System and method of promoting operator focus through systematic positive reinforcement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025259203-A1
Application number	US-202418441045-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 14, 2024
Priority date	Feb 14, 2024
Publication date	Aug 14, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method and system of promoting operator focus through systematic positive reinforcement. The method includes receiving sensor data containing operator features; analyzing the operator features to determine the operator is in an alert state; determining a duration of alert time the operator remains in the alert state; and issuing a first level positive reinforcement feedback (1L PRF) in response to the operator remaining in the alert state equal to a sustained attention threshold (AThreshold). The method further includes issuing a second level positive reinforcement feedback (2L PRF) when the number of 1L PFR issued is equal to a first predetermined first value (K1). The method further includes issuing a third level positive reinforcement feedback (3L PRF) when the number of 2L PFR issued is equal to a second predetermined calibration value (K2).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of promoting operator focus through systematic positive reinforcement, comprising:
a. analyzing sensor data to determine an operator is in an alert state; b. determining a length of alert time the operator remains in the alert state; C. determining the length of alert time is greater than a predetermine Attention Threshold (AThreshold); and d. issuing a first level positive reinforcement feedback (1L PRF) in response to the length of alert time is greater than the predetermine Attention Threshold (AThreshold).

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
repeating steps (a) through (d); determining a number of consecutive 1L PRF issued; and issuing a second level positive reinforcement feedback (2L PRF) when the number of consecutive 1L PFR issued is equal to a first predetermined calibration value (K1).

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
determining a number of consecutive 2L PRF issued; and issuing a third level positive reinforcement feedback (3L PRF) when the number of consecutive 2L PFR issued is equal to a second predetermined calibration value (K2).

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein:
the 1L PRF comprises an audible chime; the 2L PRF comprises an audible cheer; and the 3L PRF comprises at least one of a personalized message and an accumulable point redeemable for a service or item of monetary value.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the 3L PRF is based on a predetermined focus score (FS), wherein:
FS =( TT−ADT )/ TT , wherein: TT=Total Travel Time ADT=Accumulated Distraction time.

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the 1L PRF and the 2L PRF are implemented by an infotainment unit of a vehicle.

7 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
analyzing sensor data to determine a distraction event (DE); determining a distraction duration (DD) of the DE; determining the DD is greater than a predetermine distraction threshold (DT); and resetting the number of consecutive 1L PRF issued to zero in response to the DD is greater than the DT.

8 . The method of claim 3 , wherein analyzing sensor data to determine an operator is in an alert state, comprises:
analyzing sensor data to determine whether the operator is exhibiting a predetermined distracted behavior; determining a distracted time duration the operator is exhibiting the predetermine distracted behavior; and determining the operator is in an alert state in response to one of:
the operator is determined to not exhibit the predetermined distracted behavior, and
the distracted time duration is less than a predetermined distraction threshold (DT).

9 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
issuing at least one of the 1L PRF, the 2L PRF, and the 3L PRF in response to the 1L PFR being equal to a random value greater than the first predetermined calibration value (K1).

10 . The method of claim 3 , wherein at least one of:
the first level positive reinforcement feedback (1L PRF) is issued on an aleatory basis; and the second level positive reinforcement feedback (2L PRF) is issued on the aleatory basis.

11 . A system for promoting operator focus through systematic positive reinforcement, comprising:
at least one sensor configured to gather information on an operator of a vehicle; and a control module configured to:
analyze the gathered information to determine the operator is in an alert state,
determine a duration of alert time the operator remains in the alert state, and
issue a first level positive reinforcement feedback (1L PRF) in response to the duration of alert time is equal to a predetermined sustained attention threshold (AThreshold).

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the control module is further configured to:
determine a number of consecutive 1L PRF issued; and issue a second level positive reinforcement feedback (2L PRF) when the number of consecutive 1L PFR issued is equal to a first predetermined first value (K1).

13 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising:
an infotainment unit in communication with the control module, wherein the infotainment unit is configured to issue the 1L PRF in a form of a chime and issue the 2L PRF in a form of a cheer.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the control module is further configured to:
determine a number of consecutive 2L PRF issued; and issue a third level positive reinforcement feedback (3L PRF) when the number of consecutive 2L PFR issued is equal to a second predetermined calibration value (K2).

15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a reward system configured to issue the 3L PRF in a form of reward points redeemable for a service or an item of monetary value.

16 . A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for promoting operator focus through systematic positive reinforcement, that upon execution by a processor, cause the processor to:
receive sensor data containing operator features; analyze the operator features to determine an operator is in an alert state; determine a duration of alert time the operator remains in the alert state; and issue a first level positive reinforcement feedback (1L PRF) in response to the duration of time is equal to a predetermine sustained attention threshold (AThreshold).

17 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16 , further comprising instructions to cause the processor to:
determine a number of consecutive 1L PRF issued; and issue a second level positive reinforcement feedback (2L PRF) when the number of consecutive 1L PRF issued is equal to a first predetermined first value (K1).

18 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , further comprising instructions to cause the processor to:
determine a number of consecutive 2L PRF issued; and issue a third level positive reinforcement feedback (3L PRF) when the number of consecutive 2L PFR issued is equal to a second predetermined calibration value (K2).

19 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18 , further comprising instructions to cause the processor to:
issue at least one of the 1L PRF and the 2L PRF on an aleatory basis.

20 . The computer readable medium of claim 18 , further comprising instructions to cause the processor to:
issue the 3L PRF as an accumulable reward point redeemable for a service or item of monetary value.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Pacheco Armando Antonio Beltran
• Sarwar Azeem

Classifications

• G08B21/06

  indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms · CPC title

• G06Q30/0235 Primary

  constrained by time limit or expiration date · CPC title

• G08B21/0423

  detecting deviation from an expected pattern of behaviour or schedule · CPC title