Driver Training System

• US 20090181349A1
• Filed: 01/10/2008
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Long Driver LLC
• Original Assignee: Lifelong Driver LLC
• Inventors: Harkness, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 9,666,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/09 Rehabilitation or training
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/032 Devices for presenting test symbols or characters, e.g. test chart projectors A61B3/036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/162 Testing reaction times
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/167 Control of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/04 for teaching control of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/05 the view from a vehicle being simulated G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/052 characterised by provision for recording or measuring trainee's performance devices for psychotechnics, e.g. for vehicle drivers A61B5/16, A61B5/18

Abstract

The invention provides a computerized assessment system, as well as a method, that can be used for diagnosing driving skills in a driver of the class of vehicle drivers having impaired abilities. The system utilizes a) at least one prerecorded audio/visual training session capable of diagnosing the visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities of a motor vehicle driver, where the training session comprises interactive driving simulations presented through four active visual zones; b) computerized means for digitally assessing driver actions in response to simulated driving situations presented by the interactive driving simulations; c) a database that records the driver actions; and d) a computer program capable of developing a diagnostic assessment of the visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities of the driver.

Claims

1. A method for diagnosing driving skills in a driver of the class of vehicle drivers having impaired abilities, the method comprising the steps of:

a) presenting a motor vehicle driver with at least one prerecorded audio/visual training session capable of diagnosing visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities of said driver, wherein said training session comprises interactive driving simulations presented through four active visual zones;

b) digitally assessing driver actions in response to simulated driving situations presented by said interactive driving simulations;

c) creating a database that records said driver actions; and

d) developing a diagnostic assessment of the visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities of said driver.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising in step b) digitally assessing the time of actions made in response to said simulated driving situations.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising developing a training module of individualized and prescriptive instruction based on said diagnostic assessment and comprising at least one training lesson.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising repeating steps a) through d) to assess rehabilitation of said driver'"'"'s visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities in response to said prescriptive instruction.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising providing said driver with the results of said training session for purposes of self-diagnosis of said rehabilitation.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising providing information regarding successful completion of said training module to a designated third party evidencing said rehabilitation.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said third party is selected from the group consisting of an insurance agency, a state motor vehicle agency, a police department, an automotive association and a rehabilitation center.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said third party authorizes a discounted insurance rate for said driver in response to said rehabilitation.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein computer based training is used to supplement the audio/video presentation of a) in the areas of visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said interactive driving simulations in a) are presented using digital frame based technology.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said training sessions in step a) are further designed to assess abilities relating to lateral search, risk perception, speed adjustment, space management, and hazard recognition.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said four active visual zones in step b) comprise visual zones corresponding to the three active mirrors and windshield view of a four camera point of view driving simulation.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein in step b) unobtrusive psychodiagnostics are employed in said diagnostic assessment.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said driver is driver of commercial vehicles.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein said driver is driver of a public safety vehicle.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein said driver is a senior driver, and wherein said impaired abilities are a consequence of aging.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising in step b) the assessment of the two inactive blind spots excluded from said four active visual zones.

18. A computerized assessment system for diagnosing driving skills in a driver of the class of vehicle drivers having impaired abilities, the system comprising:

a) at least one prerecorded audio/visual training session capable of diagnosing the visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities of a motor vehicle driver, wherein said training session comprises interactive driving simulations presented through four active visual zones;

b) computerized means for digitally assessing driver actions in response to simulated driving situations presented by said interactive driving simulations;

c) a database that records said driver actions; and

d) a computer program capable of developing a diagnostic assessment of the visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities of said driver.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising in b) means for digitally assessing the time of actions made in response to said simulated driving situations.

20. The system of claim 18 further comprising employing a program to develop a training module of individualized and prescriptive instruction based on said diagnostic assessment and comprising at least one training lesson.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said components in a) through d) are used to assess rehabilitation of said driver'"'"'s visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities subsequent to prescriptive instruction.

22. The system of claim 20 further comprising providing said driver with the results of said training session for purposes of self-diagnosis of said rehabilitation.

23. The system of claim 20 further comprising means for providing information regarding successful completion of said training module to a designated third party evidencing said rehabilitation.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein said third party is selected from the group consisting of an insurance agency, a state motor vehicle agency, a police department, an automotive association and a rehabilitation center.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein said third party authorizes a discounted insurance rate for said driver in response to rehabilitation.

26. The system of claim 18 wherein computer based training is used to supplement the audio/video presentation of a) in the areas of visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall.

27. The system of claim 18 wherein said interactive driving simulations in a) are presented using digital frame based technology.

28. The system of claim 18 wherein said training sessions in step a) are further designed to assess abilities relating to lateral search, risk perception, speed adjustment, space management, and hazard recognition.

29. The system of claim 18 wherein said four active visual zones in step b) comprise visual zones corresponding to the three active mirrors and windshield view of a four camera point of view driving simulation.

30. The system of claim 18 wherein in step b) unobtrusive psychodiagnostics are employed in said diagnostic assessment.

31. The system of claim 18 wherein said driver is driver of commercial vehicles.

32. The system of claim 18 wherein said driver is driver of a public safety vehicle.

33. The system of claim 18 wherein said driver is a senior driver, and wherein said impaired abilities are a consequence of aging.

34. The system of claim 18 further comprising in step b) computerized means for digitally assessing the two inactive blind spots excluded from said four active visual zones.