Vehicular black box monitoring system

Abstract

A vehicular “black box” provides recording means by which driver action can be reviewed after an accident or collision, as well as indicating immediate vehicle disposition status to the driver. Using cameras (which may be very small), the disposition of the vehicle in its lane is determined by detecting the highway lines painted on the road. The data is also recorded so that should an accident or collision occur, the events leading up to such an event are made available for later review and analysis.

1 - 38 . (canceled)  
   
   
       39 . A method for testing potential driver ability, the steps comprising: 
 providing a circle;    tracing said circle, said circle traced by a driver; and    detecting departure from said circle by said tracing; whereby    manual dexterity and/or eye/hand coordination is indicated by said detection of departure of said tracing from said circle.    
   
   
       40 . A method for testing potential driver ability, the steps comprising: 
 providing a moving target;    tracking said moving target, said tracking performed by a driver; and    detecting accuracy and speed of said tracking of said moving target; whereby    speed and accuracy of said tracking are determined by said detecting.    
   
   
       41 - 47 . (canceled)  
   
   
       48 . A method for testing a driver's performance comprising: 
 providing a random sound command, image projection, or a combination of both;    responding to said image, said responding performed by the driver; and    determining the speed and accuracy of said responding.    
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein said sound command and image projection are provided while the driver is driving, said image projection being projected on the windshield of the vehicle wherein 
 alertness of the driver is determined by the speed and accuracy of said responding.    
   
   
       50 . A method of monitoring a driver comprising: 
 recording the driver's brain wave patterns;    determining the character of said patterns when the driver is drowsy or falling asleep;    monitoring the driver's brain waves while driving;    comparing said patterns when the driver is drowsy or falling asleep to the brain waves while driving; and    determining when the driver is drowsy or falling asleep based on said comparing.