# US 9,520,061 B2 · Vehicle driver messaging system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,520,061 B2 - Document ID: US9520061B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/213,591 - Filed: 2008-06-20 - Published: 2009-12-24 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-20 - Assignees: TK Holdings Inc. - Applicants: Leonard Cech; Stephen Vachon - Inventors: Leonard Cech; Stephen Vachon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9520061B2 ## CPC - G08G 1/0962: having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages - B60K 35/22: Display screens - B60K 35/26: using acoustic output - B60K 35/28: characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver - B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) - B62D 15/029: {Steering assistants using warnings or proposing actions to the driver without influencing the steering system} - G08G 1/16: Anti-collision systems (road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08) - B60K 2360/334: Projection means - B60K 2360/782: on the steering wheel - G08G 1/168: {Driving aids for parking, e.g. acoustic or visual feedback on parking space} - Y02T 10/84: Data processing systems or methods, management, administration - G08G: TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS (guiding railway traffic, ensuring the safety of railway traffic B61L; arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00; radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91, G01S15/88, G01S17/88; {radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93}) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A steering wheel system for a vehicle includes a display and a controller. The controller receives vehicle parameters from one or more vehicle sensors as well as geometric or navigability characteristics of the road. The controller generates a prediction of an effect of the vehicle parameters on the vehicle with respect to the geometric or navigability characteristics of the road. The controller sends a signal to the display based on the prediction. The display is configured to display a representation of the prediction based on the signal received from the controller. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering wheel system for a vehicle, comprising: a display; and a controller configured to receive vehicle parameters from one or more vehicle sensors and receive geometric or navigability characteristics of the road, the controller generating a prediction of an effect of the vehicle parameters on the vehicle with respect to the geometric or navigability characteristics of the road, the controller configured to send a signal to the display based on the prediction, wherein the display is configured to display a representation of the prediction based on the signal received from the controller. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steering wheel system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle parameters comprise one or more of steering, acceleration, speed, and braking. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The steering wheel system of claim 1, wherein the geometric or navigability characteristics comprise one or more of map data, GPS data, vehicle to vehicle data, vehicle to infrastructure data, radar data, vehicle vision system data, light detection and ranging data, parking assistance data, a graphical representation of the road, a curve angle of the road, a degree of a curve bank, an environmental condition, a traffic condition, a road surface characteristic, and a road width. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The steering wheel system of claim 1, wherein the display comprises an indicator configured to change size, color, shape, and/or intensity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The steering wheel system of claim 4, wherein the indicator is configured to warn the driver of excessive speed, excessive acceleration, excessive braking, insufficient braking, understeer, or oversteer for an approaching geometry of the road. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The steering wheel system of claim 5, wherein the indicator increases in intensity as a severity of the speed, excessive acceleration, excessive braking, insufficient braking, understeer, or oversteer increases. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The steering wheel system of claim 6, wherein the indicator is red when the vehicle parameters are not appropriate for the geometric or navigability characteristics of the road, the indicator is yellow when the driver actions may not be appropriate for the geometric or navigability characteristics of the road, and/or the indicator is green when the driver actions are appropriate for the geometric or navigability characteristics of the road. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The steering wheel system of claim 1, wherein the display comprises an icon indicating when and to what degree the driver should begin to initiate a turn, end a turn, apply a brake, release a brake, accelerate, and/or decelerate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The steering wheel system of claim 1, wherein the display provides a graphical representation of the vehicle parameters and/or geometric or navigability characteristics of the road, the graphical representation indicating an existence and severity of excessive speed, excessive acceleration, excessive braking, insufficient braking, understeering, or oversteering. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The steering wheel system of claim 9, wherein the display comprises a graphical representation of a vehicle course, bearing, and/or speed. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The steering wheel system of claim 1, wherein the geometric or navigability characteristics of the road are received from one or more of a memory, a vehicle sensor or system, or a wireless communication signal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The steering wheel system of claim 1, wherein the display comprises one or more of an inorganic LED, an organic LED, an LCD display, a TFT display, an incandescent bulb, a plasma display, and a CRT display. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The steering wheel system of claim 1, wherein the display can be selectively enabled or disabled by the driver. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The steering wheel system of claim 1, further comprising an audio device configured to provide an audible indication of the prediction. ### Claim 15 A vehicle system, comprising: a steering wheel usable by a driver for steering a vehicle; a display; a controller configured to receive vehicle parameters from one or more vehicle sensors and receive geometric or navigability characteristics of the road, the controller generating a prediction of an effect of the vehicle parameters on the vehicle with respect to the geometric or navigability characteristics of the road, the controller configured to send a signal to the display based on the prediction, wherein the display is configured to display a representation of the prediction based on the signal received from the controller. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The steering wheel system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle parameters comprise one or more of steering, acceleration, speed, and braking. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The steering wheel system of claim 15, wherein the geometric or navigability characteristics comprise one or more of map data, GPS data, vehicle to vehicle data, vehicle to infrastructure data, radar data, vehicle vision system data, light detection and ranging data, parking assistance data, a graphical representation of the road, a curve angle of the road, a degree of a curve bank, an environmental condition, a traffic condition, a road surface characteristic, a road width. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The vehicle system of claim 15, wherein the display is configured to warn the driver of excessive speed, excessive acceleration, excessive braking, insufficient braking, understeering, or oversteering for the approaching geometry of the road. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The vehicle system of claim 15, wherein the display indicates when and to what degree the driver should begin to initiate a turn, end a turn, apply a brake, release a brake, accelerate, and/or decelerate. ### Claim 20 A method for providing driver guidance, comprising: receiving geometric or navigability characteristics of a road; receiving data from one or more vehicle sensors; generating a prediction of an effect of the vehicle parameters on the vehicle with respect to the geometric or navigability characteristics of the road; and displaying a message for the driver based on the prediction. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The vehicle system of claim 20, wherein the display is configured to warn the driver of excessive speed, excessive acceleration, excessive braking, insufficient braking, understeering, or oversteering for the approaching geometry of the road. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The vehicle system of claim 20, wherein the display indicates when and to what degree the driver should begin to initiate a turn, end a turn, apply a brake, release a brake, accelerate, and/or decelerate.