DROWSY DRIVER DETECTION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring the alertness of an operator of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- using a sensor to detect a first plurality of positions of the operator'"'"'s head relative to the sensor during a first period of time;
calculating a first set of head movement data using the first plurality of positions of the operator'"'"'s head detected during the first period of time;
calculating a first power spectrum of the first set of head movement data;
using the sensor to detect a second plurality of positions of the operator'"'"'s head relative to the sensor over a second period of time;
calculating a second set of head movement data using the second plurality of positions of the operator'"'"'s head detected during the second period of time;
calculating a second power spectrum of the second set of head movement data; and
comparing the second power spectrum to the first power spectrum to determine whether the second power spectrum has a greater magnitude than the first power spectrum at a characteristic frequency to evaluate the alertness of the operator.
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Abstract
A method of detecting impairment of a driver of a vehicle. The method includes sensing, using a sensor, a position of the driver'"'"'s head at a plurality of time points; determining, using a microprocessor, changes in the position of the driver'"'"'s head between the plurality of time points; evaluating, using a microprocessor, whether the changes in the position of the driver'"'"'s head between the plurality of time points exhibit at least one of a periodic and a quasi-periodic pattern; determining whether the driver is impaired based on the pattern of the changes in the position of the driver'"'"'s head; and if the driver is impaired, alerting the driver using an alarm.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring the alertness of an operator of a vehicle, the method comprising:
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using a sensor to detect a first plurality of positions of the operator'"'"'s head relative to the sensor during a first period of time; calculating a first set of head movement data using the first plurality of positions of the operator'"'"'s head detected during the first period of time; calculating a first power spectrum of the first set of head movement data; using the sensor to detect a second plurality of positions of the operator'"'"'s head relative to the sensor over a second period of time; calculating a second set of head movement data using the second plurality of positions of the operator'"'"'s head detected during the second period of time; calculating a second power spectrum of the second set of head movement data; and comparing the second power spectrum to the first power spectrum to determine whether the second power spectrum has a greater magnitude than the first power spectrum at a characteristic frequency to evaluate the alertness of the operator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for monitoring the alertness of an operator of a vehicle, the system comprising:
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at least one sensor for detecting the position of the operator'"'"'s head relative to the sensor; and a controller operatively coupled to the sensor, the controller configured to use the sensor to detect a first plurality of positions of the operator'"'"'s head relative to the sensor during a first period of time, calculate a first set of head movement data using the first plurality of positions of the operator'"'"'s head detected during the first period of time, calculate a first power spectrum of the first set of head movement data; use the sensor to detect a second plurality of positions of the operator'"'"'s head relative to the sensor during a second period of time, calculate a second set of head movement data using the second plurality of positions of the operator'"'"'s head detected during the second period of time, calculate a second power spectrum of the first set of head movement data, and compare the second power spectrum to the first power spectrum to determine whether the second power spectrum has a greater magnitude than the first power spectrum at a characteristic frequency to evaluate the alertness of the operator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20)
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- 17. The system of claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to alert the operator when it is determined that the operator is impaired.
Specification