IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,515,586
Granted Patent B2
US 12,515,586 · App. 18/582,500 · Granted Jan 6, 2026

System and method for providing haptic feedback to influence an affective state

Inventor: Everlyne N. Kimani (Mountain View, CA)
Assignees: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKA KAISHA
B60Q9/00A61B5/0002A61B5/0816A61B5/6801A61B5/6893A61B5/7455G09B19/167A61B2503/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,515,586
App. No.
18/582,500
Filed
Feb 20, 2024
Granted
Jan 6, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2685
USPC
340/576
Abstract

A method for regulating an affective state of a driver includes transmitting, to a remote monitoring system, vital sign data of the driver in accordance with monitoring one or more vital signs of the driver. The method also includes receiving, from the remote monitoring system, haptic feedback data in accordance with a vital sign, of the one or more vital signs, satisfying a stimulation condition, the haptic feedback data indicating a vital sign pattern of a remote instructor. The method additionally includes providing haptic feedback to the driver in accordance with receiving the haptic feedback data.

Claims (33)

1 . A method for regulating an affective state of a driver, comprising:

transmitting, to a remote monitoring system, vital sign data of the driver in accordance with monitoring one or more vital signs of the driver;

receiving, from the remote monitoring system, haptic feedback data in accordance with a vital sign, of the one or more vital signs, satisfying a stimulation condition, the haptic feedback data indicating a vital sign pattern of a human instructor remotely located from the driver; and

providing haptic feedback to the driver in accordance with receiving the haptic feedback data.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more vital signs include a heart rate, a breathing pattern, a pupil dilation level, a blood pressure level, muscle tension, skin conductance, or a perspiration level.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the vital sign pattern is a breathing pattern.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more vital signs are monitored via one or more sensors incorporated within a vehicle and/or one or more wearable devices.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the haptic feedback is provided via a wearable device or by a vehicle component.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the vital sign data is continuously or periodically transmitted.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the vital sign data is transmitted based on at least one of the one or more vital signs satisfying a transmission condition.

8 . An apparatus for regulating an affective state of a driver, comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more memories coupled with the one or more processors and storing instructions operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the apparatus to:

transmit, to a remote monitoring system, vital sign data of the driver in accordance with monitoring one or more vital signs of the driver;

receive, from the remote monitoring system, haptic feedback data in accordance with a vital sign, of the one or more vital signs, satisfying a stimulation condition, the haptic feedback data indicating a vital sign pattern of a human instructor remotely located from the driver; and

provide haptic feedback to the driver in accordance with receiving the haptic feedback data.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the one or more vital signs include a heart rate, a breathing pattern, a pupil dilation level, a blood pressure level, muscle tension, skin conductance, or a perspiration level.

10 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the vital sign pattern is a breathing pattern.

11 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the one or more vital signs are monitored via one or more sensors incorporated within a vehicle and/or one or more wearable devices.

12 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the haptic feedback is provided via a wearable device or by a vehicle component.

13 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the vital sign data is continuously or periodically transmitted.

14 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the vital sign data is transmitted based on at least one of the one or more vital signs satisfying a transmission condition.

15 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon for regulating an affective state of a driver, the program code executed by at least one processor and comprising:

program code to transmit, to a remote monitoring system, vital sign data of the driver in accordance with monitoring one or more vital signs of the driver;

program code to receive, from the remote monitoring system, haptic feedback data in accordance with a vital sign, of the one or more vital signs, satisfying a stimulation condition, the haptic feedback data indicating a vital sign pattern of a human instructor remotely located from the driver; and

program code to provide haptic feedback to the driver in accordance with receiving the haptic feedback data.

16 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the one or more vital signs include a heart rate, a breathing pattern, a pupil dilation level, a blood pressure level, muscle tension, skin conductance, or a perspiration level.

17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the vital sign pattern is a breathing pattern.

18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the one or more vital signs are monitored via one or more sensors incorporated within a vehicle and/or one or more wearable devices.

19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the haptic feedback is provided via a wearable device or by a vehicle component.

20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein:

the vital sign data is continuously or periodically transmitted; and

the vital sign data is transmitted based on at least one of the one or more vital signs satisfying a transmission condition.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2026
From: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 074315/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2024
From: KIMANI, EVERLYNE N.
To: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 067052/0867 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250263013A1 · Aug 21, 2025
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