Drowsy driver monitoring and prevention system

• US 7,138,922 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Issued: 11/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAI T
• Application Number:
  US10/249,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20040183685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 340/576, 340/457, 340/575, 340/309.15, 340/436, 340/438, 340/995, 340/539.18, 340/998, 600/300, 600/301
• 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 device in response to said drowsy driver signal,

wherein said communication device receives a response signal from a communication system in response to transmission of said drowsy driver signal,

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, said communication device receiving a response signal from said communication system in response to transmission of at least two of a blink rate signal, a head movement signal and a lane departure signal.

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

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

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

5. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 4 wherein said indicator comprises an audible indicator.

6. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 4 wherein said indicator comprises a visual indicator.

7. 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 drowsy driver signal.

8. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 1, wherein said drowsy driver sensor further comprises a respiration detector generating a respiration signal.

9. 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 device 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,

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, said communication device receiving a response signal from said service center in response to transmission of at least two of a blink rate signal, a head movement signal and a lane departure signal.

10. A system as recited in claim 9 further comprising an indicator coupled to said controller, said controller coupled to said indicator.

11. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 10 wherein said indicator comprises an audible indicator.

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

13. A system as recited in claim 9 further comprising a positioning system generating a vehicle position signal, said communication device communicating said position signal with the communication signal.

14. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 9 wherein said communication device comprises a cellular phone system.

15. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 9 wherein said communication device comprises a satellite communication system.

16. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 9, wherein said drowsy driver sensor further comprises a respiration detector generating a respiration signal.

17. A method of operating a communication system comprising:

monitoring a vehicle operator actions;

generating from a drowsy driver sensor 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,

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, said communication device receiving a response signal from the service center in response to transmission of at least two of a blink rate signal, a head movement signal and a lane departure signal.

18. A method as recited in claim 17 further comprising generating a voice signal within the vehicle in response to the response signal.

19. A method as recited in claim 17 further comprising transmitting a position signal.

20. A drowsy driver detection system as recited in claim 17 further comprising generating a respiration signal from a respiration detector.