Alertness detecting and warning system for automobile

• US 5,675,313 A
• Filed: 03/23/1995
• Issued: 10/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Atul B. Keluskar
• Original Assignee: Atul B. Keluskar
• Inventors: Keluskar, Atul B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US08/409,021
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/576, 340/575, 340/439, 340/309.15, 180/272, 180/273
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/06 responsive to incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means

Abstract

By using subassemblies that can be mounted on the floor of the vehicle or on the brake lever and the accelerator lever a continuously active and quick acting alerting system is developed in which an operator sets a time which is needed to switch over the foot between the accelerator and brake pedals and when operator does not accelerates or apply brakes uses an auxiliary device which can be operated by the same foot to indicate alertness and failure to do so within the set time results in actuating alarming devices. Whenever the accelerator or the brake pedal or the auxiliary device is actuated the timer resets itself. The time set is usually within five seconds.

Claims

1. A safety system for alerting a driver when said driver becomes drowsy while operating a motor vehicle, comprising a photoswitch assembly including a photoswitch and a reflector mounted on a brake pedal and accelerating pedal respectively of said vehicle so that when said driver is alerted emitted light from said photoswitch directed at said reflector is blocked and if said driver fails to block said light then it strikes said reflector and is received by said photoswitch causing said photoswitch to generate a first signal;

an on time delay relay which counts time from initial present time as long as said first signal keeps continuously receiving and at a preselected value of time generates a second signal and if said first signal stops generating then said on time delay relay resets itself at said initial present time; and

a warning device for giving a warning to said driver when said device receives said second signal.

2. A safety system as described in claim 1 further provided with a switch operated by said driver to connect and disconnect the system.

3. A safety system as described in claim 1 including means to mount said photoswitch on said accelerator pedal and said reflector on said brake pedal.

4. A safety system as described in claim 1 including means to mount said photoswitch on said accelerator pedal and said reflector on said brake pedal;

and a switch manually operated by said driver to connect and disconnect the system.

5. A safety system for alerting a driver when said driver becomes drowsy while operating a motor vehicle, comprising a detecting means to compare relative movement with respect to each other of an accelerating pedal and brake pedal of said vehicle, which generates a continuous first signal as long as said relative movement of said pedals falls below a preselected level and stops generating said first signal if said relative movement is restored at said preselected level;

a timing means for counting time from initial present time as long as said first signal is generated and generates second signal only if said counted time exceeds a preselected value said timing means generates a second signal and if said counted time does not exceed said preselected value then said initial present time is reset;

a warning means for giving a warning to said driver when said second signal is generated.

6. A safety system as described in claim 5 including a switch to connect and disconnect the system.