Haptic seat notification system

• US 20040049323A1
• Filed: 09/05/2002
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Pilutti, Thomas Edward, Tijerina, Louis
• Application Number:
  US10/064,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20040049323A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/981 Warning systems, e.g. the seat or seat parts vibrates to warn the passenger when facing a danger
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/08 Lane monitoring; Lane Keeping Systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/082 using alarm actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/029 Steering assistants using warnings or proposing actions to the driver without influencing the steering system
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3652 Guidance using non-audiovisual output, e.g. tactile, haptic or electric stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3658 Lane guidance

Abstract

A haptic seat notification system includes a plurality of motors located in a driver'"'"'s seat and operative to provide a directional stimulus to a driver. A forward detection apparatus is used to detect vehicle lane departure and a vehicle speed sensor is used to detect vehicle overspeed conditions. When the vehicle crosses a lane edge, the system provides a lane departure stimulus to the driver. When the vehicle is overspeed, the system provides an overspeed stimulus to the driver. When the vehicle crosses a lane edge while being overspeed, the system provides a curve overspeed stimulus to the driver.

Claims

1. A haptic notification apparatus comprising:

a driver seat;

a plurality of motors located in said seat and operative to produce a haptic signal in said seat;

a forward detection apparatus operative to detect vehicle position relative to a lane and generate a lane signal proportional to said vehicle position in said lane; and

a controller coupled to said plurality of motors and being operative to receive said lane signal, said controller including control logic operative to control said plurality of motors to generate at least one distinctive pattern of motor activation based upon said lane signal, said distinctive pattern providing haptic notification of lane position to a driver.

2. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of motors are operative to generate said haptic signal with a variable intensity.

3. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of motors are operative to generate said haptic signal with a high, medium, and low intensity.

4. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of motors are operative to generate said haptic signal with a variable frequency.

5. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of motors are operative to generate said haptic signal with a high, medium, and low frequency.

6. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller includes control logic operative to generate a lane departure pattern for a lane departure.

7. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller includes control logic operative to generate a right lane departure pattern on a right side of said seat for a right lane departure.

8. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller includes control logic operative to generate a left lane departure pattern on a left side of said seat for a left lane departure.

15. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a forward detection apparatus operative to detect vehicle position relative to a lane edge and generate a lane edge signal proportional said vehicle position over said lane edge.

16. The haptic notification system as recited in claim 15, wherein said controller includes control logic operative to generate a curve overspeed pattern for a lane departure when said vehicle is overspeed.

17. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said controller includes control logic operative to generate a right curve overspeed pattern a right lane departure when said vehicle is overspeed.

18. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said controller includes control logic operative to generate a left curve overspeed pattern for a left lane departure when said vehicle is overspeed.

9. A haptic notification apparatus comprising:

a driver seat;

a plurality of motors located in said seat and operative to produce a haptic signal in said seat;

a speed detection apparatus operative to detect vehicle speed and generate an overspeed signal proportional said vehicle over a predetermined vehicle speed; and

a controller coupled to said plurality of motors and being operative to receive said overspeed signal, said controller including control logic operative to control said plurality of motors to generate at least one distinctive pattern of motor activation based upon said overspeed signal, said distinctive pattern providing haptic notification of overspeed to a driver.

10. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said plurality of motors are operative to generate said haptic signal with a variable intensity.

11. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said plurality of motors are operative to generate said haptic signal with a high, medium, and low intensity.

12. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said plurality of motors are operative to generate said haptic signal with a variable frequency.

13. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said plurality of motors are operative to generate said haptic signal with a high, medium, and low frequency.

14. The haptic notification apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said controller includes control logic operative to generate a rumble strip pattern when said vehicle is overspeed.