Vehicle driver monitor and a method for monitoring a driver

• US 9,124,955 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2011
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LifeWatch Technologies Ltd. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Card Guard Scientific Survival Limited (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Geva, Nir, Geva, Yacov, Tal, Yair
• Primary Examiner(s): ZENATI, AMAL S
• Application Number:
  US13/235,523
• Publication Number:
  US 20130070043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,443 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.11, 379/88.12, 379/185, 348/14.02
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0836 Measuring rate of CO2 production
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4845 Toxicology, e.g. by detection of alcohol, drug or toxic products A61B5/4848 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6893 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/747 in case of emergency, i.e. alerting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/06 responsive to incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 : Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 : using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 : for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 : where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 : Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A method and a monitor for monitoring a driver of a vehicle, the monitor includes: multiple sensors coupled to at least one vehicle element or integrated with at least one vehicle element; a processor for: receiving physiological information relating to the driver from the multiple sensors; detecting, based on the physiological information, a health problem of the driver, an awareness level of the driver and a stress level of the driver; determining a selected action to be performed based on the detection, wherein the action is selected from a list consisting of: establishing a call to a remote assistance site, transmitting the physiological information to a remote assistance site, generating an audio alert, and generating a visual alert; and assisting in a completion of the selected action.

Claims

1. A monitor for monitoring a driver of a vehicle, the monitor comprises:

multiple sensors coupled to at least one vehicle element or integrated with at least one vehicle element;

a processor for;

receiving physiological information relating to the driver from the multiple sensors;

detecting, based on the physiological information, a health problem of the driver, an awareness level of the driver and a stress level of the driver;

wherein the detecting of the health problem of the driver differs from measuring an alcohol level in a blood of the driver;

determining a selected action to be performed based on the detection, wherein the action is selected from a list consisting of;

establishing a call to a remote assistance site, transmitting the physiological information to a remote assistance site, generating an audio alert, and generating a visual alert; and

assisting in a completion of the selected action;

wherein at least one of the following is held true;

(a) the monitor further comprises an ultra violet sensor for reading an ultra violet radiation measurement;

(b) the monitor further comprises at least one gas sensor that is selected from a nitrogen oxide gas sensor and a carbon dioxide gas sensor;

(c) the monitor further comprises an alcohol sensor and a voice recognition sensor;

wherein the alcohol sensor is for detecting an alcohol level in the blood of the driver;

wherein the processor is configured to prevent an ignition of the vehicle if the alcohol level in the blood of the driver exceeds a predefined alcohol level threshold;

wherein the voice recognition sensor is arranged to authenticate the driver that undergoes an alcohol level test;

(d) the monitor is arranged to detect a “

leaving a person or an animal in a closed vehicle”

situation and trigger a selected action selected out of an opening of a window of the vehicle, sending an audio alert, sending a message to a third entity that indicates of a potential “

leaving a person or animal in a closed vehicle”

situation;

(e) the monitor further comprises a radar arranged to monitor the driver and to provide an indication, in case of an accident, of fluid in lungs of the driver.

2. The monitor according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication device for establishing a call to the remote assistance site and for transmitting the physiological information to the remote assistance site.

3. The monitor according to claim 1, further comprising a storage module for storing a history of physiological information of the driver.

4. The monitor according to claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying video during a video conference call between the driver and the remote assistance site;

for displaying the visual alert; and

for displaying visual content that is indicative of the physiological information.

5. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the multiple sensors are selected from a list consisting of:

a one-lead ECG, a heart rate sensor, an oxygen saturation sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a body temperature sensor, and a breath sensor.

6. The monitor according to claim 1, further comprising the ultra violet sensor for reading the ultra violet radiation measurement.

7. The monitor according to claim 1 comprising the at least one gas sensor that is selected from the nitrogen oxide gas sensor and the carbon dioxide gas sensor.

8. The monitor according to claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to receive gas measurements and to instruct a ventilation system of the vehicle to provide fresh air into the vehicle when a gas measurement indicates that a gas level exceeds a predefined gas level threshold.

