Distraction monitoring system

Abstract

A vehicle distraction monitoring system includes a plurality of sensors coupled to a body of a vehicle and a vehicle processor including a distraction monitoring application, data processing hardware, and memory hardware storing vehicle data and distraction zone data. The vehicle processor is configured to receive vehicle sensor data and distraction sensor data from the plurality of sensors, and is configured to issue a distraction notification in response to one or more of distraction zone data, vehicle sensor data, and distraction sensor data.

Description

[0001] introduction

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present disclosure. The work of the presently named inventors, to the extent described in this section and in aspects of the description that may not otherwise be identified as prior art at the time of filing, is neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted to be prior art against the present disclosure. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to a distraction monitoring system. Background Art

[0004] Vehicles are often equipped with monitoring systems that help maintain driver attention during vehicle operation. For example, lane assist systems often provide tactile and / or audio feedback to warn the driver when a vehicle is detected at the edge or outside of the lane of travel. In addition, navigation systems integrated into the vehicle or utilized from third-party systems may provide alerts about traffic events, including, but not limited to, vehicles on the side of the road. These systems typically do not provide additional context or solutions to the driver and are primarily used to provide information without further action by the vehicle or the vehicle's controller. Summary of the invention

[0005] In some aspects, a distraction monitoring system for a vehicle includes a plurality of sensors coupled to a body of the vehicle and an audio array disposed within an interior cabin of the vehicle. The distraction monitoring system also includes a vehicle processor that includes a distraction monitoring application, data processing hardware, and memory hardware that stores vehicle data and distraction zone data. The vehicle processor is configured to receive sensor data from the plurality of sensors and is configured to issue a distraction notification in response to one or more of the distraction zone data and the sensor data. A network is communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor and is configured to provide third party data to the distraction monitoring application.

[0006] In some examples, the sensor data may include one or more of vehicle sensor data, collision avoidance data, and distraction data. The distraction monitoring application may be configured to anticipate distraction data based on distraction zones, and distraction notifications may include expected distraction data. The vehicle processor may be configured to increase the sensitivity of multiple sensors in response to the vehicle approaching a distraction zone. Optionally, third-party data may include points of interest and one or more roadside events. In some configurations, the distraction monitoring system may include a global positioning system (GPS), and the processor may include GPS data. The network may be configured to transmit points of interest, one or more roadside events, and GPS data to the vehicle processor, and the vehicle processor may be configured to update the distraction zone data in response to receiving one or more of the points of interest, one or more roadside events, and GPS data. The distraction monitoring application may be configured to update the distraction zone based on the updated distraction zone data.

[0007] In some aspects, a distraction monitoring system includes a plurality of sensors coupled to a body of a vehicle and an audio array disposed within an interior cabin of the vehicle. The distraction monitoring system also includes a vehicle processor that includes a distraction monitoring application, data processing hardware, and memory hardware that stores vehicle data and distraction zone data. The vehicle processor is configured to receive distraction data from the plurality of sensors and is configured to issue a distraction notification in response to one or more of the distraction zone data and the sensor data received from the plurality of sensors.

[0008] In some examples, the distraction monitoring system may include a network including a communication server communicatively coupled to a vehicle processor, the communication server configured to send third-party data to the vehicle processor. The vehicle processor may be configured to update the distraction zone and increase the sensitivity of the plurality of sensors, respectively, in response to the received third-party data. Optionally, the distraction monitoring system may include a GPS processor, which may include GPS data. The network may be configured to transmit the third-party data and the GPS data to the vehicle processor, and the vehicle processor may be configured to update the distraction zone data in response to receiving at least one of the third-party data and the GPS data.

[0009] In some configurations, the distraction monitoring application can be configured to anticipate distraction data from a plurality of sensors based on the distraction zone data, and the distraction notification can include the anticipated distraction data. The distraction data can include one or more points of interest, and the distraction monitoring application can be configured to emit an audio notification identifying the one or more points of interest via the audio array. In some examples, the distraction monitoring application can be configured to perform an autonomous function of the vehicle in response to the distraction data.

[0010] In other aspects, a vehicle distraction monitoring system includes a plurality of sensors coupled to a body of a vehicle and a vehicle processor including a distraction monitoring application, data processing hardware, and memory hardware storing vehicle data and distraction zone data. The vehicle processor is configured to receive the vehicle sensor data and the distraction sensor data from the plurality of sensors, and is configured to issue a distraction notification in response to one or more of the distraction zone data, the vehicle sensor data, and the distraction sensor data.

[0011] In some examples, a vehicle distraction monitoring system may include a network that may be communicatively coupled to a vehicle processor. The vehicle processor may be configured to receive roadside event data and point of interest data from the network, and in response, may update distraction zone data. Optionally, the vehicle processor may be configured to monitor driving patterns to detect distraction indicators, and the vehicle processor may be configured to issue one or more of an audible alarm and a tactile alarm in response to a detected distraction event. The vehicle processor may be configured to determine a distraction zone based on one or more of the distraction zone data, point of interest data, and roadside event data, and the vehicle processor may be configured to determine when the vehicle is outside of the distraction zone, and may be configured to reduce the sensitivity of multiple sensors in response to the vehicle being outside of the distraction zone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle traveling along a road approaching a series of vehicles on the side of the road according to the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of an interior cabin of a vehicle according to the present disclosure wherein a driver receives audio output from a distraction monitoring system;

[0015] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of a distraction monitoring system according to the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a distraction monitoring system according to the present disclosure; and

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Continuation of the flowchart.

[0018] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be implemented in many different forms, and that the specific details and example configurations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific exemplary configurations and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "a", "an" and "the" may also be intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "including" and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the specific order discussed or shown, unless specifically identified as an execution order. Additional or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0021] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on another element or layer," "engaged to," "connected to," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, directly engaged with, connected to, attached to, or coupled to another element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on another element or layer," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intermediate elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0022] The terms "first", "second", "third", etc. can be used here to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts. These elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms can only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or part from another region, layer or part. Unless the context clearly indicates, terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, without departing from the teaching of the example configuration, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or part.

[0023] In this application, including the definitions below, the term "module" may be replaced with the term "circuit". The term "module" may refer to, be part of, or include: an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that executes code; a processor (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that stores code executed by a memory; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip.

[0024] The term "code" as used above may include software, firmware and / or microcode, and may refer to a program, a routine, a function, a class and / or an object. The term "shared processor" covers a single processor that executes some or all codes from multiple modules. The term "group processor" covers a processor that executes some or all codes from one or more modules in combination with an additional processor. The term "shared memory" covers a single memory that stores some or all codes from multiple modules. The term "group memory" includes a memory that stores some or all codes from one or more modules in combination with an additional memory. The term "memory" may be a subset of the term "computer-readable medium". The term "computer-readable medium" does not include transient electrical signals and electromagnetic signals propagated through the medium, and therefore can be considered to be tangible and non-transient memory. Non-limiting examples of non-temporary memory include tangible computer-readable media, which include non-volatile memory, magnetic memory, and optical memory.

[0025] The apparatus and methods described in this application may be implemented in part or in whole by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer program includes processor executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer readable medium. The computer program may also include and / or rely on stored data.

[0026] A software application (i.e., software resource) may refer to computer software that enables a computing device to perform tasks. In some examples, a software application may be referred to as an "application," "app," or "program." Example applications include, but are not limited to, system diagnostic applications, system management applications, system maintenance applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, messaging applications, media streaming applications, social networking applications, and gaming applications.

[0027] Non-transitory memory can be a physical device used to temporarily or permanently store programs (e.g., sequences of instructions) or data (e.g., program state information) for use by a computing device. Non-transitory memory can be volatile and / or non-volatile addressable semiconductor memory. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory and read-only memory (ROM) / programmable read-only memory (PROM) / erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) / electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., commonly used for firmware, such as bootloaders). Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phase change memory (PCM), and disk or tape.

[0028] These computer programs (also referred to as programs, software, software applications, or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming languages ​​and / or assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, apparatus, and / or device (e.g., disk, optical disk, processor, programmable logic device (PLD)) for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0029] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein can be realized in digital electronic and / or optical circuits, integrated circuits, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementations in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system that includes at least one programmable processor, which may be special-purpose or general-purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device, and to send data and instructions to the storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

[0030] The process and logic flow described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors (also referred to as data processing hardware), which execute one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The process and logic flow can also be performed by a dedicated logic circuit (e.g., FPGA (field programmable gate array) or ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit)). As an example, a processor suitable for executing a computer program includes both general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any type of digital computer. Typically, the processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The basic elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer will also include one or more mass storage devices (e.g., magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks) for storing data, or be operably connected to receive data from it or transmit data to it or both. However, a computer does not need to have such a device. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of nonvolatile memory, media, and memory devices, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0031] To provide interaction with a user, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or touch screen) for displaying information to the user and optionally a keyboard and pointing device (e.g., a mouse or trackball) through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices may also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, the feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including sound, voice, or tactile input. In addition, the computer may interact with the user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device used by the user; for example, by sending a web page to a web browser on a user's client device in response to a request received from the web browser.

[0032] refer to Figure 1-5, a distraction monitoring system 10 for a vehicle 100 includes a vehicle processor 12 having a distraction monitoring application 14, data processing hardware 16, and processor hardware 18. The vehicle processor 12 is communicatively coupled to a plurality of sensors 102, which are coupled to a body 104 of the vehicle 100, described in more detail below. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle (EV) having autonomous or semi-autonomous capabilities. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle 100 can be configured with an internal combustion engine (ICE). In other aspects, the vehicle 100 can be a hybrid vehicle combining EV and ICE components and capabilities.

[0033] The vehicle body 104 can be generally divided into a vehicle front portion 106 proximate a front bumper 108 of the vehicle body 104 and a vehicle rear portion 110 proximate a rear bumper 112. Figure 1 As depicted, vehicle 100 includes a plurality of sensors 102 that may be incorporated with various elements of vehicle body 104, including, but not limited to, rearview mirror 114, front bumper 108, and rear bumper 112. Sensors 102 may include, but are not limited to, proximity sensors, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, and imaging sensors, which may be incorporated as part of vehicle body 104.

[0034] Specific reference Figure 1-3 , an interior cabin 116 of the vehicle 100 is defined by the body 104 and includes a display device 118. The interior cabin 116 may be equipped with one or more of a plurality of sensors 102, including, but not limited to, an imager 102. It is also contemplated that the imager 102 may be positioned on the exterior rearview mirror 114. The imager 102 is configured to capture distraction indicators 20 within the interior cabin 116, particularly with reference to the driver or operator of the vehicle 100. The vehicle processor 12 is also configured to monitor driving patterns to detect one or more distraction indicators 20.

[0035] The display device 118 may be located at the instrument panel 120 of the vehicle 100 and configured to display information related to the vehicle 100 to an occupant of the vehicle 100, including a driver or operator. In some aspects, the display device 120 may be a head-up display (HUD) integrated with a windshield 122 of the vehicle 100. In other examples, the display device 120 may be a tablet device integrated with the instrument panel 120 and configured with a capacitive sensor that provides operational functionality of the display device 120. As described in more detail below, the display device 120 may display information related to the distraction event 22 and / or the distraction zone 24 to the operator before, during, and after entering the distraction zone 24 or approaching the distraction event 22.

[0036] The distraction monitoring system 10 is communicatively coupled to the display device 120 and the sensor 102. For example, the distraction monitoring system 10 can display the distraction monitoring application 14 on the display device 120, as described below. The sensor 102 can be integrated as part of the distraction monitoring system 10, such that the sensor 102 is communicatively coupled to the distraction monitoring application 16. The distraction monitoring system 10 is integrated with the vehicle 100. The sensor 102 is configured to send sensor data 130 to the vehicle processor 12 to help monitor distraction indicators 20 within the vehicle 100 and distraction events 22 along the route of the vehicle 100.

[0037] The sensor data 130 may include one or more of vehicle sensor data 130a, collision avoidance data 130b, and distraction data 130c. The vehicle sensor data 130a relates to data collected by the sensor 102 relative to the vehicle 100 traveling along the route. The vehicle sensor data 130a may include, but is not limited to, lane tracking data. For example, the sensor 102 may detect when the vehicle 100 approaches or crosses a driving lane along the route and send the detected vehicle sensor data 130a to the vehicle processor 12. The collision avoidance data 130b may be informed by the vehicle sensor data 130a and is generally defined by the sensor 102 detecting a potential collision event. A potential collision event may be defined as an event between a vehicle and a third-party object (e.g., a third-party vehicle) that, if not resolved, may result in a collision.

[0038] For example, if the operator of the vehicle 100 is distracted, the sensor 102 may detect a potential collision event and send collision avoidance data 130b to the vehicle processor 12. In response to receiving the collision avoidance data 130b, the vehicle processor 12 may issue an audio alert and / or a tactile alert to the operator of the vehicle 100 via the distraction monitoring application 14 in response to the detected distraction indicator 20. The distraction data 130c may be collected by the sensor 102 disposed within the interior cabin 116 of the vehicle 100. For example, the distraction data 130c may include, but is not limited to, an audible notification issued by the operator or another occupant to observe an object or event outside the vehicle 100. The audible notification may be detected by a microphone 102b within the vehicle 100 and sent to the vehicle processor 12.

[0039] Additionally or alternatively, the imager 102 may detect distraction data 130c by visually capturing image data of an operator presenting the distraction indicator 20. The distraction data 130c is communicated to the distraction monitoring application 14, and the distraction monitoring application 14 may issue a distraction notification 26. The distraction notification 26 may include the audio alert and / or tactile alert described above, and may also include a visual notification that may be displayed on the display device 118. In some examples, the distraction notification 26 may be audibly issued through the audio array 140 of the vehicle 100.

[0040] In some cases, the distraction monitoring application 14 is configured to anticipate distraction data 130c, as described in more detail below, and issue a distraction notification 26 including the anticipated distraction data 130c. For example, the distraction monitoring application 14 may detect that the vehicle 100 is approaching a distraction zone 24 based on the distraction zone data 28 stored in the memory hardware 18. The distraction monitoring application 14 may preemptively issue a distraction notification 26 to prevent the distraction indicator 20 from otherwise being detected by the sensor 102 and collected as distraction data 130c.

[0041] The data processing hardware 16 of the vehicle processor 12 is configured to perform operations of the distraction monitoring system 10, and the memory hardware 18 is in communication with the data processing hardware 16 and stores instructions that, when executed on the data processing hardware 16, cause the data processing hardware 16 to perform operations. The operations performed by the data processing hardware 16 may include launching a distraction monitoring application 14. The distraction monitoring application 14 may be configured as a user-facing interface of the distraction monitoring system 10. The distraction monitoring application 14 receives and merges sensor data 130 from the plurality of sensors 102 and the vehicle data 40 stored in the memory hardware 18. The vehicle controller 12 may display the distraction monitoring application 14 on the display device 120, and as described herein, the distraction monitoring application 14 may present a notification 26 on the display device 120 in response to a distraction event 22.

[0042] The vehicle processor 12 is communicatively coupled to an audio array 140 disposed within the interior cabin 116 of the vehicle 100. The distraction monitoring application 14 may issue a notification 26 via the audio array 140 in response to a determined distraction event 22 to provide an audio alert 142 to a driver or operator of the vehicle 100. The distraction event 22 may be categorized by external or internal distraction that may otherwise affect the driver's attention during operation of the vehicle 100. For example, as described above, the sensor 102 may detect the internal distraction event 22 based on audio detected by the audio array 140. As described herein, the distraction event 22 is an external event relative to the vehicle 100 that may be detected by multiple sensors 102 and / or may be received from a network 202 as third-party data 200. The distraction event 22 may be stored as part of the distraction data 130c. The distraction event 22 is described in more detail below.

[0043] The vehicle processor 12 stores distraction zone data 28 in the memory hardware 18 and in the vehicle 100, which can be used to define a distraction zone 24 relative to the distraction event 22. The distraction zone 24 can be a predetermined radius 30 around the vehicle 100, and the distraction event 22 can overlap in the predetermined radius 30. In some cases, the distraction event 22 can include a point of interest 22a outside the vehicle 100, which can be stored in the memory hardware 18 or received by the vehicle processor 12 from the network 202. The point of interest 22a can include, but is not limited to, scenic overlooks or landscapes, billboards, seasonal decorations, urban landscapes, landmarks, and other fixed points that can attract the attention of the occupants of the vehicle 100. In other cases, the distraction event 22 can include a roadside event 22b described below. In some examples, the distraction data 130c can include one or more points of interest 22a, and the distraction monitoring application 14 can be configured to issue an audio alert 142 via the audio array 140 that identifies the one or more points of interest 22a. Thus, the distraction monitoring application 14 may prevent the distraction indicator 20 by providing the notification 26 via the audio alert 142 while monitoring the driver's distraction indicator 20 .

[0044] In addition to the network 202, the distraction monitoring system 10 may also interconnect the vehicle processor 12 with a global positioning system (GPS) processor 300. The GPS processor 300 is communicatively coupled to the network 202 to provide GPS data 302, such as a GPS location 304 of the vehicle 100, to the distraction monitoring system 10. For example, the GPS data 302 may include surrounding geographic locations 306 corresponding to the route of the vehicle 100 and environmental information 308 relative to the geographic locations 306. The GPS data 302 is monitored both during transportation and in a fixed location. The environmental information 308 may include information including, but not limited to, road conditions, road curvature, road slope, building locations, and terrain information. It is generally contemplated that the environmental information 308 may be transmitted to the vehicle processor 12 to update and notify points of interest 22a that may be used to define distraction zones 24. For example, the network 202 may be configured to transmit the points of interest 22a, the roadside events 22b, and the GPS data 302 to the vehicle processor 12, and the vehicle processor 12 may be configured to update the distraction zone data 28 in response to receiving one or more of the points of interest 22a, the roadside events 22b, and the GPS data 302. In addition, the distraction monitoring application 14 may be configured to update the distraction zone 24 based on the updated distraction zone data 28.

[0045] The environmental information 308 may also include additional information related to the surrounding environment of the vehicle 100 that may be usefully transmitted to the vehicle processor 12. As described below, the distraction monitoring system 10 may query the GPS processor 300 via the network 202 for GPS data 302 in response to detecting the distraction event 22. The GPS processor 300 transmits the geographic location 306 and the environmental information 308 to the vehicle processor 12 via the network 202. The network 202 may include a communication server 204 that is communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor 12 to send and receive signals. For example, the communication server 204 may obtain the GPS data 302 from the GPS processor 300 and communicate the GPS data 302 directly to the operator or driver of the vehicle 100. In some examples, the communication server 204 may also transmit the GPS data 302 to the vehicle processor 12 for analysis as part of the distraction monitoring system 10.

[0046] For example, the vehicle 100 may be traveling along a route with scenery. The GPS processor 300 may send the environmental information 308 to the vehicle processor 12 via the network 202, indicating points of interest 22a that may distract the operator of the vehicle 100. The network 202 may utilize the communication server 204 to communicate the environmental information 308 with the operator and provide recommendations to stay focused on the road. The sensors 102 within the vehicle 100 monitor the driver to detect any potential distraction indicators 20. If a distraction indicator 20 is detected, the distraction monitoring application 14 may issue a distraction notification 26 including one or more of an audio alert, a tactile alert, and a visual alert.

[0047] It is also contemplated that the distraction monitoring system 10 may recommend initiating an autonomous function 40 of the vehicle 100 in response to one or both of the detected point of interest 22a and / or distraction indicator 20. For example, the audio alert 142 of the distraction notification 26 may notify the operator that the vehicle 100 will approach the point of interest 22a and recommends performing the autonomous function 42. The operator may provide audio or tactile feedback to initiate the autonomous function 42. Alternatively, the operator may dismiss the prompt to perform the autonomous function 42 via the distraction notification 26. In the event that the operator dismisses the distraction notification 26, the distraction monitoring system 10 continues to monitor the operator for potential distraction indicators 20, with the sensitivity of the sensor 102 increasing throughout the distraction zone 24.

[0048] The distraction monitoring system 10 is configured to increase and decrease the sensitivity of the sensor 102 based on the distraction zone data 28. For example, as the vehicle 100 approaches and enters the distraction zone 24, the distraction monitoring system 10 increases or increases the sensitivity of the sensor 102. The increased sensitivity of the sensor 102 is maintained throughout the duration that the vehicle 100 is within the distraction zone 24. Once the vehicle 100 exits the distraction zone 24, the distraction monitoring system 10 may decrease the sensitivity of the sensor 102. Although the sensitivity of the sensor 102 may be decreased outside of the distraction zone 24, the sensor 102 still continuously monitors the vehicle 100 and the operator's potential distraction indicators 20 even outside of the distraction zone 24.

[0049] Further references Figure 1-3 , (one or more) distraction events 22 may also include roadside events 22b. Roadside events 22b may be identified via third-party data 200 received by the vehicle processor 12 via the network 202. Roadside events 22b may include, but are not limited to, third-party vehicle collisions, vehicles on the side of the road, vehicles parked in the road, collisions on the road, and any other roadside events that may attract the attention of the operator. In some examples, the vehicle processor 12 may receive the third-party data 200 including the roadside event 22b and issue a distraction notification 26. The vehicle processor 12 may determine a distraction zone 24 based on the third-party data 200. It is contemplated that the vehicle processor 12 may classify the third-party data 200 as distraction zone data 28 because the third-party data 200 is generally used to determine a distraction zone 24 with respect to a roadside event 22b.

[0050] Once the distraction monitoring system 10 records a distraction event 22, the distraction monitoring application 14 may be configured to anticipate distraction data 130c and distraction indicators 20. For example, the distraction monitoring system 10 may determine and identify a distraction zone 24, and the distraction monitoring application 14 may anticipate distraction data 130c based on the distraction zone 24. A distraction notification 26, which may be issued in response to the determined distraction zone 24, may include the anticipated distraction data 130c. For example, the distraction notification 26 may warn the operator that the roadside event 22b will be on the side of the road, but the roadside event 22b is being handled by first responders and to remain focused on driving the vehicle 100. After issuing the distraction notification 26, the vehicle processor 12 may increase the sensitivity of the sensor 102 to detect potential distraction indicators 20 as the vehicle 100 approaches the distraction zone 24.

[0051] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5, depicts an example flow chart of the distraction monitoring system 10. At 400, the distraction monitoring system 10 detects that the vehicle 100 is traveling, and at 402, the distraction monitoring system 10 communicates the route of the vehicle 100 with the network 202. At 404, the network 202 analyzes the route and compares the route to any known potential distraction zones 24. At 406, the distraction monitoring system determines whether a potential distraction zone 24 is identified. If no distraction zone 24 is identified, the distraction monitoring system 10 continues to monitor the vehicle 100 along the route.

[0052] If a distraction zone 24 is identified, the distraction monitoring system 10 increases the sensitivity of the sensor 102 at 408 and increases monitoring of the distraction indicator 20 at 410. In some examples, the distraction monitoring system 10 may provide for autonomous functionality 40 to take over at 412. At 414, the distraction monitoring system 10 determines if there is available data regarding the distraction event 22. If there is available data, the distraction monitoring system 10 alerts the driver of the distraction event 22 at 416 and monitors the driver's distraction indicator 20 at 418. If there is no available data for the distraction event 22, the distraction monitoring system proceeds to monitoring the distraction indicator at 418. At 420, the distraction monitoring system 10 determines if a distraction indicator 20 is detected. If a distraction indicator 20 is detected, the distraction monitoring system 10 issues an audible and tactile alert 26 to the driver at 422 and returns to monitoring the distraction indicator 20 at 418. If no distraction indicator 20 is detected, then at 424 , the distraction monitoring system 10 determines whether the vehicle 100 is outside of the distraction zone 24 .

[0053] Reference again Figure 1-5 , the distraction monitoring system 10 helps the vehicle operator navigate through potential distraction zones 24 by providing context and information surrounding potential distraction events 22. Additionally, the increased sensitivity of the sensors 102 helps maintain focus on operating the vehicle 100 as the vehicle 100 passes through distraction zones 24. In some cases, the vehicle 100 may include an autonomous function 40 that may provide the operator with an opportunity to observe, for example, a point of interest 22a that may otherwise be a distraction event 22. The distraction monitoring application 14 may prompt the operator with the option of executing the autonomous function 40 before the vehicle 100 is within the distraction zone 24. Additionally or alternatively, if the distraction monitoring system 10 detects a distraction indicator 20, the distraction monitoring application 14 may prompt the operator with the option of executing the autonomous function 40 while the vehicle 100 is within the distraction zone 24. The distraction monitoring system advantageously helps maintain driver focus during operation of the vehicle 100 where a distraction event 22 may otherwise result in a distraction indicator 20.

[0054] Many embodiments have been described. However, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

[0055] The foregoing description is provided for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. The individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but are interchangeable where applicable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. It can also be varied in many ways. Such variations should not be considered as departing from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A distraction monitoring system, comprising: a plurality of sensors coupled to a body of the vehicle; an audio array disposed within an interior cabin of the vehicle; as well as A vehicle processor comprising a distraction monitoring application, data processing hardware, and memory hardware for storing vehicle data and distraction zone data corresponding to distraction zones, the vehicle processor being configured to receive distraction data from a plurality of sensors and being configured to issue a distraction notification in response to one or more of the distraction zone data and sensor data received from the plurality of sensors.

2. The distraction monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising a network including a communication server communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor, the communication server configured to transmit third-party data to the vehicle processor.

3. The distraction monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the vehicle processor is configured to update the distraction zone and increase the sensitivity of the plurality of sensors, respectively, in response to received third-party data.

4. The distraction monitoring system of claim 2 further comprises a GPS processor including GPS data, the network being configured to transmit third-party data and GPS data to the vehicle processor, the vehicle processor being configured to update the distraction zone data in response to receiving at least one of the third-party data and GPS data. 5 . The distraction monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the distraction monitoring application is configured to anticipate distraction data from a plurality of sensors based on the distraction zone data, the distraction notification comprising the anticipated distraction data.

6. The distraction monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the distraction data includes one or more points of interest, and the distraction monitoring application is configured to issue an audio notification via an audio array identifying the one or more points of interest. 7 . The distraction monitoring system of claim 6 , wherein the distraction monitoring application is configured to perform an autonomous function of the vehicle in response to the distraction data.

8. The distraction monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensor data includes one or more of vehicle sensor data, collision avoidance data, and distraction data.

9. The distraction monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the distraction monitoring application is configured to anticipate the distraction data based on the distraction zone, the distraction notification comprising the anticipated distraction data.

10. The distraction monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the vehicle processor is configured to increase sensitivity of a plurality of sensors in response to the vehicle approaching the distraction zone.

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