Audio coordinated visual indicator

• US 7,764,189 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2008
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jon Sanserino, Tye Rubins
• Original Assignee: Jon Sanserino, Tye Rubins
• Inventors: Rubins, Tye, Sanserino, Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Goins; Davetta W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Labbees; Edny
• Application Number:
  US12/337,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20090091433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 340/691.1, 455/90, 455/563, 455/564, 704/200, 704/231, 704/235, 704/246, 704/270, 704/275, 381/95, 381/96, 381/97, 381/86
• US Class Current: 340/691.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241

Abstract

An audio-coordinated visual indicator reducing vehicle operator distraction associated with using a communications device during vehicle operation. The visual indicator being placed within the operator'"'"'s field of view and providing a synchronized visual display associated with the output from the communication device. Providing an apparent visual reference for the incoming sound freeing up the operator'"'"'s mental resources, reducing distraction and allowing greater attention to be placed on operation. Comprising of a receiver; a visual indicator connected to an output of the receiver having an attribute that varies according to the received signal from the communication device.

Claims

1. A display system for counteracting the distraction to an operator of a vehicle caused by the operator using a communication device during operation of the vehicle and having a conversation with a person outside the vehicle, the display system comprising:

a speaker associated with the communication device;

a display associated with the communication device;

the speaker having an audio output of spoken words, said spoken words having characteristics of duration and amplitude;

the display displaying a direct representation of said duration and amplitude characteristics in a non-text to speech format at the same time the speaker is outputting said spoken words;

the display being positioned in a field of view of the vehicle operator during vehicle operation to visually provide an apparent source of the audio output.

2. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the display displays a direct analog representation of said duration and amplitude characteristics.

3. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the display is positioned within an angle between 35 and 60 degrees of a central axis of the field of view of the vehicle operator.

4. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a cell phone.

5. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the direct representation comprises a single modulated light.

6. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the direct representation comprises an LED array.

7. A display system for counteracting the distraction to an operator of a vehicle caused by the operator using a communication device during operation of the vehicle and having a conversation with a person outside the vehicle, the display system comprising:

a communication device having an audio-related output signal;

a receiver capable of detecting the audio-related output signal of the communication device and said receiver having a receiver output signal;

the receiver output signal representing spoken words, each word having a duration and amplitude;

a speaker responsive to the receiver output signal and having an audio output;

a visual indicator responsive to the receiver output signal;

the visual indicator providing a visual representation of the duration and amplitude of the spoken words that varies in proportion to the receiver output signal, in a non-text to speech format, during the progress of a communication; and

the visual indicator being positioned in a field of view of the vehicle operator during vehicle operation to visually provide an apparent source of the audio output.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the visual indicator provides the vehicle operator with a visual reference for a presumed source of the audio output.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the visual indicator is positioned within an angle between 35 and 60 degrees of a central axis of the field of view of the vehicle operator.

10. The system according to claim 7, wherein the communication device is a cell phone and wherein the visual indicator is provided on a display screen of the cell phone.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the display screen of the cell phone is a touch screen.