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EP-4739555-A1 - A METHOD FOR DISTRACTED DRIVER DETECTION AND ALERT

EP4739555A1EP 4739555 A1EP4739555 A1EP 4739555A1EP-4739555-A1

Abstract

A method (400) for distracted driver detection and alert includes receiving vehicle speed data (20) from one or more wheel speed sensors (122) disposed on a vehicle (105) and receiving proximity data from one or more proximity sensors disposed on the vehicle, the proximity data indicating a distance (32) of the vehicle relative to any objects in front of the vehicle. The method also includes executing a distracted driver detection algorithm (300) that uses the vehicle speed data and the proximity data to determine the vehicle is disrupting a flow of stop and go traffic and a driver of the vehicle is distracted from operating the vehicle. The method includes, based on determining that both the vehicle is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic and the driver of the vehicle is distracted, instructing a system (270) of the vehicle to output an alert to reengage the driver.

Inventors

  • SINGH, SATYAM
  • HAMZEHLOUIA, SINA

Assignees

  • Karma Automotive, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240613

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A computer-implemented method (400) executed on data processing hardware (510) that causes the data processing hardware (510) to perform operations comprising: receiving vehicle speed data (20) from one or more wheel speed sensors (122) disposed on a vehicle (105); receiving proximity data from one or more proximity sensors (122) disposed on the vehicle (105), the proximity data indicating a distance (32) of the vehicle (105) relative to any objects in front of the vehicle (105); executing a distracted driver detection algorithm (300) that uses the vehicle speed data (20) and the proximity data to determine: the vehicle (105) is disrupting a flow of stop and go traffic; and a driver of the vehicle (105) is distracted from operating the vehicle (105); and based on determining that both the vehicle (105) is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic and the driver of the vehicle (105) is distracted, instructing a system (270) of the vehicle (105) to output an alert to reengage the driver.
  2. 2. The computer-implemented method (400) of claim 1, wherein executing the distracted driver detection algorithm (300) determines that both the vehicle (105) is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic and the driver of the vehicle (105) is distracted without using any data obtained from driver monitoring equipment and without using any data obtained from advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) equipment.
  3. 3. The computer-implemented method (400) of claim 1 or 2, wherein instructing the system (270) of the vehicle (105) to output the alert to reengage the driver comprises instructing an infotainment system (270) of the vehicle (105) to audibly output an audible alert from an acoustic speaker of the vehicle (105), the acoustic speaker in communication with the data processing hardware (510).
  4. 4. The computer-implemented method (400) of any of claims 1-3, wherein instructing the system (270) of the vehicle (105) to output the alert to reengage the driver comprises instructing an infotainment system (270) of the vehicle (105) to visually output a graphical alert on a display screen of the vehicle (105), the display screen in communication with the data processing hardware (510).
  5. 5. The computer-implemented method (400) of any of claims 1-4, wherein instructing the system (270) of the vehicle (105) to output the alert to reengage the driver comprises instructing one or more interior components of the vehicle (105) to output a haptic alert.
  6. 6. The computer-implemented method (400) of any of claims 1-5, wherein executing the distracted driver detection algorithm (300) comprises: determining the vehicle (105) is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic based on the vehicle speed data (20) indicating that a speed of the vehicle (105) is less than a threshold speed; and determining the driver of the vehicle (105) is distracted from operating the vehicle (105) based on the proximity data indicating that: the distance (32) of the vehicle (105) relative to a second vehicle in front of the vehicle (105) is greater than a threshold distance; or a rate of change of the distance (32) of the vehicle (105) relative to the second vehicle in front of the vehicle (105) is greater than a threshold rate of change.
  7. 7. The computer-implemented method (400) of any of claims 1-6, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving drive state data indicating that a drive gear (27) of the vehicle (105) is actuated, wherein executing the distracted driver detection algorithm (300) to determine that both the vehicle (105) is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic and the driver of the vehicle (105) is distracted is further based on the drive state data indicating that the drive gear (27) of the vehicle (105) is actuated.
  8. 8. The computer-implemented method (400) of any of claims 1—7, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving parking brake state data indicating that a parking brake of the vehicle (105) is released, wherein executing the distracted driver detection algorithm (300) to determine that both the vehicle (105) is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic and the driver of the vehicle (105) is distracted is further based on the parking brake state data indicating that the parking brake of the vehicle (105) is released.
  9. 9. The computer-implemented method (400) of any of claims 1-8, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving a hazard light state (43) indication indicating that hazard lights of the vehicle (105) are off, wherein executing the distracted driver detection algorithm (300) to determine that both the vehicle (105) is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic and the driver of the vehicle (105) is distracted is further based on the hazard light state (43) indication indicating that hazard lights of the vehicle (105) are off.
  10. 10. The computer-implemented method (400) of any of claims 1-9, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving a power mode indication indicating that a power mode of the vehicle (105) comprises a propulsion mode, wherein executing the distracted driver detection algorithm (300) to determine that both the vehicle (105) is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic and the driver of the vehicle (105) is distracted is further based on the power mode indication indicating that the power mode of the vehicle (105) comprises the propulsion mode.
  11. 11. The computer-implemented method (400) of any of claims 1-10, wherein the vehicle (105) comprises a battery electric vehicle.
  12. 12. The computer-implemented method (400) of any of claims 1-10, wherein the vehicle (105) comprises a hybrid electric vehicle.
  13. 13. The computer-implemented method (400) of any of claims 1-10, wherein the vehicle (105) comprises an internal combustion engine.
  14. 14. The computer-implemented method (400) of any of claims 1-13, wherein the data processing hardware (510) resides on the vehicle (105).
  15. 15. A vehicle (105) comprising: data processing hardware (510); and memory hardware (520) in communication with the data processing hardware (510) and storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware (510) causes the data processing hardware (510) to perform operations comprising: receiving vehicle speed data (20) from one or more wheel speed sensors (122) disposed on the vehicle (105); receiving proximity data from one or more proximity sensors (122) disposed on the vehicle (105), the proximity data indicating a distance (32) of the vehicle (105) relative to any objects in front of the vehicle (105); executing a distracted driver detection algorithm (300) that uses the vehicle speed data (20) and the proximity data to determine: the vehicle (105) is disrupting a flow of stop and go traffic; and a driver of the vehicle (105) is distracted from operating the vehicle (105); and based on determining that both the vehicle (105) is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic and the driver of the vehicle (105) is distracted, instructing a system (270) of the vehicle (105) to output an alert to reengage the driver.
  16. 16. The vehicle (105) of claim 15, wherein executing the distracted driver detection algorithm (300) determines that both the vehicle (105) is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic and the driver of the vehicle (105) is distracted without using any data obtained from driver monitoring equipment and without using any data obtained from advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) equipment.
  17. 17. The vehicle (105) of claim 1 or 16, wherein instructing the system (270) of the vehicle (105) to output the alert to reengage the driver comprises instructing an infotainment system (270) of the vehicle (105) to audibly output an audible alert from an acoustic speaker of the vehicle (105), the acoustic speaker in communication with the data processing hardware (510).
  18. 18. The vehicle (105) of any of claims 15-17, wherein instructing the system (270) of the vehicle (105) to output the alert to reengage the driver comprises instructing an infotainment system (270) of the vehicle (105) to visually output a graphical alert on a display screen of the vehicle (105), the display screen in communication with the data processing hardware (510).
  19. 19. The vehicle (105) of any of claims 15-18, wherein instructing the system (270) of the vehicle (105) to output the alert to reengage the driver comprises instructing one or more interior components of the vehicle (105) to output a haptic alert.
  20. 20. The vehicle (105) of any of claims 15-19, wherein executing the distracted driver detection algorithm (300) comprises: determining the vehicle (105) is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic based on the vehicle speed data (20) indicating that a speed of the vehicle (105) is less than a threshold speed; and determining the driver of the vehicle (105) is distracted from operating the vehicle (105) based on the proximity data indicating that: the distance (32) of the vehicle (105) relative to a second vehicle in front of the vehicle (105) is greater than a threshold distance; or a rate of change of the distance (32) of the vehicle (105) relative to the second vehicle in front of the vehicle (105) is greater than a threshold rate of change.

Description

A Method for Distracted Driver Detection and Alert TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This disclosure relates to a method for distracted driver detection and alert BACKGROUND [0002] Distracted driving constitutes any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the road such as using wireless devices, interacting with a vehicle’s infotainment system, talking to passengers, etc. A distracted driver disrupts the flow of traffic, increases travel time for fellow drivers, compromises road safety, and could contribute to instances of road rage. Drivers are most likely to be distracted when stopped at a red light and/or stuck in traffic. In these scenarios, the distracted driver may not react appropriately to the flow of traffic (e.g., the driver does not begin driving when a traffic signal changes from red to green) which may cause additional congestion and/or result in collisions as other drivers attempt to circumvent the distracted driver. SUMMARY [0003] One aspect of the disclosure provides a computer-implemented method for distracted driver detection and alert during stop and go traffic in a vehicle that may include a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, and/or a battery electric vehicle that incorporates a front proximity sensor. The computer-implemented method executed on data processing hardware that causes the data processing hardware to perform operations including, during the operation of the vehicle, receiving vehicle speed data from one or more wheel speed sensors disposed on the vehicle and receiving proximity data from one or more proximity sensors disposed on the vehicle, the proximity data indicating a distance of the vehicle relative to any objects in front of the vehicle. The operations include executing a distracted driver detection algorithm that uses the vehicle speed data and the proximity data to determine whether the vehicle is disrupting a flow of stop and go traffic. The operations also including executing the distracted driver detection algorithm that uses the vehicle speed data and the proximity data to determine whether a driver of the vehicle is i distracted from operating the vehicle. The operations include based on determining that both the vehicle is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic and the driver of the vehicle is distracted, instructing a system of the vehicle to output an alert to reengage the driver. [0004] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, executing the distracted driver detection algorithm determines that both the vehicle is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic and the driver of the vehicle is distracted without using any data obtained from driver monitoring equipment and without using any data obtained from advanced driverassistance systems (ADAS) equipment. Further, instructing the system of the vehicle to output the alert to reengage the driver may include instructing an infotainment system of the vehicle to audibly output an audible alert from an acoustic speaker of the vehicle, the acoustic speaker in communication with the data processing hardware. Alternatively, instructing the system of the vehicle to output the alert to reengage the driver may include instructing an infotainment system of the vehicle to visually output a graphical alert on a display screen of the vehicle, the display screen in communication with the data processing hardware. In some implementations, instructing the system of the vehicle to output the alert to reengage the driver includes instructing one or more interior components of the vehicle to output a haptic alert. [0005] In some implementations, executing the distracted driver detection algorithm includes determining the vehicle is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic based on the vehicle speed data indicating that a speed of the vehicle is less than a threshold speed. Executing the distracted driver detection algorithm in these implementations further includes determining the driver of the vehicle is distracted from operating the vehicle based on the proximity data indicating that the distance of the vehicle relative to a second vehicle in front of the vehicle is greater than a threshold distance or a rate of change of the distance of the vehicle relative to the second vehicle in front of the vehicle is greater than a threshold rate of change. [0006] In some implementations, the operations further include receiving drive state data indicating that a drive gear of the vehicle is actuated. In these implementations, executing the distracted driver detection algorithm to determine that both the vehicle is disrupting the flow of stop and go traffic and the driver of the vehicle is distracted is further based on the drive state data indicating that the drive gear of the vehicle is actuated. [0007] In other implementations, the operations include receiving parking brake state data in