`
`1111111111111111111111f1I110111,1111911111111111111111111111111
`
`United States Patent [19]
`Gehlot
`
`[n] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,060,989
`May 9, 2000
`
`[54] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING
`AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Narayan L. Gehlot, Sayerville, N.J.
`
`[73] Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill,
`N.J.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/175,397
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Oct. 19, 1998
`
`[51] Int. C1.7
`[52] U.S. Cl.
`
` GO8B 23/00
` 340/576; 340/436; 340/903;
`340/439; 180/272
` 340/576, 575,
`[58] Field of Search
`340/309.15, 439, 457, 436, 901, 903, 904;
`180/272, 167, 168, 169, 170; 342/70, 71,
`72; 367/905, 112, 96, 97, 107
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,829,434
`5/1989 Karmel et al.
`5,357,438 10/1994 Davidian
`5,432,509
`7/1995 Kajiwara
`
` 364/424.1
` 340/436
` 340/903
`
`5,465,079 11/1995 Bouchard et al.
`5,546,311
`8/1996 Sekine .
`5,570,087 10/1996 Lemelson
`5,574,641 11/1996 Kawakami et al.
`5,694,116 12/1997 Kojima
`1/1998 Sherwin et al.
`5,709,281
`5,717,606
`2/1998 Hara et al.
`5,745,031
`4/1998 Yamamoto
`5,815,070
`9/1998 Yoshikawa
`5,821,860 10/1998 Yokoyama et al.
`5,847,661 12/1998 Ricci .
`2/1999 Antonellis et al.
`5,874,892
`5,878,156
`3/1999 Okumura
`
`Primary Examiner—Nina Tong
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`340/576
`
`340/576
`340/576
`340/576
`180/272
`340/576
`340/576
`340/576
`340/576
`
`340/576
`340/576
`
`A system for preventing or reducing vehicle accidents
`comprising one or more sensors positioned on a vehicle
`sensing a condition or conditions indicative of a drivers
`ability to effectively control the vehicle; a processing unit in
`communication with the sensors, the processing unit receiv-
`ing data from the sensors, analyzing the data to determine an
`appropriate response and initiating the response.
`
`16 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`10 t
`
`26
`
`28
`
`32
`
`16
`
`30
`
`12
`
`36
`
`30 - .11=1
`
`12-1
`
`38
`
`42
`
`4
`
`46
`
`44
`
`48
`
`oy-48
`
`52
`
`19
`
`a v50
`
`0.7-50
`
`60
`
`4
`
`14
`
`24
`
`50
`
`50
`
`18
`
`22
`
`32
`
`28
`
`26
`
`28
`
`28
`
`34
`
`20
`
`>- 62
`
`34
`
`28
`
`26
`
`FORD EX. 1039, p. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 9, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`6,060,989
`
`FIG. 1
`
`10
`Q6--N_EI
` .r- 30
`12
`36
`32-7"
`ii4.-40
`38
`46
`42
`44
`48-N0 a z- 48
`E -50
`50-N_Ei
`a r-- 50
`50-NQ
`19
`52
`18-7-
`22
`32-N
`
`J.
`
`?-- 24
`
`r16
`
`14
`
`30-N.4 1 12
`
`3x-26
`11-. -2E3
`-N- 34
`
`_7- 20
`>62
`
`BO
`
`1 7 - 34
`
`,
`
`14
`
`FORD EX. 1039, p. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 9, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`6,060,989
`
`SENSOR INPUT
`
`26
`
`28
`
`30 --- N P
`
`32
`
`34 -----mP.
`
`36
`
`40
`
`42
`
`44
`
`46
`
`50
`
`52
`
`FIG. 2
`
`I
`
`54
`
`I
`
`56
`
`60
`
`SYSTEM OUTPUT
`
`VISUAL DISPLAY
`
`----mwAUDIO OUTPUT
`
`REDUCE CAR SPEED
`
`OPEN WINDOWS
`
` mP TURN ON FLASHERS
`
`.m--mmPDRIVER SPEECH TEST
`
`AUTO DIAL 911
`
`DIAL FRIEND, SPOUSE, ETC.
`
`FORD EX. 1039, p. 3
`
`

`

`Juaied *S11
`
`17 JO £ lamIS
`
`TIME UNITS
`
`18
`
`15
`
`12
`
`9
`
`6
`
`3
`
`c-- TIME UNITS
`
`1.2
`
`10
`
`TIME UNITS
`
`6
`
`5
`
`8
`
`4
`
`6
`
`3
`
`4
`
`2
`
`2
`
`1
`
`NORMAL SPEED
`NORMAL ROAD,
`
`HIGH SPEED
`NORMAL ROAD,
`
`HIGH SPEED
`WET ROAD,
`
`ETC.
`
`COMPANY,
`RENTAL
`
`FRIEND
`AAA,
`
`SPOUSE,
`DIAL
`
`AUTOMATICALLY
`
`OVER,
`
`911
`CALL
`ICALLY
`AUTOMAT
`PULL
`
`-
`
`FOR SPEECH
`PROMPTED
`WARNED
`AND
`
`DRIVER
`
`TEST
`
`FLASHERS
`HAZARD
`TURN
`ON
`
`OPEN WINDOWS
`REDUCE
`SPEED,
`
`WARNING
`VISUAL
`AUDIO/
`
`FIG . 3
`
`SEVERITY A
`
`FORD EX. 1039, p. 4
`
`

`

`Waled *S11.
`
`17 JO 17 1331IS
`
`.-
`
` 0
`
`SEVERITY OF RESPONSE INCREASES AS DRIVER'S ABILITY DECREASES
`
`SPOUSE, ETC
`DIAL FRIEND,
`
`DIAL 911
`PULL OVER
`
`SPEECH
`PROMPT FOR
`DRIVER WARNED,
`
`HAZARDS
`TURN ON
`
`OPEN WINDOWS
`REDUCE SPEED,
`
`,
`
`AUDIO/VISUAL
`
`WARNING
`
`/
`
`r
`
`\
`
`FIG. 4
`
`NORMAL ROAD, HIGH SPEED
`NORMAL ROAD, NORMAL SPEED
`
`[NET ROAD, HIGH SPEED
`a
`
`rA
`
`0
`
`2
`
`10
`
`12
`
`14
`
`1G
`
`18
`
`TIME
`
`FORD EX. 1039, p. 5
`
`

`

`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING
`AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to a system and method for pre-
`venting or reducing vehicle accidents, and, in particular, to
`a system and method for preventing or reducing accidents
`caused by a driver driving while intoxicated or exhibiting
`other driver impairments.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed at saving lives by
`preventing or reducing fatal vehicle accidents. The present
`invention relates to a system and method for preventing or
`reducing accidents caused by driving while intoxicated
`(DWI) and other driver impairments, such as drowsiness
`that may be due to lack of sleep, long driving hours, fatigue,
`or side effects of medication, etc. The present invention
`could also reduce vehicle insurance rates for all drivers by
`reducing and/or eliminating vehicle accidents caused by the
`aforementioned.
`There exists in the prior art a number of individual devices
`to aid in preventing accident and/or limiting fatalities or
`injuries due to vehicle accidents. For example, anti-lock
`brake systems have proven effective in reducing accidents
`due to slippery road conditions by preventing the wheels
`from locking up. Air bags in vehicles are effective in
`reducing the fatal injuries caused by vehicle accidents.
`Windshield wipers and defogging systems have been effec-
`tive devices for reducing accidents by improving driver
`visibility. However, none of these systems, alone or in
`combination, are effective for preventing accidents from
`occurring when a driver who is under the influence or
`alcohol, or too tired to be an effective driver, gets behind the
`wheel of a vehicle.
`One known system or method in place today for prevent-
`ing or reducing accidents caused by DWI is for the police to
`find and stop a drunk driver and arrest him or her. However,
`the probability of the police finding and catching each driver
`under the influence is very small. This fatal combination of
`many drivers under the influence on the road, and the
`relative small number who are caught, leads to high accident
`rates and fatalities. As per recent data, there are more deaths
`due to vehicle accidents every year in the United Sates and
`other industrialized nations than by any illness or war.
`The prior art systems and reliance on police presence are
`inadequate to meet the demands of eliminating or reducing
`drunk drivers and those who are too tired to be driving
`effectively. For example, the probability of the police pulling
`over a drunk driver is small. Furthermore, there is no
`real-time system which can provide feedback, or take deci-
`sive action, in response to a driver who is drunk, drowsy or
`has poor response time to certain conditions. The cost to
`taxpayers by using police in such an inefficient manner is
`high, and there is a real possibility for bias on the part of
`police in stopping motorists. Furthermore, designated driv-
`ers are often hard to find and at times even they have been
`consuming alcohol as well. The present invention is directed
`at overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art and is
`directed at preventing or reducing the number of fatal
`vehicle accidents caused by DWI or other driver impair-
`ments.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to a system and method for
`preventing or reducing vehicle accidents, and, in particular,
`
`6,060,989
`
`2
`to a system and method for preventing or reducing accidents
`caused by a driver driving while intoxicated or exhibiting
`other driver impairments.
`In a preferred embodiment, the system generally includes
`5 a plurality of sensors located at predetermined locations on
`a vehicle. The sensors are continuously monitored by one or
`more processing units. The processing unit receives safety
`data from the sensors, either individually or in combination.
`The processing unit analyzes the safety data to determine if
`10 an alarming, unusual or above-threshold condition exists.
`Upon receipt of such safety data, processing may be
`increased and safety data from one or more other sensors
`may be gathered in parallel and analyzed to avoid false
`alarms. Safety data from one or more different sensors is
`15 gathered and weighted depending on, for example, the
`weather, speed of the car and road conditions, or any
`combination thereof. If an alarming, unusual or above-
`threshold condition is detected, the system provides for a
`plurality of responses ranging from, for example, the giving
`20 of audio or visual warnings, to taking actual control of
`certain functions of the vehicle and automatically calling the
`police. It is envisioned that the system and method of the
`present system would be desirable to many different entities
`or individuals, such as, for example, shippers, couriers,
`25 police agencies, insurance companies and parents, to name
`a few. For example, an insurance company faced with
`insuring a driver who has previously been found driving
`under the influence of alcohol, may require a system
`designed in accordance with the instant invention be
`30 installed in that drivers vehicle. Also, an insurance company
`and/or state and federal agencies may offer incentives such
`as discounts to those who voluntarily install the system of
`the present invention.
`Other objects and features of the present invention will
`35 become apparent from the following detailed description,
`considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing
`figures. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings,
`which are not to scale, are designed solely for the purpose
`of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the
`40 invention, for which reference should be made to the
`appended claims.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
`
`45
`
`In the drawing figures, which are not to scale, and which
`are merely illustrative, and wherein like reference numerals
`depict like elements throughout the several views:
`FIG. 1 is a top view of a vehicle with a plurality of sensors
`located at predetermined positions thereon in accordance
`50 with the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the digital signal processor
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a chart depicting an example of the algorithm
`and/or weighting used for taking different responses pro-
`55 vided by the present invention; and
`FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of FIG. 3.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`60
`
`The present invention relates to a system and method for
`preventing or reducing vehicle accidents, and, in particular,
`to a system and method for preventing or reducing accidents
`caused by a driver driving while intoxicated or exhibiting
`65 other driver impairments.
`In a preferred embodiment, as seen in FIG. 1, the system
`generally includes a plurality of sensors located at prede-
`
`FORD EX. 1039, p. 6
`
`

`

`6,060,989
`
`4
`
`TABLE 1-continued
`
`Quantity,
`Sensor Sensor Name Location
`
`Sensor Type Sensor Function
`
`Sensor
`
`44
`
`2, steering
`Alcohol
`wheel or pull
`Detection
`breath sensor down from
`or near the
`front visors
`
`dye on the
`tip of the
`fiber, or
`chemical
`
`standard piece
`of write up)
`may be used in
`extremes by
`opening the
`container or dye
`at the end of the
`fiber tip. Once
`used throw away.
`Each car may
`have up to 10-20
`sensor heads.
`They are sealed
`and sensor an
`differentiate
`between tempered
`sensors.
`detects wet and/
`or slippery road
`conditions
`detects the side
`edge of the road
`
`detects the paint
`strip along road
`side edge
`detects obstacles
`in front of car
`
`36
`
`26
`
`28
`
`30
`
`32
`
`34
`
`Road
`Condition
`Detection
`Road Side
`Edge
`Detection
`Road Paint
`Strip
`Detection
`Front
`Obstacle
`Sensor
`Left Side
`Obstacle
`Sensor
`Right Side
`Obstacle
`Sensor
`
`wiper
`movement
`sensors
`4, near all
`wheels
`
`4, near all
`wheels
`
`wiper
`movement or
`humidity
`sound, touch
`cable or
`video
`IR, video or
`dye based
`
`2, front sides IR or RF
`
`2, front and
`rear
`
`2, front and
`rear
`
`IR or RF
`
`detects obstacles
`left of car
`
`IR or RF
`
`detects obstacles
`right of car
`
`3
`termined locations on a vehicle generally indicated as 10.
`Vehicle 10 generally includes two front wheels 12, two rear
`wheels 14, an engine compartment 16, a driver section 18,
`a passenger section 20, a rear seat section 22 and a trunk
`section 24. Driver section 18, passenger section 20 and rear 5
`seat section 22 comprise a passenger cabin 62. Engine
`compartment 16, driver section 18, passenger section 20,
`rear seat section 22 and trunk section 24 are defined for
`purposes of the present invention as sections within vehicle
`10. One of skill in the art will recognize that the system of
`the present invention will work equally well with any
`moving vehicle, for example, automobiles, trucks, trains,
`boats, aircraft, etc. Thus, the term vehicle, as used herein, is
`intended to cover a broad range of moving objects, and is in
`no way limiting of the present invention.
`The sensors are designed, constructed and positioned so
`as to detect conditions both within vehicle 10 and conditions
`outside vehicle 10. That is, the sensors are designed, con-
`structed and positioned so as to detect one or more condi-
`tions within any one or more of engine compartment 16,
`driver section 18, passenger section 20, rear seat section 22
`and trunk section 24. The sensors are also designed, con-
`structed and positioned so as to detect one or more condi-
`tions outside of engine compartment 16, driver section 18,
`passenger section 20, rear seat section 22 and trunk section
`24, i.e., outside vehicle 10.
`By way of a non-limiting example, the type of sensors
`utilized can be selected from any number of commercially
`available sensors such as motion sensors, infrared sensors,
`position sensors, audio sensors, video sensors, chemical
`sensors, sound sensors, touch sensors or radio frequency
`sensors, or any combination thereof. One of skill in the art
`will recognize that a specially designed sensor may also be
`utilized without departing from the spirit of the invention.
`Table 1 below outlines an example of the type and number
`of sensors used in a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention. One of skill in the art will recognize that the
`number, type, position and function of the specific sensors
`indicated is in no way limiting to the present invention, and
`that any number of additions, subtractions, substitutions or
`modifications could be made without departing from the
`spirit of the invention.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`
`
`TABLE 1
`
`Quantity,
`Sensor Sensor Name Location
`
`Sensor Type Sensor Function
`
` 45
`
`40
`
`52
`
`48
`
`2, steering motion
`column,
`sensor
`
`Steering
`Column
`Movement
`Sensor
`Driver Head 5, N, E, S,
`Movement W, and
`Sensor
`overhead
`
`position
`sensor
`
`Driver Eye
`Movement
`Sensor
`
`2, in front of
`face to
`monitor eyes
`
`IR or motion
`sensor
`
`50
`
`Driver Body 4, 2-front, 2-
`Movement
`sides
`Sensor
`2, steering
`42 and 46 Speech
`Recognition wheel
`Input +
`Driver
`Snoring
`
`motion
`sensor
`
`audio with
`speech
`processing
`
`detects between
`steady and
`unsteady steering
`
`detects unusual
`head drooping
`or head
`movements
`detects gazing
`eyes or closed
`eyes which are
`unusual. Normal
`eye movements
`of a driver are
`stored in tests
`detects unusual
`body movement
`
`speech is
`compared to
`normal speech
`sample (read and
`stored from a
`
`The sensors are designed, constructed and positioned so
`as to sense one or more conditions which are indicative of
`the ability of driver 19 to safely drive vehicle 10, i.e., safety
`data. That is, the present invention is directed at determining
`40 whether driver 19 is driving vehicle 10 safely. Safety is, of
`course, dependent on any number of conditions in
`combination, such as conditions about driver 19, vehicle 10,
`and conditions outside of vehicle 10. Thus, the present
`invention is directed at sensing and analyzing safety data.
`The safety data comprises conditions regarding driver 19,
`conditions within vehicle 10, and conditions outside of
`vehicle 10. The safety data is gathered and analyzed, and if
`necessary, an appropriate response is initiated. Thus, the
`ability of driver 19 to safely drive vehicle 10 is not deter-
`s° mined by conditions solely outside of vehicle 10, but
`instead, that information is used in conjunction with other
`data from within vehicle 10 to determine whether driver 19
`is safely driving vehicle 10. One of skill in the art will
`recognize that each individual sensor may sense and gather
`55 safety data relating to one or more conditions.
`The sensors are designed, constructed and positioned so
`as to communicate with a processing unit 60. Processing unit
`60 may be located anywhere within vehicle 10. The sensors
`sense and/or gather safety data to be communicated with
`60 processing unit 60. Processing unit 60 may be a Digital
`Signal Processor or any other comparable type unit for
`receiving and analyzing data, and controlling controllable
`devices to initiate pre-programmed responses as a result of
`analyzing data, such as, for example a programmable
`65 microprocessor, micro computer, mini-computer PLC
`controller, or the like. In a preferred embodiment processing
`unit 60 may utilize parallel processing or neural network/
`
`FORD EX. 1039, p. 7
`
`

`

`6,060,989
`
`5
`fuzzy logic. Processing unit 60 is also capable of receiving
`data and/or instructions from sources other than the sensors
`such as remote control devices, cellular telephone signals,
`paging signals, radio or infrared signals, or externally posi-
`tioned push buttons or keypads (not shown).
`As seen in FIG. 2, safety data is gathered from the sensors
`and communicated to processing unit 60. As described more
`fully below, processing unit 60 analyzes the safety data and
`determines whether a response is necessary. Processing unit
`60 has a number of predetermined or stored responses or
`actions. As seen in FIGS. 2-4, such actions may include, by
`way or a non-limiting example, nothing, an audio or visual
`signal, reducing the speed of said vehicle, opening one or
`more windows of said vehicle, turning on a flasher signal,
`initiating a driver speech slurring test, automatically dialing
`the police or another party and disabling said vehicle, or any
`combination thereof. One of skill in the art will recognize
`that additions, subtractions, substitutions or modifications to
`the stored predetermined actions may be provided without
`departing from the spirit of the invention.
`As seen in FIG. 2, processing unit 60 may also comprise
`portals or input ports 54 and 56, which are capable of
`receiving data and/or instructions from sources other than
`the onboard sensors via satellite or optical signal conductors.
`For example, the following type of information may be
`stored, added, subtracted or modified in processing unit 60:
`information about vehicle 10, i.e., vehicle identification
`number, the owner of the vehicle, authorized drivers, rental
`car information, authorized driver profiles including driving
`histories, history about the vehicle, etc. Other data and/or
`instructions may also be stored, added, subtracted or modi-
`fied in processing unit 60, such as: the police may be capable
`of overriding false conditions, and/or allowing an alternative
`driver to drive the vehicle if the first driver is unable or
`otherwise not allowed. One of skill in the art will recognize
`that any number of additional portals or input ports could be
`provided to processing unit 60 without departing from the
`spirit of the invention. Further, while the term portals and/or
`input ports have been described above, any type of commu-
`nication with processing unit 60 is envisioned without the
`need for an actual physical connection, such as, for example,
`through electro-magnetic, infrared transmission, or other
`wireless communication medium.
`As seen in the exemplary tables of FIGS. 3 and 4,
`processing unit 60 may analyze the safety data and deter-
`mine whether a response is necessary, and if so, which
`response or combination of responses should be initiated,
`based numerous parameter permutations. As seen in FIGS.
`3 and 4, determining whether a response should be initiated,
`and what response should be initiated, can depend in part
`upon on elapsed time, speed of the vehicle and conditions
`outside of the vehicle 10. Thus, the system of the present
`invention preferably utilizes a weighting scheme or algo-
`rithm to determine the appropriate response. For example, as
`best seen in FIG. 4, if processing unit 60 determines that the
`hazard lights should be turned on, such a response will be
`initiated after nine seconds on normal roads at normal
`speeds, after six seconds for normal roads and high speed,
`and after 3 seconds on wet roads and high speeds. As seen
`in FIGS. 3 and 4, the responses vary in degree such as
`merely giving audio or visual warnings to actually taking
`control of the vehicle.
`The operation of a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention will now be described. The sensors are continu-
`ously monitored by processing unit 60 and the gathered
`safety data is analyzed to recognize an alarming, unusual or
`above-threshold condition. If processing unit 60 determines
`
`5
`
`6
`that an alarming condition exists, processing may be
`increased and safety data from one or more other sensors
`may be gathered to avoid false alarms. Safety data from the
`sensors is gathered and weighted depending on, for example,
`the weather, speed of the car and road conditions, or any
`combination thereof. Thus, a wet road condition is analyzed
`in parallel to elapsed time to determine the severity of the
`conditions.
`If an alarming, unusual or above-threshold condition is
`10 detected, the system provides for a plurality of responses.
`For example, an audio message may be delivered over the
`car radio, the speed of the vehicle may be automatically
`reduced, the windows may be opened, etc. In extreme cases,
`the vehicle may be automatically pulled over to the side of
`15 the road and the police may be automatically notified. Other
`responses may include giving the driver the choice to pull
`over and take a five minute break. The system may also be
`configured such that the driver is given a number of chances
`to pass a certain test wherein if the driver fails, control of the
`20 vehicle is taken away from the driver and provided through
`automated vehicle controls, whereupon the police are noti-
`fied. One of skill in the art will recognize that the amount
`and types of responses are limitless, and that the mere
`addition, subtraction or modification of the responses dis-
`25 closed herein will not depart from the spirit of the present
`invention.
`Thus, while there have been shown and described and
`pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as
`applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be under-
`30 stood that various omissions and substitutions and changes
`in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be
`made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
`spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be
`limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims
`35 appended hereto.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A system for monitoring a driver's ability to safely
`operate a vehicle comprising:
`a plurality of sensors positioned on a vehicle;
`said sensors capable of gathering safety data indicative of
`a driver's ability to safely drive said vehicle;
`said safety data comprising conditions regarding said
`driver, conditions within said vehicle, and conditions
`outside said vehicle;
`a processing unit in communication with said sensors,
`said processing unit receiving said safety data from said
`sensors, analyzing said safety data to assess said driv-
`er's ability, and initiating a predetermined action in
`response to said assessed ability, said processing unit
`capable of receiving instructions from a source external
`to said system to override said predetermined action.
`2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each one of
`said plurality of sensors is selected from a group of sensors
`55 consisting of: motion sensors, infrared sensors, position
`sensor, audio sensors, video sensors, chemical sensors,
`sound sensors, touch sensors and radio frequency sensors.
`3. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one
`sensor of said plurality of sensors is positioned within a
`60 passenger cabin of said vehicle.
`4. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said
`plurality of sensors senses a condition selected from a group
`of conditions consisting of: steering column movement,
`driver head movement, driver eye movement, driver body
`65 movement, slurred speech, snoring, alcohol in breath, road
`conditions, proximity to road side edges, proximity to road
`paint strips or roadway obstacles.
`
`50
`
`40
`
`45
`
`FORD EX. 1039, p. 8
`
`

`

`6,060,989
`
`7
`5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said pro-
`cessing unit comprises a Digital Signal Processor.
`6. The system according to claim 5, wherein Digital
`Signal Processor utilizes parallel processing to carry out its
`processing.
`7. The system according to claim 5, wherein Digital
`Signal Processor utilizes neural network/fuzzy logic to carry
`out its processing.
`8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said pro-
`cessing unit is capable of communicating with devices other
`than said one or more sensors.
`9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said prede-
`termined action is selected from a group of actions consist-
`ing of: an audio signal, a visual signal, reducing the speed of
`said vehicle, opening a window of said vehicle, turning on
`a flasher signal, initiating a driver speech slurring test,
`automatically dialing the police, automatically dialing
`another party, and disabling said vehicle; and wherein said
`processing unit initiates no action if said assessed ability
`indicates that said driver is operating said vehicle safely.
`10. A system for monitoring a driver's ability to safely
`operate a vehicle comprising:
`a plurality of sensors positioned on a vehicle;
`said sensors sensing conditions indicative of a driver's
`ability to safely drive said vehicle;
`said conditions comprising conditions regarding said
`driver, conditions within said vehicle, and conditions
`outside said vehicle; and
`a processing unit in communication with said sensors,
`said processing unit receiving data from said sensors,
`analyzing said data to determine an appropriate
`response, and initiating said response, said processing
`unit capable of receiving instructions from a source
`external to said system to override said initiating
`response.
`11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said
`plurality of sensors are selected from a group of sensors
`consisting of: motion sensors, infrared sensors, position
`sensors, audio sensors, video sensors, chemical sensors,
`
`10
`
`8
`sound sensors, touch sensors or radio frequency sensors, or
`any combination thereof.
`12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said data
`is selected from a group of data consisting of: steering
`5 column movement, driver head movement, driver eye
`movement, driver body movement, slurred speech, snoring,
`alcohol in breath, road conditions, proximity to road side
`edges, proximity to road paint strips, or roadway obstacles,
`or any combination thereof.
`13. The system according to claim 10, wherein said
`response is selected from a group of responses consisting of:
`an audio or visual signal, reducing the speed of said vehicle,
`opening one or more windows of said vehicle, turning on a
`flasher signal, initiating a driver speech slurring test, auto-
`15 matically dialing the police or another party and disabling
`said vehicle, or any combination thereof; and wherein said
`processing unit initiates no action if said data indicates that
`said driver is operating said vehicle safely.
`14. A method of preventing or reducing vehicle accidents
`20 comprising the steps of:
`(a) sensing safety data indicative of a drivers ability to
`safely drive a vehicle, said safety data comprising
`conditions regarding said driver, conditions within said
`vehicle, and conditions outside said vehicle;
`(b) analyzing said safety data to determine an appropriate
`response; and
`(c) initiating said appropriate response, wherein said
`response can be overridden by a source external to said
`vehicle.
`15. The method according to claim 14 further comprising
`the step of:
`(d) determining whether said driver is authorized to drive
`said vehicle.
`16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising
`the step of:
`(e) disabling said vehicle if said driver is not authorized
`to drive said vehicle.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`* * *
`
`FORD EX. 1039, p. 9
`
`