System and method to monitor and reduce vehicle operator impairment

A computer system comprising:

• a processor;
• one or more optical sensors;
• a program memory storing executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the computer system to:
• gather data about potential vehicle operator impairment by:
• monitor a vehicle operator with an optical sensor,
• monitor the environment ahead of the vehicle with an optical sensor, and
• monitor force in one or more directions with an accelerometer,
• wherein the data about potential vehicle operator impairment is stored on a computer-readable medium;
• assign a plurality of scores based on the data about potential operator impairment, wherein each of the plurality of scores corresponds to a respective impairment indicator;
• generate an impairment score by performing a mathematical operation on the plurality of scores, wherein the impairment score is stored on a computer-readable medium;
• determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired by comparing the impairment score generated by performing the mathematical operation on the plurality of scores to a threshold value;
• when it is determined that the vehicle operator is impaired, alert the vehicle operator using at least one or more of an audible alert, a visual alert, and a tactile alert;
• analyze, with the processor, the data about potential vehicle operator impairment to identify recommendations to reduce operator impairment;
• and
• communicate the recommendations to reduce operator impairment to the vehicle operator.

A computer system comprising:

• a processor;
• one or more optical sensors;
• a program memory storing executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the computer system to:
• gather data about potential vehicle operator impairment by:
• monitor a vehicle operator with an optical sensor,
• monitor the environment ahead of the vehicle with an optical sensor, and
• monitor force in one or more directions with an accelerometer,
• wherein the data about potential vehicle operator impairment is stored on a computer-readable medium;
• send to one of one or more computers the data about potential vehicle operator impairment;
• receive a determination from the one of one or more computers whether the vehicle operator is impaired, wherein the determination from the one of one or more computers is based on comparing an impairment score to a threshold value,
• the impairment score being generated by performing a mathematical operation on a plurality of scores,
• each of the plurality of scores being based on the data about potential operator impairment, and
• each of the plurality of scores corresponding to a respective impairment indicator;
• when a determination that the vehicle operator is impaired is received, alert the vehicle operator using at least one or more of an audible alert, a visual alert, and a tactile alert;
• receive recommendations to reduce operator impairment;
• and
• communicate the recommendations to reduce operator impairment to the vehicle operator.

A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a process of a computer system cause the computer system to:

• gather data about potential vehicle operator impairment by:
• monitor a vehicle operator with an optical sensor,
• monitor the environment ahead of the vehicle with an optical sensor, and
• monitor force in one or more directions with an accelerometer,
• wherein the data about potential vehicle operator impairment is stored on a computer-readable medium;
• assign a plurality of scores based on the data about potential operator impairment, wherein each of the plurality of scores corresponds to a respective impairment indicator;
• generate an impairment score by performing a mathematical operation on the plurality of scores, wherein the impairment score is stored on a computer-readable medium;
• determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired by comparing the impairment score generated by performing the mathematical operation on the plurality of scores to a threshold value;
• when it is determined that the vehicle operator is impaired, alert the vehicle operator using at least one or more of an audible alert, a visual alert, and a tactile alert;
• analyze, with the processor of the computer system, the data about potential vehicle operator impairment to identify recommendations to reduce operator impairment;
• and
• communicate the recommendations to reduce operator impairment to the vehicle operator.