I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 1111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIII IIII
`US008301108B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Naboulsi
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,301,108 B2
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`(54) SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: MouhamadA. Naboulsi, West
`Bloomfield, MI (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1840 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/838,708
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 4, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2004/0209594 Al
`
`Oct. 21, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 10/287,299, filed on
`Nov. 4, 2002, now Pat. No. 6,731,925.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04B 1106
`(52) U.S. Cl. ..................... 455/345; 455/569.2; 340/575;
`340/576
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 455/345,
`455/411, 556.1, 557,565,567,569.1, 569.2,
`455/575.9; 340/438, 441, 525, 575, 576,
`340/901
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1,103,438 A
`7/1914 Scheibert
`3,223,926 A
`12/1965 Maugans
`4,485,375 A
`1111984 Hershberger
`4,572,207 A
`2/1986 Yoshimi et al.
`4,649,282 A *
`3/ 1987 Ota et al.
`...................... 340/630
`5,266,922 A
`1111993 Smith et al.
`5,301,227 A *
`4/1994 Kamei et al. .................. 455/565
`5,453,929 A *
`9/1995 Stove ............................ 340/575
`5,521,580 A *
`5/ 1996 Kaneko et al. ................ 340/439
`5,543,591 A
`8/ 1996 Gillespie et al.
`
`5,812,698 A
`5,813,989 A *
`5,855,144 A
`5,880,411 A
`5,897,505 A
`5,915,561 A
`
`9/1998 Platt et al.
`9/1998 Saitoh et al ................... 340/576
`l/ 1999 Parada
`3/1999 Gillespie et al.
`4/1999 Feinberg et al.
`6/ 1999 Lorenzana et al.
`(Continued)
`
`DE
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`10352733 Al
`10/2004
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Delphi Corporation Selected to Lead Comprehensive Driver Distrac(cid:173)
`tion Research Program; Delphi News Release; Oct. 30, 2002; (3
`pages), Troy, Michigan.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner - Quochien B Vuong
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Reising Ethington P.C.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`According to one aspect of one embodiment of the present
`invention, a safety control system for vehicles, includes, a
`communication device having at least one of an input acces(cid:173)
`sible from within the vehicle and an output communicated
`within the vehicle, at least one sensor operable to sense at
`least one condition related to vehicle operation, and a con(cid:173)
`troller communicated with the sensor and the communication
`device to selectively suppress at least one of said input and
`said output in response to a sensed parameter of said at least
`one condition being outside of a threshold. When an input is
`suppressed, the driver is prevented from accessing or input(cid:173)
`ting information into the communication device. When an
`output is suppressed, communication between the device and
`the driver of a vehicle is suppressed to, among other things,
`avoid distracting the driver during certain driving situations
`or conditions relating to the driver, vehicle and/or environ(cid:173)
`ment.
`
`113 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`FORD EX. 1001, p. 1
`
`

`

`US 8,301,108 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,936,518 A *
`8/1999 Fukui et al. ................... 340/436
`6,028,271 A
`2/2000 Gillespie et al.
`6,085,078 A
`7/2000 Stamegna
`6,085,278 A
`7/2000 Gates et al.
`6,104,101 A
`8/2000 Miller et al.
`6,107,922 A
`8/2000 Bryuzgin
`6,114,949 A
`9/2000 Schmitz et al.
`6,145,082 A
`11/2000 Gannon et al.
`6,147,315 A
`11/2000 Rudolph et al.
`6,148,251 A
`11/2000 Downs
`6,154,123 A
`11/2000 Kleinberg
`6,154,658 A
`11/2000 Caci
`6,166,656 A * 12/2000 Okada et al. .................. 340/901
`6,188,315 Bl*
`2/2001 Herbert et al. ................ 340/438
`6,209,767 Bl
`4/2001 Liou
`6,240,347 Bl
`5/2001 Everhart et al.
`6,246,933 Bl
`6/2001 Bague
`6,249,720 Bl
`6/2001 Kubota et al.
`6,253,131 Bl
`6/2001 Quigley et al.
`6,256,558 Bl
`7/2001 Sugiura et al.
`6,263,190 Bl
`7/2001 Mamori et al.
`6,282,906 Bl
`9/2001 Cauchy
`6,292,719 Bl
`9/2001 Seto et al.
`6,308,115 Bl
`10/2001 Yamaguchi et al.
`6,335,689 Bl
`1/2002 Mine
`6,339,700 Bl
`1/2002 Tsai
`6,353,778 Bl
`3/2002 Brown
`6,373,472 Bl
`4/2002 Palalay et al.
`6,380,931 Bl
`4/2002 Gillespie et al.
`6,381,966 Bl
`5/2002 Barrow
`6,414,671 Bl
`7/2002 Gillespie et al.
`6,418,362 Bl
`7/2002 St. Pierre et al.
`6,430,488 Bl
`8/2002 Goldman et al.
`6,434,450 Bl
`8/2002 Griffin, Jr. et al.
`8/2002 Wong eta!.
`6,434,459 B2
`6,438,465 B2
`8/2002 Obradoyich et al.
`6,502,022 Bl * 12/2002 Chastain et al.
`6,526,762 Bl
`3/2003 Barrow
`6,575,902 Bl
`6/2003 Burton
`6,580,973 B2
`6/2003 Leivian et al.
`6,600,975 B2
`7/2003 Moriguchi et al.
`6,610,936 B2
`8/2003 Gillespie et al.
`6,665,600 B2
`12/2003 Miller et al.
`6,675,082 B2
`1/2004 Galli et al.
`6,732,534 B2
`5/2004 Spry
`6/2004 Omryetal.
`6,756,903 B2
`6,771,946 Bl
`8/2004 Oyaski
`6,775,603 B2
`8/2004 Yester et al.
`6,791,462 B2
`9/2004 Choi
`6,810,309 B2
`10/2004 Sadler et al.
`6,812,942 B2
`11/2004 Ribak
`D500,639 S
`1/2005 Cauchy et al.
`6,842,677 B2
`1/2005 Pathare
`6,880,941 B2
`4/2005 Suggs
`6,882,906 B2
`4/2005 Geisler et al.
`6,886,060 B2
`4/2005 Wang et al.
`6,886,653 Bl
`5/2005 Bellehumeur
`6,892,116 B2
`5/2005 Geisler et al.
`6,895,316 B2
`5/2005 Chen et al.
`6,909,947 B2
`6/2005 Douros et al.
`6,946,966 B2
`9/2005 Koenig
`6,968,311 B2
`11/2005 Knockeart et al.
`6,973,323 B2
`12/2005 Oesterling et al.
`6,974,414 B2
`12/2005 Victor
`7,009,488 B2
`3/2006 Schwartz et al.
`7,019,623 B2
`3/2006 Klausner et al.
`7,020,499 B2
`3/2006 Moffi et al.
`7,049,941 B2
`5/2006 Rivera-Cintron et al.
`7,054,723 B2
`5/2006 Seto et al.
`7,062,365 Bl
`6/2006 Fei
`7,068,167 B2
`6/2006 Brunner
`7,084,773 B2
`8/2006 Oyama
`7,116,989 B2
`10/2006 Mazzara et al.
`7,120,785 Bl
`10/2006 Bowers et al.
`7,133,753 B2
`11/2006 Nakajima et al.
`7,194,347 B2
`3/2007 Harumoto et al.
`7,218,213 B2
`5/2007 Katagiri et al.
`7,243,012 B2
`7/2007 Miyake et al.
`
`............. 701/36
`
`7,280,852 B2
`7,295,904 B2
`7,308,247 B2
`7,321,825 B2
`7,349,782 B2
`2001/0002449 Al
`2001/0016789 Al
`2002/0069071 Al
`2002/0075168 Al
`2002/0091706 Al
`2002/0111725 Al
`2002/0116156 Al
`2002/0120371 Al
`2002/0120374 Al
`2002/0180608 Al
`2003/0014521 Al
`2003/0065432 Al
`2003/0073406 Al
`2003/0169181 Al
`2003/0169522 Al
`2003/0179233 Al
`2003/0179773 Al
`2003/0182032 Al
`2003/0182233 Al
`2003/0182360 Al
`2003/0187571 Al
`2003/0191569 Al
`2003/0210150 Al
`2003/0216136 Al
`2004/0000992 Al
`2004/0039509 Al
`2004/0044454 Al
`2004/0088084 Al
`2004/0122562 Al
`2004/0167680 Al
`2004/0204795 Al
`2004/0204796 Al
`2004/0236474 Al
`2004/0236475 Al
`2004/0236476 Al
`2004/0243292 Al
`2005/0021190 Al
`2005/0030184 Al
`2006/0094412 Al
`2006/0095848 Al
`2006/0202842 Al
`2007/0073944 Al
`2007/0152803 Al
`2007/0167147 Al
`2008/0125102 Al
`
`10/2007 Shimizu et al.
`11/2007 Kanevsky et al.
`12/2007 Thompson et al.
`1/2008 Ranalli
`3/2008 Churchill et al.
`5/2001 Eisenmann et al.
`8/2001 Staiger
`6/2002 Knockeart et al.
`6/2002 Ablayet al.
`7/2002 Anderson et al.
`8/2002 Burge
`8/2002 Remboski et al.
`8/2002 Leivian et al.
`8/2002 Douros et al.
`12/2002 Omryetal.
`1/2003 Elson et al.
`4/2003 Shuman et al.
`4/2003 Benjamin et al.
`9/2003 Taylor
`9/2003 Schofield et al.
`9/2003 Mc Walter et al.
`9/2003 Moceket al.
`9/2003 Mc Walter et al.
`9/2003 Moceket al.
`9/2003 Moceket al.
`10/2003 Impson et al.
`10/2003 Su et al.
`11/2003 Benedict
`11/2003 McBrearty et al.
`1/2004 Cuddihy et al.
`2/2004 Breed
`3/2004 Ross et al.
`5/2004 Geisler et al.
`6/2004 Geisler et al.
`8/2004 Nakajima et al.
`10/2004 Harvey et al.
`10/2004 Harvey et al.
`11/2004 Chowdhary et al.
`11/2004 Chowdhary
`11/2004 Chowdhary
`12/2004 Roy
`1/2005 Worrell et al.
`2/2005 Victor
`5/2006 Nonoyama et al.
`5/2006 Naik
`9/2006 Sofer
`3/2007 Gormley
`7/2007 Huang et al.
`7/2007 Krasner et al.
`5/2008 Abel et al.
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`62-048845
`3/1987
`09-011772
`1/1997
`09-292261
`11/1997
`2000-172195
`6/2000
`2000-301964
`10/2000
`2001-045181
`2/2001
`2001-239897
`9/2001
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Volvo Owners Club, Volvo Press Releases; Sep. 8, 2003; (9 pages)
`United Kingdom.
`UK Debut for All-New Volvo S40 at Scottish Motor Show; Oct. 20,
`2003; (2 pages), United Kingdom.
`Duncan Graham-Rowe; Smart Assistant Will Cut Driver Distraction
`(NewScientist.com); Dec. 7, 2003 (2 pages).
`Edwin Bastiaensen; PReVENT Integrated Project for Active Safety
`Gets Underway (its@ertico); Feb. 3, 2004; (3 pages), Europe.
`Memorandum of Understanding for Realisation oflnteroperable In-
`Vehicle eCall (Safety Forum eCall Driving Group); May 28, 2004; (7
`pages), Europe.
`Dr. Juergen Schwarz; Response 3-Code of Practice for Develop-
`ment, Validation and Market Introduction of ADAS-A PReVENT
`Project (DaimlerChrysler AG); Jun. 3, 2005; (9 pages), Stuttgart,
`Germany.
`
`FORD EX. 1001, p. 2
`
`

`

`US 8,301,108 B2
`Page 3
`
`Maria Rimini-Doering, et al.; I-TSA Traffic Safety Assessment in a
`Simulator Experiment with Integrated Information and Assistance
`Systems (Fourth International Driving Symposium on Human Fac(cid:173)
`tors in Driver Assessment, Training and Vehicle Design); Jul. 9-12,
`2007; (9 pages), Stevenson, Washington.
`
`New Solution to Texting While Driving can Save Lives (Cum(cid:173)
`mingHome ); Jul. 11, 2007; (2 pages), Georgia.
`Wheel (Version: 12); Author Unknown, Date Unknown, Where Pub(cid:173)
`lished Unknown.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`FORD EX. 1001, p. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 8,301,108 B2
`
`FIG - 2
`
`FORD EX. 1001, p. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 8,301,108 B2
`
`21
`
`22
`
`23
`
`24
`
`26
`
`27
`
`30
`
`31
`
`32
`
`33
`
`HAND -GRIPPING
`SENSOR S1
`
`HAND-GRIPPING
`SENSOR s2
`
`GRIPPING FORCE
`SENSOR S1, S2
`
`PULSE, TEMP,
`SKIN COND.
`SENSOR s1, s2
`
`STEERING
`n11:~1=r.Tl()N
`SENSOR S3
`
`GAS PEDAL
`SENSOR S4
`
`BRAKE PEDAL
`SENSOR s5
`
`TRANSMISSION
`SENSOR S5
`
`PROXIMITY
`SENSORS s7, S 8
`
`DARKNESS
`SENSOR Sg
`
`RAIN
`SENSOR S10
`
`TURN - INDICATOR
`SENSOR S11
`
`NAVIGATION
`SOFTWARE
`
`mP
`
`20
`
`DISABLE
`TELEPHONE
`OUtGOING
`CALLS
`
`DISABLE
`TELEPHONE
`RINGER SIGNAL
`AND INCOMING
`CALLS
`
`DISABLE
`COMPUTER
`ACCESS TO
`INTERNET
`
`ACTUATE
`VISUAL
`INDICATOR
`
`ACTUATE
`AUDIBLE
`ALARM
`
`41
`
`42
`
`43
`
`44
`
`45
`
`FIG - 3
`
`FORD EX. 1001, p. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 8,301,108 B2
`
`50
`
`START
`
`53
`
`54
`
`DISABLE
`>--1111-1 TELEPHONE,
`COMPUTER,
`ETC
`
`ACTIVATE
`VISUAL
`INDICATOR
`
`y
`
`N
`
`ACTUATE
`AUDIO
`ALARM
`
`63
`
`FIG -4
`
`FORD EX. 1001, p. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 8,301,108 B2
`
`FIGURE 5
`
`... ...
`
`JJrre:Ort ElftQ aftw mwtPftndes
`• Fa distress
`·
`• Fabusy
`PcedlctlYB Al godthms
`• at Ramp Fn::rn righ,llay speed
`a, Ramp to Higway speed
`Bfnl Vte.v ahead
`~ Driff Detected
`Stlllighl Ahead Vecta
`Fool PrQQflog/countm: clcCYD?fftDtlng
`D')Bj!Surg,tpgm integ[lty
`Loop cans natl dh:rtr:nction batures
`Driver e1omm:1m end in Cabin actMty
`MDAS & MDAS ypdetft IT,lft[T'@tjcabmty)
`tntemagnt Yftbicl@ faatpras
`S9rylcp mnttor
`Natural Enylrpnment
`Vehicle Operation PYaao:ics
`5Yidtcbes decJslon Algorithm
`Accldent Cccncr:ed Algortth"1
`Saal~ Cbeelc Algorithm
`Dam & I ocatlon Alanrtthm
`Wal:cb Paa Atoacltbm'Clcmlt
`
`t
`, ,
`
`tL ...
`
`lntemaeot Alanns
`•
`Lang calls/Anti
`.clllltrlll:lil
`reminder .via
`·town•l{Extern•I
`Bear ylfflN MIUOrJI
`.ldllll&lllJI
`lmii.nBDI
`natlfiQdlon& VJa
`lntema!/E>rtftmal
`Rear vtow Min:or&
`
`Ielerretics Eq1flprreof Coooedlans
`•
`Iale!lhans
`/miwllllw
`Pu:acta.l1t
`
`Mfts&s,ge mc;prder = Internet Broslng
`
`lotellleeot colllatoo Alarms
`Lona call anti dlstcadton·
`fPA
`Phone hPPk / Adross book
`
`Ilwlmil1lg;
`l:lwlJmlml
`Announcmmts /
`EftftClback / Alarm.
`.!Illa
`
`from BJ IS QB SENSOR QB CAI cm Aifil YA! JIE:S
`Tum
`PnrldngGear
`NcutralGea,
`DriveGea,
`RcvmeGea,
`Outeh Depressed (MIT Only)
`Tnmsmission Shift UP/Down
`Brake activation
`G Force/Two planes
`Throttle position. position/tinsc
`Gas Pedal position, position/tirrc
`Valv~ lntakelExhnust positim, s01sor
`Tnchorrctcr-Engine RPM rate/tim,
`Auton'IlticTrmtsrrission Flywheel dynam:icOlangcin
`Pressure sensor Clumgc in Centripetal fmu
`Steering rrr:rrberanglc,anglo'tirrc
`!'!i:!!11~,,,.
`Ro11oversensor
`Airbag dep\oy,rcnt
`Roll/&nk
`Tires Pressun,, FR. FL. RR. RL
`Adivc Driver Asslstnnt Systems
`ABS activotion signol (lin-r,)
`AdJ,pti ve/ln tclligait cruise oontrol
`Night vision
`Traction Control signal
`ESP/Stabilily oomrols/Anti Roll
`lntased.ion Collision wan1ing,
`l.ane/Rosd departure
`
`EDl!imniw:IJt
`Ligt11ingc.onditi011 Night/Day
`Wipo-setr.ing
`l--1.igh beam light
`Fogl.an1J
`HY AC Setting
`Tola\ Vehicle Weight
`Vel,ic\espeed
`Nun Der of Pas:sa1 gers
`Ben ring /Longitude/Latitude/ A lti tudc
`Proximity Alanu, Front rear blind spot
`
`~
`•
`Tuming sib'lllll Left/Right
`Energo1cy f:'la.shcr
`HVACnctivnLi011
`Wiper activation
`Intelligent food nod beverage Holder
`Driver Seat Bel I
`Accessories activn1ion
`Hom act.ivntion
`1S01\S P, ISORS U, ISORS D. SSORS P. SSORS U,
`SSOHSD
`
`~
`•
`DogStrnp
`a,ild Dying
`Dog barking deu:ctor
`Oynrotle snnkc
`~
`Aloohol l.evel
`Heon Rote
`Pressure on S1cering nD:ha11ism
`Sweat sensor
`Driver Tcn~tun:
`Voice Monitor
`SwujQ!
`Driver Seal Posi tio11/Rccli11er Sensor
`Driver Seat/ll3c~ weight Sensor
`Steering Tilt wheel position
`
`FORD EX. 1001, p. 7
`
`

`

`US 8,301,108 B2
`
`1
`SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES
`
`REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
`
`2
`tially dangerous conditions while operating a vehicle having
`a vehicle telephone, but the systems described in those patents
`are of relatively limited application, and do not provide for
`avoiding dangerous conditions or to managing risk and indi-
`5 vidualizing the warnings to individual driving skills or appli(cid:173)
`cation and to combinations of events and environmental con(cid:173)
`ditions.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 10/287,299, filed Nov. 4, 2002 now U.S.
`Pat. No. 6,731,925, which claims the benefit of an priority
`from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/279,447, filed Oct.
`24, 2002, Provisional Application No. 60/336,293 filed Oct.
`24, 2001, and Provisional Application No. 60/390,877 filed 10
`Jun. 21, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein
`by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to the field of telematics,
`namely to the field of integrating information, communica(cid:173)
`tion, computing and entertainment technologies into vehicles
`for civilian or military use. The invention particularly relates
`to safety control systems for vehicles to reduce driver distrac(cid:173)
`tion, avoiding potentially dangerous conditions tending to
`produce accidents.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`One potentially dangerous condition is the use of a vehicle
`telephone by the vehicle driver while driving the vehicle. The
`use of telematics in general and particularly cellular tele(cid:173)
`phones by drivers while driving has been found to increase the
`possibility of an accident since such a telephone not only
`diverts the driver's attention from driving, but also generally
`requires the use of at least one of the driver's hands and
`distract the driver's eyes from the road and traffic. In fact,
`many states and countries have enacted legislation requiring
`that telephones used in vehicles by drivers while driving must 35
`be of the "hands free" type and usually telematics equipment
`carries a warning to educate and discourage the driver about
`the risk of using these devices while driving. However, such
`legislation is difficult to enforce and education is not usually
`effective in assuring driver compliance. Moreover, even
`where the vehicle is equipped with a "hands free" telephone,
`drivers nevertheless still frequently use one hand for holding
`or dialing the telephone. When one hand is occupied by
`holding a telephone, the danger of causing an accident in an
`emergency situation is increased because of the additional
`reaction time required to properly grip the steering wheel
`with both hands. Similar danger exists when the driver
`attempts to control audio and video equipment, e.g. Radio,
`Music CD, DVD, Books on tape etc., or when the driver
`attempts to change environmental controls like adjusting the 50
`heat or air conditioning, or other vehicle settings.
`There are other potentially dangerous conditions and
`inherent risks in driving that depends on the driving act itself,
`such as rapidly accelerating or decelerating, excessive
`maneuvering, merging to or exiting a freeway, passing, 55
`changing lanes, changing gears, depressing the clutch, driv(cid:173)
`ing at high speed, negotiating a turn, braking, reverse-driving,
`or a stress condition on the part of the driver, that could
`increase the possibility of an accident should the driver be
`distracted by activation of the telephone or other signal or 60
`device. This inherent risk is also dependent on the driving
`purpose as well, for example, the risk in driving a police
`cruiser is inherently riskier then in driving a sedan, and driv(cid:173)
`ing a delivery van has different risk than driving the family
`van.
`Herbert eta!., U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,315 and Brown, U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,353,778, disclose systems for avoiding preset paten-
`
`An object of at least some presently preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the present invention is to provide a safety control
`system for vehicles tending to reduce the possibility of acci(cid:173)
`dents in one or more of the above respects. Another object of
`15 at least some presently preferred embodiments of the inven(cid:173)
`tion is to provide a method of reducing or avoiding driver
`distraction during potentially dangerous conditions encoun(cid:173)
`tered while operating a vehicle.
`According to one aspect of one embodiment of the present
`20 invention, a safety control system for vehicles, includes, a
`communication device having at least one of an input acces(cid:173)
`sible from within the vehicle and an output communicated
`within the vehicle, at least one sensor operable to sense at
`least one condition related to vehicle operation, and a con-
`25 trailer communicated with the sensor and the communication
`device to selectively suppress at least one of said input and
`said output in response to a sensed parameter of said at least
`one condition being outside of a threshold. When an input is
`suppressed, the driver is prevented from accessing or input-
`30 ting information into the communication device. When an
`output is suppressed, communication between the device and
`the driver of a vehicle is suppressed to, among other things,
`avoid distracting the driver during certain driving situations
`or conditions.
`According to one aspect of one embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided a safety control system for
`vehicles including a telephone or other input or output device
`and one or more sensors for sensing instantaneous driver
`stimuli and/or a potentially dangerous condition and for auto-
`40 matically disabling or suppressing the telephone or other
`input or output device when sensing such stimuli and condi(cid:173)
`tion. In one form, the sensors include two sensors mounted on
`a steering member to provide an indication of the presence of
`the driver's hands on the vehicle steering member, and effec-
`45 tive to suspend use of the telephone or other input/output
`device when the two hands of the driver are not sensed as
`present on the steering member while the vehicle is in motion.
`This system is modular, dynamic, interactive, and adaptive to
`each individualized user. In one implementation, the inven(cid:173)
`tion employs a method for automated machine prioritizing to
`provide assistance to the to driver and optimize the function(cid:173)
`ality of telematics features accessibility by arranging them
`according to a user's needs and preferences based on usage
`frequency of individual features and/or application or as cus(cid:173)
`tomized individually by the user preferences, skills and
`events. In another embodiment, sensors on a steering member
`are used to measure changes in driver physiology. Other
`methods can be used for sensing driver physiology, e.g. via
`infrared detection, camera and image/color recognition etc.
`Smart Speaker: Incoming calls are routed to a speaker that
`reflects and bounce sounds of front windshield at driver Look
`Ahead, Eye Level. Or simulate such action so that a driver
`focuses or has his/her attention directed toward the wind-
`shield just like he would do if he is carrying a conversation
`65 with another person.
`According to further aspects in the described preferred
`embodiment, the steering member is a steering wheel, and the
`
`FORD EX. 1001, p. 8
`
`

`

`US 8,301,108 B2
`
`3
`sensors include two sensors on opposite sides of the steering
`wheel located to sense the presence of the driver's hands on
`the steering wheel. Preferably, the two sensors are located
`approximately on or between the "two" and "ten" and the
`"three" and "nine" clock positions of the steering wheel.
`It will thus be seen that such a system, requiring both hands
`to be on the steering wheel in order for the driver to operate
`the input/output devices, not only requires the vehicle to be
`equipped with a "hands free" interface for the input/output
`devices, or a system that can be used as such with an adapter
`or when docked to the system gateway, but also enforces the
`use of the "hands free" feature by sensing that the driver
`actually has both hands placed on the steering member before
`the input/output devices can be operated accessed or dis(cid:173)
`played to the driver. Disabling the operation of the device
`would preferably include not only disabling making outgoing
`and receiving incoming telephone calls, but also disabling the
`signal (typically audible tones, vibrations, or visible light) of
`an incoming call, fax, e-mail, the display of non-urgent
`vehicle status or warning indicators, since such signals, indi(cid:173)
`cators or displays can distract the driver. Such distractions are
`problematic at times and conditions wherein operation of the
`vehicle requires more than usual driver attention and interac(cid:173)
`tion, or when other distractions are already present for the
`driver.
`According to further features in the described preferred
`embodiment, the vehicle may also include a computer or the
`driver may also use a portable multi-function telematics
`device in the vehicle allowing access to the Internet or other
`network for transmitting and/or receiving faxes or e-mail or
`browsing the web or accessing a WAN, with the sensors also
`disabling driver initiated access to such devices when the two
`hands of the driver are not sensed on the steering member
`while the vehicle is in motion.
`In most cases, the steering member would be a steering
`wheel as presently included in conventional vehicles. How(cid:173)
`ever, in certain applications the steering member could be a
`joystick, or other type of steering member. In such case, the
`sensors are placed in areas a driver is recommended or
`required to grip the steering member to safely control the
`vehicle.
`According to further optional features in the preferred
`embodiment of the invention described below, the sensors
`may further include devices for sensing vehicle acceleration,
`deceleration, merging onto or exiting a freeway, passing, 45
`changing lanes, changing gears, depressing the clutch, a
`reverse-drive condition of the vehicle, the braking of the
`vehicle, the undue proximity of the vehicle to another vehicle,
`excessive maneuvering, and/or an unduly high velocity of the
`vehicle, any one of which conditions, or combination of con- 50
`ditions, may also be effective to disable the operation of the
`telephone, computer, or other potentially distracting equip(cid:173)
`ment, display or indicator within the vehicle.
`According to still further optional features in the preferred
`embodiment of the invention described below, at least one of 55
`the sensors on the steering member also senses a physiologi-
`cal condition of the driver and disables the input/output
`devices when a predetermined physiological condition is
`sensed. For example, the physiological conditions sensed
`could be a predetermined gripping force applied by a hand of 60
`the driver while gripping the steering wheel, or a predeter(cid:173)
`mined pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen
`level, and/or skin conductivity of the driver. Such physiologi-
`cal conditions may indicate a stress condition of the driver
`and, when sensed, can lead to disabling or suppressing opera- 65
`tion of the input/output devices to avoid aggravating the
`stressed condition.
`
`4
`The system may also sense a drowsiness condition of the
`vehicle operator. For example, the system may include a
`steering direction sensor that actuates a drowsiness alarm
`when sensing a failure to change the steering direction within
`5 a predetermined time, distance interval while accounting for
`vehicle speed in indicating a possible drowsiness condition in
`the driver. Additionally, such sensor when monitored with
`respect to changes overtime will indicate jerk reaction, which
`indicates that the driver was not paying attention and the
`system will temporarily suspend all telematics to give the
`10 driver a chance to recover. Another application for such a
`sensor is the monitoring ofan OFF Zero angle for an extended
`period of time/distance which can indicate a blind curve or
`hard curve, and again, here the system will temporarily sus(cid:173)
`pend the telematics and/or input/output devices from inter-
`15 acting with the driver, and vice versa, until normal driving
`functions are restored.
`According to another aspect of the present invention, there
`is provided a method of avoiding potentially dangerous con(cid:173)
`ditions while operating a vehicle having an input/output
`20 device and a steering mechanism including a steering mem(cid:173)
`ber to be manipulated by the driver, comprising: providing the
`steering member with two sensors for sensing the presence on
`the steering member of the two hands of the driver; and
`disabling the input/output device when the two sensors fail to
`25 sense the presence on the steering member of both hands of
`the driver while the vehicle is in motion.
`According to further features in the described preferred
`embodiment, the input/output devices may also be disabled
`when the vehicle is traveling in the reverse direction, or is
`30 being braked, or is within a predetermined proximity of
`another vehicle, or is traveling at a high velocity, accelerating,
`decelerating, merging onto or exiting a freeway, passing,
`changing lanes, changing gears, depressing the clutch, or a
`driver is occupied using other accessories in the vehicle or
`35 otherwise distracted. Since a high degree of attention of the
`driver is required under all the foregoing conditions, opera(cid:173)
`tion of the vehicle telephone, for example, even the ringing
`signal of an incoming telephone call, could be highly distract(cid:173)
`ing to the driver and is therefore disabled to avoid the possi-
`40 bility of increasing the risk of an accident.
