Patents by Inventor Richard Harkness

Richard Harkness has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10614726
    Abstract: Described herein are a system and method of training a motor vehicle operator in crash-avoidance skills. Critical crash-avoidance skills comprise actively scanning a driving environment to identify, recognize, and remember what is seen; adjusting vehicle speed and position to accommodate road conditions, visibility, and traffic; proactively identifying and responding to potential hazards before the potential hazards become immediate hazards; recognizing, assessing, and responding to driving risks; creating a space cushion in order to identify and maintain possible escape routes; and identifying and minimizing visual, manual, and cognitive distractions. Training comprises at least one interactive driving simulation in which use of technology by a motor vehicle operator impacts performance of the motor vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: LIFE LONG DRIVER, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Harkness
  • Patent number: 10255821
    Abstract: A driver training system for presenting a user of the system with simultaneous representation of a driving environment directed to four active visual zones comprising a driver's forward view, rear mirror view, and respective left and right side mirror views; for displaying a traffic hazard one of the four active visual zones; receiving an input from a user of the driving simulator identifying a location in one of the four active visual zones; determining if the location corresponds to the traffic hazard; and determining a response time between the display of the traffic hazard and the receipt of the input from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Life Long Driver, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Harkness
  • Publication number: 20180277011
    Abstract: A driver training system for presenting a user of the system with simultaneous representation of a driving environment directed to four active visual zones comprising a driver's forward view, rear mirror view, and respective left and right side mirror views; for displaying a traffic hazard one of the four active visual zones; receiving an input from a user of the driving simulator identifying a location in one of the four active visual zones; determining if the location corresponds to the traffic hazard; and determining a response time between the display of the traffic hazard and the receipt of the input from the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventor: Richard HARKNESS
  • Patent number: 10013893
    Abstract: A autonomous and semi-autonomous driver training system for presenting a user of the system with simultaneous representation of a driving environment directed to four active visual zones comprising a driver's forward view, rear mirror view, and respective left and right side mirror views; for displaying movement of an object moving through one of the four active visual zones; determining if the movement of the object requires resumption of driver control; and determining if driver control was resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Lifelong Driver LLC
    Inventor: Richard Harkness
  • Patent number: 9666091
    Abstract: The invention provides a computerized assessment system, as well as a method, that can be used for diagnosing driving skills in a driver of the class of vehicle drivers having impaired abilities. The system utilizes a) at least one prerecorded audio/visual training session capable of diagnosing the visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities of a motor vehicle driver, where the training session comprises interactive driving simulations presented through four active visual zones; b) computerized means for digitally assessing driver actions in response to simulated driving situations presented by the interactive driving simulations; c) a database that records the driver actions; and d) a computer program capable of developing a diagnostic assessment of the visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: LIFELONG DRIVER LLC
    Inventor: Richard Harkness
  • Publication number: 20170039871
    Abstract: A autonomous and semi-autonomous driver training system for presenting a user of the system with simultaneous representation of a driving environment directed to four active visual zones comprising a driver's forward view, rear mirror view, and respective left and right side mirror views; for displaying movement of an object moving through one of the four active visual zones; determining if the movement of the object requires resumption of driver control; and determining if driver control was resumed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventor: Richard HARKNESS
  • Patent number: 9501947
    Abstract: A driver training system for presenting a user of the system with simultaneous representation of a driving environment directed to four active visual zones comprising a driver's forward view, rear mirror view, and respective left and right side mirror views; for tracking the driving environment found within the two visual neutral zones comprising a driver's respective left and right blind spots; for presenting a user with questions regarding events in the scene occurring within the four active visual zones and the two visual neutral zones; where the forward view comprises a view depicting the view from the windshield combined with the view from the driver's window and passenger's window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Lifelong Driver LLC
    Inventor: Richard Harkness
  • Publication number: 20160225276
    Abstract: A driver training system for presenting a user of the system with simultaneous representation of a driving environment directed to four active visual zones comprising a driver's forward view, rear mirror view, and respective left and right side mirror views; for tracking the driving environment found within the two visual neutral zones comprising a driver's respective left and right blind spots; for presenting a user with questions regarding events in the scene occurring within the four active visual zones and the two visual neutral zones; where the forward view comprises a view depicting the view from the windshield combined with the view from the driver's window and passenger's window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventor: Richard HARKNESS
  • Publication number: 20160163217
    Abstract: Described herein are a system and method of training a motor vehicle operator in crash-avoidance skills. Critical crash-avoidance skills comprise actively scanning a driving environment to identify, recognize, and remember what is seen; adjusting vehicle speed and position to accommodate road conditions, visibility, and traffic; proactively identifying and responding to potential hazards before the potential hazards become immediate hazards; recognizing, assessing, and responding to driving risks; creating a space cushion in order to identify and maintain possible escape routes; and identifying and minimizing visual, manual, and cognitive distractions. Training comprises at least one interactive driving simulation in which use of technology by a motor vehicle operator impacts performance of the motor vehicle operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventor: Richard Harkness
  • Patent number: 9349300
    Abstract: A driver training system comprising computerized means for presenting a user of the system with simultaneous footage of a driving environment recorded from cameras directed to four active visual zones comprising a driver's forward view, rear mirror view, and respective left and right side mirror views; computerized means for tracking the driving environment found within the two visual neutral zones comprising a driver's respective left and right blind spots; computerized means for presenting a user with questions regarding events in the footage occurring within the four active visual zones and the two visual neutral zones; and a database for recording responses and response times to the questions or driving challenges requiring a response to the questions; where the forward view comprises a view comprising a view from a camera depicting the view from the windshield combined with a camera depicting the view from the driver's window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: LIFELONG DRIVER LLC
    Inventor: Richard Harkness
  • Publication number: 20140220513
    Abstract: A driver training system comprising computerized means for presenting a user of the system with simultaneous footage of a driving environment recorded from cameras directed to four active visual zones comprising a driver's forward view, rear mirror view, and respective left and right side mirror views; computerized means for tracking the driving environment found within the two visual neutral zones comprising a driver's respective left and right blind spots; computerized means for presenting a user with questions regarding events in the footage occurring within the four active visual zones and the two visual neutral zones; and a database for recording responses and response times to the questions or driving challenges requiring a response to the questions; where the forward view comprises a view comprising a view from a camera depicting the view from the windshield combined with a camera depicting the view from the driver's window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Harkness
  • Publication number: 20090181349
    Abstract: The invention provides a computerized assessment system, as well as a method, that can be used for diagnosing driving skills in a driver of the class of vehicle drivers having impaired abilities. The system utilizes a) at least one prerecorded audio/visual training session capable of diagnosing the visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities of a motor vehicle driver, where the training session comprises interactive driving simulations presented through four active visual zones; b) computerized means for digitally assessing driver actions in response to simulated driving situations presented by the interactive driving simulations; c) a database that records the driver actions; and d) a computer program capable of developing a diagnostic assessment of the visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities of the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Richard Harkness
  • Patent number: 6227862
    Abstract: A system and method for providing driver training and education particularly targeted towards teenage drivers. A system and method focus on six major areas that address both driving and lifestyle skills. The six major areas are i) lifestyle, ii) risk and benefit perception, iii) visual search, iv) speed adjustment, v) space management and vi) hazard recognition. The invention is directed to post licensing training and education. Content is embedded in a multi-faceted instructional framework using contemporary learning methods that work with teens using multi-media technologies and integrated and realistic subject matter utilizing three main components, namely workout sessions, computer based training (CBT) and parent-teen activity. The invented system and method encourages and enlists participation of the parents who are recognized as key agents in the development of safe driving practices. There is an ongoing assessment, which provides feedback for remediation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Drivers Education Products and Training, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Harkness