METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ENCOURAGING WAKEFULNESS OF A DRIVER USING BIOMETRIC PARAMETERS MEASURED USING A WEARABLE MONITOR

• US 20140364752A1
• Filed: 08/24/2014
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dugan Patents, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian M. Dugan, Valerie G. Dugan
• Inventors: Dugan, Brian M., Dugan, Valerie G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,080,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02444 Details of sensor A61B5/02427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7278 Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesising signals from measured signals A61B5/327 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7282 Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition A61B5/4094, A61B5/4818, A61B5/349, A61B5/0823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/747 in case of emergency, i.e. alerting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

In a first aspect, a method is provided for determining a level of wakefulness of a driver of a vehicle using a mobile telephone. The method includes (a) employing a wearable monitor to detect a biometric parameter of a user while the user is driving a vehicle; (b) communicating biometric parameter information from the wearable monitor to a mobile telephone of the user while the user is driving the vehicle; (c) employing the mobile telephone to obtain a level of wakefulness of the user while the user is driving the vehicle, the level of wakefulness of the user being determined based on biometric parameter information received from the wearable monitor; and (d) if the level of wakefulness determined for the user is below a predetermined level of wakefulness, employing the mobile telephone to attempt to increase the level of wakefulness of the user. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Claims

1. A method of determining a level of wakefulness of a driver of a vehicle using a mobile telephone comprising:

employing a wearable monitor to detect a biometric parameter of a user while the user is driving a vehicle;

communicating biometric parameter information from the wearable monitor to a mobile telephone of the user while the user is driving the vehicle;

employing the mobile telephone to obtain a level of wakefulness of the user while the user is driving the vehicle, the level of wakefulness of the user being determined based on biometric parameter information received from the wearable monitor; and

if the level of wakefulness determined for the user is below a predetermined level of wakefulness, employing the mobile telephone to attempt to increase the level of wakefulness of the user while the user is driving.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the biometric parameter is heart rate.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined level of wakefulness depends on time of day.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined level of wakefulness depends on traffic conditions.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined level of wakefulness depends on weather conditions.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined level of wakefulness depends on current vehicle speed.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined level of wakefulness depends on health of the user.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined level of wakefulness depends on age of the user.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined level of wakefulness depends on medical history of the user.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising increasing a frequency of monitoring level of wakefulness if the measured level of wakefulness of the user is close to the predetermined level of wakefulness.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein employing the mobile telephone to attempt to increase the level of wakefulness of the user while the user is driving includes directing the user to perform a task.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the task includes at least one of adjusting radio volume, activating a turn signal and depressing a button.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the task includes at least one of replying and pushing a button.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising determining an alertness level of the driver based on a time taken by the user to perform the task.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

employing the mobile telephone to determine if the user performed the task; and

if the user failed to perform the task, employing the mobile telephone to perform an emergency procedure.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the emergency procedure includes notifying a third party.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the emergency procedure includes adjusting operation of the vehicle.

18. A system comprising:

a wearable monitor that detects a biometric parameter of a user while the user is driving a vehicle and communicates biometric parameter information; and

a mobile telephone that receives biometric information from the wearable monitor while the user is driving the vehicle, the mobile telephone including computer program code that causes the mobile telephone to;

obtain a level of wakefulness of the user while the user is driving the vehicle, the level of wakefulness of the user being determined based on biometric parameter information received from the wearable monitor while the user is driving the vehicle; and

if the level of wakefulness determined for the user is below a predetermined level of wakefulness, attempt to increase the level of wakefulness of the user while the user is driving.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the mobile telephone includes computer program code that attempts to increase the level of wakefulness of the user while the user is driving by directing the user to perform a task.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the mobile telephone includes computer program code to:

determine if the user performed the task; and

if the user failed to perform the task, cause performance an emergency procedure.