Driver configurable drowsiness prevention

• US 8,339,268 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2009
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Deng, Bing, Wang, Jenne-Tai
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wang, Jack K
• Application Number:
  US12/615,316
• Publication Number:
  US 20110109462A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 340/575, 340/576
• US Class Current: 340/575
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A driver drowsiness mitigation system of a vehicle includes a driver impairment detection system for detecting drowsiness of a driver of the vehicle. A plurality of alert devices is provided for countering a drowsiness of the driver of the vehicle. A controller enables at least one of the alert devices when a drowsiness of the driver is detected. A prioritized order for enabling respective alert devices is selectively configurable within the controller according to the identity of the driver.

Claims

1. A driver drowsiness mitigation system of a vehicle comprising:

a driver impairment detection system for detecting drowsiness of a driver of the vehicle;

a plurality of alert devices for countering a drowsiness of the driver of the vehicle; and

a controller for selectively enabling the plurality of alert devices when a drowsiness of the driver is detected according to a prioritized order,

wherein the prioritized order for enabling respective alert devices is selectively configurable within the controller according to the identity of the driver.

2. The driver drowsiness mitigation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one alert device includes a cold water mist spray device.

3. The driver drowsiness mitigation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one alert device includes a scent spray device.

4. The driver drowsiness mitigation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one alert device includes a mechanical apparatus for physical discomfort.

5. The driver drowsiness mitigation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one alert device includes an electrical apparatus for physical discomfort.

6. The driver drowsiness mitigation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one alert device includes an air circulation device.

7. The driver drowsiness mitigation system of claim 6 wherein the air circulation device is temperature controlled.

8. The driver drowsiness mitigation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one alert device is a navigation-based device providing directions to a respective resting location.

9. The driver drowsiness mitigation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one alert device includes an audible alert device.

10. The driver drowsiness mitigation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one alert device includes a haptic alert device.

11. A method for countering drowsiness of a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a drowsiness of the driver of the vehicle during an operation of the vehicle;

identifying the driver of the vehicle;

identifying respective drowsiness mitigation devices associated with the identified driver of the vehicle, the respective drowsiness mitigation devices being configured for actuation in a prioritized order to counter the drowsiness of the driver; and

selectively actuating at least one of the respective drowsiness mitigation devices in the respective prioritized order for countering the drowsiness of the driver in response to detecting drowsiness of the driver.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the configuration of the respective drowsiness mitigation devices are prioritized as selected by the driver of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the configuration of the respective drowsiness mitigation devices are prioritized by an effectiveness of arousing the driver from the drowsiness.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the driver is identified by the driver manually making a selective identification.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the driver is identified by an automated driver identification system.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the driver of the vehicle is identified in response to an action taken by the driver.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein a respective drowsiness mitigation device applies a visual response for countering the drowsiness of the driver.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein a respective drowsiness mitigation device applies an audible response for countering the drowsiness of the driver.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein a respective drowsiness mitigation device applies a haptic response for countering the drowsiness of the driver.

20. A method for countering drowsiness of a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a drowsiness of the driver of the vehicle during an operation of the vehicle;

identifying the driver of the vehicle;

identifying respective drowsiness mitigation devices associated with the identified driver of the vehicle, the respective drowsiness mitigation devices being configured for actuation in a prioritized order to counter the drowsiness of the driver;

selectively actuating a first drowsiness mitigation device from a plurality of drowsiness mitigation devices in the respective prioritized order for countering the drowsiness of the driver in response to detecting drowsiness of the driver;

detecting drowsiness of the driver of the vehicle after a predetermined time of the actuation of the first drowsiness mitigation device;

actuating a next drowsiness mitigation device in the respective prioritized order for countering the drowsiness of the driver in response to detecting drowsiness of the driver after the predetermined time, otherwise, de-actuating the first drowsiness mitigation device; and

selectively actuating each of the plurality of drowsiness mitigation devices in the respective prioritized order for countering the drowsiness of the driver in response to detecting drowsiness of the driver after the predetermined time has elapsed from the actuation of a previous actuated drowsiness mitigation device, otherwise, de-actuating the previous drowsiness mitigation device.