System and method to monitor and reduce vehicle operator impairment
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- gathering data about potential vehicle operator impairment by;
monitoring a vehicle operator with a first optical sensor,monitoring the environment ahead of the vehicle with a second optical sensor, andmonitoring force in one or more directions with an accelerometer,wherein the data about potential vehicle operator impairment is stored on a computer-readable medium;
assigning, by one or more processors, a plurality of scores based on the data about potential operator impairment, wherein each of the plurality of scores corresponds to a respective impairment indicator;
generating, by the one or more processors, an impairment score by performing a mathematical operation on the plurality of scores, wherein the impairment score is stored on a computer-readable medium;
determining, by the one or more processors, whether the vehicle operator is impaired by comparing the impairment score generated by performing the mathematical operation on the plurality of scores to a threshold value;
when it is determined that the vehicle operator is impaired, alerting the vehicle operator using at least one or more of an audible alert, a visual alert, and a tactile alert;
analyzing, by the one or more processors, the data about potential vehicle operator impairment to identify recommendations to reduce operator impairment; and
electronically communicating the recommendations to reduce operator impairment to the vehicle operator.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitates monitoring a vehicle operator, the environment ahead of the vehicle, and/or forces acting on the vehicle during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired (e.g., distracted, drowsy, intoxicated), alerting the vehicle operator when impairment is detected, and log data relating to vehicle operator impairment for further analysis. The method, system, and computer-readable medium may monitor the vehicle operator, the environment ahead of the vehicle, and/or forces acting on the vehicle using either or both of optical sensors or accelerometers. In particular, one optical sensor may monitor the vehicle operator to detect eye blinks, head nods, head rotations, and/or gaze fixation. Another optical sensor may monitor the road ahead of the vehicle to detect lane deviation, lane centering, and time to collision. The accelerometers may detect acceleration in the direction of vehicle travel and/or lateral acceleration.
83 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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gathering data about potential vehicle operator impairment by; monitoring a vehicle operator with a first optical sensor, monitoring the environment ahead of the vehicle with a second optical sensor, and monitoring force in one or more directions with an accelerometer, wherein the data about potential vehicle operator impairment is stored on a computer-readable medium; assigning, by one or more processors, a plurality of scores based on the data about potential operator impairment, wherein each of the plurality of scores corresponds to a respective impairment indicator; generating, by the one or more processors, an impairment score by performing a mathematical operation on the plurality of scores, wherein the impairment score is stored on a computer-readable medium; determining, by the one or more processors, whether the vehicle operator is impaired by comparing the impairment score generated by performing the mathematical operation on the plurality of scores to a threshold value; when it is determined that the vehicle operator is impaired, alerting the vehicle operator using at least one or more of an audible alert, a visual alert, and a tactile alert; analyzing, by the one or more processors, the data about potential vehicle operator impairment to identify recommendations to reduce operator impairment; and electronically communicating the recommendations to reduce operator impairment to the vehicle operator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer system comprising:
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a processor; one or more optical sensors; a program memory storing executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the computer system to; gather data about potential vehicle operator impairment by; monitor a vehicle operator with an optical sensor, monitor the environment ahead of the vehicle with an optical sensor, and monitor force in one or more directions with an accelerometer, wherein the data about potential vehicle operator impairment is stored on a computer-readable medium; assign a plurality of scores based on the data about potential operator impairment, wherein each of the plurality of scores corresponds to a respective impairment indicator; generate an impairment score by performing a mathematical operation on the plurality of scores, wherein the impairment score is stored on a computer-readable medium; determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired by comparing the impairment score generated by performing the mathematical operation on the plurality of scores to a threshold value; when it is determined that the vehicle operator is impaired, alert the vehicle operator using at least one or more of an audible alert, a visual alert, and a tactile alert; analyze, with the processor, the data about potential vehicle operator impairment to identify recommendations to reduce operator impairment; and communicate the recommendations to reduce operator impairment to the vehicle operator. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A computer system comprising:
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a processor; one or more optical sensors; a program memory storing executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the computer system to; gather data about potential vehicle operator impairment by; monitor a vehicle operator with an optical sensor, monitor the environment ahead of the vehicle with an optical sensor, and monitor force in one or more directions with an accelerometer, wherein the data about potential vehicle operator impairment is stored on a computer-readable medium; send to one of one or more computers the data about potential vehicle operator impairment; receive a determination from the one of one or more computers whether the vehicle operator is impaired, wherein the determination from the one of one or more computers is based on comparing an impairment score to a threshold value, the impairment score being generated by performing a mathematical operation on a plurality of scores, each of the plurality of scores being based on the data about potential operator impairment, and each of the plurality of scores corresponding to a respective impairment indicator; when a determination that the vehicle operator is impaired is received, alert the vehicle operator using at least one or more of an audible alert, a visual alert, and a tactile alert; receive recommendations to reduce operator impairment; and communicate the recommendations to reduce operator impairment to the vehicle operator. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a process of a computer system cause the computer system to:
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gather data about potential vehicle operator impairment by; monitor a vehicle operator with an optical sensor, monitor the environment ahead of the vehicle with an optical sensor, and monitor force in one or more directions with an accelerometer, wherein the data about potential vehicle operator impairment is stored on a computer-readable medium; assign a plurality of scores based on the data about potential operator impairment, wherein each of the plurality of scores corresponds to a respective impairment indicator; generate an impairment score by performing a mathematical operation on the plurality of scores, wherein the impairment score is stored on a computer-readable medium; determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired by comparing the impairment score generated by performing the mathematical operation on the plurality of scores to a threshold value; when it is determined that the vehicle operator is impaired, alert the vehicle operator using at least one or more of an audible alert, a visual alert, and a tactile alert; analyze, with the processor of the computer system, the data about potential vehicle operator impairment to identify recommendations to reduce operator impairment; and communicate the recommendations to reduce operator impairment to the vehicle operator. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification