Abstract:
An audio-coordinated visual indicator reducing vehicle operator distraction associated with using a communications device during vehicle operation. The visual indicator being placed within the operator&#39;s field of view and providing a synchronized visual display associated with the output from the communication device. Providing an apparent visual reference for the incoming sound freeing up the operator&#39;s mental resources, reducing distraction and allowing greater attention to be placed on operation. Comprising of a receiver; a visual indicator connected to an output of the receiver having an attribute that varies according to the received signal from the communication device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/857,395, filed Sep. 18, 2007, which claims the benefit and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/970,461, filed Sep. 6, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates, in general, to a hands-free communication device apparatus for use in a vehicle during vehicle operation. 
     The present disclosure relates, in general, to the field of audio communication devices; and, in particular, to an invention that reduces the distraction that results from using an audio communication device while operating any vehicle. 
     For example, a number of studies and anecdotal reports conclude that using a cellular telephone while driving is a major contributing factor in traffic accidents. One study found that using a cellular telephone while driving was more deleterious than alcohol intoxication. Consequently, some state and local governments have enacted laws that regulate the use of cellular telephones and mandate that only “hands free” cellular telephones may be used in moving vehicles. 
     These hands free laws are predicated on the assumption that holding the cellular telephone in one hand while driving the vehicle with the other hand distracts the operator. This is inherently fallacious since it is widely known that many operators use only one hand while driving; and that there is no evidence of one-armed individuals having higher accident rates than the general population, all other factors being equal. 
     Existing inventions and these laws have not addressed the underlying evolutionary psychological and physiological nature of human survival mechanisms. That is, three-dimensional sound processing is the first line of defense for survival since it allows the detection of potential dangers from all directions, in all lighting conditions, and at greater distances than any other sense. It is the last faculty to go to sleep and the first to wake up. It is the reason the ears face in the same direction as the eyes, forward. 
     The sense of hearing is so crucial to survival that it has priority with respect to the brain&#39;s processing resources as the brain continuously compares the location, in three-dimensional space, and the content of every sound to memories of either safe or potentially threatening sounds. 
     Sound location is an inherent rather than a learned behavior. It is the reason that a vehicle operator listening to a person on his right will periodically turn to the right as if to confirm the voice&#39;s source. It is also the reason, if the person in back is talking, that a vehicle operator may continually look in the rear-view mirror to the point of complete distraction. 
     A subconscious decision is made for each sound as to whether, and how often, a visual confirmation of the sound&#39;s location is required. This visual confirmation need be nothing more than the momentarily shifting of the eyes&#39; attention to something that appears to be in synchronicity with what the ears are hearing. 
     An evolved hierarchy dependent on the sound&#39;s content and location dictates the level of attention, i.e. brain-processing resources, each sound receives. When viewed only with respect to a sound&#39;s location, this hierarchy is easily discerned. 
     Considered in ascending order, sounds within the peripheral vision which can be easily identified with a slight movement of the eyes are the least mentally taxing. Next, sounds in back, once identified, only need to be continuously monitored for change. Then sounds directly in front receive a great deal of attention because they are the focus of the eyes and ears. And, at the top, demanding immediate attention is that unique human attribute, the internal voice, which we can call the voice of the conscious mind. 
     The most distracting location for the sound-generating portion of any audio communication device, in terms of mental resource allocation, would be covering both ears and excluding outside extraneous sounds because this situation mimics the sound of the internal voice or conscious mind. The next level distracting situation would be a device on or in one only ear that excludes extraneous sounds. After this, the next distracting situation is a sound source that is away from the head, allows for extraneous sounds to enter the ears, and is omni-directional, which makes it devoid of clues as to the sound&#39;s location. The least distracting, compared to the above, is a device that is held in one hand up to and near one ear because extraneous sounds are intermittent and the device&#39;s position in the hand provides some tactical information as to the sound&#39;s location. 
     Until an apparent visual connection between the sound and its source is made, a compounding feedback loop is created between a sound and the perception by the ears to the detriment of all other mental activity. The end result is less attention given to operating the vehicle. 
     Audio communications devices in vehicles will remain problematic until they satisfy the powerful evolutionary psychological and physiological human need to know a sound&#39;s source. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed is an audio-coordinated visual indicator device that reduces vehicle operator distraction associated with the vehicle operator&#39;s using an audio communications device, such as a cell phone, during vehicle operation. 
     The visual indicator is preferably placed within the operator&#39;s field of view and provides a movement in synchronicity with incoming sound from the audio communication device. It provides an apparent visual anchor for the incoming sound which frees up the vehicle operator&#39;s mental resources, reduces distraction and allows greater attention to be placed on operating the vehicle. 
     The audio-coordinated visual indicator is comprised of an input device capable of detecting an audio-related signal from a communication device; a visual indicator connected to an output of the input device, and the output having an attribute that directly varies according to variations of a signal received by the communication device. 
     The audio-coordinated visual indicator may be comprised of any device that can visibly represent a sound in synchronicity with an audio signal. It may include, but not be limited to, a light bulb, an LED, a mechanical flag device, two or more light sources such as LEDs arranged in a pattern, or it could be a display screen image. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram according to one embodiment of the audio-coordinated visual indicating device in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is another block diagram according to another embodiment of the audio-coordinated visual indicating device in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic plan view of an operator of a vehicle sitting at the steering wheel with a visual indicating device located within the operator&#39;s field of vision in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is one embodiment of the visual indicator which includes a display screen image. 
         FIG. 5  is an embodiment of the visual indicator which includes a series of LEDs. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram of a human&#39;s field of vision, illustrating the visual range by angle. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram of a vehicle operator&#39;s field of view in a vehicle further illustrating potential visual indicator locations. 
         FIG. 8  is one embodiment of the visual indicator which includes a communication device display screen image. 
         FIG. 9  is one embodiment of the visual indicator which includes a communication device display screen image. 
         FIG. 10  is one embodiment of the visual indicator which includes a communication device display screen image. 
         FIG. 11  is one embodiment of the visual indicator which includes a communication device display screen image. 
         FIG. 12  is one embodiment of the visual indicator. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An audio-coordinated visual indicator device in accordance with the present disclosure is designed for use in a vehicle when the vehicle&#39;s operator is using an audio communication device, such as, but not limited to, a cellular telephone or two-way radio. 
     There is an audio-coordinated visual indicator system for use in a vehicle during the progress of a communication within the vehicle. There is a speaker responsive to an audio-related signal. The speaker has an audio output. There is an audio-coordinated visual indicator that provides a visual representation of the audio output viewable to a vehicle operator that varies in proportion to the audio output during the progress of a communication. The audio-coordinated visual indicator is positioned in a field of view of a vehicle operator during vehicle operation and provides a vehicle operator with a visual reference for a presumed source of the audio output. In one embodiment, the visual indicator is on the communication device itself, as on the display screen of a cell phone, and the communication device is positioned in a field of view of a vehicle operator, as in a cradle on the dashboard of a vehicle, so that the display screen is visible to the vehicle operator. 
     In one embodiment, an audio-coordinated visual indicator device  200  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The device  200  may include both a receiver  120 A and a visual indicator  110 A in communication with and controlled by the receiver  120 A. The device may or may not include an audio output speaker or ear speaker output jack  130 A. 
     During the use of the communication device  100 , such as a phone call or a two-way radio communication, audio signals received by the communication device  100  are converted and routed, or otherwise transmitted to one or more audio output devices  130 A that can reproduce or output sound at a decibel level loud enough for the operator to hear without putting the communication device next to his or her ear. 
     In one embodiment, the audio output device may be that which is normally used to output sounds from a vehicle&#39;s stereo system. In another embodiment, the audio output device may be a dedicated speaker installed in the vehicle for the purposes of this disclosure. In another embodiment, it could be built into a portable housing. In still another embodiment, the audio output device may be a component of the communication device  100  itself. 
     The received signal that is converted and transmitted to the audio output device is simultaneously routed, or otherwise transmitted to the visual indicator  110 A. The visual indicator  110 A displays a visual representation of the audio output  130 A that varies directly in proportion to the receiver-routed signal received from the communication device  100 . 
     In a variation, the received signal that is converted and transmitted to the audio output device can be routed or otherwise transmitted in series to the visual indicator  110 A. In this variation, the signal may first be routed to the visual indicator  110 A-E and then routed to the audio output or may first be routed to the audio output and then routed to the visual indicator  110 A-E. 
