US 12,434,728 B2
Vehicle operator drowsiness alert
James V. Roell, Clarkston, MI (US); Maureen E. August, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI (US); and George R. O'Sullivan, Chicago, IL (US)
Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/303,602.
Prior Publication US 2024/0351601 A1, Oct. 24, 2024
Int. Cl. B60W 50/14 (2020.01); B60W 40/08 (2012.01)
CPC B60W 50/14 (2013.01) [B60W 40/08 (2013.01); B60W 2050/143 (2013.01); B60W 2050/146 (2013.01); B60W 2540/10 (2013.01); B60W 2540/12 (2013.01); B60W 2540/229 (2020.02); B60W 2540/26 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for controlling an operator drowsiness alert system for a vehicle, the method reacting to a sensed or calculated level of drowsiness of an operator of the vehicle, the method comprising:
entering a first drowsiness alert state associated with a first operator drowsiness alert if the sensed or calculated level of drowsiness is above a first predetermined level for a first predetermined time, wherein the first predetermined time is greater than zero;
transitioning from the first drowsiness alert state to a second drowsiness alert state associated with a second operator drowsiness alert if the sensed or calculated level of drowsiness is above a second predetermined level for a second predetermined time, wherein the second predetermined time is greater than zero;
providing the first operator drowsiness alert after a predetermined time in the first drowsiness alert state, the predetermined time in the first drowsiness alert state being greater than zero;
while in the second drowsiness alert state, moving to the first drowsiness alert state if the sensed or calculated level of drowsiness is below a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time; and
suppressing the first operator drowsiness alert if the first drowsiness alert state was entered from the second drowsiness alert state.