METHOD FOR ASCERTAINING THE HEART RATE OF THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE

• US 20150367780A1
• Filed: 06/19/2015
• Published: 12/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: HILSEBECHER, Joerg, DREUW, Philippe
• Granted Patent: US 10,043,074 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/163 by tracking eye movement, gaze, or pupil change
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/597 Recognising the driver's state or behaviour, e.g. attention or drowsiness
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/19 Sensors therefor

Abstract

In a method for ascertaining the heart rate of the driver of a vehicle, the eye position is determined with the aid of a camera, and an image section of the driver'"'"'s head is acquired. To ascertain the heart rate, successive images which were recorded over time with the aid of the camera are analyzed.

Claims

1. A method for ascertaining a heart rate of a driver of a vehicle, comprising:

ascertaining, via a camera, an eye position of an eye of the driver;

recording an image section of a head of the driver; and

analyzing successive images recorded by the camera in order to ascertain the heart rate.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the eye position of the driver is ascertained based on a corneal reflex in the eye.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein images of the eye are analyzed in order to ascertain the heart rate.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein images of a defined facial region outside of the eye are analyzed in order to ascertain the heart rate.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the defined facial region outside of the eye includes lips.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recorded images are analyzed with regard to a change in color.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recorded images are analyzed with regard to a change in a size of a facial region.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recorded images are analyzed using an image frequency analysis method.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a line of sight of the driver is ascertained from the eye position.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the camera includes an infrared camera.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the camera operates in a near-infrared range.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein an infrared illumination unit is used, via which infrared radiation is generated.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising an additional detection system for increasing a reliability of information obtained by analyzing the camera images.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the additional detection system ascertains whether the driver is speaking.

15. A system for a vehicle for ascertaining a heart rate of a driver, comprising:

a camera for ascertaining an eye position of an eye of the driver and for recording an image section of a head of the driver; and

an evaluation unit for analyzing successive images recorded by the camera in order to ascertain the heart rate.