System for alerting a vehicle driver

• US 20040113800A1
• Filed: 12/01/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian H. Benedict, Gail C. Benedict, Mark T. Benedict, Robert L. Benedict Jr, Scott P. Davis, Wayne G. Benedict
• Original Assignee: Robert Lorin Benedict
• Inventors: Benedict, Robert Lorin
• Granted Patent: US 7,019,653 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A graduated optic tape is mounted on a steering wheel component and is read by an optical sensor. The sensor is electrically connected to a first and second timer and a buzzer for alerting a driver when the steering wheel in a moving vehicle is not turned for five to ten seconds. A DC power supply provides electrical energy. The system is connected to the vehicle brake light so that the buzzer does not sound when the brake is engaged.

Claims

1. A system for detecting a failure of a driver of a moving motor vehicle to move a steering wheel in a normal manner, the system comprising:

a graduated optic tape mounted on a hub of a steering wheel with an adjacent optical sensor reading the optic tape, the optical sensor mounted on a steering wheel column;

the optical sensor electrically connected to a first and second timer, a means for alerting the driver, a DC power supply and a brake light switch; and

the optical sensor sending a signal to the means for alerting the driver if the steering wheel does not move for a prescribed period of seconds while the motor vehicle is moving.

2. The system for detecting failure of a driver of a moving motor vehicle to move a steering wheel in a normal manner according to claim 1 wherein the first timer is manually adjustable by a controller to output a signal when the optical sensor does not sense movement of the steering wheel for a period to five to ten seconds.

3. The system for detecting a failure of a driver of a moving motor vehicle to move a steering wheel in a normal manner according to claim 1 wherein the second timer provides a minimum electrical output to an alarm device of one second regardless of the output duration of the first timer.

4. The system for detecting a failure of a driver of a moving motor vehicle to move a steering wheel in a normal manner according to claim 1 wherein the means for alerting the driver is a vibrator in a vehicle seat underneath the driver.

5. The system for detecting a failure of a driver of a moving motor vehicle to move a steering wheel in a normal manner according to claim 1 wherein the first timer is reset by an electrical pulse emanating from a band-pass filter when the wheel turns.

6. The system for detecting a failure of a driver of a moving motor vehicle to move a steering wheel in a normal manner according to claim 1 wherein the means for alerting the driver is a buzzer.

7. An after market system for alerting a driver of a moving vehicle when a steering wheel operated by the driver fails to move for a prescribed period of time, the system comprising:

a graduated optically readable tape mounted on a movable component of the steering wheel;

an optical sensor mounted adjacent the optically readable tape and positioned to read the optically readable tape;

the optical sensor sending an electrical signal to a first and second timer;

the system sending an electrical signal to a means for alerting the driver if the steering wheel does not move for the prescribed period of time;

the first timer connected electrically to a controller for inputting a signal for a prescribed period of time; and

the second timer sending an electrical signal to the means for alerting the driver, provided a brake light switch connected to the system is not closed.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein an emission from the optical sensor is modulated by an oscillator at a frequency between 5 KH_z and 10 KH_z.

9. The system according to claim 7 wherein a band-pass filter in the system passes only the modulated frequency from the oscillator to the first timer.

10. The system according to claim 7 wherein the prescribed period of time inputted into the first timer is five to ten seconds.

11. The system according to claim 7 wherein the means for alerting the driver is a buzzer mounted inside the vehicle.

12. The system according to claim 7 wherein the means for alerting the driver is a vibrator mounted in a seat under the driver.

13. The system according to claim 7 wherein the electrical signal is in a D.C. circuit.

14. The system according to claim 9 wherein the first timer is reset by an electrical pulse emanating from the band-pass filter when the steering wheel moves.