System for controlling telematics and vehicles to reduce driver overload and distraction

• US 10,259,398 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2012
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ACT-IP LLC
• Original Assignee: ACT-IP LLC
• Inventors: Naboulsi, Mouhamad A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, An T
• Application Number:
  US13/628,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20130036841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,392 Days
• Field of Search: 2483112, 24834611, 296 2434, 446 81, 455411, 4554142, 62 361, 62 364, 3405456, 219438, 392498
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a comestible holder or retention device or retainer for sensing, controlling and monitoring driver access to food or drink while operating a vehicle. Preferably, the retainer comprises either a cup holder or a tray which retains comestible containers or the comestible, itself, in a reasonably stable position. The present invention further includes means for indicating the status of the comestible retainer as well as the comestible, itself, to the driver or other personnel and/or device to minimize preoccupation and distraction from driving while trying to determine the status of the foodstuff. Thus, the present device is utilized in conjunction with vehicular disposed telematics and is in communication therewith.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring the ingestion of a comestible in a vehicle and controlling a communication device, the device comprising:

(a) a retention member for removably retaining a comestible container for holding a comestible therein or thereon;

(b) a sensor associated with the retention member, the sensor signaling a property of the comestible in or on the comestible container, wherein the property is selected from at least one of a temperature of the comestible container, a presence of the comestible container within the retention member, a weight of the comestible container, and a type of the comestible within the comestible container; and

c) a controller in communication with the sensor to receive a signal from the sensor about a property of the comestible in or on the comestible container wherein the controller controls the communication device by delaying phone calls and/or notifications from the communication device based on information received from the sensor.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the retention member is a cup holder which removably receives a comestible with or without container.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the cup holder has a side wall, a bottom wall and an open top, the sensor being disposed on the cup holder.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the sensor is embedded in the cup holder.

5. The device of claim 2 which further comprises:

means for expanding and narrowing the cup holder.

6. The device of claim 2 which comprises:

a shapeable material, the material being conformable to the shape of the comestible container.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a sensor for measuring the temperature of the comestible container, an optical sensor for reading indicia on the comestible container, or a sensor for measuring the weight of the comestible container and the comestible.

8. The device of claim 1 which further comprises means for stabilizing the comestible container while being retained by the retention member.

9. The device of claim 1 further including means for stabilizing the comestible in the retention member during vehicle dangerous conditions.

10. The device of claim 1, which further comprises a thermoelectric effect sensor for heating or cooling the comestible.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the retention member is a tray.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein at least one sensor is embedded in the tray.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the sensor is a sensor for measuring the temperature of the comestible, an optical sensor for reading indicia for the comestible container, a sensor for measuring the weight of the comestible.

14. The device of claim 11 which further comprises means for stabilizing the comestible container while being retained by the retention member based on a sensed vehicle dynamics.

15. The device of claim 13, further including means for stabilizing the comestible container in the retention member during vehicle dangerous conditions.

16. The device of claim 11, which further comprises a thermoelectric effect sensor for heating or cooling the comestible.

20. The device of claim 1 wherein the sensors are located inside a vehicle and send a signal detectable inside or outside the vehicle.

21. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal is about the disposition of the comestible.

22. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal is about elapsed time between removal and retention of comestible.

23. The device of claim 1 wherein the signal is about elapsed time between changes in the property of comestible.

17. A system for sensing, monitoring and controlling a communication device based on driver ingestion of a comestible in a vehicle comprising:

(a) a retention member for removably retaining a comestible container having a comestible therein or thereon;

(b) a controller, the controller receiving signals from at least one sensor to monitor sensed conditions of the comestible in the comestible container in the retention member, wherein the sensed conditions are a temperature of the comestible container, a presence of the comestible container within the retention member, a weight of the comestible container, and/or a type of the comestible within the comestible container, the gaseous property of the comestibles in or near the retention member, and wherein the controller is designed and configured to control the communication device by delaying phone calls and/or notifications from the communication device based on the driver interaction with the comestible.

18. A method for sensing a comestible in a vehicle to control a communications device, the method comprising:

(a) removably retaining a comestible;

(b) sensing conditions of the comestible, wherein the sensed conditions are a temperature of the comestible, a presence of the comestible within the retention member, a weight of the comestible, and/or a type of the comestible within the comestible container;

(c) monitoring the driver interaction with the comestible; and

(d) controlling the communication device by delaying phone calls and/or notifications from the communication device based on the sensed conditions of the comestible.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising sending information about the sensed conditions of the comestible to a service or authority.