)
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GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (1)
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LEAR CORPORATION EEDS AND INTERIORS (1)
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ROBERT BOSCH CORPORATION (1)
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TRW INC. (1)
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VISONIC LTD. (1)
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OTHER [CHECK PATENT PROFILE FOR ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION] (15)
4,468,657 Simplified intruder detector 21 1981
4,464,649 Electronic braking alarm indicator for automobiles 25 1982
4,667,990 Electrically actuated lock mechanism 39 1984
4,604,524 Passive infra-red sensor 43 1984
4,848,114 Locking system for the doors of automotive vehicles 15 1988
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5,726,629 Lighting fixture with motion detector and announcement device 35 1997
6,024,388 Inside trunk lock release with folding escape saw 18 1998

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cites

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
DONNELLY CORPORATION (6)
6,768,420 Vehicle compartment occupancy detection system 25 2001
6,832,793 Safety system for opening the trunk compartment of a vehicle 3 2002
6,783,167 Safety system for a closed compartment of a vehicle 12 2002
6,762,676 Vehicle compartment occupancy detection system 9 2002
7,097,226 Safety system for a compartment of a vehicle 8 2004
8,258,932 Occupant detection system for vehicle 0 2005
 
ESCORT INC. (4)
6,587,068 Police radar/laser detector with integral vehicle parameter display 5 2001
6,836,238 Police radar/laser detector with integral vehicle parameter display using a vehicle interface 1 2003
7,098,844 Acceleration detector with integral vehicle parameter display using a vehicle interface 1 2004
7,397,416 Police radar/laser detector with integral vehicle parameter display using a vehicle interface 0 2006
 
W.E.T. AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AG (3)
7,477,969 Temperature conditioned assembly having a controller in communication with a temperature sensor 3 2004
7,781,704 Control system for operating automotive vehicle components 1 2007
8,309,892 Control system for operating automotive vehicle components 0 2010
 
AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB (2)
7,621,364 Safety arrangement 1 2003
7,905,314 Pedestrian detecting system 1 2004
 
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC (2)
7,005,804 Automatic cargo compartment lighting reactivation system 0 2004
8,190,331 Systems for detecting animate objects in a vehicle compartment 2 2007
 
HUBBELL INCORPORATED (2)
7,480,208 Occupancy sensor assembly 2 2005
D535204 Occupancy sensor fascia cover plate 25 2005
 
INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. (2)
RE40073 Low power remote asset monitoring 9 2006
8,310,363 Method and system for obtaining information about objects in an asset 0 2007
 
AMERICAN VEHICULAR SCIENCES LLC (1)
7,477,758 System and method for detecting objects in vehicular compartments 7 2006
 
ASSET INTELLIGENCE, LLC (1)
7,941,354 Method and system for lease of assets, such as trailers, storage devices and facilities 0 2005
 
AUTOLIV ASP, INC. (1)
7,195,090 Vehicle hood latch release system for improved pedestrian protection 6 2004
 
DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT (1)
6,831,376 Method and apparatus for unlocking a trunk lid 0 2002
 
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION (1)
6,792,339 Artificial passenger with condition sensors 17 2002
 
LEAR CORPORATION (1)
7,225,067 Vehicle occupant sensing system for a vehicle seat assembly and method of operating the same 1 2004
 
OBS, INC. (1)
7,423,529 Systems and methods for mobile security and monitoring 5 2004
 
ROBERT BOSCH GMBH (1)
6,812,830 Emergency operating device for an interior compartment of a vehicle 0 2002
 
SYSTEMS MICROTECHNOLOGIES, INC. (1)
7,990,270 Transportation security system and associated methods 4 2006
 
TRIVINCI SYSTEMS, LLC (1)
7,265,663 Multimedia racing experience system 10 2002
 
W.E.T. AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD. (1)
7,274,007 Control system for operating automotive vehicle components 4 2004
 
ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG (1)
7,109,853 System for detecting and releasing a person locked in the trunk of a vehicle 7 2000
 
OTHER [CHECK PATENT PROFILE FOR ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION] (4)
6,737,975 Motor vehicle occupancy and high temperature alarm module 0 2001
7,012,533 Occupant detection and notification system for use with a child car seat 16 2003
6,940,400 Motor vehicle occupancy and high temperature alarm module 2 2004
7,069,126 Emission monitoring display device 7 2004

Maintenance Fees

Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee due date
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 May 12, 2014
Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee
Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable $700.00 $350.00 $175.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional $1,640.00 $820.00 $410.00