IMPAIRMENT EVALUATION SYSTEM

• US 20160339922A1
• Filed: 05/22/2015
• Published: 11/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Schmidt, Eric Randell
• Granted Patent: US 10,166,992 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0836 due to alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/54 Audio sensitive means, e.g. ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/30 Driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/08 Interaction between the driver and the control system

Abstract

A system configured to administer an impairment evaluation when a driver has been identified as attending an impairment event is provided. The system includes a driver profile unit configured to determine a sober driver profile. A sensor unit detects the location and operation of the motor vehicle after a motor vehicle stop. An impairment event unit receives the information regarding the operation of the vehicle from the sensor unit and compares the operation of the vehicle with the sober driver profile after the motor vehicle stop. The drinking unit identifying the motor vehicle stop as an impairment event when the operation of the vehicle deviates from the sober driver profile a predetermined amount. A challenge is administered to the driver after the impairment event so as to determine if the driver is impaired. The vehicle is rendered inoperable when the driver fails the challenge.

Claims

1. A system for use in a motor vehicle, the system configured to administer an impairment evaluation when a driver has been identified as attending an impairment event, system comprising:

a driver profile unit configured to determine a sober driver profile;

a sensor unit configured to detect a location and an operation of the motor vehicle after a motor vehicle stop;

an impairment event unit, the impairment event unit receiving the operation of the vehicle from the sensor unit and comparing the operation of the vehicle with the sober driver profile after the motor vehicle stop, the impairment event unit identifying the motor vehicle stop as an impairment event when the operation of the vehicle deviates from the sober driver profile a predetermined amount; and

a challenge unit, the challenge unit administering a challenge to the driver after the impairment event so as to determine if the driver is impaired, wherein the challenge unit is further configured to render the vehicle inoperable when the driver fails the challenge.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, further including a calendar unit having a calendar, the calendar unit identifying holidays and birthdays, wherein the impairment event unit processes the calendar and compares the operation of the vehicle with the sober driver profile on each holiday and birthday so as to determine if the respective holiday or birthday is an impairment event.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the impairment event unit is further configured to determine the impairment event is a non-impairment event when the driver passes the challenge a predetermined period of time.

4. The system as set forth in claim 3, further including a time unit configured to provide a time of day, the challenge unit configured to administer only during a predetermined period of time.

5. The system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the sober driver profile include a braking habit, speed and turning characteristic of the driver, the sensor unit including a speedometer, an accelerometer, a steering wheel angle sensor and a brake pad sensor configured to detect speed, turning and braking force of the motor vehicle.

6. The system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the impairment event unit is further configured to associate the stopping event with a location of the motor vehicle, a time and day of the stopping event, a duration of the stopping event, and an occurrence of the stopping event so as to determine a stopping routine.

7. The system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the driver profile unit is configured to generate a plurality of driver profiles, each of the plurality of driver profiles corresponding to a stop in the stopping routine.

8. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the impairment event unit is further configured to compare the operation of the vehicle with a corresponding sober driver profile after an associated stop in the stopping routine, the impairment event unit identifying the associated stop in the stopping routine as the impairment event when the operation of the vehicle deviates from the corresponding sober driver profile a predetermined amount.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the challenge is one challenge selected from the group consisting of a mathematical problem, a repetition of a phrase, a physical act, a horizontal gaze nystagmus test, or a blood alcohol breathalyzer test.

10. The system as set forth in claim 9, further including a speech recognition unit, the speech recognition unit configured to record and store a phrase spoke by the driver so as to generate a stored phrase, wherein the challenge unit requires the driver to repeat the phrase and the speech recognition unit compares the repeated phrase with the stored phrase, wherein the challenge unit renders the motor vehicle inoperable when the repeated phrase deviates from the stored phrase a predetermined amount.

11. The system as set forth in claim 9, further including a camera, the camera configured to detect the eyes of the driver so as to perform the horizontal gaze nystagmus test.

12. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the challenge unit is configured to administer at least one challenge.

13. The system as set forth in claim 1, further including a calling unit, the calling unit configured to place a phone call to a predetermined phone number when the vehicle is rendered inoperable.

14. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the predetermined phone number is selected by the driver.