Child Restraint System with Automated Installation

Abstract

Provided is a child restraint system (CRS) with automated installation that provides automated feedback and control of seat installation angle, belt latching and tightening, and confirmation of correct install. The CRS utilizes sensors to monitor CRS base angle relative to level, confirm correct latching of the CRS to its base and then to the vehicle seat, and confirm tightening of the belts to the required tension to be crashworthy. The stepwise operation and confirmation of the installation procedure may be operated via button(s) or other tactical input, and relayed to the user via electronic visual display and/or audible means. All operations will be overseen and processed by an integrated control system, affording minimal user decision or interface. An intelligent latching device which can be adapted for use with an existing CRS is also provided.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A child seat configured to be secured to a seat of a vehicle, comprising:
 a seat base secured to the seat of the vehicle;   a child receiving portion removably connected to the seat base;   a latching mechanism for connecting the child receiving portion to the seat base;   at least one sensor incorporated into the child seat for detecting whether the child receiving portion has been connected to the seat base by the latching mechanism; and   a controller operatively connected to the at least one sensor,   wherein the controller receives a signal from the at least one sensor and, based on the signal, provides an indication to a user when the child receiving portion and the seat base are connected by the latching mechanism.   
     
     
         11 . The child seat of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one interface device operatively connected to the controller and incorporated into at least one of the child receiving portion and the seat base. 
     
     
         12 . The child seat of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one interface device comprises a display providing the indication as a visual indication. 
     
     
         13 . The child seat of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one interface device comprises an audible feedback device providing the indication as an audible indication. 
     
     
         14 . The child seat of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to interface with a mobile media device to provide the indication via the mobile media device. 
     
     
         15 . The child seat of  claim 10 , wherein the child receiving portion is an infant carrier. 
     
     
         16 . The child seat of  claim 10  wherein the latching mechanism comprises a connector tooth provided on the seat base that is configured to surround and hold a bar provided on the child receiving portion. 
     
     
         17 . The child seat of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a metal detector sensor for detecting the presence of the bar. 
     
     
         18 . The child seat of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is operatively coupled to an on-board computer of the vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . A child seat configured to be secured to a seat of a vehicle, comprising:
 a seat base secured to the seat of the vehicle;   an infant carrier removably connected to the seat base;   at least one sensor for detecting whether the infant carrier has been connected to the seat base; and   a controller operatively connected to the at least one sensor,   wherein the controller receives a signal from the at least one sensor and, based on the signal, provides an indication to a user when the infant carrier and the seat base are connected.   
     
     
         20 . The child seat of  claim 19 , further comprising a latching mechanism for connecting the infant carrier to the seat base. 
     
     
         21 . The child seat of  claim 20 , wherein the latching mechanism comprises a connector tooth provided on the seat base that is configured to surround and hold a bar provided on the infant carrier. 
     
     
         22 . The child seat of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a metal detector sensor for detecting the presence of the bar. 
     
     
         23 . The child seat of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one interface device operatively connected to the controller and incorporated into at least one of the infant carrier and the seat base. 
     
     
         24 . The child seat of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one interface device comprises a display providing the indication as a visual indication. 
     
     
         25 . The child seat of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one interface device comprises an audible feedback device providing the indication as an audible indication. 
     
     
         26 . The child seat of  claim 19 , wherein the controller is configured to interface with a mobile media device to provide the indication via the mobile media device. 
     
     
         27 . A child seat configured to be secured to a seat of a vehicle, comprising:
 a seat base secured to the seat of the vehicle;   a child receiving portion removably connected to the seat base;   at least one sensor for detecting whether the child receiving portion has been connected to the seat base;   at least one interface device incorporated into at least one of the child receiving portion and the seat base;   a controller operatively connected to the at least one sensor and the at least one interface device,   wherein the controller receives a signal from the at least one sensor and, based on the signal, provides an indication via the at least one interface device when the child receiving portion and the seat base are connected.   
     
     
         28 . The child seat of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one interface device comprises a display providing the indication as a visual indication. 
     
     
         29 . The child seat of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one interface device comprises an audible feedback device providing the indication as an audible indication.