Voice warning system for an automotive vehicle

• US 4,352,088 A
• Filed: 07/15/1980
• Issued: 09/28/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Tsunoda, Masakazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Waring, Alvin H.
• Application Number:
  US06/169,034
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52 R, 340/52 F, 340/53, 340/539, 179/1 VE, 179/1 VL
• US Class Current: 340/460
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0373 Voice control in general G10L
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/225 brake fluid level indicators level indication in general G01F; H01H
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0833 using audio means

Abstract

An audible warning system of the present invention comprises sensors for detecting abnormal vehicle conditions, means for outputting corresponding speech warning information in response to any one of the sensors, and a relay to cut off or reduce the sound volume from other audio equipment provided within the same vehicle. Since the audible warning system thus improved can cut off or reduce the volume of sound other than warning information, the driver can hear the warning information clearly without interference from other sound even while other audio equipment within the same vehicle is operating.

Claims

1. A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

(a) a plurality of sensors for detecting various abnormal conditions in an automotive vehicle,

(b) means for outputting voice warning information in response to said sensors when one of said sensors detects an abnormal condition; and

(c) means for reducing to an audible level lower than an initial audible level an audio signal level sent from other audio equipment provided within the same vehicle so as not to interfere with the voice warning information, said means for reducing the audio signal level being activated by a signal sent from any one of said sensors,

whereby the driver can hear the voice warning information clearly even when the audio equipment is operating.

2. A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for reducing the audio signal level comprises:

(a) a resistor for reducing the audio signal level; and

(b) a relay which includes;

(1) a relay coil energized by the signal sent from any one of said sensors;

(2) a normally-closed first contact for transmitting the audio signal level to the next stage without reduction thereof when said sensors detect no signal;

(3) a normally-open second contact for transmitting the audio signal level reduced by said resistor which is connected in series with said second contact, said normally-open second contact being closed when said relay coil is energized by the signal sent from any one of said sensors.

3. A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises a mixer for mixing the warning information signal with the audio signal sent from the audio equipment.

4. A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 3, which further comprises a speaker used for the audio equipment provided within the same vehicle in order to output the warning information.

5. A voice warning system for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 4, which further comprises an audio amplifier used for the audio equipment provided within the same vehicle in order to output the warning information.