US 12,125,365 B2
Methods and systems for monitoring a potential hazard at an unoccupied transport unit and issuing a notification in response to detecting the hazard
Matthew Srnec, Minnetonka, MN (US); and Gysler Castelino, Golden Valley, MN (US)
Assigned to THERMO KING LLC, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed by THERMO KING LLC, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed on Jan. 31, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/589,375.
Prior Publication US 2023/0245548 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
Int. Cl. G08B 21/00 (2006.01); G08B 5/22 (2006.01); G08B 21/22 (2006.01)
CPC G08B 21/22 (2013.01) [G08B 5/223 (2013.01)] 3 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for monitoring a potential hazard at an unoccupied transport unit and issuing a notification in response to detecting the potential hazard, the method comprising:
a hazard monitoring circuit monitoring for the potential hazard at the unoccupied transport unit that could be dangerous to someone in close proximity to the unoccupied transport unit, wherein the hazard monitoring circuit includes a hazard detecting sensor configured to monitor the unoccupied transport unit, and wherein the potential hazard is caused by the unoccupied transport unit or an accessory attached to the transport unit;
the hazard monitoring circuit sending a monitoring signal, based on an output of the hazard detecting sensor, to a controller;
the controller determining the potential hazard at the unoccupied transport unit based on the monitoring signal;
upon the controller determining the potential hazard at the unoccupied transport unit, the controller determining whether there is someone is in close proximity to the unoccupied transport unit based on a proximity signal provided by a proximity detection device;
the controller instructing an alert notification component to provide a local notification of the potential hazard at the unoccupied transport unit when the controller determines the potential hazard at the unoccupied transport unit and determines that there is someone is in close proximity to the unoccupied transport unit;
the controller not instructing the alert notification component to provide the local notification of the potential hazard at the unoccupied transport unit when the controller determines that there is no one in close proximity to the unoccupied transport unit;
the alert notification component providing the local notification to anyone in close proximity to the unoccupied transport unit upon receiving an instruction from the controller; and
the controller instructing one or more components of the accessory attached to the unoccupied transport unit to isolate a source of the potential hazard.