Patent ID: 8451109

Claim:
A system comprising: a. at least one processor connected to at least one vehicle; b. at least one first sensor connected to the at least one processor and at least one first means for controlling the vehicle; c. a camera connected to the at least one processor, wherein the camera comprises a field of view directed towards a position in the vehicle where an operator of the vehicle resides while operating the vehicle, as well as a position where the operator's hands must be maintained while operating the vehicle; and d. computer executable instructions embedded within a medium readable by the at least one processor and operative to: i. use the at least one first sensor to determine whether the operator's hand is positioned on the at least one first means for controlling the vehicle; ii. use the camera to capture an image of the operator or the operator's hands, analyze the image, and determine if the operator's hands are positioned on the at least one first means for controlling the vehicle, or at least one second means for controlling the vehicle, or if the operator's hands are not positioned on either the at least one first means or at least one second means for controlling the vehicle; and iii. if it is determined by using either the at least one first sensor or the camera that the operator's hands are not positioned on the at least one first means for controlling the vehicle or the at least one second means for controlling the vehicle, then activate at least one alarm electronically connected to the at least one processor, wherein activating at least one alarm comprises activating at least one alarm after a first predetermined period of time, and activating at least one alarm immediately if the at least one alarm has been previously activated within a second predetermined period of time.