Impairment evaluation system

• US 10,166,992 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2015
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Schmidt, Eric Randell
• Primary Examiner(s): Sherwin, Ryan
• Application Number:
  US14/720,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20160339922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0836 due to alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/54 Audio sensitive means, e.g. ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/30 Driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/08 Interaction between the driver and the control system

Abstract

A system configured to administer an impairment evaluation when a driver has been identified as attending an impairment event is provided. The system includes a driver profile unit configured to determine a sober driver profile. A sensor unit detects the location and operation of the motor vehicle after a motor vehicle stop. An impairment event unit receives the information regarding the operation of the vehicle from the sensor unit and compares the operation of the vehicle with the sober driver profile after the motor vehicle stop. The drinking unit identifying the motor vehicle stop as an impairment event when the operation of the vehicle deviates from the sober driver profile a predetermined amount. A challenge is administered to the driver after the impairment event so as to determine if the driver is impaired. The vehicle is rendered inoperable when the driver fails the challenge.

Claims

1. A system for use in a motor vehicle, the system configured to administer an impairment evaluation, the system comprising:

a database;

a plurality of impairment events stored in the database, wherein each of the plurality of impairment events includes a geographic location of a place and a time period;

an electronic control unit, the electronic control unit having a processor configured to process and read a computer executable instruction that, when executed, cause the electronic control unit to determine a sober driver profile, wherein the sober driver profile is determined during a predetermined period of time when any one of the plurality of impairment events is not detected, wherein a braking habit, speed and turning characteristic of the driver are recorded over the predetermined period of time to determine the sober driver profile; and

a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly detecting a location and a current driving operation of the motor vehicle after a motor vehicle stop, the sensor assembly including a speedometer, an accelerometer, a steering wheel angle sensor and a brake pad sensor detecting speed, turning and braking force of the motor vehicle;

wherein the electronic control unit also receives the current driving operation of the vehicle from the sensor assembly, compares the current driving operation of the vehicle with the sober driver profile after the motor vehicle stop, and identifies the location of the motor vehicle stop as a new impairment event and permanently stores the new impairment event in the database as one of the plurality of impairment events when the current driving operation of the vehicle deviates from the sober driver profile a predetermined amount, wherein the electronic control unit further associates the location of the motor vehicle stop within the new impairment event, and wherein every time the motor vehicle subsequently makes a stop at the location associated with the new impairment event, the electronic control unit administers a challenge to the driver after the impairment event so as to determine if the driver is impaired, wherein the electronic control unit renders the vehicle inoperable when the driver fails the challenge.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit includes a calendar, the calendar identifying holidays and birthdays, wherein the electronic control unit processes the calendar and compares the current driving operation of the vehicle with the sober driver profile on each holiday and birthday so as to determine if a respective holiday or birthday is an impairment event.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the electronic control unit determines whether the impairment event is a non-impairment event when the driver passes the challenge within a predetermined period of time.

4. The system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the electronic control unit administers the challenge only during a predetermined period of time.

5. The system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the electronic control unit associates the motor vehicle stop with a location of the motor vehicle, a time and day of the motor vehicle stop, a duration of the motor vehicle stop, and an occurrence of the motor vehicle stop so as to determine a stopping routine.

6. The system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the electronic control unit generates a plurality of driver profiles, each of the plurality of driver profiles corresponding to the motor vehicle stop in the stopping routine.

7. The system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the electronic control unit compares the current driving operation of the vehicle with a corresponding sober driver profile after an associated motor vehicle stop in the stopping routine, the electronic control unit identifying the associated motor vehicle stop in the stopping routine as the impairment event when the current driving operation of the vehicle deviates from the corresponding sober driver profile a predetermined amount.

8. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the electronic control unit administers at least one challenge.

9. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the challenge is one challenge selected from the group consisting of a mathematical problem, a repetition of a phrase, a physical act, a horizontal gaze nystagmus test, or a blood alcohol breathalyzer test.

10. The system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the electronic control unit records and stores a phrase spoken by the driver so as to generate a stored phrase, wherein the electronic control unit requires the driver to repeat the phrase and the electronic control unit compares the repeated phrase with the stored phrase, wherein the electronic control unit renders the motor vehicle inoperable when the repeated phrase deviates from the stored phrase a predetermined amount.

11. The system as set forth in claim 9, further including a camera, the camera configured to detect the eyes of the driver so as to perform the horizontal gaze nystagmus test.

12. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit makes a phone call to a predetermined phone number when the vehicle is rendered inoperable.

13. The system as set forth in claim 12, wherein the predetermined phone number is selected by the driver.