Automotive driver health monitoring and response system

A method of monitoring a health condition of a driver of a vehicle includes activating a wearable device that is configured to provide a driver health signal and receiving the driver health signal at a controller. The method outputs for display a warning responsive to the driver health signal being indicative of at least one of an impending driver health event or current driver health event.

BACKGROUND

A vehicle may employ various sensors that detect a state of a driver while operating the vehicle. These various sensors may detect whether a driver is drowsy, paying attention, or even in the driver's seat. These various sensors are in communication with the vehicle warning system and may output an audible alarm or indicator should the sensor detect an unacceptable state of the driver. However, some of these existing sensors may be unable to detect health issues such as a heart attack or stroke.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a driver health monitoring system capable of detecting various health issues.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a steering assembly is provided. The steering assembly includes an advanced driver assistance system, a steering wheel, and a driver monitoring system. The advanced driver assistance system is configured to control a vehicle. The steering wheel is movable between a deployed position and a retracted position based on a state of the advanced driver assistance system. The driver monitoring system is in communication with the advanced driver assistance system and includes a wearable device and a controller. The controller is programmed to provide a first signal to the wearable device responsive to the wearable device being within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a driver monitoring system is provided. The driver monitoring system includes a wearable device and a controller. The wearable device is operable in a first mode and a second mode. The controller is programmed to provide a first signal to change the wearable device from the first mode to the second mode responsive to the wearable device being within a predetermined distance from a selectively autonomous vehicle.

According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of monitoring a health condition of a driver of a vehicle is provided. The method includes activating a wearable device that is configured to provide a driver health signal and receiving the driver health signal at a controller. The method outputs for display a warning responsive to the driver health signal being indicative of at least one of an impending driver health event or current driver health event.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle10may be a conventional vehicle, an autonomous vehicle, an autonomously driven vehicle, a selectively autonomous vehicle, or a vehicle having semi-autonomous capabilities. The vehicle10includes a steering assembly20, an advanced driver assist system (ADAS)22, and a driver monitoring system24.

The steering assembly20is in communication with the ADAS22, the driver monitoring system24, and a controller26that may be provided as part of the driver monitoring system24. The steering assembly20includes a steering wheel30and an adjustment assembly32. The steering wheel30is selectively coupled to a steering shaft40that extends through a steering column along a steering column axis42. The steering wheel30may be directly or indirectly coupled to the steering shaft40through a coupling mechanism44.

The steering wheel30is coupled to the steering shaft40when the coupling mechanism44is at least partially engaged and the ADAS22is deactivated. The steering wheel30is decoupled from the steering shaft40when the coupling mechanism44is disengaged and the ADAS22is activated.

The steering wheel30of the steering assembly20is switchable between a rotating state/rotatable state and a non-rotating state/non-rotatable state. The steering wheel30is able to be rotated and the driver of the vehicle10is able to provide directional control of the vehicle10through the steering wheel30while the ADAS22is deactivated. The steering wheel30of the steering assembly20is in a non-rotating state, such that the steering wheel30is inhibited from rotating, while the ADAS22is activated. The steering wheel30is in the non-rotating state when the steering wheel30is operatively decoupled from the steering shaft40. It is to be appreciated that decoupling the steering wheel30from the steering shaft40may be done mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, or a combination thereof.

The steering wheel30of the steering assembly20is movable between a retracted position, as shown inFIG. 1, and a deployed position by the adjustment assembly32, as shown inFIG. 2, responsive to activation of the ADAS22.

Referring toFIG. 1, the retracted position corresponds to a position in which the steering wheel30of the steering assembly20is disposed away from the driver and is disposed adjacent to or is received within an instrument panel50. The retracted position provides increased space within the vehicle compartment12to enable the driver to perform non-driving activities. The ADAS22is actively controlling the vehicle10while the steering wheel30of the steering assembly20is in the retracted position and the ADAS22is activated. As the steering wheel30of the steering assembly20moves towards the retracted position or prior to the steering wheel30of the steering assembly20moving towards the retracted position, the steering wheel30may be operatively decoupled from the steering shaft40.

Referring toFIG. 2, the deployed position corresponds to a driving position of the steering wheel30of the steering assembly20such that the steering wheel30accepts a driver input to provide directional control to the vehicle10. The driver of the vehicle is actively controlling the vehicle10while the steering wheel30of the steering assembly20is in the deployed or extended position and the ADAS22is deactivated or in standby mode. As the steering wheel30of the steering assembly20moves towards the deployed position or as to the steering assembly20achieves the deployed position, the steering wheel30may be operatively coupled to the steering shaft40.

The adjustment assembly32includes an actuator that is disposed proximate the steering column and is arranged to move the steering wheel30between the retracted position and the deployed position along the steering column axis42. The actuator is at least one of an electronic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or the like.

The adjustment assembly32is configured to move the steering wheel30from the retracted position towards the deployed position in response to a request to deactivate the ADAS22. The adjustment assembly32is configured to move the steering wheel30from the deployed position towards the retracted position in response to a request to activate the ADAS22.

The ADAS22is arranged to facilitate the performance of various vehicle operations (e.g. steering, accelerating, braking, maneuvering, etc.) without continuous input from a driver. The ADAS22is arranged to at least partially control the vehicle10while in an active state and does not at least partially control the vehicle10while in an inactive state. The ADAS22allows the vehicle10to be at least partially autonomously controlled using sensing, steering, and/or braking technology. A driver of the vehicle is able to selectively activate or deactivate the ADAS22via a switch or other mechanism.

The driver monitoring system24may be an automotive driver health monitoring and response system that is arranged to detect a driver health event and provide a warning or response to mitigate risks associated with the driver health event. The driver monitoring system24may identify a driver's state, a driver's behavior, a driver's health condition, and/or a change in the driver's state, the driver's behavior, and/or the driver's health condition. The driver monitoring system24is configured to identify a condition in which the driver may be unable to operate the vehicle10and may utilize the ADAS22to maneuver the vehicle to inhibit an accident or even guide the vehicle10towards a location. For example, the driver monitoring system24is arranged to monitor certain health conditions such as a seizure, syncope, an abnormal heart rhythm, sleep disorders, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, changes in blood pressure, body temperature, as well as other health conditions.

The driver monitoring system24is in communication with the ADAS22and the controller26. The driver monitoring system24may include the controller26and a wearable device60that may be worn by a driver and includes a set of sensors such as a bio-signal sensor that may detect a biological signal (bio-signal) of the driver. The wearable device60measures or monitors a driver's state, health condition, and/or behavior. The collected information or data is sent to the controller26or a controller associated with another vehicle system and determines whether there is an impending or current driver health event. As used herein, the term “wearable” is understood to mean that the device may be worn by the driver as a watch, a bracelet, a necklace, a chest strap, an arm cuff, a patch, a headband, an ankle monitor, a belt, an ear clip, a helmet, a necklace, a device embedded into a vehicle seat, or may be incorporated into a vehicle seat belt. Regardless, the wearable device60is in direct contact with the driver's body such that the bio signal sensor may monitor or measure or track a bio signal.

The bio-signal sensor may monitor, measure, or track a bio-signal, such as, a driver's heart rate, a driver's blood pressure, a driver's blood sugar, a driver's oxygen saturation level (SpO2), a driver's respiration rate, a driver's heart rate/pulse rate, a driver's galvanic skin response (GSR), driver's body movements, or driver alertness. The bio-signal sensor may be an electrocardiogram (ECG), an electromyogram (EMG), a photoplethysmogram PPG, an electroneurogram (ENG), an electroencephalogram (EEG), a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a thermal sensor, or a thermometer. In at least one embodiment, the bio signal sensor may be configured to perform basic medical tests.

The wearable device60is in communication with the controller26. The wearable device60may be in communication with the controller26through a wired connection, a wireless connection, near field communication, optical communication, or the like. The wearable device60is arranged to provide a driver health signal to the controller26and receive various signals from the controller26. The driver health signal is a signal based on the bio signal that is indicative of the health condition or health state of the driver of the vehicle10.

The first mode may be a low power mode in which the bio-signal sensor of the wearable device60does not monitor a bio-signal of the driver or the wearable device60does not provide or is inhibited from providing the driver health signal to the controller26. The wearable device60may perform diagnostics and verify the functionality of the bio signal sensor while in the first mode. Should the wearable device60detect a fault with the bio signal sensor, the wearable device60may be disabled and may output an indicator for display indicative of the fault to the driver via a display of the wearable device60or via a display within the vehicle10.

