DROWSY DRIVER MONITORING AND PREVENTION SYSTEM

• US 20040183685A1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Strumolo, Gary Steven, Ryan, Sean Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 7,138,922 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/575
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A drowsy driver detection system (10) for an automobile (12) is coupled to a service center (16) through a communication system (14). A drowsy driver sensor (30) coupled to a controller (32) and a communication device (60) is used to determine the drowsiness of a vehicle operator by monitoring actions of the vehicle operator. When it is determined by the controller (32) that a vehicle operator is drowsy, controller (32) initiates communication device (60) to communicate a communication signal to service center (16). A response signal is generated by the service center (16) to the vehicle operator through communication device (60) to alert the driver and direct the driver to a rest area.

Claims

1. A drowsy driver detection system comprising:

a drowsy driver sensor generating a drowsy driver signal;

a communication device; and

a controller coupled to said drowsy driver sensor and said communication device, said controller controlling said communication system in response to said drowsy driver signal.

2. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 1 wherein said drowsy driver sensor comprises a camera generating an image signal, said controller generating a blink rate signal in response to said image signal, said controller controlling said communication device in response to said blink rate signal.

3. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 1 wherein said drowsy driver sensor comprises a camera generating an image signal, said controller generating a head movement signal in response to the image signal, said controller controlling said communication device in response to said head movement signal.

4. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 1 wherein said drowsy driver sensor comprises a camera generating an image signal, said controller generating a lane departure signal in response to the image signal, said controller controlling said communication device in response to said lane departure signal.

5. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 1 wherein said drowsy driver sensor comprises a camera generating a first image signal and a second image signal, said controller generating at least two of a blink rate signal, a head movement signal and a lane departure signal in response to the first image signal and the second image signal, said controller controlling said communication device in response to at least two of a blink rate signal, a head movement signal and a lane departure signal.

6. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication device comprises a cellular phone system.

7. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication device comprises a satellite communication system.

8. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 1 further comprising an indicator coupled to said controller, said controller coupled to said indicator.

9. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 8 wherein said indicator comprises an audible indicator.

10. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 8 wherein said indicator comprises a visual indicator.

11. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a positioning system generating a vehicle position signal, said communication device communicating said position signal with the communication signal.

12. A system comprising:

a drowsy driver sensor generating a drowsy driver signal;

a communication device;

a controller coupled to said drowsy driver sensor and said communication device, said controller controlling said communication system to generate a communication signal in response to said drowsy driver signal; and

a service center two-way coupled to said communication device, said service center generating a response signal in response to said communication signal.

13. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said drowsy driver sensor comprises a camera generating an image signal, said controller generating a blink rate signal in response to said image signal, said controller controlling said communication device in response to said blink rate signal.

14. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said drowsy driver sensor comprises a camera generating an image signal, said controller generating a head movement signal in response to the image signal, said controller controlling said communication device in response to said head movement signal.

15. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein said drowsy driver sensor comprises a camera generating an image signal, said controller generating a lane departure signal image signal, said controller controlling said communication device in response to said lane departure signal.

16. A system as recited in claim 12 further comprising an indicator coupled to said controller, said controller coupled to said indicator.

17. A system as recited in claim 12 further comprising a positioning system generating a vehicle position signal, said communication device communicating said position signal with the communication signal.

18. A method of operating a communication system comprising:

monitoring a vehicle operator actions;

generating a drowsy driver signal in response to vehicle operator actions;

contacting a service center with a communication device in response to the drowsy driver signal; and

directing a response signal from a service center to a vehicle.

19. A method as recited in claim 18 further comprising generating a voice signal within the vehicle in response to the response signal.

20. A method as recited in claim 18 further comprising transmitting a position signal.