9. The monitor according to claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to receive ultra violet radiation measurements and to instruct a window controller of the vehicle to close a window of the vehicle when an ultra violet radiation measurement indicates that a level of ultra violet radiation exceeds a predefined ultra violet level threshold.

10. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the generating of the audio alert comprises playing music.

11. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the generating of the audio alert comprises playing a speech.

12. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to detect a decreased awareness level of the driver and to determine an awaking action selected from a list consisting of:

playing music, talking to the driver and activating a wake-up call.

13. The monitor according to claim 1 comprising the alcohol sensor for detecting the alcohol level in the blood of the driver;

wherein the processor is configured to prevent the ignition of the vehicle if the alcohol level in the blood of the driver exceeds the predefined alcohol level threshold.

14. The monitor according to claim 13, comprising the voice recognition sensor arranged to authenticate the driver that undergoes the alcohol level test.

15. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the multiple sensors comprises:

a one-lead ECG sensor, a heart rate sensor, an oxygen saturation sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a body temperature sensor, glucose meter, weight scale, environmental sensor and a breath sensor.

16. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the multiple sensors comprises a one-lead ECG that comprises two electrodes coupled to the steering wheel;

and wherein the display is configured to display an ECG graph when a one-lead ECG test is performed and to display a message that requires a confirmation to send one-lead ECG test results to the remote assistance site.

17. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle elements are selected from a steering wheel of the vehicle and a seatbelt of the driver.

18. The monitor according to claim 1, comprising a smell detector arranged to detect a smell that differs from a predefined set of desired smells.

19. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the selected action is selected out of opening a window of the vehicle, closing a window of the vehicle, changing a parameter of an air conditioning system, allowing an automatic driver to assume control of the vehicle, and generating a nerve stimulation.

20. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the selected action comprises generating a nerve stimulation.

21. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the monitor is arranged to detect the “

leaving a person or an animal in a closed vehicle”

situation; and

trigger the selected action selected out of the opening of the window of the vehicle, sending the audio alert, sending the message to the third entity that indicates of the potential “

leaving a person or animal in a closed vehicle”

situation.

22. The monitor according to claim 21, wherein the monitor is arranged to determine the amount of opening based on the response of the person or animal that are positioned in the vehicle to the previous attempt to open the window of the vehicle.

23. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the monitor is arranged to alter at least one parameter of the alert during an existence of the “

leaving a person or animal in a closed vehicle”

situation.

24. The monitor according to claim 1, comprising the radar that is arranged to monitor the driver and to provide the indication, in case of the accident, of fluid in lungs of the driver.

25. A method for monitoring a stress level of a driver of a vehicle, the method comprises:

receiving physiological information indicative of a stress level of the driver, from at least one sensor that is located within the vehicle and in a vicinity of the driver;

wherein the at least one sensor comprises an ultra wide band radar;

detecting a stress level of the driver based on the physiological information, stored physiological information history and at least one predefined measurement threshold;

determining to initiate a stress level reduction action when a difference between at least one measurement of the physiological information and an average of associated stored measurements exceeds a predefined measurement change threshold;

performing, based on the determination, the stress level reduction action while the driver is within the vehicle, wherein the stress level reduction action is selected out of playing a relaxing music and activating a neck or back massage.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from a list consisting of:

a heart rate sensor, a blood pressure sensor and a breath sensor.

27. The method according to claim 25 wherein the ultra wide band radar is located at a ceiling of the vehicle.

28. The method according to claim 25, comprising detecting, by a smell detector, a smell that differs from a predefined set of desired smells.

29. The method according to claim 25, wherein the stress level reduction is selected out of changing a parameter of an air conditioning system, allowing an automatic driver to assume control of the vehicle, and generating a nerve stimulation.

