US6091323A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alarm apparatus for alarming driver of vehicle and method of alarming the same
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1998-04-13
•
Granted: 2000-07-18
•
Expires: 2018-04-13
Abstract
Abstract An alarm apparatus for alarming a driver of a vehicle is provided. The alarm apparatus includes a first indicator disposed on a front center console inside the vehicle, a second indicator located in a windshield of the vehicle, a radar unit, a vehicle speed sensor and a controller. In operation, when a distance between the vehicle and the one ahead is less than a first alarm distance, the first indicator is activated to display the alarm. Further, when the distance is less than a second alarm distance smaller than the first alarm distance, the second indicator is activated to display the alarm. Even if the driver does not gaze ahead but the instruments, it is possible for the driver to look at the first indicator activated more frequency than the second indicator, thereafter shift his eyes ahead and finally brake the vehicle after confirming the preceding vehicle with composure.
Inventors
- 👤 Akio Kawai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:37
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/008; G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/931; G01S2013/932; G01S2013/9325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An alarm apparatus for alarming a driver of a vehicle, the alarm apparatus comprising: a first visual indicator disposed inside the vehicle, calling attention of the driver through a driver's sight; a second visual indicator located inside the vehicle, calling attention of the driver through a driver's sight, the second visual indicator separated and spaced from the first visual indicator, the second visual indicator being placed closer to the driver's sight than the first visual indicator under condition that the driver is facing ahead of the vehicle; a detector detecting a condition to call attention of the driver; and a controller activating the first visual indicator more frequently than the second visual indicator when the condition is detected by the detector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An alarm apparatus for alarming a driver of a vehicle, the alarm apparatus comprising: a first visual indicator disposed inside the vehicle, calling attention of the driver through a driver's sight; a second visual indicator located inside the vehicle, calling attention of the driver through a driver's sight, the second visual indicator separated and spaced from the first visual indicator, the second visual indicator being placed closer to the driver's sight than the first visual indicator under condition that the driver is facing ahead of the vehicle; a detector detecting a condition to call attention of the driver; and a controller activating the first visual indicator more frequently than the second visual indicator when the condition is detected by the detector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller activates the first visual indicator before the controller activates the second visual indicator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector detects a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle in front of the vehicle; and the controller activates the first visual indicator when the distance from the other vehicle is smaller than a predetermined distance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 3, wherein the detector detects that the distance from the other vehicle is smaller than a first distance, detecting that the distance from the other vehicle is smaller than a second distance which is smaller than the first distance; and the controller activates the first visual indicator when the distance is smaller than the first distance and activates the second visual indicator when the distance is smaller than the second distance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first visual indicator and the second visual indicator inform the driver that the vehicle is to close to the other vehicle in front of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first visual indicator is arranged within an area of a front center console inside the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first visual indicator is disposed on a device which is arranged within an area of a front center console of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 7, wherein the device includes an operation device to operate the device; and the controller activates the first visual indicator when the operation device is operated and the condition to alarm is detected by the detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 8, wherein the device includes a car audio.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 8, wherein the device includes a navigation system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 8, wherein the device includes a controller of an air conditioner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 8, wherein the device includes a clock.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second visual indicator includes a part of a windshield of the vehicle, the part being located in front of the driver.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second visual indicator is placed on a meter cluster.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a buzzer connected to the controller; wherein the controller activates the buzzer when the controller activates the first visual indicator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The alarm apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a buzzer connected to the controller; wherein the controller activates the buzzer when the controller activates the second visual indicator.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of alarming a driver of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: detecting a condition where to call attention of the driver; calling attention of the driver by a first visual indicator which is disposed in the vehicle at first; and calling attention of the driver by a second visual indicator, the second visual indicator being located inside the vehicle and separated from the first indicator and placed closer to the driver's sight than the first visual indicator under condition that the driver is facing ahead of the vehicle.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of alarming a driver of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: detecting a condition where to call attention of the driver; calling attention of the driver by a first visual indicator which is disposed in the vehicle at first; and calling attention of the driver by a second visual indicator, the second visual indicator being located inside the vehicle and separated from the first indicator and placed closer to the driver's sight than the first visual indicator under condition that the driver is facing ahead of the vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5349430A
Cited
US5357438A
Cited
US5517196A
Cited
US5457439A
Cited
WO1995014939A1
Cited
JPH07242132A
Cited
US5453740A
Cited
US5801667A
Cited
US5627510A
Cited
US5646612A
Cited
GB2298754A
Cited
JPH08268113A
Cited
US5699057A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-18 | 2004-01-17 | 2004-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-18 | 2008-01-17 | 2008-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-18 | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |