SYSTEM FOR ALERTING A DRIVER AND METHOD THEREOF

• US 20170028911A1
• Filed: 07/30/2015
• Published: 02/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Medenica, Zeljko, Kent, Bradford D., Grix, Jeffrey, Mitchell, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 9,669,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

An alert system within a vehicle including a sensor and at least one speaker that generates at least one air thrust when a sensor detects a hazardous condition. The frequency and strength of the at least one air thrust varies based on the awareness level of the driver. In one embodiment, at least one air thrust is directed towards the driver from the direction of the hazardous condition. The hazardous condition may include, but is not limited to the driver falling asleep or a vehicle running a red light.

Claims

1. A device for alerting a driver, comprising;

at least one processor;

at least one speaker; and

a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the memory storing program instructions that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to;

detect an awareness level of the driver;

actuate at least one air thrust created by the at least one speaker in the direction of the driver when the awareness level of the driver is below a threshold.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one air thrust is projected through an air output created by a combination of speakers.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein detecting the awareness level of the driver is determined by a facial module, a sensor module detecting vehicle swerving, or a sensor detecting movement ahead or to either side of the vehicle.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein actuating the at least one air thrust comprises:

providing air thrusts at a frequency and number at a first level of driver awareness; and

providing air thrusts at a second lower frequency and number at a second level of driver awareness, wherein the second level of driver awareness is higher than the first level of driver awareness.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein actuating the at least one air thrust comprises directing air thrusts from at least one of multiple directions and direction from which awareness level is lacking.

6. The device of claim 1, comprising at least one fastener securing wires associated with the at least one speaker.

7. The device of claim 1, comprising two speakers creating the at least one air thrust.

8. The device of claim 1, comprising five speakers creating the at least one air thrust.

9. An alert system within a vehicle comprising:

a sensor; and

at least one speaker providing at least one air thrust in the direction of the driver when the awareness level of the driver is below a threshold.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one air thrust is generated by a combination of speakers with the at least one air thrust sent through an air output.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the sensor is a facial recognition module detecting drowsiness of a driver of the vehicle based on facial features of the driver;

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the sensor detects vehicle swerving.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the sensor detects at least one of movement at a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle, movement at a predetermined distance to the right side of the vehicle, and movement at a predetermined distance to the left side of the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein generating at least one air thrust comprises:

providing air thrusts at a frequency and number at a first level of driver awareness; and

providing air thrusts at a second lower frequency and number at a second level of driver awareness, wherein the second level of driver awareness is higher than the first level of driver awareness.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one air thrust is hot air or cold air.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the awareness level of the driver is below a threshold when the driver is unaware of a pedestrian is crossing a street or another vehicle runs a red light.

17. A method for stimulating a driver, comprising;

monitoring an awareness level of the driver; and

actuating at least one air thrust created by at least one speaker in the direction of the driver when the awareness level of the driver poses a hazardous condition.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the hazardous condition is the driver falling asleep.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein actuating the at least one air thrust comprises providing the at least one air thrust from the direction of the hazardous condition.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein actuating the at least one air thrust comprises hot air or cold air.