Abstract: A relative motion sensor mounted in the headrest of a vehicle driver seat is used to assess the head pose of a vehicle driver and adjust the headrest position to optimize both the safety of the driver and the sensitivity of the relative motion sensor. At the beginning of each ignition cycle, the relative motion sensor is used to adjust the position of the headrest relative to the driver's head for optimal driver safety, and the relative motion sensor is oriented to provide optimal sensitivity for head pose assessment when the headrest is positioned for driver safety.

Abstract: The head pose of a motor vehicle driver with respect to a vehicle frame of reference is assessed with a relative motion sensor positioned rearward of the driver's head, such as in or on the headrest of the driver's seat. The relative motion sensor detects changes in the position of the driver's head, and the detected changes are used to determine the driver's head pose, and specifically, whether the head pose is forward-looking (i.e., with the driver paying attention to the forward field-of-view) or non-forward-looking. The determined head pose is assumed to be initially forward-looking, and is thereafter biased toward forward-looking whenever driver behavior characteristic of a forward-looking head pose is recognized.

Abstract: A system for measuring the awareness of a subject including an imaging device adapted to acquire data representative of an image of the subject, and an awareness processor connected to the imaging device, wherein the awareness processor is adapted to classify the awareness of the subject according to the position of the subject.

Abstract: An awareness detection system and method that includes an imaging device positioned to obtain a plurality of images of at least a portion of a subject's head, and an awareness processor in communication with the imaging device, wherein the awareness processor receives the plurality of images from the imaging device. The awareness processor performs the steps including classifying at least one image of the plurality of images based upon at least a portion of the subject's head, monitoring movement of at least one eye of the subject if the at least one image is classified as a predetermined classification, and determining an awareness state of the subject based upon the monitored movement of the at least one eye.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting use of RF transmit devices (e.g., cellular phones) in a vehicle. The system includes a first RF antenna for detecting signal strength of an RF signals transmit device at a first location in a vehicle and a power first detector for generating a first output signal indicative thereof. The system also includes a second antenna for detecting signal strength of the RF signals at a second location in the vehicle and a second power detector for generating a second output signal indicative thereof. The system further includes a signal processor for processing the first and second output signals to determine the presence of an RF transmit device in use in the vehicle and to further determine the location of the RF transmit device to determine if a driver is using the device.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining whether an operator of a vehicle has an impaired cognitive state are provided. The method includes determining an intoxication indication value indicative of whether the operator is intoxicated, utilizing a controller. The method further includes determining a drowsiness indication value indicative of whether the operator is drowsy, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a fatigue indication value indicative of whether the operator is fatigued, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a cognitively impaired indication value based on at least one of the intoxication indication value, the drowsiness indication value, and the fatigue indication value. The method further includes generating a signal indicating that the operator is cognitively impaired when the cognitively impaired indication value is greater than a threshold cognitively impaired indication value, utilizing the controller.

Abstract: A relative motion sensor mounted in the headrest of a vehicle driver seat is used to assess the head pose of a vehicle driver and adjust the headrest position to optimize both the safety of the driver and the sensitivity of the relative motion sensor. At the beginning of each ignition cycle, the relative motion sensor is used to adjust the position of the headrest relative to the driver's head for optimal driver safety, and the relative motion sensor is oriented to provide optimal sensitivity for head pose assessment when the headrest is positioned for driver safety.

Abstract: The head pose of a motor vehicle driver with respect to a vehicle frame of reference is assessed with a relative motion sensor positioned rearward of the driver's head, such as in or on the headrest of the driver's seat. The relative motion sensor detects changes in the position of the driver's head, and the detected changes are used to determine the driver's head pose, and specifically, whether the head pose is forward-looking (i.e., with the driver paying attention to the forward field-of-view) or non-forward-looking. The determined head pose is assumed to be initially forward-looking, and is thereafter biased toward forward-looking whenever driver behavior characteristic of a forward-looking head pose is recognized.

Abstract: A light warning system and method are provided for warning a driver of a vehicle of a sensed condition. The warning system includes a lighting device having first and second colored LEDs for generating a light beam viewable on a windshield in front of the driver of the vehicle. The system also includes a detection device for detecting a condition desirable of a warning and generating a warning signal. The system further includes a controller processing the warning signal and determining whether to present a light beam warning displayed to the driver on the windshield. The controller controls the lighting device to generate a flashing light beam, wherein the light beam flashes on and off for a time period less than one-half second.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining whether an operator of a vehicle has an impaired cognitive state are provided. The method includes determining an intoxication indication value indicative of whether the operator is intoxicated, utilizing a controller. The method further includes determining a drowsiness indication value indicative of whether the operator is drowsy, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a fatigue indication value indicative of whether the operator is fatigued, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a cognitively impaired indication value based on at least one of the intoxication indication value, the drowsiness indication value, and the fatigue indication value. The method further includes generating a signal indicating that the operator is cognitively impaired when the cognitively impaired indication value is greater than a threshold cognitively impaired indication value, utilizing the controller.

Abstract: A low-cost system for detecting a drowsy condition of a driver of a vehicle includes a video imaging camera located in the vehicle and oriented to generate images of a driver of the vehicle. The system also includes a processor for processing the images acquired by the video imaging camera. The processor monitors an eye and determines whether the eye is in an open position or a closed state. The processor further determines a time proportion of eye closure as the proportion of a time interval that the eye is in the closed position, and determines a driver drowsiness condition when the time proportion of eye closure exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method of assessing the driving task demand on the driver of a vehicle, and further controlling one or more devices on the vehicle as a function of the assessed driver demand is provided. The method includes sensing a coverage zone in relation to a vehicle, determining a presence of one or more objects in the sensed zone, measuring speed of each detected object in the sensed zone, determining a variation in speed of one or more sensed objects, and determining a driving task demand signal indicative of driving task demand of the vehicle as a function of the measured speed variability. The method controls one or more devices on the vehicle based on the driving task demand signal. Alternately, the driving task demand signal is determined based on vehicle speed.

Abstract: An object awareness determination system and method of determining awareness of a driver of a vehicle to an object is provided. The system includes an object monitor including an object detection sensor for sensing an object in a field of view and determining a position of the object. The system also includes an eye gaze monitor including an imaging camera oriented to capture images of the vehicle driver including an eye of the driver. The gaze monitor determines an eye gaze vector. The system further has a controller for determining driver awareness of the object based on the detected object position and the eye gaze vector.

Abstract: A technique for combining a back-up aid function with a park assist function in a motor vehicle initially includes determining a distance from a motor vehicle to an object. Next, a velocity of the motor vehicle is determined. Then, a scaled version of the velocity and a minimum distance threshold are subtracted from the distance to provide a first multiplicand. Finally, a driver stimulus is provided as a function of the first multiplicand.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, apparatus for and method of eye tracking, including, in sequence, the steps of: viewing an entire face of a person to obtain predetermined facial features of the person to identify or not the said person; if the person is identified, retrieving a previously stored ocular profile of the person based on said predetermined facial features; using said ocular profile to track movement of an eye of said person. If the person is not identified, an ocular profile is created.

Abstract: A system responds to detection of a vehicle situation by comparing a sensed eye gaze direction of the vehicle operator with data stored in memory. The stored data defines a first predetermined vehicle operator eye gaze direction indicating a high probability of operator desire that an alert signal be given and a second predetermined vehicle operator eye gaze direction indicating a low probability of operator desire that an alert signal be given. On the basis of the comparison, a first or second alert action is selected and an alert apparatus controlled accordingly. For example, the alternative alert actions may include (1) generating an alert signal versus not generating the alert signal, (2) generating an alert signal in a first manner versus generating an alert signal in a second manner, or (3) selecting a first value versus selecting a second value for a parameter in a mathematical control algorithm to determine when or whether to generate an alert signal.

Abstract: An object awareness determination system and method of determining awareness of a driver of a vehicle to an object is provided. The system includes an object monitor including an object detection sensor for sensing an object in a field of view and determining a position of the object. The system also includes an eye gaze monitor including an imaging camera oriented to capture images of the vehicle driver including an eye of the driver. The gaze monitor determines an eye gaze vector. The system further has a controller for determining driver awareness of the object based on the detected object position and the eye gaze vector.

Abstract: A system responds to detection of a vehicle situation by comparing a sensed eye gaze direction of the vehicle operator with data stored in memory. The stored data defines a first predetermined vehicle operator eye gaze direction indicating a high probability of operator desire that an alert signal be given and a second predetermined vehicle operator eye gaze direction indicating a low probability of operator desire that an alert signal be given. On the basis of the comparison, a first or second alert action is selected and an alert apparatus controlled accordingly. For example, the alternative alert actions may include (1) generating an alert signal versus not generating the alert signal, (2) generating an alert signal in a first manner versus generating an alert signal in a second manner, or (3) selecting a first value versus selecting a second value for a parameter in a mathematical control algorithm to determine when or whether to generate an alert signal.

Abstract: A low-cost system for detecting a drowsy condition of a driver of a vehicle includes a video imaging camera located in the vehicle and oriented to generate images of a driver of the vehicle. The system also includes a processor for processing the images acquired by the video imaging camera. The processor monitors an eye and determines whether the eye is in an open position or a closed state. The processor further determines a time proportion of eye closure as the proportion of a time interval that the eye is in the closed position, and determines a driver drowsiness condition when the time proportion of eye closure exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A user discrimination control system controls functionality made available by a vehicle infotainment device by reducing functionality provided to the driver while allowing enhanced functionality to another passenger in the vehicle. The system includes a human machine interface located in a vehicle for allowing an occupant to interface with the infotainment device. A passenger detection sensor senses a condition indicative of a passenger other than the driver interfacing with the human machine interface. A video imaging system detects a driver distraction condition. A controller controls functions made available by the infotainment device by allowing one of first and second levels of functionality based on the sensed conditions.