Patent · US Expired

Drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle

US4463347A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
9References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 21, 1981
Grant dateJul 31, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 21, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60W2540/18
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle which gives an alarm to the vehicle driver when detecting a vehicle steering condition such as to indicate a state of drowsiness, thus preventing driving in an increasing state of drowsiness. The drowsiness alarm system, according to the present invention, comprises: (a) a steering angle detection circuit which outputs a first pulse whenever the vehicle driver turns the steering wheel in either of the clockwise and anticlockwise directions in excess of a predetermined angle; (b) a quick steering detection circuit which outputs a second pulse whenever the number of the first pulses reaches a predetermined number within a predetermined period of time; and (c) an alarm unit which gives an alarm in a predetermined form to the vehicle driver in response to the second pulse fed from the quick steering detection circuit. Furthermore, to ensure more accurate detection of the state of drowsiness, there may be provided in the drowsiness alarm system a frequency of steering detection circuit which outputs a third pulse when detecting an increasing frequency of steering changes, a vehicle speed sensor for inhibiting the alarming when the vehicle speed is…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.