On guard vehicle safety warning system

• US 5,942,979 A
• Filed: 04/07/1997
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard Luppino
• Original Assignee: Richard Luppino
• Inventors: Luppino, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US08/835,332
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 340/575, 340/576, 340/439, 340/573, 340/539, 128/671, 128/668, 128/706, 128/708, 180/271, 180/272, 364/424.04
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence

Abstract

An on guard vehicle warning system (10) for monitoring bodily conditions of an operator of the vehicle. The vehicle warning system comprises a sensor device (12) and an analysis device (20) contained within the dashboard (18) of the vehicle. The sensor device (12) includes at least one sensing device (44) for placement on the body of the operator and monitoring a bodily condition of an operator of the vehicle and a signal generator for generating a signal indicative of the sensed condition. A transmitter (48) is connected to transmit the generated signal to the analysis device (20). The analysis device (20) includes a processing circuit/comparator (56) and (58) for analyzing the signal received from the sensor device, determining whether an emergency situation exists and generating one of a first signal indicative of a safe or non-emergency situation and a second signal indicative of an emergency situation. The generated signal is transmitted to a display unit (26) for visually indicating a safe situation upon receipt of the first signal and to both the display unit (26) and car speakers (24) for audibly and visually indicating an emergency situation exists upon receipt of the second signal. The processing circuit can also send a signal to the horn (30) and emergency lights (28) to activate both, thereby alerting people in the vicinity as to an emergency situation. A signal can also be transmitted to the brake system (32) and/or a fuel metering valve (36) to bring the vehicle to a safe stop.

Claims

1. An on guard vehicle warning system for monitoring bodily conditions of an operator of the vehicle, said vehicle warning system comprising:

a) monitoring means including;

sensor means for monitoring the operator of the vehicle for seizure disorders, heart conditions, diabetes or other debilitating illnesses and generating a signal indicative of the sensed condition; and

transmitter means connected to said sensor means for receiving said generated signal and transmitting said signal;

b) analysis means for receiving and analyzing said transmitted signal and determining if said transmitted signal is indicative of an emergency situation, including;

receiver means for receiving said transmitted signal from said sensor means;

processing means connected to said receiver means for analyzing said transmitted signal to determine if said emergency situation exists;

signal generator means for generating one of a first signal indicative of a safety situation upon said processing means determining said emergency situation does not exist and a second signal indicative of said emergency situation upon said processing means determining said emergency situation exists; and

display means connected to said signal generator for visually indicating said emergency situation does not exist upon receipt of said first signal from said signal generator means and audibly and visually indicating said emergency situation exists upon receipt of said second signal from said signal generator means;

c) means for taking action in response to receipt of said second signal that an emergency situation exists to halt operation of said vehicle and provide horn and light signals external to said vehicle announcing the presence of an emergency situation; and

d) means comprising a delay circuit for allowing a visual and audible display to notify the operator that an emergency situation exists and action is about to be taken and delaying said action for a predetermined period of time to allow said operator to cancel said action.

2. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor means includes first, second and third sensors positioned about a head of the operator for monitoring brain activity of the operator.

3. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor means includes a first sensor positioned about a chest of the operator for monitoring a heart rate of the operator.

4. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor means includes a first sensor positioned about a wrist of the operator for monitoring a pulse rate of the operator.

5. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 1, wherein said processing means includes a comparator for comparing said transmitted signal with a predetermined reference signal indicative of said emergency situation.

6. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a toggle switch for placing said system in one of a test mode, an on mode and an emergency mode.

7. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 6, further comprising a reset button for said driver for resetting said system after a false determination of said emergency situation.

8. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 7, further comprising an emergency light system connected to said signal generator means for illuminating to indicate said emergency situation upon receipt of said second signal from said signal generator.

9. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 8, further comprising a horn connected to said signal generator means for producing an audible signal to indicate said emergency situation upon receipt of said second signal from said signal generator.

10. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 9, further comprising a vehicle braking system connected to said signal generator means for decreasing a speed of the vehicle upon receipt of said second signal from said signal generator.

11. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a transponder connected to said signal generator means for transmitting a distress signal upon receipt of said second signal from said signal generator.

12. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 1, wherein said analysis means is positioned within a dashboard of said vehicle.

13. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 1, wherein said display means includes a first LED for indicating a non emergency situation and a second LED for indicating an emergency situation.

14. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 13, wherein said display means further includes a speaker for audibly indicating said emergency situation.

15. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 1, further comprising wire means for connecting said monitoring means to said analysis means.

16. An on guard vehicle warning system as recited in claim 1, wherein said signal indicative of the sensed condition is wirelessly transmitted to said analysis means.