SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING TELEMATICS AND VEHICLES TO REDUCE DRIVER OVERLOAD AND DISTRACTION

• US 20130036841A1
• Filed: 09/27/2012
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ACT-IP LLC
• Original Assignee: ACT-IP LLC
• Inventors: Naboulsi, Mouhamad A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,259,398 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/865.8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a comestible holder or retention device or retainer for sensing, controlling and monitoring driver access to food or drink while operating a vehicle. Preferably, the retainer comprises either a cup holder or a tray which retains comestible containers or the comestible, itself, in a reasonably stable position. The present invention further includes means for indicating the status of the comestible retainer as well as the comestible, itself, to the driver or other personnel and/or device to minimize preoccupation and distraction from driving while trying to determine the status of the foodstuff. Thus, the present device is utilized in conjunction with vehicular disposed telematics and is in communication therewith.

Claims

1. A device for sensing, monitoring and controlling the ingestion of a comestible comprising:

(a) a retention member for removably retaining a comestible therein or thereon; and

(b) at least one sensor associated with the retention member, the sensor signalling a property of the comestible.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the retention member is a cup holder which removably receives a comestible item.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the cup has a side wall, a bottom wall and an open top, the at least one sensor being disposed on the cup holder.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein at least one sensor is embedded in the cup holder.

5. The device of claim 1 which further comprises:

means for expanding and narrowing the entry into the cup holder.

6. The device of claim 2 which comprises:

a shapeable material, the material being conformable to the shape of the comestible.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a sensor for measuring the temperature of the comestible, an optical sensor for reading indicia on a container for the comestible, or the comestible itself, and a sensor for measuring the weight of the comestible.

8. The device of claim 1 which further comprises means for stabilizing the comestible while being retained by the retention member.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the means for stabilizing comprises a vacuum generator in communication with the retention member, the vacuum generator maintaining the comestible in a stabilized state.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the comestible is maintained in a container, the device further including means for stabilizing the container, the means comprising an electromagnetic coil.

11. The device of claim 1, which further comprises a thermoelectric effect sensor for heating and/or cooling the comestible.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the retention member is a tray.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein at least one sensor is embedded in the tray.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor is a sensor for measuring the temperature of the comestible, an optical sensor for reading indicia on a container for the comestible, a sensor for measuring the weight of the comestible.

15. The device of claim 12 which further comprises means for stabilizing the comestible while being retained by the retention member.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the means for stabilizing comprises a vacuum generator in communication with the retention member, the vacuum maintaining the comestible in a stabilized state.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the comestible is maintained in a container, the device further including means for stabilizing the container, the means comprising an electromagnetic coil.

18. The device of claim 12, which further comprises a thermoelectric effect sensor for heating and/or cooling the comestible.

19. A system for sensing monitoring and controlling the ingestion of a comestible in a vehicle comprising:

(a) a retention member for removably retaining a comestible therein or thereon, the retention member comprising the retention member of claim 1; and

(b) a controller, the controller receiving signals from the at least one sensor to monitor the sensed conditions in the retention member.