Warning and information system for a vehicle

• US 20050219041A1
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Kincses, Wilhelm, Schrauf, Michael, Willmann, Sven, Rothe, Siegfried, Dobler, Guenter
• Granted Patent: US 7,274,287 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/425.500
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes

Abstract

A warning and information system for a motor vehicle which outputs information that is below a conscious threshold of perception of a use, and above his or her unconscious threshold. At least one signal source located in the peripheral field of vision of the user is provided, and its output signals are variable by adjusting their color, intensity, frequency, timber, and/or loudness.

Claims

1. A warning and information system for a motor vehicle, said system comprising means for outputting information that is below a conscious threshold of perception of a user and above an unconscious threshold wherein:

at least one signal source is located in a peripheral field of vision of the user; and

output signals of said at least one signal source are variable by adjusting at least one of their color, intensity, frequency, timber, and loudness.

2. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an analyzer and control unit which:

analyzes signals from a sensor system;

triggers the at least one signal source; and

adjusts the at least one signal source so as to yield a stereo effect with directionally encoded signals.

3. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one signal source also emits output signals above the conscious threshold of perception.

4. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one signal source also emits output signals above the conscious threshold of perception.

5. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one signal source comprises a light source.

6. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one signal source comprises a light source and a sound source.

7. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one signal source comprises a sound source.

8. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one light source emits light in the visible wavelength range.

9. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one light source emits light in the visible and in the invisible wavelength ranges.

10. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one sound source emits acoustic signals in the audible wavelength range.

11. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one sound source emits acoustic signals in the audible and in the inaudible wavelength ranges.

12. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a first light source is situated in the left peripheral field of vision of the user;

and

a second light source is situated in the right peripheral field of vision of the user.

13. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 5, wherein multiple light sources are arranged as a light strip in an upper area of a windshield.

14. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 5, wherein multiple light sources are arranged as a light strip in a lower area of a windshield.

15. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 5, wherein multiple light sources are arranged as a light strip in an upper and a lower area of a windshield.

16. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one sound source is integrated into a head restraint.

17. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one sound source is part of an audio system.

18. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one sound source is integrated into a head restraint and is part of an audio system.

19. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one signal source generates warning signals for lane-keeping support of the vehicle.

20. The warning and information system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one signal source generates warning signals for longitudinal guidance support of the vehicle.