Patent ID: 6859144
Filing Date: 2005-02-22
Classification: B60Q,G01S,G08G

Abstract:
1. A vehicle situation alert system comprising: an external object detector directed to an area to one side of the vehicle for detection of an external object adjacent a projected path of the vehicle; a vehicle operator eye gaze direction detector; memory apparatus storing data defining a first vehicle operator eye gaze direction toward a vehicle mounted mirror providing a view of at least a portion of the area to one side of the vehicle and a second vehicle operator eye gaze direction to the front of the vehicle; an alert apparatus; and a control apparatus responsive to the external object detector, the vehicle operator eye gaze direction detector and the memory apparatus to select generation of an alert signal of an external object in the area in response to detection of an external object in the area and the first vehicle operator eye gaze direction and alternatively to select no generation of the alert signal of an external object in the area in response to detection of an external object in the area and the second vehicle operator eye gaze direction, the control apparatus being thereafter effective to control the alert apparatus in accordance with the selection.