30. A method for monitoring an awareness state of a driver, comprising:

receiving physiological information indicative of an awareness level of a driver, from at least one sensor that is located in a vicinity of a driver;

wherein the at least one sensor comprises an ultra wide band radar;

detecting the awareness level of the driver based on the physiological information, stored physiological information history and predefined measurements thresholds;

determining to initiate the awaking action when a difference between at least one measurement of the physiological information and an average of associated stored measurements exceeds a predefined measurement change threshold;

performing, based on the determination, the awaking action while the driver is within the vehicle, wherein the awaking action is selected from a list consisting of;

playing a music, playing a speech and playing a sound.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from a list consisting of:

a heart rate sensor, a blood pressure sensor and a breath sensor.

32. The method according to claim 30 wherein the ultra wide band radar is located at a ceiling of the vehicle.

33. A method for monitoring a driver of a vehicle, the method comprises:

receiving physiological information relating to the driver from at least one sensor;

detecting, based on the physiological information, a health problem of the driver, an awareness level of the driver and a stress level of the driver;

wherein the detecting of the health problem of the driver differs from measuring an alcohol level in a blood of the driver;

determining a selected action to be performed based on the detection, wherein the action is selected from a list consisting of;

establishing a call to a remote assistance site, transmitting the physiological information to a remote assistance site, generating an audio alert and generating a visual alert; and

performing the selected action;

wherein the method further comprises at least one of the following;

(a) storing a history of the information of the driver

(b) receiving ultra violet radiation measurements and instructing a window controller of the vehicle to close a window of the vehicle when an ultra violet radiation measurement indicates that a level of ultra violet radiation exceeds a predefined ultra violet level threshold;

(c) detecting a “

leaving a person or an animal in a closed vehicle”

situation; and

triggering a selected action selected out of an opening of the window of the vehicle, sending an audio alert, sending a message to a third entity that indicates of a potential “

leaving a person or animal in a closed vehicle”

situation; and

(d) monitoring, by a radar, the driver and providing an indication, in case of an accident, of fluid in lungs of the driver.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the performing of the selected action comprises establishing a call to the remote assistance site and transmitting the physiological information to the remote assistance site.

35. The method according to claim 33, further comprises storing the history of the physiological information of the driver.

36. The method according to claim 33, wherein the performing of the selected action comprises displaying video during a video conference call between the driver and the remote assistance site.

37. The method according to claim 33, wherein the performing of the selected action comprises displaying the visual alert and displaying visual content that is indicative of the physiological information.

38. The method according to claim 33, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from a list consisting of:

a one-lead ECG, a heart rate sensor, an oxygen saturation sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a body temperature sensor, and a breath sensor.

39. The method according to claim 33, comprises receiving gas measurements and instructing a ventilation system of the vehicle to provide fresh air into the vehicle when a gas measurement indicates that a gas level exceeds a predefined gas level threshold.

40. The method according to claim 33, comprises receiving ultra violet radiation measurements and instructing the window controller of the vehicle to close the window of the vehicle when the ultra violet radiation measurement indicates that the level of ultra violet radiation exceeds the predefined ultra violet level threshold.

41. The method according to claim 33, wherein the generating of the audio alert comprises playing music.

42. The method according to claim 33, wherein the generating of the audio alert comprises playing a speech.

43. The method according to claim 33, comprising detecting a decreased awareness level of the driver and determining an awaking action selected from a list consisting of:

playing music, talking to the driver and activating a wake-up call.

44. The method according to claim 33 comprises detecting an alcohol level in a blood of the driver and preventing an ignition of the vehicle if the alcohol level in the blood of the driver exceeds a predefined alcohol level threshold.

45. The method according to claim 33, comprising detecting the “

leaving a person or an animal in a closed vehicle”

situation; and

triggering the selected action selected out of the opening of the window of the vehicle, sending the audio alert, sending the message to the third entity that indicates of the potential “

leaving a person or animal in a closed vehicle”

situation.

46. The method according to claim 45, comprising determining an amount of opening based on a response of the person or animal positioned in the vehicle to a previous attempt to open the window of the vehicle.

47. The method according to claim 45, comprising altering at least one parameter of the alert during an existence of the “

leaving a person or animal in a closed vehicle”

situation.

48. The method according to claim 33 comprising monitoring, by the radar, the driver and providing the indication, in case of the accident, of fluid in lungs of the driver.