Method and apparatus for determining driver fitness in real time

• US 5,465,079 A
• Filed: 08/13/1993
• Issued: 11/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vorad Safety Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vorad Safety Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Asbury, Jimmie R., Bouchard, Paul J., Woll, Bryan D., Woll, Jerry D.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US08/106,407
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 340/576, 340/439, 340/425.5, 180/272
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/24 using frequency agility of carrier wave
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/325 using transmission of coded signals, e.g. P.S.K. signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/348 using square or rectangular modulation, e.g. diplex radar for ranging over short distances
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/584 adapted for simultaneous range and velocity measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/726 Multiple target tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/86 Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9315 Monitoring blind spots
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9316 combined with communication equipment with other vehicles or with base stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/932 using own vehicle data, e.g. ground speed, steering wheel direction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9321 Velocity regulation, e.g. cruise control
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9322 using additional data, e.g. driver condition, road state or weather data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93272 in the back of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/046 using an intermediate storage device, e.g. a recording/reproducing device
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/2883 using FFT processing
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4004 of parts of a radar system
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A method and apparatus for evaluating a driver'"'"'s performance under actual real-time conditions and for using such evaluations to determine the driver'"'"'s ability to safely operate a vehicle compares the information gathered by a radar system and other sensors with information previously stored in an event recording device. Conditions monitored are used to make a determination as to whether the driver is performing in conformity with normal driving standards and the driver'"'"'s own past performance. The driver'"'"'s performance is constantly monitored and compared to that driver'"'"'s past performance to determine whether the driver'"'"'s present performance is impaired, and if so, whether the impairment is detrimental to the driver'"'"'s ability to safely operate the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for evaluating fitness of a vehicle driver to operate a vehicle, including:

(a) a collision warning apparatus for collecting data relevant to determining the operational state of the vehicle and the driver;

(b) an operational event recorder apparatus coupled to the collision warning apparatus for recording the collected relevant data and recording a driver profile;

(c) a driver fitness evaluation apparatus coupled to the operational event recorder and the collision warning apparatus for generating the driver profile, and providing a real-time evaluation of the driver'"'"'s fitness to operate the vehicle by comparing the recorded driver profile with the driver'"'"'s current performance as indicated by the recorded relevant data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the operational state of the vehicle is determined by monitoring:

(a) speed;

(b) headlight use and status;

(c) windshield wipers use and status;

(d) time of day;

(e) use and status of vehicle controls;

(f) headway; and

(g) turn signals use and status.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the vehicle controls include:

(a) steering wheel;

(b) brake; and

(c) accelerator.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the driver fitness evaluation apparatus alerts the driver when the driver is determined to be unfit to operate the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the driver fitness evaluation apparatus alerts a person at a location remote to the vehicle and driver when the driver is determined to be unfit to operate the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the driver fitness evaluation apparatus prevents the vehicle from operating when the driver is determined to be unfit to operate the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein;

(a) the driver fitness evaluation apparatus classifies the fitness of the driver in one of four classes;

(b) if the driver is classified in the first class, no consequence results;

(c) if the driver is classified in the second class, the driver is alerted;

(d) if the driver is classified in the third class, a person at a location remote to the vehicle and driver is alerted; and

(e) if the driver is classified in the fourth class, the driver fitness apparatus causes the vehicle to cease operating.