Vehicle Cognitive State Detection Using GPS Location Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for determining a vehicle operator's impaired cognitive state are intrusive and require significant operator participation, which can deter their use.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a global positioning system (GPS) and a controller to determine the operator's cognitive state by analyzing location classifications and time duration values, generating signals indicative of intoxication, drowsiness, or fatigue, with minimal operator participation and intrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vehicle ignition locking mechanism or pre-operation tests are implemented to detect impaired cognitive state, then safety against impaired operation is improved, but operator freedom and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against impaired operationVSAvoidoperator freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically collects GPS location data and time duration information without requiring operator participation. The controller independently analyzes this data to determine cognitive state, eliminating the need for operator-initiated tests or self-reporting while maintaining safety detection capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces intrusive mechanical or manual testing systems with an automated electronic monitoring system using GPS and controller-based analysis. This substitution eliminates physical tests or manual interventions that would compromise operator freedom while maintaining reliable detection of impaired cognitive states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If automated monitoring systems are implemented to detect impaired cognitive state with minimal operator participation, then ease of operation is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimal operator participationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the vehicle's existing GPS navigation system and controller for multiple purposes: primary navigation functions plus secondary cognitive state monitoring. By making the GPS device and controller multi-functional, the patent avoids adding dedicated monitoring hardware, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving automated detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller utilizes its own processing capabilities and the GPS device's inherent data collection functions to perform cognitive state analysis. The system serves itself by using existing computational resources and data infrastructure rather than requiring separate dedicated monitoring subsystems, thus minimizing added complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively assesses the operator's cognitive state with minimal intrusion, providing alerts or counter-measures when impaired states are detected, thereby enhancing safety without compromising operator freedom.

Implementation Method 1

generating a first signal indicative of a first location of the vehicle at a first time, utilizing a global positioning system device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS satellite signal reception:

Data Source

PatentUS7468673B2System and method for determining whether a vehicle operator has an impaired cognitive state

Publication Date: 2008.12.23 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

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.