Medical applications in telematics

• US 7,805,224 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2007
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Basson, Sara H., Kanevsky, Dimitri, Fairweather, Peter G.
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US11/760,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20070241915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/29, 701/33, 701/35, 701/36, 701/45, 701/63, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/439, 381/FOR.110, 704/200, 704/246
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network

Abstract

A vehicle control system and method for facilitating operation of a vehicle by a driver with a potentially debilitating condition. At least one sensor provides sensor data corresponding to at least one of a vehicle condition or a driver condition. A database includes potentially debilitating condition data and symptoms data corresponding thereto. A central processing unit is in data communication with the database and the at least one sensor. The central processing monitors the operation of the vehicle by the driver based on the sensor data and the database.

Claims

1. A vehicle control system for facilitating operation of a vehicle by a driver with a potentially debilitating condition, comprising:

at least one sensor providing sensor data for at least one of a vehicle condition or a driver condition;

a database including potentially debilitating condition data and symptoms data corresponding thereto; and

a central processing unit in data communication with the database and the at least one sensor, the central processing unit monitoring the operation of the vehicle by the driver based on the sensor data and the database.

2. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring includes detecting the existence of a medical crisis.

3. The vehicle control system according to claim 2, wherein the central processing unit operates to control operation of the vehicle in response to the existence of a medical crisis.

4. The vehicle control system according to claim 2, wherein the central processing unit operates to initiate a warning to at least one of other vehicles and other drivers in response to the existence of a medical crisis.

5. The vehicle control system according to claim 2, further including an implant device implanted in the driver, the implant device in communication with the central processing unit, the implant device being used to determine the existence of a crisis.

6. The vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein the central processing unit includes an internal observer, the internal observer monitoring the driver to make a determination of whether the driver is experiencing a condition which adversely effects the driver'"'"'s ability to operate the vehicle.

7. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit includes a conversation planner, the conversation planner engaging in conversation with the driver and evaluate the condition of the driver.

8. A method for facilitating operation of a vehicle by a driver with a potentially debilitating condition, comprising:

receiving data from a sensor, the sensor monitoring at least one of a vehicle condition or a driver condition;

storing potentially debilitating condition data and symptoms data corresponding thereto in a database; and

monitoring the operation of the vehicle by the driver based on the sensor data, the debilitating condition data and the symptoms data.

9. The vehicle operation facilitation method according to claim 8, wherein monitoring includes detecting the existence of a medical crisis.

10. The vehicle operation facilitation method according to claim 9, further comprising using a central processing unit to control operation of the vehicle in response to the existence of a medical crisis.

11. The vehicle operation facilitation method according to claim 9, further comprising providing a warning to at least one of other vehicles and other drivers in response to the existence of a medical crisis.

12. The vehicle operation facilitation method according to claim 9, further comprising using a device implanted in the driver to determine the existence of a crisis.

13. The vehicle operation facilitation method according to claim 8, wherein monitoring includes determining whether the driver is experiencing a condition which adversely effects the driver'"'"'s ability to operate the vehicle.

14. The vehicle operation facilitation method according to claim 8, wherein monitoring includes engaging in conversation with the driver and evaluating the condition of the driver based on the conversation.