METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AVOIDING AN IN-ALERT DRIVER OF A VEHICLE

• US 20160096529A1
• Filed: 09/22/2015
• Published: 04/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: DAVIDSSON, Staffan, MARESCH, Johan
• Application Number:
  US14/861,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20160096529A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0827 due to sleepiness
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method performed by an alertness-increasing system for avoiding a situation with a potentially in-alert driver of a vehicle. The alertness-increasing system determines that the driver is, and/or may potentially become, in-alert in his or her driving. Moreover, the alertness-increasing system initiates a software-based function adapted to cognitively stimulate the driver. The disclosure also relates to an alertness-increasing system in accordance with the foregoing, a vehicle comprising at least a portion of the alertness-increasing system, and a user device adapted to communicate with the vehicle, comprising at least a portion of the alertness-increasing system and/or at least a portion of the function adapted to cognitively stimulate the driver.

Claims

1. A method performed by an alertness-increasing system for avoiding a situation with a potentially in-alert driver of a vehicle, the method comprising:

determining that the driver is, and/or may potentially become, in-alert in his or her driving; and

initiating a software-based function adapted to cognitively stimulate the driver.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the function is associated with an in-vehicle system of the vehicle, and/or is associated with a user device adapted to communicate with the vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the function is considered to be driver-distracting and is prohibited from use during absence of the determination that the driver is, and/or may potentially become, in-alert in his or her driving.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the function comprises an alertness task application.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the alertness task application comprises an alertness game application.

6. The method according to claim 4 wherein the determining that the driver is, and/or may potentially become, in-alert in his or her driving is based on a reached score in the alertness task application falling below a predetermined minimum score threshold.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the determining that the driver is, and/or may potentially become, in-alert in his or her driving comprises:

determining status data comprising one or more status data parameters reflecting current in-alertness conditions; and

determining that the status data insinuates that the driver is, and/or may potentially become, in-alert in his or her driving based on comparing at least a first status data parameter of the status data with predetermined in-alertness criteria.

8. An alertness-increasing system adapted for avoiding a situation with a potentially in-alert driver of a vehicle, the alertness-increasing system comprising:

a determining unit adapted for determining that the driver is, and/or may potentially become, in-alert in his or her driving; and

an initiating unit adapted for initiating a software-based function adapted to cognitively stimulate the driver.

9. The alertness-increasing system according to claim 8 wherein the function is associated with an in-vehicle system of the vehicle, and/or is associated with a user device adapted to communicate with the vehicle.

10. The alertness-increasing system according to claim 8 wherein the function is considered to be driver-distracting and is prohibited from use during absence of the determination that the driver is, and/or may potentially become, in-alert in his or her driving.

11. The alertness-increasing system according to claim 8 wherein the function comprises an alertness-task application.

12. The alertness-increasing system according to claim 11 wherein the alertness-task application comprises an alertness game application.

13. The alertness-increasing system according to claim 11 wherein the determining unit is adapted for determining that the driver is, and/or may potentially become, in-alert in his or her driving based on a reached score in the alertness task application falling below a predetermined minimum score threshold.

14. The alertness-increasing system according to claim 8 wherein the determining unit is adapted for:

determining status data comprising one or more status data parameters reflecting current in-alertness conditions; and

determining that the status data insinuates that the driver is, and/or may potentially become, in-alert in his or her driving based on comparing at least a first status data parameter of the status data with predetermined in-alertness criteria.

15. A vehicle comprising the alertness-increasing system according to claim 8.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15 further comprising at least a portion of the function adapted to cognitively stimulate the driver.

17. A user device adapted to communicate with a vehicle, the user device comprising the alertness-increasing system according to claim 8.

18. The user device according to claim 17 further comprising at least a portion of the function adapted to cognitively stimulate the driver.