The second mode may be a mode in which the wearable device60is enabled to provide the driver health signal to the controller26. The wearable device60may change from the first mode to the second mode responsive to the wearable device60being within a predetermined distance from the vehicle10or being within the vehicle compartment12of the vehicle10.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the environmental detection system34is in communication with the ADAS22, the controller26, and the wearable device60of the driver monitoring system24. The environmental detection system34is configured to monitor conditions within the vehicle compartment12that may impact the activation or deactivation of the ADAS22, the retraction or extension of the steering wheel30, or the state of the driver of the vehicle10.

The environmental detection system34includes a cabin environmental sensor70and an output device72. The cabin environmental sensor70provides a cabin environmental signal to the controller26. The cabin environmental signal provides information indicative of at least one of the following conditions: an obstacle within a path of travel of the steering wheel30, a location of the driver relative to the cabin environmental sensor70, an availability or unavailability of the driver (e.g. the driver asleep, inattentive, or unavailable while in the driver's seat, the driver not within the driver's seat, an object in the driver's lap, etc.).

The cabin environmental sensor70may be disposed within the vehicle compartment12. For example, the cabin environmental sensor70may be disposed on or within the instrument panel50, disposed within or proximate the driver's seat, or disposed above the steering assembly20. The cabin environmental sensor70may be at least one of a weight switch/sensor, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a seatback sensor, a thermal sensor, and a biometric sensor configured to detect a heartbeat or respiration of the driver of the selectively autonomous vehicle.

The output device72is configured to output for display an indicator such as a visual, a haptic, or an audible indicator in response to the driver health signal being indicative of at least one of an impending driver health event or current driver health event and/or the cabin environmental signal providing information indicative of the following conditions: an obstacle between the steering wheel30and the driver, an object within a path of travel of the steering wheel30, a location of the driver, and unavailable driver (e.g. the driver asleep within the driver's seat. The indicator provides a notification to the driver as to the situation within the vehicle compartment12.

The controller26is in communication with the steering assembly20, the ADAS22, and the driver monitoring system24. In at least one embodiment, the controller26is integrated with or provided as part of the driver monitoring system24or the ADAS22.

The controller26includes input communication channels that are arranged to receive the driver health signal from the wearable device60, a signal indicative of the state of the ADAS22, and a signal indicative of the position of the steering wheel30of the steering assembly20. The controller26includes output communication channels that are arranged to provide the first signal to the wearable device60to change the mode of the wearable device60, a second signal to change the state of the ADAS22, a signal to the output device72, and a signal or message containing information indicative of the driver's health or driver's condition to a third-party or to a third-party device.

The controller26may include at least one microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) in communication with various types of computer readable storage devices or media. Computer readable storage devices or media may include volatile and nonvolatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM), for example. KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that may be used to store various operating variables while the CPU is powered down. Computer-readable storage devices or media may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical, or combination memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by the controller26.

The controller26is programmed to provide the first signal to the wearable device60responsive to the wearable device60being within a predetermined distance from the vehicle10. As stated previously, the first signal may change the wearable device60from the first mode to the second mode. The wearable device60provides the driver health signal to the controller26, in response to the wearable device60receiving the first signal. The wearable device60may continuously provide the driver health signal to the controller26and the controller26processes the driver health signal to determine whether there is an impending or existing driver health event regardless of the position of the steering wheel30of the steering assembly20and regardless of the state of the ADAS22. However, the detection or determination of an impending or current driver health event by the controller26based on the driver health signal enables the controller26to change the position of the steering wheel30of the steering assembly20and/or change the state of the ADAS22.

The controller26is programmed to provide the second signal to the ADAS22to change the state of the ADAS22from an inactive state to an active state responsive to the driver health signal of the wearable device60being indicative of at least one of an impending driver health event or current driver health event, should the ADAS22be in an inactive state.

The controller26is programmed to output for display a warning indicative of the at least one of an impending or current driver health event responsive to the driver health signal being indicative of at least one of an impending driver health event or current driver health event. The warning may be output for display by the output device72and may alert the driver of the vehicle10as to the impending or current driver health event.

The controller26is programmed to command the ADAS22to operate the vehicle10to follow an event selected autonomous path. The event selected autonomous path is based on at least one of the impending driver health event or current driver health event. The event selected autonomous path may be a vehicle path or course to the nearest or most accessible emergency facility, a predetermined location, towards the side of the road, or other preprogrammed locations capable of enabling a response to the impending driver health event or the current driver health event. Furthermore, the controller26may inhibit the driver the vehicle10from entering into a manual mode, in which the driver may provide steering inputs to the vehicle10, or inhibit the driver the vehicle10from moving the steering wheel30of the steering assembly20from the retracted position towards the deployed position to initiate a handover of vehicle control to the driver the vehicle10.

For example, should the impending driver health event or the current driver health event have a severity less than a threshold, such that the driver of the vehicle10may be able or available to regain control of the vehicle10, the controller26may command the ADAS22to direct the vehicle10towards the side of the road or to a predetermined safe location. Should the impending driver health event or the current driver health event have a severity greater than a threshold, such that the driver of the vehicle10may be unable or unavailable to regain control the vehicle10, the controller may command the ADAS22to direct or guide the vehicle10towards an emergency or ambulatory facility.

In at least one embodiment, the controller26is programmed to contact the emergency facility and transmit a signal or message containing information indicative of the driver's health or driver's condition to the emergency facility or to a third-party device. The controller26may be programmed to make secured, recorded driver health information available to authorized medical service providers and other authorized units using secure media.

In at least one embodiment, the controller26is programmed to inform another vehicle through vehicle to vehicle communication (V2V) or is programmed to inform vehicle to infrastructure communication (V2X) for safer and faster execution of the vehicle10traversing the event selected autonomous path.

The controller26is programmed to command the ADAS22to operate the vehicle10to follow an event selected autonomous path responsive to the driver health signal provided by the wearable device60being indicative of at least one of an impending driver health event or current driver health event, should the steering wheel30of the steering assembly20be in the retracted position and the ADAS22be in an active state.

Referring toFIG. 3, a flowchart of an illustrative method of monitoring a health condition of the driver of the vehicle is shown. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the flowchart represents control logic that may be implemented or affected in hardware, software or combination of hardware and software by the controller26.

At block100, the method may detect the presence of a driver wearing the wearable device60proximate the vehicle10. If the driver wearing the wearable device60is not within a predetermined distance or within the vehicle10, the method may end at block120. Should the driver wearing the wearable device60be within the vehicle compartment12or within a predetermined distance of the vehicle10, the method may continue to block102.

At block102, the wearable device60is activated or changed from a first mode to a second mode and provides a driver health signal to the controller26. At block104, the controller26receives the driver health signal. At block106, the controller26provides the driver health signal to a processor that determines if there is an impending driver health event or a current driver health event based on information or data provided by the driver health signal.

At block108, the method determines if there is an impending driver health event or a current driver health event. If there is not an impending driver health event or a current driver health event, the method may return to block104where the method continues to receive the driver health signal from the wearable device60. Should there be an impending driver health event or a current driver health event, the method may continue to block110.

At block110, the method may output for display a warning. The warning may be output by the output device72to alert the driver of the vehicle10of the impending driver health event or the current driver health event. The method then continues to block112. In the case of a conventional vehicle that is not an autonomous vehicle or is not a selectively autonomous vehicle and incorporates the driver monitoring system24, responsive to the impending driver health event or a current driver health event, the method may output a warning and the method may continue to block116or may end.

At block112, the method changes a state of the ADAS22from the inactive state (e.g. a manual vehicle mode or driver controlled mode) to an active state (e.g. an autonomous vehicle mode or partially autonomous mode), should the ADAS22be in an inactive state. Should the ADAS22be in the active state and the vehicle10is being operated to follow a driver selected path, the method changes a vehicle path from the driver selected path to an event selected autonomous path. The method then continues to block114.

At block114, the method operates the vehicle10to follow an event selected autonomous path based on the impending driver health event or the current driver health event. The method then continues to block116.

At block116, the method outputs for display an indicator indicative of at least one of an impending driver health event or a current driver health event to a third party or to a third party device. The method may then end at block120.