Systems, Computer Medium and Computer-Implemented Methods for Monitoring Health and Ergonomic Status of Drivers of Vehicles

• US 20150012186A1
• Filed: 09/22/2014
• Published: 01/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare Company (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Inventors: Horseman, Samantha J.
• Application Number:
  US14/493,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20150012186A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/40 Animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1114 Tracking parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/163 by tracking eye movement, gaze, or pupil change
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6893 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/06 responsive to incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02 the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable adjustable arm-rests B60N2/75; adjustable head-rests B60N2/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0818 Inactivity or incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0872 Driver physiology
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0881 Seat occupation; Driver or passenger presence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/22 Psychological state; Stress level or workload
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers

Abstract

Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for monitoring a status of a driver when driving a vehicle. A system including a set of sensors configured to be disposed in the vehicle to collect driver status data. The system processing the driver status data to determine whether the driver is experiencing a health condition or crisis, and whether the driver'"'"'s body position is ergonomic. In response to a health condition, generating a health alert indicative of the health condition. In response to the driver a health crisis generating a health alert indicative of the health crisis and inhibiting operation of the vehicle. In response to the driver'"'"'s body position not being ergonomic, identifying and providing adjustments in the body position of the driver that need to be made for the driver to be positioned in an ergonomically acceptable body position.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a status of a driver of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a set of one or more ergonomic sensors configured to be disposed in the vehicle and configured to output ergonomics data corresponding to a current body position of the driver;

an ergonomics processor configured to;

receive the ergonomics data output by the set of one or more ergonomic sensors;

process the ergonomics data to identify an adjustment that needs to be made in the body position of the driver for the driver to be positioned in an ergonomic body position; and

generate ergonomic feedback content indicative of the adjustment in the body position of the driver that needs to be made for the driver to be positioned in the ergonomic body position; and

a feedback display located in the vehicle, the feedback display being configured to display, to the driver when they are located in the vehicle, the ergonomics feedback content indicative of the adjustments in the body position of the driver that need to be made for the driver to be positioned in the ergonomic body position.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the ergonomics data is indicative of at least one of a head position, a hand position, a back position and a foot position the current body position of the driver.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein processing the ergonomic data to identify an adjustment that needs to be made in the body position of the driver for the driver to be positioned in an ergonomic body position comprises:

determining a current body position of the driver based at least in part on the ergonomics data received;

identifying an ergonomic body position;

comparing the current body position of the driver to the ergonomic body position identified;

determining, based at least in part on the comparison, that the current body position of the driver does not satisfy the ergonomic body position; and

identifying adjustments in the body position of the driver that need to be made for the driver to be positioned in the ergonomic body position.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein determining, based at least in part on the comparison, that the current body position of the driver does not satisfy the ergonomic body position comprises determining that a characteristic of the current body position of the driver does not fall within an acceptable range for a corresponding characteristic of the ergonomic body position.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the characteristic comprises contact of a head of the driver with a headrest, contact of a back of the driver with a seat-back, contact of a buttock/upper legs of the driver with a seat-bottom, contact of feet of the driver with a floorboard, contact of feet of the driver with a pedal, contact of hands of the driver with a steering wheel, eye level of the driver, a back angle of the driver, an upper leg angle of the driver a knee angle of the driver, a shoulder angle of the driver, an elbow angle of the driver, or a bottom/back force ratio of the driver.

6. A system according to claim 4, wherein the characteristic comprise of a head position, a hand position, a back position or a foot position of the current body position of the driver.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the driver status processing system is further configured to, in response to determining that a body position of the driver is not ergonomically acceptable, generate a move command to cause automatic movement of at least one of a driver'"'"'s seat, pedals, a steering wheel and a rearview mirror of the vehicle to cause adjustments in the body position of the driver that need to be made for the driver to be positioned in an ergonomically acceptable body position.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the ergonomics processor is configured to receive the ergonomic data, process the ergonomic data, and generate ergonomic feedback content when the user is driving the vehicle, and wherein ergonomics feedback display is configured to display the ergonomics feedback content when the user is driving the vehicle such that the driver is informed, when driving, of adjustments that need to be made in the body position to achieve an ergonomic body position.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback content comprises a suggestion for making adjustments in a position of at least one of a driver'"'"'s seat, pedal, steering wheel or rearview mirror of the vehicle to achieve the ergonomic body position.

10. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a set of one or more health sensors configured to be disposed in the vehicle and configured to output health data corresponding to a current health of the driver, the ergonomics processor configured to:

receive health data output by the set of one or more health sensors;

process the health data to identify whether the driver is experiencing a health issue; and

in response to determining that the driver is experiencing a health issue, generate health feedback content indicative of the health issue, wherein the health feedback content is configured to be displayed via the feedback display.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the ergonomics processor is further configured to, in response to determining that the driver is experiencing a health issue, generate ergonomic feedback configured to automatically inhibit operation of the vehicle.

12. A computer implemented method for providing monitoring ergonomics of a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving ergonomics data output by a set of one or more ergonomic sensors disposed in the vehicle, the ergonomics data corresponding to a current body position of the driver;

processing the ergonomic data to identify an adjustment that needs to be made in the body position of the driver for the driver to be positioned in an ergonomic body position;

generating ergonomic feedback content indicative of the adjustments in the body position of the driver that need to be made for the driver to be positioned in the ergonomic body position; and

displaying, via an ergonomics feedback display located in the vehicle, the ergonomics feedback content indicative of the adjustments in the body position of the driver that need to be made for the driver to be positioned in the ergonomic body position.