Automated wireless securement-monitoring and feedback system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10328841-B2
Application number	US-201615216605-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 21, 2016
Priority date	Jul 31, 2015
Publication date	Jun 25, 2019
Grant date	Jun 25, 2019

Abstract

Methods and systems for receiving, by a destination device at which a securement-monitoring application is operating, from a securement sensor device, a securement-condition communication indicating a condition of a securement remote to the destination device. Operations also include determining, by the destination device using the securement-monitoring application, an action to take responsive to the securement-condition communication, such as notifying a user of an undesired condition at the securement. The operations further include initiating the action determined.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A securement sensing device comprising:
a body having a top wall, a first wall, and a second wall, wherein the first wall and the second wall are opposite one another and the top wall extends between the first wall and the second wall;
a first bar attached to the first wall;
a second bar attached to the second wall; and
a sensor attached to the top wall, wherein the sensor is positioned on the top wall such that at least a portion of a height of the sensor extends above a height of a top edge of the first wall and a height of a top edge of the second wall;
wherein a strap passes between the first bar and the first wall, over the top edge of the first wall, over the sensor, over the top edge of the second wall, and between the second bar and the second wall such that tensioning of the strap moves the strap toward the top wall such that the strap exerts a force on the sensor; and
wherein the sensor is configured to sense the force exerted on the sensor by the strap in operation.

2. The securement sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor sends a signal corresponding to the force to a remote monitoring device.

3. The securement sensing device of claim 1 , further comprising a reset switch configured and arranged in the securement sensing device to set a first force value, wherein the first force value is compared with a second force value measured by the sensor.

4. The securement sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor further comprises a sensing element, a processor, and an external communication unit.

5. The securement sensing device of claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate a measured force for a preset time period based on the force measured by the sensor, compare the measured force with a preset force, and send a signal to a remote monitoring device if the measured force differs from the preset force by more than a predetermined value.

6. The securement sensing device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to sense a compression force.

7. The securement sensing device of claim 4 , wherein the external communication unit is configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote monitoring device.

8. The securement sensing device of claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate a difference between forces sensed by the sensing element and, if the difference exceeds a preset level, send a communication to a remote monitoring device.

9. The securement sensing device of claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate an average of forces measured by the sensing element during a set time period.

10. A securement sensing device comprising:
a base wall;
a first wall attached to the base wall;
a second wall attached to the base wall, the second wall opposing the first wall;
a first pin disposed between the first wall and the second wall;
a second pin disposed between the first wall and the second wall;
a third pin disposed between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the second pin and the third pin are closer to the base wall than the first pin; and
a sensor, wherein the first pin is configured to directly apply a force to the sensor, wherein the force is one of a compression force or a pulling force; and
wherein a strap passes under the second pin between the second pin and the base wall, over the first pin, and under the third pin between the third pin and the base wall, wherein tensioning of the strap applies a compression force to the first pin and the first pin directly applies the force to the sensor such that the sensor detects the force applied by the first pin.

11. The securement sensing device of claim 10 , wherein the securement sensing device sends, to a remote monitoring device, a signal corresponding to the force detected.

12. The securement sensing device of claim 10 , wherein the sensor further comprising a reset switch configured and arranged in the securement sensing device to set a first force value, wherein the first force value is compared with a second force value measured by the sensor.

13. The securement sensing device of claim 10 , the sensor further comprises a sensing element, a processor, an external communication unit, and a reset switch.

14. The securement sensing device of claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to set a first force value at the securement sensing device when the reset switch is activated.

15. The securement sensing device of claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate a measured force for a preset time period based on a force measured by the sensor, compare the measured force with a preset force, and send a signal to a remote monitoring device if the measured force differs from the preset force by more than a predetermined value.

16. The securement sensing device of claim 10 , wherein the first pin is configured to apply a pulling force to the sensor.

17. The securement sensing device of claim 10 , wherein the first pin is configured to apply a compression force to the sensor.

18. The securement sensing device of claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate an average of forces measured by the sensing element during a set time period.

Assignees

• Bika Anil Singh
• Thompson Nathan F
• Sala Dorel M
• Shoemaker Kenneth J
• Weigert Norman J
• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Bika Anil Singh
• Thompson Nathan F
• Sala Dorel M
• Shoemaker Kenneth J
• Weigert Norman J

Classifications

• H04W4/70

  Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC] · CPC title

• B60P7/0861 Primary

  Measuring or identifying the tension in the securing element · CPC title

• G01L5/06

  using mechanical means {(G01L5/042, G01L5/045 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B62B5/00

  Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts ({B62B3/1404} , B62B9/00 take precedence; wheels, axles, or axle bearings for vehicles B60B; castors for vehicles, castors in general B60B33/00) · CPC title

• B60N2/2803

  Adaptations for seat belts · CPC title