Method to alert drowsy driver

• US 20020101354A1
• Filed: 01/29/2001
• Published: 08/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Banas, Patrick A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,950,027 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A method for awakening a drowsy driver includes monitoring the drowsiness level of the driver and alerting the driver. The driver is alerted by regulating the temperature in the vehicle interior, releasing oxygen in the vehicle interior, and adjusting the positioning of a window and/or sunroof to vent fresh cooler air into the vehicle. The window and/or sunroof are opened proportionally to the drowsiness level of the driver. The wind entering the vehicle also creates an audible alert which assists in awakening the driver.

Claims

1. A method to alert a driver comprising the steps of:

monitoring a level of drowsiness; and

alerting said driver by modifying the air in a vehicle cab.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of alerting said driver includes lowering a temperature in an interior space of a vehicle.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein a climate control system is utilized to lower the temperature.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of alerting said driver includes pumping an amount of oxygen into an interior space of a vehicle.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of alerting said driver includes adjusting a degree of opening of a vehicle aperture.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein said vehicle aperture is opened to an amount that increases as said level of drowsiness increases.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said aperture is a vehicle window.

8. A system for alerting a driver of drowsiness comprising:

a sensor to monitor a level of drowsiness;

a regulator to adjust the air in a vehicle cab for alerting said driver.

9. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said regulator lowers a temperature in an interior space of said vehicle.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein a climate control system lowers the temperature.

11. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said regulator pumps an amount of oxygen into an interior space of said vehicle.

12. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said regulator adjusts a degree of opening of a vehicle aperture.

13. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said vehicle aperture is opened to an amount that increases as said level of drowsiness increases.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said vehicle aperture is a window.