Method and apparatus for calculating an operator distraction level
First Claim
1. A method for calculating an indicator of operator distraction for an equipment operator comprising the following steps:
- receiving distraction-correlated indicator information regarding an operator from devices around an operator;
estimating a distraction level from the distraction-correlated indicator information; and
producing an output indicative of the distraction level in order to facilitate a threat assessment decision,wherein in the step of producing an output, the output produced ensures that when the distraction of the operator is high, the threat assessment decision is made conservatively,wherein the distraction-correlated indicator information is received from at least one device selected from a group comprising vision-based sensing systems, range-finding systems, and operator-manipulated devices,wherein the step of estimating a distraction level further comprises the steps of;
grouping the distraction-correlated indicator information into complex task types comprising sets of related activities, including at least a first activity and a most recent activity;
determining an elapsed time since a start of the first activity in a complex task;
determining a delay time since the most recent activity in the complex task;
comparing the delay time since the most recent activity with a minimum task quiescent period, and when the delay time exceeds the minimum task quiescent period, resetting the elapsed time and the delay time; and
during a performance of a complex task, correlating a type of the complex task, and the elapsed time of the complex task with the distraction-correlated indicator information in order to produce the output for facilitating the threat assessment decision.
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Abstract
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for calculating an indicator of operator distraction for an equipment operator. First, distraction-correlated indicator information from devices around an operator is received. Next, a distraction level is estimated. Subsequently, an output is produced indicative of the distraction level to facilitate a threat assessment decision. Additional operations may include grouping information into complex task types comprising sets of related activities. Next, an elapsed time is determined since the start of the first activity in a complex task. The delay since the most recent activity in the complex task is compared with a minimum task quiescent period. When the delay exceeds the minimum task quiescent period, the elapsed time and the delay are reset. Also, during the performance of a complex task, the type and the elapsed time of the complex task are correlated with other information to facilitate a threat assessment decision.
40 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for calculating an indicator of operator distraction for an equipment operator comprising the following steps:
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receiving distraction-correlated indicator information regarding an operator from devices around an operator; estimating a distraction level from the distraction-correlated indicator information; and producing an output indicative of the distraction level in order to facilitate a threat assessment decision, wherein in the step of producing an output, the output produced ensures that when the distraction of the operator is high, the threat assessment decision is made conservatively, wherein the distraction-correlated indicator information is received from at least one device selected from a group comprising vision-based sensing systems, range-finding systems, and operator-manipulated devices, wherein the step of estimating a distraction level further comprises the steps of; grouping the distraction-correlated indicator information into complex task types comprising sets of related activities, including at least a first activity and a most recent activity; determining an elapsed time since a start of the first activity in a complex task; determining a delay time since the most recent activity in the complex task; comparing the delay time since the most recent activity with a minimum task quiescent period, and when the delay time exceeds the minimum task quiescent period, resetting the elapsed time and the delay time; and during a performance of a complex task, correlating a type of the complex task, and the elapsed time of the complex task with the distraction-correlated indicator information in order to produce the output for facilitating the threat assessment decision. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for calculating an indicator of operator distraction for an equipment operator comprising:
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means for receiving distraction-correlated indicator information regarding an operator from devices around an operator; means for estimating a distraction level from the distraction-correlated indicator information; and means for producing an output indicative of the distraction level in order to facilitate a threat assessment decision, wherein in the means for producing an output produces an output that ensures that when the distraction of the operator is high, the threat assessment decision is made conservatively, wherein the distraction-correlated indicator information is received from at least one device selected from a group comprising vision-based sensing systems, range-finding systems, and operator-manipulated devices, wherein the means for estimating a distraction level further comprises; means for grouping the distraction-correlated indicator information into complex task types comprising sets of related activities, including at least a first activity and a most recent activity; means for determining an elapsed time since a start of the first activity in a complex task; means for determining a delay time since the most recent activity in the complex task; means for comparing the delay time since the most recent activity with a minimum task quiescent period, and when the delay time exceeds the minimum task quiescent period, resetting the elapsed time and the delay time; and means for, during a performance of a complex task, correlating a type of the complex task, and the elapsed time of the complex task with the distraction-correlated indicator information in order to produce the output for facilitating the threat assessment decision. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A computer program product for calculating an indicator of operator distraction for an equipment operator comprising, the computer program product comprising means stored on a computer readable medium for
receiving distraction-correlated indicator information regarding an operator from devices around an operator; -
estimating a distraction level from the distraction-correlated indicator information; and producing an output indicative of the distraction level in order to facilitate a threat assessment decision, wherein the means for producing an output is configured to produce an output that ensures that when the distraction of the operator is high, the threat assessment decision is made conservatively, wherein the means for receiving distraction-correlated indicator information is configured for receiving from at least one device selected from a group comprising vision-based sensing systems, range-finding systems, and operator-manipulated devices, wherein the means for estimating a distraction level further comprises; means for grouping the distraction-correlated indicator information into complex task types comprising sets of related activities, including at least a first activity and a most recent activity; means for determining an elapsed time since a start of the first activity in a complex task; means for determining a delay time since the most recent activity in the complex task; means for comparing the delay time since the most recent activity with a minimum task quiescent period, and when the delay time exceeds the minimum task quiescent period, resetting the elapsed time and the delay time; and means for, during the performance of a complex task, correlating a type of the complex task, and the elapsed time of the complex task with the distraction-correlated indicator information in order to produce the output for facilitating the threat assessment decision. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification