Distractedness sensing system

Abstract

A distraction detection system includes using a first signal, e.g., EDP signals or vehicle speed, and an additional signal to determine whether a person is distracted. The distraction system can be part of a vehicle seating system, A vehicle seating system is described and includes a seat configured to support an occupant and to be mounted in a vehicle and occupant sensing system at least partially integrated into the seat to sense an occupant. The sensing system senses a first criterion with respect to the occupant. A controller is configured to receive the first criterion signal from the sensing system and a second criterion to determine a distraction state of the driver. The controller can also determine a false distraction state using the distraction state and other criterion in a vehicle. The controller outputs a control signal when the distraction state exceeds a distraction threshold and when distraction is confirmed.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A vehicle system, comprising:
 a first sensor to sense a first criterion relating to distracted driving and controlled by a driver;   a second sensor to sense a second criterion relating to distracted driving and representing an environmental condition not controlled by the driver; and   a controller to receive the first criterion and the second criterion and determine a relative relationship between the first criterion and the second criterion with the relative relationship exceeding a distractedness threshold to indicate distracted driving.   
     
     
         20 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  wherein the first criterion is vehicle speed, wherein the second criterion is traffic congestion, other vehicles speeds adjacent the vehicle, or a combination of both, and the controller compares the vehicle speed relative to the second criterion, and wherein when the vehicle speed slows relative to the second criterion, the controller will indicate distractedness of the driver. 
     
     
         21 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  wherein the first criterion is vehicle speed, throttle position, or a combination of both, wherein the second criterion is traffic congestion, other vehicles speeds adjacent the vehicle, or a combination of both, and the controller compares the first criterion relative to the second criterion to determine distractedness of the driver. 
     
     
         22 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  wherein the controller is configured to determine a false distraction state based on both the first criterion and second criterion. 
     
     
         23 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  further comprising a seat configured to support the driver as an occupant and to be mounted in a vehicle and wherein the first sensor comprises a contactless sensor mounted in the seat adjacent. 
     
     
         24 . The vehicle system of  claim 23  wherein the first sensor comprises a plurality of contactless sensors mounted in the seat, wherein the seat includes a head rest, and wherein the plurality of contactless sensors includes one or more headrest sensors mounted in the headrest. 
     
     
         25 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  wherein the first criterion comprises a sensed brain wave, heart rate, heart rate variability, eye movement, or body position of the driver. 
     
     
         26 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  wherein the controller uses a determination of distraction to output a control signal to increase a time to impact variable in an object avoidance calculation. 
     
     
         27 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  wherein the first criterion comprises a video image output from a cabin camera to detect the driver, and wherein the controller uses the video output and the second criterion to determine a distraction state of the person. 
     
     
         28 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  wherein the second criterion comprises a navigational position signal from a navigational position sensor to detect position of a vehicle, and wherein the controller uses the navigational position signal and the first criterion to determine a distraction state of the person. 
     
     
         29 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  wherein the second criterion comprises an image from an outward facing imager to produce video external to the vehicle, and wherein the controller uses the external camera signal and the first criterion to determine a distraction state of the person. 
     
     
         30 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  wherein the second criterion comprises an external camera signal, a navigational position signal, and a vehicle speed signal, and wherein the controller uses the external camera signal, the navigational position signal, the vehicle speed signal and the first criterion to determine the false distraction state of the driver. 
     
     
         31 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  wherein the controller outputs a control signal to adjust operation of an adaptive braking system in the vehicle based on a determination of distracted driving. 
     
     
         32 . The vehicle system of  claim 31  wherein the controller outputs the control signal to increase a time to impact variable in an object avoidance calculation. 
     
     
         33 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  further comprising a vehicle safety sensor system includes a detection and ranging system with a range setting to sense objects outside including a position and a range of an external object, wherein the controller outputs a range extension signal when the controller determines that the driver is distracted, and wherein the vehicle safety system extends the range setting when the controller outputs the range extension signal. 
     
     
         34 . The vehicle system of  claim 19  further comprising a collision avoidance system having a trigger time based on the control signal from the controller, wherein the collision avoidance system triggers an avoidance action based on the trigger time, and wherein the collision avoidance system has a first trigger time when distraction is not detected and a second trigger time when distraction is detected, the second trigger time being less than the first trigger time.