     The visual indicator  110  A-E will vary synchronously with the audio output or vary with the audio signal that drives the audio output of a communication device  100  and will provide a visual representation of the same. The visual representation may represent, but is not limited to representing, the pitch, volume and syllables within words, or it may be configured to represent all of these properties simultaneously and in various combinations. 
     In the case where a user is talking to someone on a cell phone, the audio output can be the voice of a person talking that is audible through a speaker either through the vehicle&#39;s entertainment system or through the communication device  100 . 
     For example, when the communication device  100  is a cell phone, the cell phone will typically receive notification of an incoming call. If the call is accepted, an audio signal is received by the communication device  100 . The received audio signal is routed to a speaker(s) and is converted to sound as an audio output. The audio signal is outputted or made audible by the speakers of the vehicle&#39;s entertainment system, a speakerphone functionality, a Bluetooth® or similar wireless functionality or through the regular communication device functionality. 
     This same audio signal is routed, either in series or in parallel, to the visual indicator  110 A-E. The visual indicator  110 A-E converts the received audio signal to a visual representation that can vary in relation, in proportion and/or according to the sound properties outputted by the speaker(s). Alternatively, the visual indicator  110 A-E can vary in relation, in proportion and/or according to the sound properties outputted by the speaker(s) or in any combination or equivalents of the three separately. 
     In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 2 , an audio-coordinated visual indicator device  300  may include: a receiver  120 B and a visual indicator  110 B. In this embodiment, the audio-coordinated visual indicator device may be provided in a housing or may be integrated within an entertainment system of the vehicle and provide for wirelessly connecting or coupling through the vehicle entertainment system&#39;s audio output  130 B and to the communication device  100 . 
     In one embodiment, a visual indicator  110 C may be a single lamp as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, the single lamp would illuminate on and off as sound is heard by an end user. For example, if a user is talking on a cell phone and the person that the user is talking to says “Hello.” The visual indicator  110 C may illuminate according to the number of syllables of each spoken word. In the present example, the light would flash twice as the user says hello. 
     In one embodiment, a visual indicator  110 E may be one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the sound volume may further be represented by the visual indicator  110 E. Using the same example as was used above, if a user is talking on a cell phone and the person that the user is talking to says “Hello,” loudly, all of the LEDs may illuminate throughout the duration of time the person is saying “hello.” Conversely, if the person that the user is talking to say “hello” softly, maybe only the center LED will illuminate according to the number of syllables in each spoken word. 
     In one embodiment, a visual indicator  110 D may be an image displayed within the vehicle on a display screen as in  FIG. 4 . For example, a digital display that mimics a pair of lips could move to “mouth” a voice being received by the communications device. The visual indicator may be as simple as a single lamp that directly varies in intensity with the received audio signal. 
     The audio-coordinated visual indicator device can be placed anywhere within the operator&#39;s field of view; however, positioning the visual indicator at an angle between 35 and 65 degrees of a central forward axis of the operator&#39;s field of view (as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6 ) seems to most effectively reduce vehicle operator distraction. 
     The audio-coordinated visual indicator device may be a portable stand-alone unit incorporating a wireless receiver  120 A or  120 B and the visual indicator  110 A or  110 B. 
     In other embodiments, the audio-coordinated visual indicator could be an indicator connectable to the vehicle entertainment system. In another embodiment the audio-coordinated visual indicator could be completely incorporated into the functionality of the vehicle&#39;s entertainment/communication system. 
     There are many ways in which the audio-coordinated visual indicator device could communicate with the communication device  100 . In one aspect, the communication device  100  could physically couple to the audio-coordinated visual indicator by way of a port. In another aspect, the communication device could wirelessly couple with the audio-coordinated visual indicator device. For example, a “Bluetooth®” connectivity between the communication device  100  and the audio-coordinated visual indicator device  300 , as in  FIG. 2 . Whenever pairing is established, the visual indicator  110 B could automatically be connected in parallel with an audio output  130 B and, upon receipt of a signal, to the communication device  100 . 
