Wheel watcher
US8405496B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 2009 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60W2556/50
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is a vehicle driver safety device that serves the purpose of helping and encouraging drivers to drive attentively and with alertness with a degree of vehicle control that adapts to driver experience, vehicle speed and road conditions. Should the unsafe habits persist the system warns nearby cars and officials and records the incidents for review by a parent or mentor to serve as a deterrent. The new and unique wheel watcher utilizes a steering wheel with sensor arrays that determine the number and position of the drivers hands on the wheel, a vehicle speed and road condition sensor to judge the degree of control that is appropriate, a clock/timer to determine the length a unsafe practice persists and a driver identification device that affects the degree of safety practices that are encouraged by the system. An internal alarm is provided to alert the driver to an unsafe condition and indicators such as lights grouped with the sensors alert the driver to the safe positions for their hands that will satisfy the system that the vehicle is under adequate control.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.