Control system for a vehicle situated device

• US 20020067076A1
• Filed: 03/10/2000
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John Storey Talbot
• Original Assignee: John Storey Talbot
• Inventors: Talbot, John Storey
• Application Number:
  US09/522,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20020067076A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle

Abstract

A control system for a vehicle situated device includes a shut-out arrangement denying access to, or disabling an adjustment feature of the device but permitting the device to operate in a predetermined mode of operation when the vehicle is in a first state of operation. The shut-out means is disabled or overridable when the vehicle is in an alternate state of operation, thereby permitting the respective adjustment feature to be accessed or enabled. The shut-out arrangement is typically operated to deny access to or disable the relevant adjustment feature of the vehicle situated device when the vehicle engine is running and/or when the vehicle is in motion. The arrangement reduces driver distraction and thereby reduces driver error and the risk of accident.

Claims

1. A control system for a vehicle situated device, which control system comprises a shut-out system denying access to, or disabling an adjustment feature of the device but permitting the device to operate in a predetermined mode of operation when the vehicle is in a first state of operation, the shut-out system being disabled or overridable when the vehicle is in an alternate state of operation, thereby permitting the respective adjustment feature to be accessed or enabled.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the shut-out system acts to deny access to or disable the relevant adjustment feature of the vehicle situated device when the vehicle engine is running and/or when the vehicle is in motion.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the shut-out system is operatively linked to one of the group comprising:

i) the vehicle engine ignition system;

or,

ii) an engine management system of the vehicle;

or

iii) a vehicle motion sensor provided for the vehicle.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment feature comprises a control of the vehicle situated device which control enables the mode of operation of the device to be adjusted or the positional orientation of the device to be varied.

5. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the shut-out system comprises a physical shield or barrier arranged to be configured to deny access to the adjustment feature of the device when the vehicle is in the first state of operation.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the shut-out system includes locking means to ensure that the shield or barrier is locked in the shut-out position.

7. A system according to claim 1 further including a fail safe arrangement ensuring that the state of operation of the vehicle cannot be changed to the relevant alternate state until the shut-out system is operative.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment feature of the vehicle situated device operates to provide an operational control signal to control the device and the shut-out system operates to disable or deactivate operation of the control signal when the vehicle is in the first state of operation.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the shut-out system comprises an electrical by-pass of the adjustment feature, the by-pass being overridden when the vehicle is in the alternate state.

10. A system according to claim 1, including a shut-out system comprising:

i) a physical shield or barrier; and

ii) an overridable electrical bypass of the relevant adjustment feature.

11. A monitoring arrangement for a vehicle comprising:

i) a vehicle situated electrical or electronic monitoring device; and

ii) a control arrangement for controlling the monitoring device, which control arrangement comprises a shut-out arrangement denying access to, or disabling an adjustment feature of the device but permitting operation of the device in a predetermined mode of operation when the vehicle is in a first condition of operation, the shut-out system being disabled or overridable when the vehicle is in an alternate state of operation, thereby permitting the respective adjustment means to be accessed or enabled.