United States Patent 6,091,321  -  July 18, 2000

Manuel L.Karell , M.D.

Method and apparatus of a vibratory indicator for use in vehicles

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Abstract

A method and apparatus to alert a driver by use of vibratory indicator, which may be located within a seat or on a driver's person. An example is an uncancelled turn signal indicator which senses that the turn signal indicator has been selected for more than an appropriate period of activation and upon sensing this condition, the driver's seat vibrates alerting the driver of the presence of this condition. Other indicators within vehicles use vibratory means to alert the driver. The vibratory indicator may be used as back-up to audible or visual indicators.

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BRIEF SUMMARY

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to indicators in vehicles, especially towards using an indicator which vibrates.

2. Background Art

A vehicle turn signal indicator may inadvertently be left activated. Leaving a turn signal unintentionally actuated may be hazardous to drivers in the vicinity. There are self canceling devices as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,071 to Kira, 1980, in which a turn signal is automatically terminated. However, this action removes the driver from the decision process. Other devices may use visual or auditory means to alert a driver to an uncancelled indicator as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,844 to White, 1990. However, auditory and visual indicators may not be recognized; for example, a hard-of-hearing person may not hear the signal or a non-alert driver may fail to notice a visual indicator. Thus, a need continues to exist for an additional alerting indicator.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

This need and others are substantially met through provision of the Vibratory Indicator for use in Vehicles. A first configuration of the present invention functions in conjunction with a vehicle having at least one turn signal indicator. An uncancelled turn signal indicator includes generally a comparer means and a logic assessing means which are used together for determining when a turn signal has not been appropriately terminated. Operably connected is a trigger to turn on a vibration, for example, a vibration within a seat. The vibrator may be an additional alerting indicator, or may be solely used. The comparer means and the logic assessing means may have speed sensors, turning sensors, activation/deactivation sensors, duration sensors, acceleration/deceleration sensors, centripetal/centrifugal sensors, or other sensors for determining the correctness of the signal activation. Thus, the logic assessing means and comparer means upon determining when a turn signal has not been appropriately terminated triggers a vibratory indicator to provide an alerting indication to the vehicle driver that the turn signal indicator has not yet been cancelled. The means for triggering may be located within the sensor housing or may be within the vibrator housing. The means for activation of a vibration within a seat may be hard wired, for example, wires from the turn signal going to a vibratory inducing motor attached to or operatively connected to a seat; or wireless, for example, a FM signal originating anywhere within the vehicle and going to the vibrator. The vibration within a seat may be accomplished by any means causing a vibration or simply with a standard vibrator motor mechanism. Or the vibrator may be placed on the body of the driver, such as with a personal vibrating pager. Single or multiple vibratory motors may be utilized.

Other configurations may use a vibratory indicator in conjunction with any other indicator within a vehicle of the class, but not limited to the class of: check engine, door ajar, oil pressure, hot radiator, low tire pressure, low battery, air bag malfunction, brake malfunction, awake/sleep sensor, imminent collision sensors, and others.

Thus, any and all of the numerous etiologies for maintenance evaluation may trigger a vibration. Any and all of the numerous indicators used in vehicles, whether automobile, train, motorcycle, airplane, and others may trigger a vibration. A vibration trigger mechanism may be operatively attached to an awake/sleep sensor to help prevent an accident induced by sleep deprivation, sleep apnea, insomnia or other causes.

Also, the vibration may be manually turned off by the driver with a manual shut-off switch. The vibration levels may be adjusted manually to be increased or decreased as needed by the driver to alert but not startle. The vibration levels may be increased for increasing emergent situations.

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Claims

1. An apparatus, within a vehicle, or train, or airplane having turn signal indicators, for alerting a person that an action is needed, said apparatus comprising:

an indicator sense means for sensing activation of the turn signal indicators and providing a response; an uncancelled turn signal indicator for receiving and comparing said response, to predetermined parameters, and logically determining when said vehicle turn signals have not been terminated in an appropriate manner, thereby providing an uncancelled turn signal; and a trigger means responsive to said uncancelled signal for triggering a vibratory indicator means for alerting said person, wherein said vibratory indicator means is included in a device located on said person.

2. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicator sense means and/or vibratory indicator means further comprises a communication element means for transmitting and receiving signals.

3. An apparatus of claim 2 using wireless transmission.

4. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vibratory indicator means comprises a personal pager.

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