US4005398A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of determining the driver's sufficient alertness to drive a motor vehicle safely
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1975-03-19
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Granted: 1977-01-25
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Expires: 1995-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A constant voltage developed by a constant voltage generator is integrated, and the integrated voltage is applied to a voltage comparator. A standard voltage is applied to a voltage controller, which includes a sensor responsive to vehicle operating conditions, to control the level of the standard voltage to indicate the degree of driver alertness necessitated by the vehicle operatingconditions. The controlled standard voltage is also applied to the voltage comparator, and when the integrated voltage exceeds the controlled standard voltage the comparator develops a warning signal output. A warning device receives the warning signal and is thereby rendered operative in order to alert the driver.
Inventors
- 👤 Naohiko Inoue
- 👤 Takayuki Yanagishima
- 👤 Hiromichi Nakamura
- 👤 Noburu Fukasawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/16; A61B5/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of determining driver's alertness and warning the driver when his alertness falls below a preselected level while driving a vehicle, which comprises the steps of: generating a first signal having a preselected constant potential; integrating the first signal with respect to time; generating a second signal which is a standard potential indicative of a minimum allowable limit of the driver's degree of alertness; comparing the magnitudes of the integrated first and the second signals; warning the driver when the magnitude of the integrated first signal exceeds that of the second signal; and sensing the driver's sufficient alertness for safe driving to reset the integrating and to stop the warning.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of determining driver's alertness and warning the driver when his alertness falls below a preselected level while driving a vehicle, which comprises the steps of: generating a first signal having a preselected constant potential; integrating the first signal with respect to time; generating a second signal which is a standard potential indicative of a minimum allowable limit of the driver's degree of alertness; comparing the magnitudes of the integrated first and the second signals; warning the driver when the magnitude of the integrated first signal exceeds that of the second signal; and sensing the driver's sufficient alertness for safe driving to reset the integrating and to stop the warning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of: stopping automatically the warning after a lapse of a preselected time interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of: stopping the warning only when the driver switches off the ignition switch of the vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3222639A
Cited
US3186508A
Cited
US3611344A
Cited
US3654599A
Cited
US3811116A
Cited
US3877541A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-25 | 1980-07-26 | 1981-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-25 | 1984-07-26 | 1985-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-25 | 1988-07-26 | 1989-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |