VEHICLE OPERATOR MONITORING AND OPERATIONS ADJUSTMENTS

• US 20150246673A1
• Filed: 02/28/2014
• Published: 09/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Tseng, Fling, Yang, Hsin-hsiang, Prakah-Asante, Kwaku O.
• Granted Patent: US 9,539,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0075 Automatic parameter input, automatic initialising or calibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/22 Psychological state; Stress level or workload
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/221 Physiology, e.g. weight, heartbeat, health or special needs
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/10 Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/00 Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. of systems using conjoint control of vehicle sub-units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/12 Lane keeping
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/16 Control of distance between vehicles, e.g. keeping a distance to preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0098 Details of control systems ensuring comfort, safety or stability not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/0013 specially adapted for occupant comfort

Abstract

A vehicle computer is configured to perform one or more operations of the vehicle without occupant input. Data is stored relating to a baseline occupant state. Data is collected relating to a current occupant state. A comparison is performed of the baseline occupant state to the current occupant state. A parameter is modified governing performance of the one or more operations according to the comparison.

Claims

1. A system, comprising a computer in a vehicle, the computer comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the computer is configured to:

perform one or more operations of the vehicle without occupant input;

store data relating to a baseline occupant state;

collect data relating to a current occupant state;

perform a comparison of the baseline occupant state to the current occupant state; and

modify a parameter governing performance of the one or more operations according to the comparison.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data relating to a current occupant state includes at least one of a heart rate, a respiration rate, a pupil dilation, and skin pigmentation.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more operations include controlling at least one of a speed, deceleration rate, acceleration rate, distance from another vehicle, and turning rate of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is further configured to adjust the data relating to the baseline occupant state using data relating to the current occupant state.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is further configured to:

store data relating to a second baseline occupant state;

collect data relating to a second current occupant state;

perform a comparison of the second baseline occupant state to the current occupant state; and

modify the parameter governing performance of the one or more operations according to the comparison of the second baseline occupant state to the current occupant state.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is further configured to:

detect a driver intervention with respect to at least one operation performed without operator input; and

modify a parameter governing performance of the at least one operation based on the detected intervention.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the computer is further configured to adjust the data relating to the baseline occupant state based on the driver intervention.

8. A system, comprising a computer in a vehicle, the computer comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the computer is configured to:

perform one or more operations of the vehicle without operator input;

detect a driver intervention with respect to at least one operation performed without operator input; and

modify a parameter governing performance of the at least one operation based on the detected intervention.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer is further configured to adjust the data relating to the baseline occupant state based on the driver intervention.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more operations include controlling at least one of a speed, deceleration rate, acceleration rate, distance from another vehicle, and turning rate of the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer is further configured to:

store data relating to a baseline occupant state;

collect data relating to a current occupant state;

perform a comparison of the baseline occupant state to the current occupant state; and

modify a parameter governing performance of the one or more operations according to the comparison.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer is further configured to adjust the data relating to the baseline occupant state using data relating to the current occupant state.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the data relating to a current occupant state includes at least one of a heart rate, a respiration rate, a pupil dilation, and skin pigmentation.

14. A method, comprising:

performing one or more operations of the vehicle without occupant input;

storing data relating to a baseline occupant state;

collecting data relating to a current occupant state;

performing a comparison of the baseline occupant state to the current occupant state; and

modifying a parameter governing performance of the one or more operations according to the comparison.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the data relating to a current occupant state includes at least one of a heart rate, a respiration rate, a pupil dilation, and skin pigmentation.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more operations include controlling at least one of a speed, deceleration rate, acceleration rate, distance from another vehicle, and turning rate of the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising adjusting the data relating to the baseline occupant state using data relating to the current occupant state.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

storing data relating to a second baseline occupant state;

collecting data relating to a second current occupant state;

performing a comparison of the second baseline occupant state to the current occupant state; and

modifying the parameter governing performance of the one or more operations according to the comparison of the second baseline occupant state to the current occupant state.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

detecting a driver intervention with respect to at least one operation performed without operator input; and

modifying a parameter governing performance of the at least one operation based on the detected intervention.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising adjusting the data relating to the baseline occupant state based on the driver intervention.