     In an experiment, reaction times of a driver were recorded under various conditions. The reaction time of a driver using a cell phone without any hands-free apparatus was observed to be 1.99 seconds. The reaction time of a driver who was not using a cell phone was observed to be 1.76 seconds and the reaction time of a driver using the audio-coordinated visual indicator was observed to be 1.6 seconds. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 8-10  is an embodiment of the visual indicator that is provided on a display of a communication device. Communication devices such as an iPhone®, Palm® Treo™, and a Blackberry®, so called “smart phones,” and other cell phones are provided with memory and software capable of providing a visual output synchronous with the audio output of the communication device. 
     The visual representation of the display of a “smart phone” may be provided in the form of lips speaking or “mouthing” the audio output or it may be provided in the form of varying vertical bars, such as the ones commonly used for stereo system equalizers. There are many ways in which the audio output from the communication device  100  may be represented as an animation or the like on a display screen. It could be a simple flashing signal. The examples shown in  FIGS. 8-10  are not to be considered limiting. 
     In one embodiment,  FIG. 8  shows a smart phone  800  that has a touch screen display  810 . The touch screen display  810  has a pair of lips that speak or “mouth” the audio output, such as visual indicator  110 D. 
     In another embodiment,  FIG. 9  shows a smart phone device  900  that has a display  910  and keypad  920 . The display  910  has a plurality of varying vertical bars that move or vary in relation with or according to the audio output of the communication device  900 . 
     In another embodiment,  FIG. 10  shows a communication device  1000  that has a display  1010  and a key pad  1020 . The display  1010  has a varying horizontal line that moves up and down, spiking or varying in relation with or according to the audio output of the communication device  1000 . 
     In another embodiment,  FIG. 11  shows a smart phone  1100  that has a touch screen display  1110 . The touch screen display  1110  has a face  1102 . The face  1105  includes a round head, two eyes that can light up and a vertical light bar made of multiple LEDs. When there is an audio output, the LEDs of the vertical bar move downward. The vertical bars are proportional to the intensity of audio output. The intensity is preferably volume intensity, but can also be related to the pitch or any other sound varying properties. 
     In another embodiment,  FIG. 12  shows a visual indicator  1200 . The visual indicator  1200  has a face  1204 . The face  1204  includes a round head  1204 , two eyes that can light up and a vertical light bar  1202  that can be made of multiple LEDs. When there is an audio output, the LEDs of the vertical bar  1202  move downward. The vertical bar is proportional to the intensity of audio output. The intensity is preferably volume intensity, but can also be related to the pitch or any other sound varying properties as described above. 
     The visual indicator can be optionally coupled with a docking station for a communication device. If the visual indicator is provided on the screen of a smart phone, the docking station is preferably provided between 35 and 60 degrees of the driver&#39;s field of view. 
     In one instance, there is an audio-coordinated visual indicator system for use in a vehicle during the progress of a communication through a communication device within the vehicle. The audio-coordinated visual indicator system comprises a communication device that has a display and an audio-related signal. There is a speaker responsive to the audio-related signal. The speaker has an audio output. There is an audio-coordinated visual indicator on the display of the communication device that provides a visual representation of the audio output that varies in proportion to the audio output of the speaker during the progress of a communication. 
     In another instance, there is an audio-coordinated visual indicator system for use in a vehicle during the progress of a communication through a communication device within the vehicle. The audio-coordinated visual indicator system comprises a communication device that has an audio-related signal. There is a speaker responsive to the audio-related signal. The speaker has an audio output. There is an audio-coordinated visual indicator device that provides a visual representation of the audio output that varies in proportion to the audio output during the progress of a communication. 
     In another instance, there is an audio-coordinated visual indicator system for use in a vehicle during the progress of a communication through a communication device within the vehicle. The audio-coordinated visual indicator system comprises a communication device that has an audio-related output signal. There is a receiver capable of detecting the audio-related output signal from the communication device and the receiver has a receiver output signal. There is a speaker responsive to the receiver output signal and the speaker has an audio output. There is an audio-coordinated visual indicator device responsive to the receiver output signal that provides a visual representation of the audio output from the speaker that varies in proportion to the audio output during the progress of a communication. 
     The audio-coordinated visual indicator has been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. However, the audio-coordinated visual indicator need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims.