Seat belts remain one of the most important safety features in any vehicle. But while today’s vehicles can alert drivers and passengers when a seat belt is not properly fastened, that information generally remains inside the vehicle.

The patented Seat Belt Indicator Light introduces a different approach: making an active seat belt reminder signal visible from outside the vehicle.

A Visible Approach to Seat Belt Awareness

The Seat Belt Indicator Light is a supervisory system designed to monitor seat belt usage while a vehicle is operating.

When the vehicle generates a seat belt reminder signal, the system activates externally visible indicator lights. In the patented configuration, left and right indicator lights can be positioned at the rear of the vehicle, allowing the warning to be seen from outside.

Once the seat belt reminder signal is deactivated, the exterior indicators turn off.

The concept creates a straightforward connection between what is happening inside the vehicle and a visible signal outside it.

More Than an Indicator Light

The patented technology extends beyond the exterior warning.

The system can monitor and maintain logs of seat belt reminder activity while the vehicle is operating. Certain embodiments also incorporate GPS information, allowing the system to associate location, date and time information with seat belt reminder activity.

The maintained information can then be accessed through local or remote communication capabilities.

This combination of monitoring, visibility, logging and communication creates opportunities for applications where seat belt accountability may be particularly valuable.

Potential Across Multiple Vehicle Markets

The Seat Belt Indicator Light concept may be of interest for a variety of automotive and transportation applications.

Passenger vehicles are an obvious opportunity, but the technology could also have potential within commercial transportation, fleet operations and other vehicle environments where organizations have an interest in encouraging seat belt use.

By providing a visible indication of an active seat belt reminder, the invention adds another layer of awareness to an existing vehicle safety system.

A Patented Automotive Safety Concept

The Seat Belt Indicator Light is protected by U.S. Patent No. 10,173,639 B1, issued January 8, 2019.

Rather than replacing a vehicle’s existing seat belt reminder system, the patented concept works with the reminder signal to provide additional monitoring and an externally visible indication.

See Safety. Encourage Compliance.

The Seat Belt Indicator Light is currently available for licensing opportunities.

Companies interested in automotive safety technology, vehicle systems, fleet applications or related markets are invited to explore the potential of this patented concept.