US4224609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Driving assurance system for wheeled vehicles
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1978-05-09
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Granted: 1980-09-23
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Expires: 1998-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A driving assurance system for an automotive vehicle includes a steering detector which generates an electrical pulse in response to each angular movement of the steering wheel exceeding an arcuate extent less than 10°. A monostable multivibrator is connected to the steering detector to generate an output pulse in response to the first one of such pulses generated by a single steering operation so that the output from the miltivibrator may represent a single steering operation. The output from the multivibrator is counted for a predetermined period to determine the state of the driver to operate a warning signal when he becomes incapacitated.
Inventors
- 👤 Takayuki Yanagishima
- 👤 Akira Matsumura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:56
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/04; G08B21/06; B; B60; B60W; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A driving assurance system for a wheeled vehicle having a steering wheel, comprising: first means for detecting an angular movement of the steering wheel to generate an electrical pulse for every angular movement exceeding a predetermined value no greater than 10° so that said pulse is generated successively when the angular movement exceeds an integral multiple of said predetermined value, a monostable multivibrator connected to said detecting means to the first one of a series of said generate an output pulse in response to pulses generated by the first means during a continuous steering movement, the period of said monostable multivibrator being greater than the longest interval between successive electrical pulses generated by said first means during a continuous steering movement, and second means for generating a warning signal when the interval between successive ones of said output pulses from said monostable multivibrator exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A driving assurance system for a wheeled vehicle having a steering wheel, comprising: first means for detecting an angular movement of the steering wheel to generate an electrical pulse for every angular movement exceeding a predetermined value no greater than 10° so that said pulse is generated successively when the angular movement exceeds an integral multiple of said predetermined value, a monostable multivibrator connected to said detecting means to the first one of a series of said generate an output pulse in response to pulses generated by the first means during a continuous steering movement, the period of said monostable multivibrator being greater than the longest interval between successive electrical pulses generated by said first means during a continuous steering movement, and second means for generating a warning signal when the interval between successive ones of said output pulses from said monostable multivibrator exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
A driving assurance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a prefixed counter connected to the output of said monostable multivibrator, a ramp generator connected to the prefixed counter and reset to generate a ramp voltage in response to the output of the prefixed counter, and a comparator for comparing the ramp voltage with a reference voltage to generate a warning signal when said ramp voltage exceeds said reference voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A driving assurance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a ramp generator connected to receive said output pulse and reset to generate a ramp voltage in response to said output pulse, a voltage comparator for comparing the ramp voltage with a reference voltage to provide an output when the ramp voltage exceeds the reference voltage, the output of said comparator being connected to the input of said ramp generator to form a closed loop, said comparator output restting said ramp generator, and wherein said second means further comprises a counter responsive to the output from said voltage comparator to generate an output when a predetermined count is reached.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
A driving assurance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second means comprises means for generating a signal of which the magnitude increases in the absence of said output pulses of said multivibrator and of which the magnitude is reset to a zero value by each of said multivibrator output pulses and means for comparing the magnitude of said signal with a reference value to generate a warning signal when said signal exceeds said reference value.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-09-23 | 1984-03-24 | 1984-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-23 | 1988-03-24 | 1988-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-23 | 1992-03-24 | 1992-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |