U.S. patent application number 10/092419 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-10 for vibro-tactile alert and massaging system having directionally oriented stimuli.
Invention is credited to Chau, Taylor, Cutler, Stanley, Gerth, Gayle B., Otis, Alton B. JR., Sleichter, Charles G. III.
Application Number | 20020145512 10/092419 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22163923 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020145512 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sleichter, Charles G. III ;
et al. |
October 10, 2002 |
Vibro-tactile alert and massaging system having directionally
oriented stimuli
Abstract
A vibro-tactile cutaneous alert stimulation and massaging system
for equipment such as a vehicle includes a pad, a heater element,
and motorized vibrators in respective regions of the pad; a
plurality of vibratory transducers for location relative to plural
zones of the seat; a microprocessor controller having program and
variable memory and an input and output interface; an array of
input elements connected to the input interface for signaling the
microprocessor in response to operator input; and a driver circuit
responsive to the output interface for producing the power signal
separately for each of the transducers. The controller responds to
the input elements to activate the transducers in: a massaging mode
and an alert mode producing a predetermined sequence of
vibro-tactile cutaneous alert stimulation cycles. Additional
transducers can be spaced along a restraining seat belt for
imparting directionally oriented stimuli warning of an impending
collision.
Inventors: |
Sleichter, Charles G. III;
(Dana Point, CA) ; Cutler, Stanley; (Van Nuys,
CA) ; Gerth, Gayle B.; (Dana Point, CA) ;
Otis, Alton B. JR.; (Port Townsend, WA) ; Chau,
Taylor; (Cerritos, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FULWIDER PATTON LEE & UTECHT, LLP
HOWARD HUGHES CENTER
6060 CENTER DRIVE
TENTH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90045
US
|
Family ID: |
22163923 |
Appl. No.: |
10/092419 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10092419 |
Mar 5, 2002 |
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09352429 |
Jul 13, 1999 |
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09352429 |
Jul 13, 1999 |
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09081402 |
May 18, 1998 |
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6087942 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/407.1 ;
340/425.5; 340/438 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2201/0149 20130101;
A61H 2023/0272 20130101; A61H 2205/10 20130101; A61H 2201/0138
20130101; B60N 2/56 20130101; A61H 2201/5015 20130101; G08B 21/06
20130101; A61H 2205/081 20130101; B60N 2002/981 20180201; B60N
2/976 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/407.1 ;
340/425.5; 340/438 |
International
Class: |
H04B 003/36 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tactile alert system for an occupant support structure,
comprising: (a) a plurality of vibratory transducers for location
in plural zones of the support structure, wherein the support
structure includes a pad for contacting a portion of the occupant,
at least some of the vibratory transducers being imbedded in the
pad; (b) a seat belt for restraining the occupant, wherein at least
some of the vibratory transducers are supportable outside of the
pad in longitudinally spaced relation proximate the seat belt; (c)
a driver circuit for powering each of the transducers in response
to a corresponding drive signal; and (d) a controller responsive to
external conditions for selectively activating the drive signals in
a predetermined sequence of alert stimulation cycles of sufficient
duration, frequency, and intensity for selectively stimulating
muscle groups of an occupant of the structure, successive alert
stimulation cycles differing in at least one of intensity,
frequency, and transducers activated, thereby to alert the occupant
of the particular condition and to improve the occupant's
alertness.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/352,429, filed Jul. 13, 1999, which is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/081,402, filed on
May 18, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,942, the contents of each
being incorporated herein by this reference.
REFERENCE TO COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX
[0002] An original compact disc (Copy 1) and a duplicate compact
disc (Copy 2) each having a file named "57909.txt" (created on Feb.
27, 2002 and being 154,518 bytes in size) that contains a computer
program assembly listing in Samsung Assembly Language (Appendix A)
are filed with and as a part of this application and are
incorporated by reference herein. The assembly listing in Appendix
A is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no
objection to the reproduction of Appendix A or the patent
disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
files, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The present invention relates to devices for preventing
sleeping or dozing of equipment operators such as vehicle drivers,
to massaging devices, and to devices for communicating equipment
functional conditions to operators thereof.
[0004] Sleep prevention devices are known, being disclosed for
example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,123 to Warner, U.S. Pat. No.
4,023,098 to Muncheryan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,830 to Threadgill,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,179 to Fourcade, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,785 to
Gwin et al. The Warner patent discloses headgear having a
battery-powered buzzer that sounds with increasing intensity until
the wearer shakes his head. The Muncheryan patent discloses a
dash-mountable circuit unit having a rheostat connected in series
with battery power and a pair of output jacks, and a toggle switch
for selectively disconnecting the power or connecting an
interrupter in series with the power. The Threadgill patent
discloses electrical contacts that are worn on adjacent fingers and
biased toward contact for closing a circuit when the user relaxes,
the circuit activating a buzzer or other stimulator for awakening
the user. The Fourcade patent discloses an ear prosthesis having an
adjustable mercury switch that closes an alarm circuit when the
user's head reaches an abnormal inclination. The Gwin et al. patent
discloses a force-sensitive transducer that variably feeds a
microprocessor, the microprocessor activating an alarm when the
force falls below a low limit that is established in an initial
period of operation. Also proposed, but not described, is
monitoring of transient behavior in a manner used for monitoring
steering wheel oscillations. The above devices are unsatisfactory
for a number of reasons. For example:
[0005] 1. The headgear of Warner requires unnatural repetitive head
motion to prevent false alarms;
[0006] 2. The ear prosthesis of Fourcade is ineffective in that
sleep can occur in normal head orientations, and false alarms can
result from vehicle accelerations;
[0007] 3. The device of Muncheryan is ineffective for improving or
maintaining a driver's alertness in that uniform vibration and
regular interruptions of vibratory action promote habituation, the
vibratory action being progressively ignored by the user, and it is
believed that relaxation by regular massaging of a limited fixed
set of muscle groups only at reduced intensity tends to promote
drowsiness;
[0008] 4. The Threadgill device is awkward to use in that the user
must actively and continuously force his fingers apart; and
[0009] 5. The Gwin et al. system is ineffective in that a driver
can set an abnormally low threshold by intentionally using very
little force during the first 15 seconds of operation; also, it is
believed that there is no enabling disclosure of the use of
transients in measured gripping force for detecting drowsiness.
[0010] Typical warning systems of the prior art use visual or
auditory indications of sensed conditions for initiating
appropriate human responses in the nature of corrective action. For
example, vehicle fuel gauges are commonly provided with warning
lights that are activated when the supply reaches a low threshold,
and aircraft have audible warnings of dangerous conditions such as
an impending stall at low speed. Visual indications are often
ineffective when used alone, in that they might not be noticed.
Auditory indications can be ineffective in noisy environments,
particularly when the user is hearing-impaired, and they can be
objectionable when the indication does not require immediate
corrective action.
[0011] Recent developments in massaging apparatus have produced a
variety of products incorporating plural vibration transducers that
operate in multiple modes. However, none is particularly suited for
improving or maintaining a driver's alertness as desired for the
reasons discussed above.
[0012] Thus there is a need for a vibro-tactile alert system that
overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, and that is reliable,
easy to operate and inexpensive to produce.
SUMMARY
[0013] The present invention provides a tactile alert system having
an irregular sequence of alert stimulation cycles that are
generated using vibratory transducer motors. The motors are
embedded in structure supporting a user, such as a vehicle driver's
seat. The seat may also contain an embedded heater to enhance the
effectiveness of the vibrations. The system, which can be powered
from vehicle battery power, can be activated manually or by various
signal indications of drowsiness, and it can be configured for
interacting with a vehicle electrical system to provide auxiliary
status indications and remote control of vehicle functions. In its
fullest implementation, the system provides effective massaging of
selected muscle groups of the user, and stimulation in response to
alarm conditions such as overheating. As used herein, the term
"tactile" is understood to mean vibro-tactile, and the term
"tactile stimulation" is understood to mean vibro-tactile cutaneous
stimulation.
[0014] In one aspect of the invention, a tactile alert system for
an occupant support structure includes a plurality of vibratory
transducers for location in plural zones of the support structure;
a driver circuit for powering each of the transducers in response
to a corresponding drive signal; and a controller responsive to
external input for selectively activating the drive signals in a
predetermined sequence of alert stimulation cycles of sufficient
duration, frequency, and intensity for selectively stimulating
muscle groups of an occupant of the structure, successive alert
stimulation cycles differing in at least one of intensity,
frequency, and transducers activated, thereby to improve the
occupant's alertness.
[0015] The alert stimulation cycles can each have an active
portion, and preferably at least some of the alert stimulation
cycles also have an idle portion. The active portion durations can
be between 1 second and 15 seconds, the idle portion durations
being between 5 seconds and 45 seconds. The stimulation cycles can
selectively include a pulse stimulation cycle wherein the
controller activates the drive signals in spaced interval portions
of the active portions. The interval portions can have an interval
duration being between 0.1 second and 1.0 seconds, activated ones
of the transducers producing a vibration frequency of at least 50
Hz in each of the alert stimulation cycles. Preferably the
frequency is greater than 80 HZ in at least some of the alert
stimulation cycles. The system can include respective left and
right transducers in at least some of the zones the alert
stimulation cycles further including at least one stimulation cycle
selected from the group consisting of an alternating stimulation
cycle wherein the controller alternately activates left and right
ones of the transducers, a zigzag stimulation cycle wherein the
controller activates alternating left and right ones of the
transducers in sequential zones, a wave stimulation cycle wherein
the controller activates the transducers in sequential zones, and a
random stimulation cycle wherein the controller sequentially
activates randomly selected ones of the transducers.
[0016] Successive alert stimulation cycles can further differ in at
least one of active portion duration and idle portion duration. The
active portion duration can be between 1 second and 10 seconds,
some of the idle portion durations being between 5 seconds and 15
seconds, others of the idle portion durations being between 15
seconds and 45 seconds. The active portion duration can be
approximately 5 seconds, the idle portion durations alternating
between approximately 10 seconds and approximately 25 seconds.
[0017] The stimulation cycles can include at least one stimulation
cycle selected from the group consisting of a pulse stimulation
cycle wherein the controller activates the drive signals in spaced
interval portions of the active portions, an alternating
stimulation cycle wherein the controller alternately activates left
and right ones of the transducers, a zigzag stimulation cycle
wherein the controller activates alternating left and right ones of
the transducers in sequential zones, a wave stimulation cycle
wherein the controller activates the transducers in sequential
zones, and a random stimulation cycle wherein the controller
sequentially activates randomly selected ones of the transducers.
The alert stimulation cycles preferably include at least three
members of the group for avoiding habituation to the cycles by the
user.
[0018] The external input can include an alert input selected from
the group consisting of a manual actuator input, a bodily function
sensor input, a manual control sensor input, and an external system
signal. The support structure can include a pad for contacting a
portion of the user, the vibratory transducers being imbedded in
the pad. The support structure can further include a seat belt for
restraining the user in the seat, at least some of the vibratory
transducers being supportable outside of the pad in longitudinally
spaced relation proximate the belt.
[0019] In another aspect of the invention, a tactile alert system
for a user support structure includes a vibratory transducer for
location in the support structure; the driver circuit for powering
the transducer in response to a drive signal; and the controller
responsive to external input for selectively activating the drive
signal in a predetermined sequence of alert stimulation cycles of
sufficient duration, frequency, and intensity for stimulating
muscle tissue of a user of the structure thereby to improve the
user's alertness, each alert stimulation cycle having an active
portion and an idle portion, wherein successive alert stimulation
cycles differ in at least one of intensity, frequency, active
portion duration, and idle portion duration. The system can further
include a radio receiver having an output for communicating the
bodily function input in response to a remote bodily function
sensor. The system can further include a sensor unit having a
carrier having means for attachment to a body member of the user;
an transducer supported by the carrier for generating a sensor
signal corresponding to a bodily function of the user, the
transducer being selected from the group consisting of a blood
pulse sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a body temperature sensor,
and an EEG sensor; and a radio transmitter supported by the carrier
for communicating the sensor signal to the radio receiver.
[0020] Preferably the system further includes a plurality of input
elements connected to the controller for signaling operating input,
the signaling including signals for setting a plurality of
operating modes, one of the operating modes being an alert mode
incorporating the alert stimulation cycles, and signals for setting
an intensity control value, wherein the controller activates the
drive signals at maximum intensity during at least a portion of the
alert mode, and at adjustable intensity corresponding to the
intensity control value in at least one other mode for soothingly
massaging the muscle tissue of the user. The support structure can
include a pad for contacting a portion of the user, the vibratory
transducer being imbedded in the pad.
[0021] In a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle tactile
alert system for an operator-driven vehicle having a driver's seat
includes a plurality of vibratory transducers for location relative
to plural zones of the seat, each transducer being responsive to a
transducer power signal; a microprocessor controller having program
and variable memory and an input and output interface; an array of
input elements connected to the input interface for signaling the
microprocessor in response to operator input, the signaling
including an intensity control value, a plurality of mode signals,
and a plurality of region signals relating transducers to be
enabled; a driver circuit responsive to the output interface for
producing, separately for each of the transducers, the power
signal; and the microprocessor controller being operative in
response to the input elements for activating the transducers for
operation thereof in a plurality of modes including a massaging
mode selectively producing activation of the drive signals at
adjustable intensity corresponding to the intensity control value
for soothingly massaging muscle groups of the driver; and an alert
mode producing a predetermined sequence of alert stimulation
cycles, each alert stimulation cycle having an idle portion of
between 1 second and 30 seconds, and an active portion of
sufficient duration, frequency, and intensity for selectively
stimulating the muscle groups of the driver thereby to improve the
driver's alertness, wherein successive alert stimulation cycles
differ in at least one of intensity, frequency, active portion
duration, idle portion duration, and transducers enabled.
[0022] Preferably the driver circuit produces a first maximum level
of the power signal in the massaging mode and a second level of the
power signal in the alert mode, the second level being greater than
the first maximum level for enhanced effectiveness of the alert
stimulation cycles. The system can be operable powered from an
external power source voltage, the driver circuit being powered
substantially at the source voltage in the massaging mode, the
system further including a power boost circuit for powering the
driver circuit at an elevated boost voltage in the alert mode.
Preferably the boost voltage is at least 50 percent greater than
the source voltage for facilitating perception of the alert mode.
The external electrical power can be DC, the power boost circuit
including an inductor and a diode series connected between the
driver circuit and the external electrical power, and a pulse
circuit connected between the inductor and the diode, the pulse
circuit being activated during the alert mode to produce the
elevated boost voltage.
[0023] The active portion durations can be between 1 second and 30
seconds. The system can include respective left and right
transducers in at least some of the zones, the alert stimulation
cycles including at least three stimulation cycles selected from
the group consisting of a pulse stimulation cycle wherein the
controller activates the drive signals in spaced interval portions
of the active portions, an alternating stimulation cycle wherein
the controller alternately activates left and right ones of the
transducers, a zigzag stimulation cycle wherein the controller
activates alternating left and right ones of the transducers in
sequential zones, a wave stimulation cycle wherein the controller
activates the transducers in sequential zones, and a random
stimulation cycle wherein the controller sequentially activates
randomly selected ones of the transducers. The pulse cycle interval
portions during the alert stimulation cycles can have an interval
duration being between 0.1 second and 1.0 seconds, activated ones
of the transducers producing a vibration frequency of at least 50
Hz in each of the alert stimulation cycles. Preferably the
vibration frequency is greater than 80 Hz in at least some of the
alert stimulation cycles for enhanced tactile stimulation.
[0024] The input interface can be adapted for receiving an external
signal selected from the group consisting of a manual actuator
input, a bodily function sensor input, an manual control sensor
input, and an external system signal. The external signal can
include the manual actuator input, the microprocessor activating
the alert mode in response to the manual actuator input. The
external signal can include the bodily function input, the
microprocessor detecting a predetermined threshold condition of the
bodily function input and activating the alert mode in response
thereto. The external signal can include the manual control sensor
input, the microprocessor activating a predetermined subset of the
transducers corresponding to the manual control sensor input. The
manual control sensor input can be a hand grip sensor signal, the
microprocessor detecting a predetermined threshold condition of the
hand grip sensor signal and activating the alert mode in response
thereto.
[0025] The external signal can include the external system signal,
the microprocessor activating a predetermined subset of the
transducers corresponding to the external system signal. The
external system signal can include a left turn signal and a right
turn signal, the microprocessor activating respective left and
right ones of the transducers in response to the left and right
turn signals. The external system signal can include an alarm
signal for activating an alarm mode in response thereto, wherein
the transducers are activated in a manner sufficiently differing
from other modes for the driver to identify occurrence the alarm
mode. Preferably the microprocessor is implemented for excluding
activation of any other mode during the alarm mode. Preferably the
microprocessor includes program instructions for resuming a
previously selected mode upon termination of the alarm mode. The
external system signal can include a quantity signal of the group
consisting of a coolant temperature signal, an oil pressure signal,
a battery voltage signal, a tire pressure signal, and a fuel
quantity signal, the alarm signal being activated when the quantity
signal reaches a predetermined threshold condition.
[0026] The external system signal can include a directionally
oriented warning signal having respective front, rear, right, and
left directional components, the system including a belt assembly
for enclosing and restraining a torso portion of the driver and
having a longitudinally spaced belt subset of the transducers being
locatable generally in a directional plane containing a laterally
spaced back pair of the transducers being located in the seat, the
back pair in combination with the belt subset of the transducers
forming a ring subset surrounding the driver's torso when the belt
assembly is in place, the microprocessor being operative for
activating particular ones of the ring subset in response to the
warning signal thereby to directionally stimulate the driver in
correspondence with the directional components.
[0027] The mode signals can include at least two members of a mode
signal group consisting of a select signal, a pulse signal, a wave
signal, and a zig-zag signal, the microprocessor being operative in
response to the signals of the mode signal group, respectively, for
correspondingly activating: transducers in enabled zones
corresponding to the region signals in a select massaging mode;
enabled transducers in spaced intervals of time in a pulse
massaging mode; enabled transducers in sequential zones in a wave
massaging mode; and alternating left and right ones of the
transducers in sequential zones in a zig-zag massaging mode. The
signaling can further include a speed input for determining a rate
of sequencing mode component intervals, and wherein, during at
least one of the massaging modes, the duration of operation in
sequential activation of mode segments being responsive to the
speed control value.
[0028] The input elements can further define a heat control input,
the system further including a heater element in the pad; a heater
driver responsive to the output interface for powering the heater,
the microprocessor being further operative in response to the input
elements for activating the heater element, and wherein the
composite mode includes activation of the heater element. The
driver's seat can include a pad for contacting a portion of the
user, the vibratory transducers being imbedded in the pad.
[0029] In another and important aspect of the invention, a
directionally oriented tactile alert massaging system for an
operator-driven vehicle having a seat for supporting a driver of
the vehicle, includes a plurality of vibratory transducers
supported relative to the seat for stimulating corresponding body
portions of the driver, each transducer being responsive to a
transducer power signal; a microprocessor controller having program
and variable memory and an input and output interface; the input
interface being configured for receiving an external signal
indicative of a sensed condition of the vehicle, the external
signal having at least one directional component corresponding to a
directional aspect of the sensed condition; a driver circuit
responsive to the output interface for producing, separately for
each of the transducers, the power signal; and the microprocessor
controller being operative for activating particular ones of the
transducers in response to the external signal thereby to
directionally stimulate the driver in correspondence with the
directional components in a first mode, and selectively activating
at least some of the transducers in at least one other mode for
soothingly massaging the muscle tissue of the user.
[0030] The external signal can include respective front, rear,
right and left directional components, the system further including
a translator for activating respective subsets of the transducers
in response to each of the directional components. Preferably the
translator is operative for activating additional subsets of the
transducers in response to at least one combination of the
directional components which can be front and right, rear and
right, front and left, and rear and left directional components,
for signifying a directional orientation intermediate that of
individual components of the combination. The subsets can include
overlapping pluralities of the transducers associated with adjacent
directional aspects of the external signal for enhanced
effectiveness of the tactile stimuli. The system can include a seat
belt for the driver, directionally stimulating ones of the
transducers including at least one in a back zone of the seat, and
a longitudinally spaced plurality of the transducers proximate the
seat belt. The external signal can be a collision warning signal,
the directional component corresponding to a heading relative to a
hazard object.
[0031] In another aspect of the invention, a method for alerting a
vehicle driver includes the steps of:
[0032] (a) providing a plurality of vibratory transducers in plural
zones of a driver's seat, a driver circuit connected to the
transducers and having respective inputs for receiving
corresponding drive signals, and a controller for producing the
drive signals, the controller having an alert input;
[0033] (b) activating the alert input;
[0034] (c) operating the controller to produce the drive signals,
in response to the alert input, in alert stimulation cycles of
sufficient duration, frequency, and intensity for selectively
stimulating muscle groups of the driver; and
[0035] (d) sequencing plural cycle segments of the alert
stimulation cycles, successive cycles varying in at least one of
intensity, frequency, and transducers enabled, thereby to improve
the driver's alertness.
[0036] The operating step can further include partitioning at least
some of the cycle segments into an active portion of between 1
second and 15 seconds, and an idle portion of between 1 second and
15 seconds. The sequencing step can include the further step of
varying successive cycle segments in at least one of active portion
duration and idle portion duration.
[0037] In a further aspect of the invention, a method for
tactile-signaling a directionally oriented external condition to a
vehicle driver includes the steps of:
[0038] (a) supporting a spaced plurality of vibratory transducers
relative to a driver's seat, at least some of the transducers being
pointer transducers and spaced proximate a directional plane;
[0039] (b) providing a driver circuit connected to the transducers
and having respective inputs for receiving corresponding drive
signals, and a controller for producing the drive signals, the
controller having a condition input for responding to the external
condition and an associated direction thereof;
[0040] (c) activating the condition input;
[0041] (d) translating the condition input for enabling a
directionally oriented subset only of the pointer transducers;
and
[0042] (e) operating the controller to produce the drive signals,
in response to the condition input, in alarm stimulation cycles of
sufficient duration, frequency, and intensity for selectively
stimulating muscle groups of the driver, thereby to appraise the
driver of the existence and orientation of the external
condition.
[0043] The pointer transducers can include a laterally spaced pair
of back transducers in the seat, and a plurality of belt
transducers spaced along a driver-restraining seat belt of the seat
and including a left-front vibrator and a right-front vibrator, the
condition input including front, rear, right, and left directional
components, the step of translating the condition input including
enabling the left-front vibrator when the front and left
directional components are activated, enabling the right-front
vibrator when the front and right directional components are
activated, enabling at least one of the back transducers when the
rear directional components are activated, and activating at least
one of the belt transducers when the front directional component is
activated. The step of translating the condition input can include
enabling at least one of the belt transducers and one of the back
transducers when the right or left directional components are
activated with the front and rear directional components
deactivated.
DRAWINGS
[0044] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description, appended claims, and accompanying
drawings, where:
[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagrammatic view of a vehicle
tactile alert system according to the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a control wand portion of the
system of FIG. 1;
[0047] FIG. 3 is a simplified circuit diagram of the system of FIG.
1;
[0048] FIG. 4 (presented on separate sheets as FIGS. 4A and 4B) is
a circuit diagram detailing the control wand portion in an
experimental alternative configuration of the system of FIG. 1;
[0049] FIG. 5 (presented on separate sheets as FIGS. 5A and 5B) is
a circuit diagram detailing an electronics module portion in the
experimental alternative configuration of of the system of FIG.
1;
[0050] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a dash panel module for the
experimental configuration the wand and electronics modules of
FIGS. 4 and 5;
[0051] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing an alternative
configuration of the system of FIG. 1;
[0052] FIG. 8 is a pictorial block diagram depicting control
circuitry of the system of FIG. 1 in the alternative configuration
of FIG. 7;
[0053] FIG. 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 of FIG. 7;
[0054] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an alternative configuration
of the system of FIG. 7;
[0055] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view on line
11-11 of FIG. 10;
[0056] FIG. 12 (presented on separate sheets as FIGS. 12A and 12B)
is a circuit diagram detailing the control wand portion in a second
experimental configuration of the system of FIG. 1;
[0057] FIG. 13 (presented on separate sheets as FIGS. 13A, 13B, and
13C) is a circuit diagram detailing an electronics module portion
in the second experimental configuration of the system of FIG. 1;
and
[0058] FIG. 14 is a pictorial diagram showing the system of FIG. 7
in a marine environment.
DESCRIPTION
[0059] The present invention is directed to a tactile alert system
that is particularly effective in enhancing and maintaining
alertness of a user that can be the operator of equipment such as a
vehicle. The system is also selectively effective for soothingly
massaging muscle groups of the user, and silently warning the user
of abnormal conditions in the equipment. With reference to FIGS.
1-3 of the drawings, the present invention comprises a
microcontroller based tactile alert system 10 that is installed in
equipment such as a vehicle 11. Although the arrangement of the
vehicle 11 in FIG. 1 is typical of automobiles, it is to be
understood that aircraft and watercraft as well as railroad
vehicles are also contemplated as vehicles to be improved by the
features of the present invention. Further, stationary equipment
such as air traffic control systems and nuclear power plant
monitoring systems can be advantageously provided with the system
10.
[0060] The system 10 has a plurality of vibrators 12 that are
embedded in a seat pad 14 upon which a user sits. Each vibrator 12
is of conventional construction, and may comprise a small DC motor
that rotates an eccentric weight, or if desired, a pair of
eccentrics at opposite ends of the motor, the vibrators 12 being
sometimes referred to herein as motors. Thus each vibrator 12 is
caused to vibrate as the eccentric weight rotates, thereby
deforming the pad and coupling the vibrations for stimulating
and/or massaging muscle tissue of the user. The frequency and
intensity of the vibrations, being proportional to the speed of the
motor, are also nominally proportional to the voltage being applied
to the motors. In an exemplary configuration of the vibrators 12,
the frequency of vibration is between 60 Hz and 75 Hz when powered
from a 12 volt DC source. It will be understood that other forms of
vibrators may be used. The pad 14 can be supported on a seat 15 of
the vehicle 11 or integrated therewith, and the pad 14 typically
has a foam core and a covering of flexible fabric which can be a
decorative material such as sheepskin fur. The pad 14 may also
contain embedded heaters such as a heater 16 for enhanced
stimulation and/or massaging. The pad 14 may be divided into
foldable sections such as an upper or back section 20 (upper and
lower back), and a lower or seat section 22 (hips and thighs). It
will be understood that the pad 14 can also include a further
section for stimulation and/or massaging of the user's calves, the
user being depicted in FIG. 1 as a driver 25 of the vehicle 11.
[0061] In the exemplary configuration shown in FIG. 1, the pad 14
has eight vibrators 12 arranged in groups of two motors in four
zones, as follows: (1) a first zone 26 for the left and right sides
of the shoulder area; a second zone 28 for the left and right sides
of the lower back; a third zone 30 for the left and right hips; and
a fourth zone 32 for the left and right thighs. Particular ones of
the zones and/or vibrators 12 are also sometimes referred to herein
as Z1R, Z1R, Z2L, Z2R, Z3L, Z3R, Z4L, and Z4R as further indicated
in the drawings. Typically, the heater 16 is centrally located in
or between the shoulder and lower back areas 26 and 28. It will be
understood that other groupings and numbers of zones are
contemplated.
[0062] The system 10 is activated via a remote control device or
wand 36 containing push buttons or keys and visual status
indicators, as more fully described below. It will be understood
that the wand 36 can have a fixed mounting as a control unit at a
dash or console location of the vehicle 11; alternatively, the
components of the wand 36 can be mounted in an integrated manner
with other controls of the vehicle 11. In the exemplary
configuration shown in the drawings, the wand 36 is removably
coupled to an electronics module 37 in the massage pad via a cable
38, such as by a plug and socket coupling 39. The electronics
module 37 is electrically connected to the vibrators 12 and the
heater 16 by a suitable wiring harness as indicated by dashed lines
in FIG. 1. The wand 36 and the massage pad 14 are powered through a
power cable 40 having a power plug 41, from a suitable source such
as DC power of the vehicle 11. It will be understood that suitable
batteries for operating the system 10 can be located within the pad
14. The control wand 36 provides a variety of functions or modes
which are performed through the manipulation of buttons, keys or
equivalent means, with corresponding indicators that designate
selected functions and modes. The system 10 is operable in response
to signals that are communicated by an interface cable 42 from an
electrical system of the vehicle 11 as further described below, the
electrical system typically including a vehicle microprocessor 43
that is interfaced to an electrical vehicle bus 44. Optionally, the
system 10 further includes a sensor unit 45 for wearing by the
driver 13, the sensor unit 45 including a radio transmitter for
communicating bodily function data such as blood pulse and/or EEG
signals to the electronics module, 37. For example, the sensor unit
45 can be in the form of a wrist band for carrying and holding a
pressure transducer proximate an artery of the driver 13 as shown
in FIG. 1.
[0063] In some modes of operation, several of the buttons act as
double or triple action keys, as further described herein.
Specifically, as depicted in FIG. 2, power is turned on or off by a
"PWR" button 46 and, when power is supplied, an associated
light-emitting diode (LED) 47 is illuminated, the button 46 and the
LED 47 being located within an area 48 designated "MASSAGE". The
PWR or power button 46 also acts as a double action key for
selecting massage duration, and for entering test and demonstration
modes that are described below. The four zones 26-32 are
individually actuable by pressing corresponding buttons 50, 52, 54,
and 56 within a "ZONES" area 60. Visual status indications are
provided by respective lights 60L and 60R being disposed adjacent
respective buttons or keys 50, 52, 54, and 56 for indicating
activation of corresponding left and right ones of the vibrators
12. The heater 16 is operable at two levels by a heat button 62
with corresponding status indications by illumination of an
associated LED 63, the button 62 and the LED 63 being within a
"HEAT" area 64. The button 62 is a dual action key, sequentially
selecting high and low heat levels for the heater 16 as described
below.
[0064] SELECT, WAVE, PULSE and ZIG-ZAG massaging modes of operation
are provided by pressing respective buttons 72, 74, 76, and 78, all
enclosed within a modes area 80, SELECT being synonymous with
manual operation. The buttons 72, 74, 76 and 78 have respective
LEDs 73, 75, 77, and 79 associated therewith for indicating
activation of the corresponding modes. "INTENSITY" and "SPEED"
adjustments of the massaging modes are provided by the pressing of
respective pairs of "+"/"-" switch buttons 96 and 98 within a
common area 100. The INTENSITY adjustment relates to the power
levels at which the vibratory transducers 12 are driven and, in the
case of eccentrically loaded motors, also to the frequency of the
vibrations. The SPEED adjustment applies to the WAVE, PULSE and
ZIG-ZAG modes, and relates to the rate of advancement between mode
segments, described below.
[0065] According to the present invention, an ALERT stimulative
operational mode is provided by pressing an ALERT button 90 and
otherwise as described below for enhancing and maintaining a state
of alertness of the user by means of a predetermined pattern of
vibrations at relatively high intensity. The button 90 has LEDs 92
associated therewith, which may include, for example, a left LED
92L, a center LED 92C, and a right LED 92R. Additionally, an ALARM
mode and/or a SIGNAL mode can be implemented in response to signals
received on the interface cable 42. The LEDs 60L and 60R are red;
the LEDs 73, 75, 77, and 79, are red/green; the LED 47 is
yellow/green; and the LED 63 is red/yellow. The operations or
effects of the various buttons of the wand 36 are described
below.
[0066] Function Keys
[0067] The system 10 is preferably configured for selective
implementation of a master set of features and modes of operation,
an illustrative and preferred master set being set forth herein.
Additional features and modes are described in commonly owned
copending application Ser. No. 09/071,357, entitled Microcontroller
Based Massage System, that was filed on Apr. 28, 1998, being
incorporated herein by this reference. The function keys are in
three major groups, namely selector, control, and mode. The
selector keys include the power button 46, the heater button 62,
and the four zone buttons 50-56. More specifically, the selector
keys are used to turn on and off the massage and heater functions
and select which massage zones are active.
[0068] The control keys include the up/down intensity buttons 96
(labeled "+" and "-"), and the up/down speed buttons 98 (labeled
"+" and "-"). These keys are used to control the massage intensity
and the operating mode speeds.
[0069] The mode keys include the SELECT or manual button 72, the
wave button 74, the pulse button 76, and the zig-zag button 78. The
mode keys are used to select the current massage operating mode as
described further below.
[0070] Selector Keys
[0071] Regarding the specific selector keys, the power button 46 is
a triple action key that cycles massage power through the states of
"off", "on for 15 minutes" and "on for 30 minutes". The LED 47 is
preferably bi-color for facilitating indication of the current
massage power state. When an "on" state is selected, the massage
system 10 will automatically turn off after operating for the
selected time period. The first operation of the power button 46
after power is connected results in activation of the select mode
described below with zone 1 enabled. In subsequent restartings of
the system 10 by the power button 46, the system 10 comes on
configured as in the most recent usage.
[0072] The heater and massage power keys operate independently of
each other. The heat button 62 acts as a triple action key for
cycling the heater 16 through the states of "off", "on low" and "on
high". The LED 63 indicates the "on low" state by yellow, and the
"on high" state by red. When an "on" state is selected, the heater
16 will automatically turn off after 30 minutes. The high state is
at full power except as limited by a thermostat that is
incorporated in the heater. In the low state, full power is applied
for a warmup period of approximately 5 minutes, followed by
continued operation at reduced power.
[0073] The four buttons 50-56 act as dual action keys for enabling
and disabling operation of the left and right vibrators 12 in the
respective massage zones 26-32. Visual indicators associated with
each key are activated when the corresponding zone is enabled. The
massage action produced by the enabled motors is determined by the
currently selected operating mode.
[0074] Control Keys
[0075] Regarding the control keys, the intensity buttons 96 are a
pair of individually operated or toggled keys that increase and
decrease, respectively, the intensity of the massage. Briefly
pressing and releasing either key will change the intensity setting
to the next step. Pressing and holding either key will continuously
change the setting until the key is released or the upper or lower
limit is reached. Since the intensity of the massage provides
feedback to the user, there are no visual indicators associated
with these keys.
[0076] The speed buttons 98 are a pair of individually operated or
toggled keys that increase and decrease, respectively, the speed at
which certain of the operating modes change the massage action.
Briefly pressing and releasing either key will change the speed
setting to the next step. Pressing and holding either key will
continuously change the setting until the key is released or the
upper or lower limit is reached. Since the speed at which the
massage action changes provides feedback to the user, there are no
visual indicators associated with these keys.
[0077] Operation Modes
[0078] As indicated above, operation is effected in several modes,
including manual, wave, pulse, and zig-zag massaging modes, with
further alert, alarm, and signal modes that exercise predetermined
aspects of the other modes. In the manual mode, effected by
pressing the SELECT button 72, the vibrators 12 in enabled massage
zones 26-32 run continuously. Pressing manual button 72 terminates
any previous massaging mode. The user may enable and disable the
zones using the zone buttons 50-56, and customize the massage
action by adjusting the intensity buttons 96. The select LED 73 is
activated green. The zone selection is retained during operation of
other modes as further described below. This select mode is
operative in all implementations of the system 10.
[0079] In the wave mode (WAVE button 74), the enabled massage zones
26-32 are cycled sequentially, and the user may enable and disable
zones, adjust the massage intensity and adjust the cycling speed.
When the wave mode button 74 is operated, the associated visual
indicator 75 is activated, and the speed buttons 98 (which are
contemplated to be active in all implementations of the system 10)
are operative, in addition to the zone buttons 50-56 and the
intensity buttons 96, for customizing the massage action. Pressing
the wave button 72 also terminates any previous massaging mode.
Operation is by sequenced activation of selected zones downwardly
from the first zone (26) to the fifth zone (34) and upwardly from
the fifth zone (34) to the first zone (26), and repeating. The wave
LED 75 is activated green.
[0080] In the pulse mode (PULSE button 76), enabled massage zones
are simultaneously pulsed on and off. The zone, intensity, and
speed keys (buttons 50-56, 96, and 98) may be used to customize the
massage action. Pressing the pulse key 76 terminates any previous
massaging mode. Operation is by cycling the vibrators 12 in enabled
zones on and off at a duty cycle of approximately 50 percent, and
at a rate corresponding to the current SPEED setting as defined by
operation of the speed toggle buttons 98. The pulse LED 77 is
activated green.
[0081] In the zig-zag mode (ZIG-ZAG button 80), a "shoelace"
pattern sequence of activation of the vibrators 12 to the extent
that indicated zones are enabled as described above. More
particularly, diagonal pairs of the vibrators 12 are sequentially
activated in a repeating pattern such as Z1L and Z2R, Z2R and Z3L,
Z3L and Z4R, Z4R and Z5L, followed by Z1R and Z2L, Z2L and Z3R, Z3R
and Z4L, Z4L and Z5R. The zig-zag LED 81 is activated green.
Alternatively, the zig-zag mode can produce an alternating zig-zag
pattern of Z1L, Z2R, Z3L, Z4R and Z5L, followed by Z1R, Z2L, Z3R,
Z4L and Z5R, or an alternating pattern in each zone that repeats
several (such as four) times in that zone, then moves to next
zone.
[0082] The user may adjust the massage intensity and the cycling
speed, and may also select audio intensity control for each of the
above modes.
[0083] The alert mode (ALERT button 90) provides a predetermined
sequence of alert stimulation cycles at relatively high vibrational
intensity. Preferably, and as further described below in connection
with FIGS. 8 and 13, the vibrators 12 are poweredusing an augmented
boost voltage for providing in the alert mode vibrational
intensities greater than in the massaging modes. In an exemplary
configuration of the system 10, the alert LED 90C is activated
yellow, and operation is preferably as follows:
[0084] (a) A first alert cycle having an active portion
corresponding to the pulse massaging mode, with all zones active at
maximum intensity and maximum speed for a duration of approximately
15 seconds, followed by an inactive portion wherein all motors are
off, the pulse LED 75 being activated red. In the preferred
configuration providing the augmented boost voltage driving the
vibrators, an intensity level signaled within the electronics
module 37 is translated to an augmented intensity as described
below.
[0085] (b) A second alert cycle corresponding to the first alert
cycle, but wherein the activation alternates between the left and
right ones of the vibrators 12, the pulse LED 75 being activated
orange.
[0086] (c) A third alert cycle having an active portion
corresponding to the zig-zag massaging mode, with all zones active
at maximum intensity and maximum speed for a duration sufficient
for cycling all zones down and up, approximately 15 seconds,
followed by an inactive portion wherein all motors are off, the
zig-zag LED 79 being activated red.
[0087] (d) A fourth alert cycle having an active portion
corresponding to the wave massaging mode, with all zones active at
maximum intensity and maximum speed for a duration sufficient for
cycling all zones down and up, approximately 15 seconds, followed
by an inactive portion wherein all motors are off, the zig-zag LED
79 being activated red.
[0088] (e) A fifth alert cycle corresponding to the first alert
cycle, but having activation of randomly selected vibrators 12, the
pulse LED 75 being activated green.
[0089] Another and preferred implementation of the alert mode is as
described above, except as follows:
[0090] (a) The active portion of the first alert cycle proceeds as
described above for a first sub-interval of approximately 4
seconds, then in random groups of two vibrators 12 being activated
at the same time for a second subinterval of approximately 7
seconds, followed by a third subinterval corresponding to the first
subinterval;
[0091] (b) The active portion of the second alert cycle is as
described above, except that random pairs of the vibrators 12 are
activated in the respective left and right sub-intervals of the
cycle;
[0092] (c) The active portion of a third alert cycle is as
described above, except that the progression among zones is random;
and
[0093] (d) The active portion of the fourth alert cycle has three
sub-intervals as described above for the second alert cycle, random
ones of the zones being activated in the second sub-interval.
[0094] Following the first alert cycle, the other alert cycles can
be activated in any order, the alert cycles continuing until the
alert mode is terminated as described below. Preferably, successive
alert cycles differ in at least one of intensity, frequency, active
portion duration, idle portion duration, and transducers enabled.
In the alert mode, the zone buttons 50-56, the mode buttons 72, 74,
76, and 78, and the intensity and speed buttons 96 and 98 are
inoperative. A further (second) pressing of the alert button 90
causes termination of the alert mode, and restoration of any
massaging mode that was active at the onset of the alert mode.
[0095] In addition to activation by the ALERT button 90, the system
10 provides for activation by external signals such as a drowsiness
detection signal and radar warning signals that can be transmitted
by the interface cable 42 from the vehicle microprocessor 43.
Alternatively or in addition, a blood pulse signal or other
biometric signals can be received as wireless transmissions for
activating the alert mode.
[0096] The alarm mode provides stimulation of the user that is
effective for calling attention to an abnormal condition of the
vehicle 10, such as conditions of overheating, low fuel supply, low
tire pressure, or potentially dangerous environmental conditions
such as the sounding of a siren, railroad crossing alarm, etc., or
an incoming radar signal such as might signal a collision course of
the vehicle 11. As in the alert mode, when the system includes the
preferred implementation providing the voltage boost to the
vibrators 12, preferably the augmented boost voltage is also
activated in the alarm mode for providing in the alert mode
vibrational intensities greater than in the massaging modes. In an
exemplary implementation of the alarm mode of the system 10, at
least one of the alert LEDs 90 is activated red, and operation is
as follows:
[0097] (a) A first alarm cycle corresponding to the pulse massaging
mode, with all zones active at maximum intensity and maximum speed
for a duration of approximately 15 seconds; and
[0098] (b) A second alarm cycle corresponding to the first alarm
cycle, but wherein the activation alternates between the left and
right ones of the vibrators 12. As in the alert mode, the intensity
level signaled within the electronics module 37 is translated to an
augmented intensity when the augmented boost voltage is
activated.
[0099] Another and preferred implementation of the alarm mode
repeats a single alarm cycle corresponding to the first alarm
cycle, but having an active portion and an idle portion, and
wherein each portion has a duration of approximately 5 seconds.
[0100] The signal mode provides vibratory stimulation that is
coordinated with external signals such as operation of left and
right turn signals of the vehicle 11. This mode, which can also
modify the operation of the massaging and alert modes, is activated
by corresponding signals received through the interface cable 42.
For example, a left turn submode of the signal mode repetitively
activates the left vibrators 12 only, at medium intensity; and a
right turn submode of the signal submode repetitively activates the
right vibrators 12 only, also at medium intensity.
[0101] The alarm and signal modes can be tested without reliance on
external signals in a test mode that is entered following a power
off condition using a special combination of function keys before
operating the PWR key 46. Exemplary key combinations and test
sequences are disclosed and described in the above-referenced
copending patent application Ser. No. 09/071,357. Similarly, a
demonstration (demo) mode provides a continuing sequence that can
include all of the massaging, alert, alarm, and signal modes in a
manner that is within the skill of the art of a designer also
having knowledge of the referenced patent application.
[0102] System Architecture
[0103] Referring to FIG. 3, the control architecture of the massage
system 10 is based on a microprocessor (MPU) 110, a key matrix 112,
and a system status matrix 114 in the wand 36, and a
microcontroller (MCU) 111 in the electronics module 37, the MCU 111
being serially interfaced with the MPU 110 through the cable 38.
Each of the MPU 110 and the MCU 111 have appropriate crystal clock
elements and power-on reset circuitry (not shown). Either or both
of the MPU 110 and the MCU 111 can have a serial erasable,
electrically programmable memory (EEPROM) associated therewith as
described in the above-referenced copending patent application for
facilitating programming and configuring same.
[0104] Wand
[0105] The wand 36 is serially interfaced to the pad 14 for
permitting the cable 38 to have only a few conductors, six for
example. A suitable device for use as the MPU 110 and/or the MCU
111 is a 4-bit KS57C0004 chip manufactured by Samsung Electronics.
As shown in FIG. 3, the MCU 110 is operated at 5-volts being
provided from the electronics unit 37, described below. The key
matrix 112 has the various (15) buttons of the wand 36
electronically wired in a 6-by-4 matrix that is periodically
scanned by the MCU chip 110. Keyboard scanning and LED display
generation is performed in a multiplexed fashion that makes optimum
use of the available processing time. The scanning algorithm uses
leading edge detection with trailing edge filtering or debouncing.
This provides rapid response to key pressings and eliminates
multiple pressing detection due to slow contact closure or contact
bounce. Without this feature, the alternate action selector keys
might jitter on and/or off as each key was pressed or released. The
scanning algorithm also looks for multiple key pressings and
ignores any condition where two or more keys appear simultaneously
pressed. This is required to eliminate "phantom key" detection
caused by electrical shorting of the rows and columns of the matrix
as certain combinations of keys are pressed. This key arrangement
and scanning algorithm advantageously reduces the number of MCU
input/output pins required to detect key pressings. Other key
arrangements and scanning algorithms are also usable; however, the
matrix approach is the most economical in terms of MCU resources.
It will be understood that unused positions of the key matrix 112
are available for additional functions.
[0106] The system status matrix 114 contains the various LED power,
heater and mode, zone and control indicators 47, 60L, 60R, 63, 73,
75, 77, 79, 90L, 90C, and 90R. As described above, some of the LED
indicators are multiple color devices; they have three terminals in
the exemplary configuration described herein, each being connected
in the matrix 114 as two separate devices. The system status matrix
114 is configured 4-by-6 and driven in a multiplexed fashion by MPU
110, each "column" of 4 LEDs being activated for about 24% of each
display cycle. The period of the complete display cycle is short
enough so that all activated indicators appear fully illuminated
without any noticeable flicker. Flashing of selected indicators is
a function performed by the control firmware independent of the
display cycle.
[0107] The status indicator matrix 114 in combination with
associated programming of the MPU advantageously reduces the number
of MPU output pins required to illuminate the indicators. To
further conserve MCU resources, the ten drive signals of the system
status matrix are shared with the key matrix 112. During the 2% of
the display cycle when the display is inactive, six of the signals
are used to scan the rows of the key matrix. Other visual indicator
arrangements and driving algorithms are also possible; however, the
matrix approach is the most economical in terms of MPU resources.
It will be understood that unused positions of the indicator matrix
are available for additional functions.
[0108] Electronics Module
[0109] As further shown in FIG. 3, the electronics module 37 of the
pad 14 includes motor drivers 118 for activating corresponding ones
of the vibrators 12 (FIG. 5A), and a heater driver 120 for powering
the heater 16 (FIG. 5B), the drivers being responsive to the MCU
111. The operating voltage of the drivers 118 and 120 is nominally
12-14 V DC. The module 37 also includes a 5-volt power regulator
134 (FIG. 5B) for powering the MCU 110 of the wand 36 and the MCU
111 and logic circuitry of the electronics module 37.
[0110] Stimulation and massaging intensity (motor speed) is
controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM) of the signals applied
to the drivers 118. This, in turn, controls the average power
applied to each motor. While a duty cycle range of 0-100% is
possible, other factors limit the range to about 16-98%. These
factors include motor stalling at low speeds, and subjective
evaluation of minimum and maximum intensity levels. To reduce the
audible noise generated by the PWM process, the pulse rate
modulation frequency is set to between approximately 50 Hz and
approximately 60 Hz, 55.56 Hz, for example.
[0111] The heater driver 120 is configured as a buffered saturated
transistor switching circuit. Heat level is controlled by pulse
width modulation of the signal applied to the driver in the same
manner as for the motor drivers. For high heat, the duty cycle is
set to 100%. For low heat, the duty cycle is set to 100% for a warm
up interval and then is reduced to 50%. The warm up interval ranges
from 0 to 5 minutes depending on the amount of time the heater was
previously off. The heating pad 16 contains an integral thermostat
that limits the maximum operating temperature. Motor and heater
control is performed using pulse width modulation (PWM), a
communication occurring each time the on/off state of any driver is
to change. This is normally a minimum of two communications per
pulse width modulation (PWM) cycle or about 110 per second. The
drivers 118 and 120 can include appropriate gating for suppressing
activations in case of inactivity of the MCU 111, as described in
the above-referenced copending patent application.
[0112] PWM Cycle Pairs
[0113] All processing is performed synchronously with PWM cycles
which have a period of 18,000 .mu.s and a frequency of 55.56 Hz. To
reduce processing overhead, keyboard scanning, display driving and
ADC data reading is performed over two consecutive PWM cycles. The
processing interval for these PWM cycle pairs has a period of
36,000 is and a frequency of 27.78 Hz. Each PWM cycle is divided
into 100 time segments of 180 .mu.s each. All motor and heater
state changes occur on a segment boundary. Thus the minimum motor
intensity or heater power change is 1% of the maximum value. The
time segments are numbered 99 through 0 starting at the beginning
of the cycle. The sequence of events over the PWM cycles and pairs
thereof can be as described in the above-referenced patent
application, except that the MCU 111 is not required to process the
scanning of the key and system status matrices 112 and 114. It will
be understood that these functions can be combined in a single MCU
as disclosed in the above-referenced patent application and that
approach was in fact utilized in an experimental prototype of the
system 10, described below.
[0114] Vehicle Interface
[0115] As further shown in FIG. 3, the electronics unit 37 has a
vehicle interface 124 for communications between the MCU 111 and
the vehicle bus 44 over the interface cable 42. In an exemplary
implementation, an ALERT input 125, a warning input 126, and signal
inputs 127 including respective LEFT and RIGHT TURN signals 127A
and 127B feed separate port lines of the MCU 111, and the MCU 111
feeds a STATUS output signal over the interface cable 42 through a
line driver 128. It will be understood that the STATUS output
signal can contain multiple bits of information on corresponding
lines as an alternative to the single channel shown in FIG. 3. The
STATUS output signal can provide, following activation of the alert
mode either manually or in response to a drowsiness detection
device, that after a predetermined period in which the driver does
not respond and deactivate the alert mode, farther remedial action
is taken such as one or more of activating vehicle brake lights,
activating warning flashing lights to notify nearby drivers of the
abnormal condition, and/or restricting engine output such as by
cutting fuel flow.
[0116] The alert input 125 can be responsive to a dashboard-mounted
button or switch (a counterpart of the alert button 90) for manual
user control, and/or it can be derived from an automatic
determination of a drowsy condition of the driver by the VPU 43 as
described below. The unit 37 optionally includes a radio receiver
129 for communicating bodily function signals from the sensor unit
45 to the MCU 111. It will be understood that the radio receiver
129 can instead be associated with the vehicle microprocessor 43,
the signals being processed therein and combined with other data as
described herein for producing the ALERT signal. The warning input
126 can be responsive to respective FUEL LOW, LOW TIRE, LOW OIL
PRESS, OVERHEAT, and COLLISION conditions as signaled to or
determined by the VPU 43. The vehicle 11 has appropriate sensors
for communicating the above conditions to the VPU 43, such as a
radar sensor for sensing an impending collision. Additional inputs
to the vehicle bus 44 such as low oil, coolant and/or brake fluid
quantity, and low air pressure are also contemplated within the
scope of the present invention, the inputs being included in the
generation of the warning input 126 by the VPU 43.
[0117] As further shown in FIG. 1, a SILENT CELL PHONE RING signal
can be connected to the vehicle bus 44 from a cell phone device
(not shown) that may be present in the vehicle 11. Also, the
vehicle 11 typically includes a steering wheel 140 on a steering
column 141, a turn signal lever 142 projecting from the column for
conventionally signaling intended left and right turns. The signal
lever 142 is electrically coupled to the vehicle bus 44 for
generating the LEFT and RIGHT TURN signals 127A and 127B. The
vehicle 11 can also have a steering transducer 144 for
communicating movements of the steering wheel 140 to the VPU 43.
The VPU 43 can be implemented by known methods for generating the
alert input 125 based on differences in patterns of steering
behavior of the driver 25 between alert and drowsy conditions. A
further optional element is a grip transducer 146 that can be
located on the steering wheel 140 in positions that would normally
be contacted by the user's hands when the vehicle 11 is being
driven, the transducer 146 signaling gripping pressure forces
exerted against the steering wheel 140 by the driver 25.
[0118] Firmware
[0119] Architecture:
[0120] The ROM firmware of the MPU 110 of the wand 36 is directed
to signaling key pressings in the key matrix 112 to the MCU 111,
and activating LEDs of the status matrix 114 in response to data
received from the MCU 111. This wand firmware may include
initialization modules as described in the above-referenced
copending patent application, and the initialization data for the
MCU 111 can also be temporarily stored in an EPROM of the wand 36.
The ROM firmware of the MCU 111 is divided into a set of mainline
and timer interrupt modules that are activated during operation of
the tactile alert system 10, and may include initialization modules
for loading an EPROM associated therewith as described above. The
mainline modules have direct control of the stimulation, massage,
and heat activations of the system, in response to key pressing
signals from the wand 36, and to signals received by the vehicle
interface 124, changing the activations as a function of the
current operating mode. The timer interrupt modules perform all of
the time dependent sense and control tasks requested by the
mainline modules plus processing of power, heater, intensity and
speed key pressings. The mainline and interrupt modules execute in
an interlaced fashion with the latter preempting the former
whenever a timer interrupt occurs. Communication between the two is
via RAM flags and control words.
[0121] Mainline Modules:
[0122] The names and functions of the mainline modules defined in
Appendix A are as follows:
[0123] Power-On Initialization (POIN). Executes once following
application of main power (battery or AC) to the device to
initialize hardware registers, initialize RAM contents, test for an
AC or DC power supply, detect activation of the set-up mode, and
then start the timer interrupt module for sensing operator input,
etc.
[0124] Massage Power Resets (MPRS). Initializes the unit into
Select Mode with Zone 1 enabled. Executed following POIN and TSMD
(described below).
[0125] Massage Power Idle (MPID). Executes when the massage power
is off to sense key pressings or events that would activate another
mode. These include the POWER (key 46), the ZONE 1-4 (keys 50-56),
and can include key sequences that enable the POWER key to turn the
unit on in test and/or demonstration modes.
[0126] Start Primary Operating Mode (STPM). Executes following MPID
to branch to a primary mode section of the program.
[0127] Wake-up Mode (WUMD). Executes when the unit is in Alert Mode
to generate the predetermined sequence of alert stimulation cycles
as described above.
[0128] Auxiliary Mode (AXMD). Executes when the unit is in alarm
mode to generate the predetermined alarm sequence as described
above.
[0129] Select Mode (SLMD). Executes when the unit is in Select Mode
to run the selected zone motors and sense key pressings. The ZONE
1-4 keys toggle the state of the zones and the WAVE, PULSE,
ZIG-ZAG, and ALERT keys (keys 74,76, 78, and 90, respectively)
and/or the alert, warning, and signal inputs 125, 126, and 127,
transfer execution to the appropriate module. If the radio receiver
129 is implemented, the select mode is also responsive to a flag
that is conditionally set based on the time history of the receiver
output for activating the alert mode.
[0130] Pulse Mode (PLMD). Executes when the unit is in Pulse Mode
to pulse the selected zone motors and sense key pressings. The ZONE
1-5 keys toggle the state of the zones and the WAVE, ZIZ-ZAG, and
ALERT keys (keys 74, 78, and 90, respectively) transfer execution
to the appropriate module.
[0131] Wave Mode (WVMD). Executes when the unit is in Wave Mode to
run the selected zone motors in wave fashion and sense key
pressings. The ZONE 1-4 keys toggle the state of the zones and the
SELECT, PULSE, ZIG-ZAG and ALERT keys transfer execution to the
appropriate module.
[0132] Zig-Zag Mode (ZZMD). Executes when the unit is in Zig-Zag
Mode to run the selected zig-zag sequence and sense key pressings.
The ZONE 1-4 keys transfer to SLMD with the selected zone enabled,
and the WAVE, PULSE, SELECT, and ALERT keys transfer to WVMD, PLMD,
SLMD, and ALERT, respectively.
[0133] Test Mode (TSMD). Executes after the test mode enable key
sequence is entered and POWER is pressed. The module resets a demo
flag and enters a program sequence that tests the heaters, motors
and LEDs by cycling through all implemented combinations of a
master set of the enabled functions. The test mode skips those
functions of the master set that are not implemented, preferably
according to parameters previously loaded into electrically
programmable memory of the system 10 as described above and more
fully in the above-referenced patent application. When the test is
complete, the demo flag is tested and the massage transducers and
heaters are turned off with execution proceeding at MPRS if the
demo flag was zero.
[0134] Demonstration Mode (TSMD). After the demonstration mode
enable key sequence is entered and POWER is pressed, control is
transferred to the TSMD program sequence with the demo flag set,
thereby causing the test program sequence to be continuously
repeated until the POWER button 46 is again pressed.
[0135] The stimulation modes (alert, alarm, and signal), which are
implemented generally as described above, supercede the massaging
modes, massaging modes that are interrupted by a stimulation mode
being resumed when no stimulation mode is active. Also, the signal
mode does not necessarily completely supercede an active massaging
mode, but preferably modifies that mode.
[0136] Experimental Prototype
[0137] With further reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, and 6, an
experimental prototype of the tactile alert system 10 has been
built and operated, the prototype system being a modification of a
massaging system as disclosed in the above-referenced copending
patent application. In the prototype system 10, there is a single
microcomputer chip, an MCU 110 that is in the control wand 36, the
MCU 110 being in serial communication with a shift register 130 in
the electronics module 37, the shift register being a simplified
counterpart of that disclosed in the above-referenced copending
application. Thus the wand 36 of the prototype configuration
includes simplified counterparts of the key matrix 112, the status
matrix 114, a serial EEPROM 116 for facilitating configuration
set-up and initializing of the system, and a power reset circuit
117, but with a pair of matrix row lines (OPP40 and OPP41), and a
pair of matrix column lines (KC0* and KC1* being tapped into and
brought out through the cable 38 for use as described below, the
cable 38 being augmented to a total of 13 wires. As shown in FIG.
4A, the MCU 110 is operated at 5-volts, being clocked using a
conventional 4 MHZ crystal. The power-on reset circuit 117 has a
negative going trip point set to approximately 4.0 V as described
in the above-referenced patent application. Certain keys and LEDs
of the unmodified system (PGM, SWL, and MUS keys, and PROGRAM and
SWELL LEDs) were disabled and others (zone 5, CIR, SWU, SWD and LO
keys; and MUSIC and HEAT2 LEDs) were not enabled (by suitably
loading the EEPROM 116 as described in the above-referenced pending
application).
[0138] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the electronics module 37 of
the experimental prototype configuration includes motor drivers 118
for activating corresponding ones of the vibrators 12 (FIG. 5B), a
heater driver 120 for powering the heater 16, and a 5-volt power
regulator 134 (FIG. 5A) for powering the MCU 110 of the wand 36 and
logic circuitry of the electronics module 37. The source power
operating voltage is nominally 12-14 V DC, which is typically
provided from the electrical system of the vehicle 11.
[0139] The SDT * and SCK * signals are data and clock outputs from
the MCU serial I/O port of the wand 36. During a byte transfer, the
data changes on the negative edge of SCK* and is clocked into the
shift register on the positive edge of SCK*. The clock period is 1
.mu.s. The data from the MCU is serially transmitted in negated
form. The signal DST * is the data strobe that transfers the shift
register data to the output register of the shift register 130,
which can be a conventional 74HC4094 integrated circuit). The
transfer is enabled while DST* is low. Each update of the shift
register 130 consists of transmitting one data byte and then
pulsing DST* low for 2 .mu.s. Each negative edge of the DST *
triggers a re-triggerable pulse generator of the timer circuit 138
which enables the 74HC4094 output drivers. If the MCU 110 stops
updating the shift register, the timer circuit 138 times out,
disabling drive signals to the motor and heater drivers 118 and
120. This is a safety feature that protects against unwanted
operation in case of MCU failure. As shown in FIG. 5A, the heater
driver 120 is driven from the SCK* signal as buffered by the
Schmitt trigger circuit 136 and gated by the output of the timer
circuit 138. The heater 16 is driven directly from the power
source, the driver 120 being configured as a buffered saturated
transistor switching circuit. Heat level is controlled by pulse
width modulation of the signals applied to the driver as described
above.
[0140] Motor and heater control is performed using pulse width
modulation (PWM) as described above, As shown in FIG. 5A, timer 138
which utilizes a portion of the Schmitt trigger circuit 136 is
employed to automatically disable all drivers if a communication is
not received at least once every 100 milliseconds. This protects
the user in the event the control wand 36 becomes disconnected
while power is applied to the electronics module 37. The module 37
also includes a panel connection 132 for extending some of the
conductors of the cable 38 to a remote location as described
below.
[0141] Remote Test Panel
[0142] The experimental prototype of the alert system 10 has a
remote test panel 180 for simulating functions of the VPU 43 and
the vehicle bus 44 as shown in FIG. 6. The test panel 180, which is
coupled to the panel connection 132 by a counterpart of the
interface cable 42, includes remotely located portions of the key
matrix 112 and the system status matrix 114. More particularly, the
test panel 180 includes a counterpart of the alert button 90,
designated wake-up (WU) key 182 and having a LED 183 associated
therewith, an alarm (AX) key 184 having a LED 185 associated
therewith, a left turn (L) key 186 having a LED 187 associated
therewith, and a right turn (R) key 188 having a LED 189 associated
therewith. The LEDs 188 and 189 are counterparts of the LEDs 92L
and 92R of the wand 36 as described above in connection with FIG.
2. The AX key 184 is programmed for simulating the alarm condition,
a second press terminating the simulated condition. The above
elements are wired to the OPP40*, OPP41*, KCO*, KC1*, LC0*, and
LC1* signals from the wand 36 as shown in FIG. 6 to form extensions
of the key matrix 112 and the status matrix 114.
[0143] Regarding the control programming of the MCU 110, the
experimental prototype was programmed for providing the
above-described stimulation and massaging modes using a
modification of the program listed in Appendix A of the
above-referenced copending patent application, the modified program
being listed in Appendix A herein. More particularly, the
modifications include the following:
[0144] The Alert Mode:
[0145] The alert mode was implemented to be responsive to the WU
key 182 with activation of the wake-up LED 183. The five
above-described alert stimulation cycles were implemented with the
duration of each active portion and each inactive portion being 15
seconds, each active portion being at maximum intensity and speed.
A second press deactivates the alert mode, returning the system 10
to a power off condition, or to a previous massaging mode, if the
massaging mode was interrupted by the alert mode. It will be
understood that in typical implementations, control can be returned
to a signal mode that was interrupted by the alert mode, or the
alert mode can be temporarily modified by the signal mode.
[0146] The Alarm Mode:
[0147] The alarm mode was implemented to be responsive to the AX
key 184, commencing simulation corresponding to the pulse massaging
mode and activation of the alarm LED 185, with the four zones 26,
28, 30, and 32 active and at maximum intensity and speed. A second
press of the AX key terminates the alarm mode, returning the system
to a power off condition. It will be understood that in ordinary
implementations, the alarm mode is terminated by absence of an
alarm signal, and that control can be returned to a massaging or
signal mode that was interrupted by the alarm mode.
[0148] The Signal Mode:
[0149] The signal mode was implemented to be responsive to the L
key 186 and the R key 188, commencing simulation corresponding to
the pulse massaging mode and activation of the corresponding LED
188 or 189. The appropriate left or right vibrators of the four
zones 26, 28, 30, and 32 are activated at a speed of 78 pulses per
minute for corresponding to a typical turn signal flashing rate.
The intensity is set to approximately 60 percent of the difference
between the maximum and minimum intensity limits of the system.
Pressing the opposite key during the signal mode switches the
activations to the opposite side. In the experimental prototype, a
second press of the same key terminates the signal mode, returning
the system to the power off condition. It will be understood that
in ordinary implementations, the signal mode is terminated by the
absence of a signal input 127, and control can be returned to a
previously interrupted massaging mode.
[0150] Drowsiness Query
[0151] Optionally, the system 10 can be implemented to periodically
activate the vibrators 12 with a short burst for querying the
driver to evaluate his state of alertness and whether or not the
alert mode is needed. The time between activations (one, two,
three, or five minute intervals, for example) and the duration of
activation (0.2-1.0 second, for example) can also be controlled by
the driver, using multiple touch aspects of the ALERT button 90 in
combination with the SPEED toggle switch. The driver can issue a
negative response by a single pressing of the ALERT button 90;
otherwise, the alert mode is entered. In a further aspect, the
system 10 can request the driver to perform simple tasks to confirm
alertness and/or to determine the extent to which alertness has
deteriorated, by comparison with similar data collected when the
driver is fully alert. The request can be auditory or visual, and
the tasks can include requested key press sequences on the wand 36
or on a cellular telephone, if present.
[0152] Alert Time-Out
[0153] After prolonged use of the alert mode, it is possible that
its effectiveness would wear out. Thus the system 10 can be
implemented for forcing the driver to take a rest after the alert
mode has been activated for an appropriate predetermined time limit
such as 30 minutes. More particularly, appropriate STATUS signals
to the VPU 43 can activate brake lights of the vehicle 11; followed
by, after a short interval of 30 seconds or less, gradually
limiting fuel flow for forcing slowing of the vehicle; and
activation of emergency flashing lights of the vehicle. Thus the
driver is prevented from continuing to drive indefinitely while
drowsy, and those in nearby vehicles are warned of potential
danger. Further optional responses are activation of the vehicle
horn or other obnoxious sounder, and/or operating the vehicle radio
very loud.
[0154] Directional Alarm Stimuli
[0155] With further reference to FIGS. 7-9, an alternative
configuration of the system, designated 10', provides directionally
oriented alarm stimuli in response to particular external
conditions. For example, the system 10' can be implemented for
receiving, along with the warning signal associated with the
COLLISION condition, described above as being signaled to the
vehicle microprocessor 43 from a radar device, a relative heading
direction to the obstacle creating the offending condition. By
correspondingly directionally orienting tactile stimulus to the
driver 25, the driver is more easily able to visually identify the
offending object and take effective corrective action. As shown in
FIG. 7, the system 10' further includes an arrangement of the
vibrators that is effective to impart directionally oriented
stimuli to the driver 25. More particularly, counterparts of the
vibrators, designated 12', are spaced along a cuff assembly 190
that is attached to a seat belt 192 of the vehicle 11, the cuff
assembly lying generally in a horizontal plane together with the
vibrators 12 of the second (lower back) zone 28 of the seat 15.
Thus a combination of one pair of the vibrators 12 in the back
section 20 of the seat and the vibrators 12' of the cuff assembly
190 surround an abdominal portion of the driver 25. The vibrators
12' of the cuff assembly 190 are also individually designated MBL,
MBLF, MBFL, MBF, MBFR, MBRF, and MBR, from left to right. Selective
activation of one or more of these vibrators and of the vibrators
12 of the second zone 28 is effective for providing a directional
stimulus to the driver 25 as described below. Additionally,
counterparts of the vibrators 12' are preferably included in the
second zone 28 of the seat 15 to provide improved directional
sensory perception. The vibrators 12' of the second zone 28, if
present, are designated M2LL, M2LC, M2CL, M2CR, M2RC, and M2RR.
[0156] As shown in FIG. 8, a counterpart of the electronics module,
designated 37', is configured for receiving directionally distinct
warning signals for correspondingly activating the pair of
vibrators 12 in the lower back zone 28 and the spaced plurality of
the vibrators 12' of the cuff assembly 190 for tactile
communication of both a warning and an associated heading to the
driver 25. More particularly, the MCU 111 is configured for
receiving plural counterparts of the warning signal 126, designated
front (FT) 126A, rear (RR) 126B, right (RT) 126C, and left (LT)
126D, respectively. Also, the motor drivers 118 are configured for
individually activating the vibrators 12', in addition to the
vibrators 12. Further shown in FIG. 8 is a power boost circuit 150
for operation of the vibrators 12 (and the vibrators 12') at
augmented intensity in the alert and/or alarm modes of the system
10'. The boost circuit 150 provides a +12B power output that is at
substantially the same as that of a 12-volt power source voltage of
the system during any of the massaging modes, being activated by a
signal from the MPU 110 for raising the +12B output to
approximately 20 volts, preferably during each of the alert and
alarm modes. It will be understood that the boost circuit 150 is
also preferably implemented in the circuit configuration of FIG. 3
of the system 10.
[0157] As best shown in FIG. 9, the cuff assembly 190 includes a
flexible sleeve 194 enclosing the vibrators 12' and a lap portion
of the seat belt 192, each vibrator 12' including a cup-shaped
housing 196 having a solenoid coil 198 rigidly supported therein
with a magnetically permeable stator member 199, and an armature
assembly 200 that movably projects through a central opening 202 of
the housing 196 for stimulating the driver 25. The armature
assembly 200 includes a magnetically permeable disk member 204 that
is rigidly connected to a non-magnetic stem member 205 having a
head portion 206 that slidably projects through the opening 202.
The sleeve 194 is formed from a flexible fabric sleeve member 207,
the sleeve member being folded and joined by a seam 208 along a
marginal edge thereof to form a pocket 209 enclosing the vibrators
12', a portion of the sleeve member extending beyond the seam 208
to form a first flap 210 that at least partially encloses the seat
belt 192. A second flap 211 is fastened to the sleeve member 207,
the second flap also being formed of flexible fabric for completing
the enclosure of the belt 192 by overlapping the first flap 210,
respective hook and loop fastener elements 212 and 213 being
fastened to the flaps 210 and 212 for securing the sleeve 194 to
the seat belt 192.
[0158] The housing 196 of each vibrator 12' is formed with an
outwardly facing flange portion 214 by which the vibrators 12' are
fastened in spaced relation along the sleeve member 207, facing
away from the seat belt 192. Each armature assembly 200 is thus
confined within the housing, the disk member 204 being biased
toward the seat belt 192 by a helical compression spring 215. Thus
the disk member 204 assumes a position contacting the sleeve member
207 and spaced from the stator member 199 when the solenoid coil
198 is not energized. Activation of the coil 198 drives the disk
member 204 against the stator member 199, with corresponding
compression of the spring 215 and movement of the head portion 206
of the stem member 205 outwardly from the housing 196, to locally
stimulate the driver 25 by deflecting a portion of the sleeve
member 207. A resilient filler member 216 having openings for
receiving the vibrators 12' is also located within the pocket 209
for smoothly shaping the sleeve member 207 between the seat belt
192 and the driver 25. The vibrators 12' are individually
selectively powered through a cuff cable 218 that extends from the
cuff assembly 190 toward an anchored portion of the seat belt 192,
the cable being suitably connected to a counterpart of the
electronics module 37. In the case of the vibrators 12' having the
solenoid coils 198 as described herein, vibratory stimuli are
produced by pulsed activation at a desired frequency being
sufficiently low to permit an effective axial movement of the
armature assembly 200. The pulsed activation can be by circuitry of
the driver 118; however, it is contemplated that the pulsed
activation be produced by intermittent signals transmitted from the
MCU 111 as defined by the firmware in a conventional manner.
[0159] In an exemplary configuration of the system 10', the
directional aspect of the stimuli resulting from the warning
signals 126 is controlled by a table look-up module of the
firmware, using known programming devices, as indicated in the
following Table 1. The table look-up operates as a translator for
converting any of the directionally oriented combinations of the
warning inputs 126 to corresponding activations of appropriate ones
of the vibrators in the second zone 28, with a counterpart of the
previously described Alarm mode being entered. It will be
understood that the exemplary configuration of Table 1 utilizes
only nine out of the sixteen possible states of the four warning
signals 126 to signal one of eight directional orientations of the
COLLISION condition. One or more of the seven remaining states can
be reserved for others of the warning conditions (overheating,
etc.). For example, simultaneous activation of all of the warning
inputs 126 can be interpreted by the firmware as non-directional,
the Alarm mode proceeding as previously described in connection
with the configuration FIG. 3 having the single warning input
126.
1TABLE 1 Directional Stimulus Logic Input Status Output FT 0 0 0 1
1 1 0 0 0 RR 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 RT 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 LT 0 1 1 1 0 0
0 0 0 Symbol .rarw. .Arrow-up bold. .fwdarw. .dwnarw. 1 1 M2CL 1 1
M2L 1 1 M2LC 1 1 M2LL 1 1 MBL 1 1 MBLF 1 1 MBFL 1 MBF 1 1 MBFR 1 1
MBRF 1 1 MBR 1 1 M1RR 1 1 M1RC 1 1 M2R 1 M2CR
[0160] In Table 1, the symbols , .rarw., , .Arrow-up bold., ,
.fwdarw., and .dwnarw. represent relative headings of -135.degree.,
-90.degree., -45.degree., 0, 45.degree., 90.degree., 135.degree.,
and 180.degree. to a hazard. It will be understood that other forms
of addressing particular combinations of the vibrators to obtain
additional indications of direction are possible. For example,
unused remaining states of the warning inputs 126 can activate
additional combinations of the vibrators for further directional
aspects of stimulation, one such further aspect being implemented
by activating the vibrators MBLF, MBFL, and MBF for signaling a
hazard at a relative heading of approximately -22.5.degree.. Thus
six of the unused states can provide indications of -112.5, -67.5,
-22.5.degree., 22.5.degree., 67.5.degree., and 112.5.degree.. It
will be understood that if six of the seven unused states are thus
used, a different means for signaling a non-directional warning
would be required, such as an additional warning signal 126. In
that case, there are 32 possible states of the warning signals 126,
which could be applied to 16 directional aspects and up to 15
functionally specific warnings to be signaled by corresponding
patterns of activation of the vibrators 12.
[0161] In an alternative configuration wherein the vibrators 12'
are provided in the seat belt 192 only (and not in the seat in
addition to the vibrators 12 of the second zone 28), the
directional aspect of the stimuli resulting from the warning
signals 126 can be as indicated in the following Table 2:
2TABLE 2 Directional Stimulus Logic, Alternative Config. Input
Status Output FT 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 RR 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 RT 0 0 0 0
0 1 1 1 0 LT 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Symbol .rarw. .Arrow-up bold.
.fwdarw. .dwnarw. 1 1 1 M2L 1 1 1 MBL 1 1 MBLF 1 1 MBFL 1 MBF 1 1
MBFR 1 1 MBRF 1 1 1 MBR 1 1 1 M2R
[0162] It will be understood that separate warning inputs 126 can
be provided corresponding to each of the vibrators 12 and 12' in
the directional plane, such as by having a counterpart of the table
look-up or equivalent software in the vehicle microprocessor 43, or
by the radar or other directional sensing system being implemented
with output signals directly corresponding to the relative
positions of the vibrators 12 and 12' to be activated in response
thereto. Similarly, a counterpart of the table look-up can be
provided by explicit decision logic of the firmware or by
hard-wired electronic logic interposed between the warning inputs
126 and the MCU 111. In Tables 1 and 2, overlapping pluralities of
the vibrators are activated in response to adjacent combinations of
the warning inputs 126 for enhanced stimulation of the driver 25.
Appropriate variations of the table look-up that are suitable for
different numbers and positional locations of the vibrators are
contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
[0163] With further reference to FIG. 10, a simplified alternative
configuration of the system 10' has eight of the vibrators 10'
distributed at approximate 45-degree intervals in the seat belt 192
and the back 20 of the seat 15. More particularly, five of the
vibrators 12' are spaced along the belt 192, three of the vibrators
12' being laterally spaced in the seat back 20. Optionally the
vibrators 12' of the seat back 20 are in the second zone 28 as in
FIG. 7, laterally spaced from the vibrators 12 of that zone. In
this configuration, stimuli having the directional aspect can be
from the vibrators 12' without activation of the vibrators 12,
which can be reserved for activation in modes not having the
directional stimuli aspects, in which case the directional aspect
of the stimuli resulting from the warning signals 126 can be as
indicated in the following Table3:
3TABLE 3 Directional Stimulus Logic, Simplified Config. Input
Status Output FT 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 RR 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 RT 0 0 0 0
0 1 1 1 0 LT 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Symbol .rarw. .Arrow-up bold.
.fwdarw. .dwnarw. 1 2 2 M2LL 2 1 2 MBL 2 1 2 MBLF 2 1 2 MBF 2 1 2
MBRF 2 1 2 MBR 2 1 2 M2RR 2 2 1 M2C
[0164] In Table 3, activations of the vibrators 12' are at a first
or primary level as signified by the numerals "1" and at a second
or secondary level as signified by the numerals "2". It will be
understood that the second level can be zero, in which case only
one of the vibrators 12' are activated at a time. Alternatively,
the second level can match the first level, in which case three of
the vibrators are activated at the same intensity in each of the
directional aspects. Further, the second level can be for an
intermediate intensity, in which full intensity is applied in the
indicated direction and reduced intensity is applied at vibrators
adjacent to and on opposite sides of the indicated direction. It
will be further understood that plural activation intensities can
also be implemented in the configurations corresponding to Tables 1
and 2 as well.
[0165] With further reference to FIG. 11, another and preferred
form of the vibrators 12', designated 12", has motor-driven
eccentric weights as described above regarding the vibrators 12,
but configured smaller for facilitating installation in the seat
belt 192 and in otherwise unused portions of the seat 15. Devices
suitable for use as the vibrators 12" are commonly used in personal
telephonic paging units, having a cylindrical configuration of
approximately 1.3 inches long and 0.3 inch diameter, one such
device being available from Mabuchi Motor Company, LTD., Chiba-Ken,
Japan. The vibrators 12", being smaller than the vibrators 12,
require reduced power for operating at the same rotational speed.
Higher rotational speeds are contemplated, also at reduced power.
Preferably, the motors of the vibrators 12" are configured for
operating at the same voltage as provided to the vibrators 12,
however, for reduced complexity of the required drive circuitry. In
that case, the drive circuits for the vibrators 12" can have
reduced current-carrying capacity. It will be understood that motor
electrical windings of the vibrators 12" can be configured for
operating at suitable rotational speeds using the same source power
voltage as that provided to the drivers 118 of the vibrators 12. In
the alternative substituting the vibrators 12" of FIG. 11, the
individual driver circuits can be the same as for the vibrators 12,
but reduced current drive capacity is permitted.
[0166] Tactile Stimulation Power Boost
[0167] With further reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 (12A, 12B, 13A,
13B, and 13C), a second experimental prototype of the tactile alert
system 10 has been built and operated, the second prototype system
being a modification of the previously described prototype system
of FIGS. 4-6. In the second prototype system, a powerboost module,
designated 37' in FIG. 13C, is connected by a power boost cable 40'
to the electronics module 37 as indicated in FIG. 13A. The module
37' incorporates the power boost circuit 150, it being contemplated
that the modules 37 and 37' can be configured as a single unit.
When activated as described herein, the power boost circuit 150
operates to raise the power supply voltage to the motor drivers 118
from a nominal 12 volts to a higher voltage to provide noticeably
increased massaging and/or stimulation intensity as indicated
above. More particularly, a hitherto unused interface port of the
MPU 110 is connected as a voltage control signal (VCT) as shown in
FIG. 12A, the VCT signal being routed through the cable 38 to the
electronics module 37, and from thence through the boost power
cable 40' to the boost module 37' for control thereof. The
previously described power cable 40 is connected at the boost
module 37' instead of the electronics module 37. As further shown
in FIG. 13C, the boost module 37' includes an inductor L201 and a
forward-biased diode D201 connected in series between the +12V
power source (from the power cable 40) to a boost bus connection
+12B that is fed through the boost power cable 40' to corresponding
counterpart connections of the motor drivers 118 that were formerly
connected to the +12V source in the previously described
configuration of FIG. 5B. The boost module also includes a voltage
multiplier integrated circuit 220 that repetitively develops a
building and collapsing field across the inductor L201. The
corresponding voltage across the inductor, with polarity to pass
through the diode D201, additively augments the nominal 12 volts
that normally appears at the boost connections +12B. Based on
actual physical testing and a number of observations, a preferred
boost voltage (the voltage 12B when the module 37' is activated)
has been determined to be approximately 20 volts when normal
massaging is done at the nominal 12 volts. In tests that have been
conducted to determine the effect of the augmented boost voltage,
samples of exemplary vibrators 12 were run under various loading
simulative of uses installed in the pad 14, with the drivers 118'
powered both at 12 volts and at 20 volts, measurements of
electrical current draw and rotational speed (intensity in Hz)
being as given below in Table 4.
4TABLE 4 Normal and Boost Voltage Vibration Intensities 12 VOLTS 20
VOLTS Lightest Heaviest Lightest Heaviest MOTOR Load Load Load Load
SAMPLE Current Hz Current Hz Current Hz Current Hz A 110 65 130 63
180 124 280 112 B 110 68 140 66 180 122 260 109 C 120 74 150 71 200
132 300 114
[0168] As indicated above, the power boost module 37' (or its
counterpart in an integrated implementation) is preferably
activated upon entry of the alert and/or alarm stimulation modes of
the system 10, the activation continuing during specific,
repetitive program sequences of vibration intensity being performed
as described above in connection with the respective alert and
alarm modes. Whereas the massaging modes are operational at a
maximum intensity producing a vibration frequency of between 50 Hz
and 70 Hz (nominally approximately 65 Hz), activation of the power
boost module 37' produces a maximum intensity vibration frequency
of more than 100 Hz (nominally approximately 120 Hz) during the
alert and/or alarm modes.
[0169] In the second prototype implementation described herein, a
counterpart of the key matrix, designated 112', is of abbreviated
configuration, controlling four zones (1-4) and four modes (select,
pulse, wave, and zig-zag), and having a single heater key.
Additionally, the matrix 112' includes a tactile key K215 for
simulating the wake-up and alarm keys 182 and 184 of FIG. 6. As
before, it will be understood that the alert and alarm modes are
normally entered in response to signals from the vehicle
microprocessor 43 or equivalent means, notwithstanding the optional
presence of corresponding keys on the wand 36 for user-initiated
activation of the respective modes.
[0170] With further reference to FIG. 14, the system 10' of FIG. 10
has application in a counterpart of the vehicle, designated 11',
being a watercraft, wherein the seat 15 is for a pilot of the
watercraft. It will be understood that the vehicle 11 can be a
maritime vessel or a private craft. The present invention also
encompasses the system 10' being applied to aircraft, both for the
pilot and crew members. The watercraft of FIG. 14 is provided with
a counterpart of the steering wheel, designated helm wheel 140',
and a radar system including a radar antenna 160. As shown in FIG.
14, the radar system is operative for detecting a hazard vessel 222
moving on a collision course with the watercraft 11', the system
10' being responsive to the radar system as described above for
activating particular ones of the vibrators 12' for signaling the
approximate heading to the hazard vehicle 222. In addition, the
radar system can provide a range signal, the COLLISION condition
being activated when the range signal drops to a predetermined
threshold which can be a function of the heading. In the situation
of FIG. 14, the hazard vehicle is at a relative heading of
starboard approximately 20 degrees. In the previously described
examples of the directional stimulus logic having eight directional
orientations of the COLLISION condition, the heading of 20 degrees
to starboard being approximated by "dead ahead." In the alternative
having the additional orientations of -112.5, -67.50,
-22.5.degree., 22.5.degree., 67.5.degree., and 112.5.degree., the
heading to the hazard vehicle is closely approximated by the
indication of 22.5 degrees, being signaled by activation of an
appropriate pair of the vibrators 12' as indicated at 225 in FIG.
14. A non-directional COLLISION warning can also be responsive to a
depth-sounding detector.
[0171] Thus it is believed that the system 10 of the present
invention provides an improved "man-machine" interface that is
effective for both improving and maintaining an alertness state of
the driver 25, as well as for calling attention to alarm and signal
conditions without requiring visual or aural stimulation of the
driver. Thus the present invention provides an effective and low
cost remedy for alleviating conditions of drowsiness and/or
inattention of vehicle and other equipment operators. Suitable
vehicles for which the system 10 is appropriate include
automobiles, aircraft, trucks, and ships, as well as tractors and
other heavy equipment and agri-machinery. Also, when such vehicles
are components of "smart" transportation systems, the present
invention provides improved communication with drivers whether or
not they are actually controlling their vehicles, such as by
utilizing signals from roadway tracking detectors. Further, the
system 10' having the seat belt cuff assembly 190 additionally
provides directionally oriented warning stimuli to the driver in
response to external signals, thereby enabling the driver to more
quickly and effectively respond to conditions triggering the
signals (such as an impending collision) by immediately directing
attention in the signaled direction without having to look at a
visual display. Moreover, in-home massaging devices, for seating,
bedding, etc. can be implemented with to alarm mode being
responsive to smoke detectors, CO.sub.2 detectors, security breach
detectors, and/or infant distress detectors, the alert mode also
being effective as a snore deterrent.
[0172] Although the present invention has been described in
considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions
thereof, other versions are possible. For example, other types of
transducers, including force and displacement actuators, can be
used for deforming the massage pad 14; also, pneumatic actuators
can replace the solenoid-type vibrators 12' of FIG. 8. Also, the
system 10 can be interfaced with a global position satellite (GPS)
facility for locating the vehicle and contacting the driver by
phone with directions to a nearby hotel, gas station, rest stop,
etc. Further, the GPS facility can have a touch-screen for
receiving driver input in response to the drowsiness inquiry.
Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not
necessarily be limited to the description of the preferred versions
contained herein.
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