`To assure that the driver and the vehicle as well as on board
`communication devices as described above are working har(cid:173)
`moniously together, one presently preferred embodiment of
`the system includes the following
`The Driving Systems, (Man, Machine, Environment,
`Regulation, and History)
`Man: the driver, the passengers, the pedestrians, society;
`Machine: the car, the telematics, the infrastructure;
`Environment: the driving environment (in the car and
`outside the car and the infrastructure used)
`History: the personal driving experience, the equipment
`maintenance history
`Regulation: the existing laws and common safe driving
`etiquette into, society and the infrastructure regula(cid:173)
`tion.
`All of these elements will be harmonized by the system as it
`isolates the drivers from non driving related distractions and
`helps them comply with driving related laws and etiquette via
`reminders and passive assistance.
`Further features and advantages of at least some of the
`embodiments or implementations of the invention will be
`apparent from the description below.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`These and other objects, features and advantages of the
`present invention will be apparent from the following detailed
`
`FORD EX. 1001, p. 9
`
`

`

`US 8,301,108 B2
`
`5
`description of the preferred embodiments and best mode,
`appended claims and accompanying drawings in which:
`FIG.1 schematically illustrates one form of a safety control
`system for vehicles constructed in accordance with the
`present invention;
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating the steering wheel in
`the vehicle of FIG. 1 and the sensors mounted thereon;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the main components
`in the system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system
`of FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the nature and the
`flow of signals and algorithms used in one presently preferred
`embodiment of the system of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle, generally desig(cid:173)
`nated 2, equipped with a control system for sensing a variety
`of risk factors and potentially dangerous conditions and for
`automatically executing various responses when sensing
`such conditions in order to avoid hazardous situations tending
`to increase the possibility of an accident. One response is the
`disabling or suppression of one or more input or output
`devices to avoid interaction between the devices and the
`driver in certain situations and conditions. Another response
`includes providing a signal to or requiring the driver to take
`some action to increase driver alertness and/or awareness.
`One example of a hazardous situation avoided by the con(cid:173)
`trol system illustrated in FIG. 1 is the use of the vehicle
`telephone in certain situations wherein a making of a tele(cid:173)
`phone call by the vehicle driver, or the receiving of an incom(cid:173)
`ing call, particularly the ringing of such a call, may distract
`the driver and increase the possibility of an accident when the
`driver is in a high-risk driving situation. Similar increased risk
`can result from the driver changing vehicle controls like tem(cid:173)
`perature settings, or interacting ( e.g. inputting or receiving
`output) with other telematics such as e-mail, radio, CD, DVD,
`navigation system, incoming page or the like. In such cases,
`the vehicle telephone, other telematics and/or other input/
`output devices are suppressed and no incoming or outgoing
`signals are allowed to distract the driver. In case the driver is
`the party initiating the telematics, a visual indicator and audio
`feedback can be activated to indicate to the driver that
`telematics is disabled, supply reason therefore, and even rec(cid:173)
`ommend driving modification to enable telematics. Another
`condition sensed by the system is undue stress in the driver, as
`indicated by the sensed pulse rate, temperature, blood pres(cid:173)
`sure, skin conductivity (e.g. perspiration), loud voice(s) or
`stressful sounds in the cabin, such as baby crying, dog barking
`etc., any combination of one or more of which conditions
`would also disable incoming telematics. A further condition
`sensed by the system is the possibility of drowsiness on the
`part of the driver, in which case an audio alarm would be
`activated to alert the driver to this condition. Examples with(cid:173)
`out limitation of other alarms to overcome driver drowsiness
`include vibration in the seat, changing HVAC temperature
`settings and blower speed to extremes, change of seat posi(cid:173)
`tion, radio volume or station, CD-track etc. The system will
`restore operation of the input/output devices when conditions
`are normalized and will notify driver of all missed activities.
`Vehicle 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a conventional vehicle
`including a steering mechanism, generally designated 3, hav(cid:173)
`ing a steering wheel 4, a propulsion device such as a motor or 65
`engine 5 for driving the vehicle via a transmission or other
`torque converting means schematically indicated 6, an accel-
`
`6
`eration pedal 7, and a braking pedal 8 for controlling the
`vehicle. Vehicle 2 further includes one or more visual indica(cid:173)
`tor and audio alarms 9, e.g. mounted within the forward-look