Method and apparatus for combatting distracted driving

• US 9,376,017 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2014
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcohol Countermeasure Systems (International) Inc.
• Original Assignee: Alcohol Countermeasure Systems (International) Inc.
• Inventors: Bailey, Bruce A., Leach, Steven H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/489,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20150084761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 340/439, 340/575, 340/426.2, 340/426.11, 340/457, 340/518, 340/576, 340/5.82
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/06 responsive to incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0818 Inactivity or incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0836 due to alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/403 Image sensing, e.g. optical camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons

Abstract

The apparatus is for use with a motor vehicle operated by a driver and includes a scanning device and a computing facility. The scanning device, in use, gathers information about the eye activity of the driver. The computing facility determines, based on the information gathered, whether the driver is watching the road. The determination can include one or more of: ascertaining an orientation of at least one of the driver'"'"'s eyes; and ascertaining an orientation of the head of the driver. The computing facility can be defined by a microprocessor. If the facility determines that the driver is not watching the road, the facility can trigger an alarm state of the vehicle. The apparatus can be employed for persons convicted of driving while texting in a manner analogous to the manner in which breath alcohol ignition interlocks are employed for persons convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use with a motor vehicle operated by a driver on a road, the apparatus comprising:

a scanning device which, in use, gathers information about eye activity of eyes of the driver; and

a computing facility for determining, based on the information gathered, whether the driver is watching the road;

wherein;

the determining comprises one or more of;

ascertaining an orientation of at least one of the eyes of the driver; and

ascertaining an orientation of a head of the driver; and

in the event that the computing facility determines that the driver is not watching the road, the computing facility triggers an alarm state of the vehicle which actuates a cell signal blocker.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the alarm state of the vehicle one or more of:

lights carried by the vehicle;

a horn of the vehicle;

a siren carried by the vehicle; and

an immobilizer circuit are also actuated.