Drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle

• US 4,463,347 A
• Filed: 09/21/1981
• Issued: 07/31/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Yanagishima, Takayuki, Seko, Yasutoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US06/304,254
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 340/576, 180/272
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions

Abstract

A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle which gives an alarm to the vehicle driver when detecting a vehicle steering condition such as to indicate a state of drowsiness, thus preventing driving in an increasing state of drowsiness. The drowsiness alarm system, according to the present invention, comprises: (a) a steering angle detection circuit which outputs a first pulse whenever the vehicle driver turns the steering wheel in either of the clockwise and anticlockwise directions in excess of a predetermined angle; (b) a quick steering detection circuit which outputs a second pulse whenever the number of the first pulses reaches a predetermined number within a predetermined period of time; and (c) an alarm unit which gives an alarm in a predetermined form to the vehicle driver in response to the second pulse fed from the quick steering detection circuit. Furthermore, to ensure more accurate detection of the state of drowsiness, there may be provided in the drowsiness alarm system a frequency of steering detection circuit which outputs a third pulse when detecting an increasing frequency of steering changes, a vehicle speed sensor for inhibiting the alarming when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined value, or a vehicle condition responsive circuit for inhibiting the alarm when detecting that the vehicle travels in predetermined states such that the vehicle driver should not become drowsy, according to various vehicle driving conditions other than vehicle steering condition.

Claims

1. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle for producing a warning in the event of driver drowsiness as determined from vehicle steering changes, comprising:

(a) an alarm unit which produces an alarm in a predetermined form in response to a pulse inputted thereto;

(b) a steering angle sensor which generates a signal indicative of the angle through which a steering wheel is turned;

(c) a steering angle detection circuit, connected to said steering angle sensor, which outputs a pulse each time the vehicle steering angle changes by a predetermined amount; and

(d) a quick steering detection circuit, connected to said steering angle detection circuit, for outputting a pulse to said alarm unit whenever the number of pulses from said steering angle detection circuit inputted thereto within a predetermined period of time following receipt of the first of said steering angle detection circuit pulses exceeds a predetermined number,

whereby said alarm unit is activated in response to detection of an abrupt or sudden steering operation.

3. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises:

(a) a frequency of steering detection circuit, connected between said steering angle detection circuit and said alarm unit, which outputs a pulse to said alarm unit whenever the pulses from said steering angle detection circuit have a predetermined timed relationship with one another and the number of such pulses within a second predetermined period of time exceeds a second predetermined number whereby the alarm is produced when the number of steering operations exceeding the predetermined amount of change of the steering angle within the second predetermined period of time exceeds the second predetermined number, and

whereby the alarm unit provides the alarm indication in response to a pulse from said quick steering detection circuit or from said frequency of steering detection circuit.

4. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle speed sensor which outputs a high-level voltage signal when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value; and

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to said quick steering detection circuit, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle speed sensor, and an output terminal of which is connected to said alarm unit for enabling the pulse from said quick steering detection circuit to pass therethrough to said alarm unit only when said vehicle speed sensor sends the high-level voltage signal thereto.

5. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle speed sensor which outputs a high-level voltage signal when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value; and

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to said steering angle detection circuit, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle speed sensor, and an output terminal of which is connected to said quick steering detection circuit for enabling the pulse from said steering angle detection circuit to pass therethrough to said quick steering detection circuit only when said vehicle speed sensor sends the first high-level voltage signal thereto.

8. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 3, wherein output terminals of both said quick steering detection circuit and said frequency of steering detection circuits are connected to said alarm unit via a common OR gate and which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle speed sensor which outputs a high-level voltage signal when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value; and

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to said steering angle detection circuit, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle speed sensor and an output terminal of which is connected to both said quick steering detection circuit and to said frequency of steering angle detection circuits, for enabling the pulse from said steering angle detection circuit to pass therethrough to both said quick steering circuit and to said frequency of steering angle detection circuit only when said vehicle speed sensor sends the high-level voltage signal thereto.

9. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 3, wherein output terminals of both said quick steering and frequency of steering detection circuits are input to a common OR gate and which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle speed sensor which outputs a high-level voltage signal when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value; and

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to an output terminal of said OR gate, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle speed sensor, and an output terminal of which is connected to said alarm unit, for enabling the pulses from said quick steering detection circuit and from said frequency of steering detection circuit respectively provided via said OR gate to pass therethrough to said alarm unit only when said vehicle speed sensor sends the high-level voltage signal thereto.

10. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle condition responsive circuit which generates a high-level voltage signal only when detecting from various vehicle operating conditions except a vehicle steering condition that the vehicle travels in such a monotonous state as to make the vehicle driver drowsy; and

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to said steering angle detection circuit, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle condition responsive circuit, and an output terminal of which is connected to said quick steering detection circuit for enabling the pulse from said steering angle detection circuit to pass therethrough to said quick steering detection circuit only when said vehicle condition responsive circuit sends the high-level voltage signal thereto.

11. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle condition responsive circuit which generates a high-level voltage signal only when detecting from various vehicle operating conditions except a vehicle steering condition that the vehicle travels in such a monotonous state as to make the vehicle driver drowsy; and

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to said quick steering detection circuit, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle condition responsive circuit, and an output terminal of which is connected to said alarm unit for enabling the pulse from said quick steering detection circuit to pass therethrough to said alarm unit only when said vehicle condition responsive circuit sends the high-level voltage signal thereto.

14. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said quick steering and frequency of steering detection circuits each have an output terminal connected to said alarm unit via an OR gate and which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle condition responsive circuit which generates a high-level voltage signal only when detecting from various vehicle operating conditions except a vehicle steering condition that the vehicle travels in such a monotonous state as to make the vehicle driver drowsy; and

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to said steering angle detection circuit, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle condition responsive circuit, and an output terminal of which is connected to input terminals of both said quick steering detection circuit and said frequency of steering detection circuit for enabling the pulse from said steering angle detection circuit to pass therethrough to both said quick steering detection circuit and to said frequency of steering detection circuit only when said vehicle condition responsive circuit sends the high-level voltage signal thereto.

15. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 3, wherein both said quick steering detection circuit and said frequency of steering detection circuit have output terminals connected to said alarm unit via an OR gate and which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle condition responsive circuit which generates a high-level voltage signal only when detecting from various vehicle operating conditions except a vehicle steering condition that the vehicle travels in such a monotonous state as to make the vehicle driver drowsy; and

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to the output terminal of said OR gate, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle condition responsive circuit, and an output terminal of which is connected to said alarm unit for enabling pulses passed through said OR gate from either said quick steering detection circuit or said frequency of steering detection circuit to pass therethrough to said alarm unit only when said vehicle condition responsive circuit sends the high-level voltage signal thereto.

16. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in any one of claims 1 through 15, wherein said steering angle detection circuit comprises:

(a) a positive peak detector, connected to said steering angle sensor, which holds and outputs a local maximum level of the output signal from said steering angle sensor, decreasing the held maximum level by a reference voltage, corresponding to a predetermined change of angle, when reset;

(b) a negative peak detector, connected to said steering angle sensor, which holds and outputs a local minimum level of the output signal from said steering angle sensor, increasing the held minimum level by the reference voltage, corresponding to the predetermined change of angle, when reset;

(c) a differential amplifier, connected to output terminals of both said positive and said negative peak detectors, which outputs a difference voltage signal according to the difference between output signals from said positive and negative peak detectors; and

(d) a comparator, connected to said differential amplifier, which compares the difference voltage signal with a predetermined voltage and generates the pulse output of said steering angle detection circuit when the difference voltage signal reaches the predetermined voltage, the generated output pulse resetting said positive and negative peak detectors.

17. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in any one of claims 1, 3 through 5, 8 through 11, 14 and 15, wherein said quick steering detection circuit comprises:

(a) a monostable multivibrator which outputs a high-level voltage signal for a predetermined period of time in response to the pulse from said steering angle detection circuit;

(b) an AND gate connected between said steering angle detection circuit and an input terminal of said monostable multivibrator;

(c) an inverter connected between an input terminal of said AND gate connected to said monostable multivibrator, on the one hand, and an output terminal of said monostable multivibrator on the other hand, for outputting an inverted signal of the output signal of said monostable multivibrator to an input terminal of said AND gate associated therewith;

(d) a counter, connected between said steering angle detection circuit and said alarm unit, which counts the number of inputted pulses from said steering angle detection unit during the time when the high-level voltage signal from said monostable multivibrator is inputted thereto and which outputs the quick steering detection pulse when the counted number reaches the predetermined number.

18. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in any one of claims 1, 3 through 5, 8 through 11, 14, and 15, wherein said quick steering detection circuit comprises:

(a) a monostable multivibrator, connected to said steering angle detection circuit, which outputs a high-level voltage signal for a predetermined period of time whenever the pulse from said steering angle detection circuit is inputted thereto;

(b) an integrator, connected to said monostable multivibrator, which integrates the high-level voltage signal fed from said monostable multivibrator; and

(c) a comparator, connected to said integrator for comparing the integrated voltage signal from said integrator with a predetermined voltage and for outputting the quick steering detection pulse when the integrated voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage level.

21. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in any one of claims 10 through 15, wherein said vehicle condition responsive circuit comprises:

(a) a first circuit, responsive to the operation of a turn signal indicator light of the vehicle, which outputs a first high-level voltage signal when a driver turns on a turn signal indicator switch and until a predetermined period of time after the driver turns off the turn signal indicator switch;

(b) a second circuit, responsive to the depression of a brake pedal of the vehicle, which outputs a second high-level voltage signal when the driver depresses the brake pedal and until a predetermined period of time after the driver releases the brake pedal;

(c) a third circuit, responsive to the operation of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, which outputs a third high-level voltage signal when the driver nearly fully depresses or releases the accelerator pedal to a position outside a predetermined range of stroke and until a predetermined period of time after a time when the driver operates the accelerator pedal at the predetermined range of stroke;

(d) a fourth circuit, responsive to a vehicle speed, which outputs a fourth high-level voltage sgnal when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined value and until a predetermined period of time after the vehicle speed exceeds the predetermined value;

(e) a fifth circuit, responsive to the operation of a gear selector lever, which outputs a fifth high-level voltage signal when the gear selector lever is placed at any position except top and overdrive positions and until a predetermined period of time after the gear selector lever is shifted to either of the top and overdrive positions from any other position; and

(f) a NOR gate, connected to said first, second, third, fourth, and fifth circuits, which sends an inverted form of the high-level voltage signal of said vehicle condition responsive circuit to said AND gate when any of the high-level voltage signals from said first, second, third, fourth and fifth circuits are received.

22. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 21, wherein said first circuit comprises:

(a) a turn signal indicator switch which outputs a high-level voltage signal when a vehicle'"'"'s turn signal indicator light is turned on;

(b) an inverter, connected to said turn signal indicator switch, which inverts the output signal level of said turn signal indicator switch;

(c) a differentiator, connected to said inverter, which differentiates the output inverted signal of said inverter so as to detect the falling edge of the high-level voltage signal of said turn signal indicator switch when the turn signal indicator light is turned off;

(d) a timer, connected to said differentiator, which outputs a high-level voltage signal for a predetermined period of time upon receiving the differentiated signal of said differentiator responsive to the falling edge of the high-level voltage signal of said turn signal indicator switch; and

(e) an OR gate, connected to said turn signal indicator switch and timer, which outputs the first high-level voltage signal in response to the high-level voltage signals from both said turn signal indicator switch and said timer.

23. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 21, wherein said second circuit comprises:

(a) a brake pedal operation sensor which outputs a high-level voltage signal when the brake pedal is depressed;

(b) an inverter, connected to said brake pedal operation sensor, which inverts the output signal level from said brake pedal operation sensor;

(c) a differentiator, connected to said inverter, which differentiates the output signal of said inverter so as to detect the falling edge of the high-level voltage signal of said brake pedal operation sensor when the brake pedal is depressed;

(d) a timer, connected to said differentiator, which outputs a high-level voltage signal for a predetermined period of time upon receiving the differentiated signal of said differentiator responsive to the falling edge of the high-level voltage signal of said brake pedal operation sensor; and

(e) an OR gate, connected to said brake pedal operation sensor and said fifth timer, which outputs the second high-level voltage signal in response to the high-level voltage signals from said brake pedal operation sensor and said timer.

24. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 21, wherein said third circuit comprises:

(a) an acceleration/deceleration sensor, which outputs a high-level voltage signal when the accelerator pedal of the vehicle is depressed or released to within a predetermined range of stroke with respect to the extreme strokes of the accelerator pedal;

(b) a timer, connected to said acceleration/deceleration sensor, which outputs a high-level voltage signal for a predetermined period of time after the high-level voltage signal is inputted thereto from said acceleration/deceleration sensor;

(c) an inverter, connected to said timer, which inverts the output signal level from said timer;

(d) a second AND gate, connected to said acceleration/deceleration sensor and to said inverter, which takes the logical AND between the output signals from both said accelertion/deceleration sensor and said inverter, and outputs a high-level voltage signal when the predetermined period of time has passed after the accelerator pedal is depressed or released to within the predetermined range of stroke; and

(e) a further inverter, connected to said second AND gate, which inverts the output signal of said AND gate so as to output the third high-level voltage signal when said AND gate sends a low-level voltage signal thereto.

25. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 21, wherein said fourth circuit comprises:

(a) a vehicle speed sensor which outputs a high-level voltage signal when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value;

(b) a timer, connected to said vehicle speed sensor, which outputs a high-level voltage signal for a predetermined period of time in response to the high-level voltage signal from said vehicle speed sensor;

(c) an inverter, connected to said timer, which inverts the output signal level of said timer;

(d) a second AND gate, connected to said vehicle speed sensor and to said inverter, which takes the logical AND between the output signals of both said vehicle speed sensor and said inverter and outputs a high-level voltage signal indicating that the predetermined period of time has passed since the vehicle speed exceeded the predetermined value; and

(e) an additional inverter, connected to said second AND gate, which inverts the output signal level of said AND gate and outputs the fourth high-level voltage signal when the output signal of said AND gate is at a low level.

26. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 21, wherein said fifth circuit comprises:

(a) a gear selector lever position sensor which outputs a high-level voltage signal when the gear selector lever is in either of the top or overdrive positions;

(b) a timer, connected to said gear selector lever position sensor, which outputs a high-level voltage signal for a predetermined period of time in response to the high-level voltage signal from said gear selector lever position sensor;

(c) an inverter, connected to said timer, which inverts the voltage level of the output signal of said timer;

(d) a second AND gate, connected to said gear selector lever position sensor and to said inverter, which takes the logical AND between the output signals of both said gear selector lever position sensor and said inverter and outputs a high-level voltage signal representing the predetermined period of time after the gear selector lever is shifted to either of the top and overdrive positions; and

(e) a second inverter, connected to said second AND gate, which inverts the voltage level of the output signal from said AND gate and outputs the fifth high-level voltage signal when the voltage of the output signal from said AND gate is at a low level.

28. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 3, which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle condition responsive circuit which generates a high-level voltage signal only when detecting that the vehicle travels in such a monotonous state as to make the vehicle driver drowsy;

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to said steering angle detection circuit, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle condition responsive circuit, and an output terminal of which is connected to input terminals of both said quick steering detection circuit and said frequency of steering detection circuit for enabling the pulse from said steering angle detection circuit to pass therethrough both to said quick steering detection circuit and to said frequency of steering detection only when said vehicle condition responsive circuit sends the high-level voltage signal thereto, and wherein said alarm unit comprises;

(c) a first alarm device, connected to said frequency of steering detection circuit, which gives a gentle alarm indication to the driver;

(d) a timer, connected to said frequency of steering detection circuit, which outputs a high-level voltage signal for a predetermined period of time in response to the pulse fed from said frequency of steering detection circuit;

(e) a further AND gate, connected to said frequency of steering detection circuit and to said timer, which enables the pulse from said frequency of steering detection circuit to pass therethrough while the high-level voltage signal from said timer is received;

(f) a counter, connected to said further AND gate, which counts the number of the pulses passed via said further AND gate and outputs a further pulse when the counted number of pulses from said frequency of steering detection circuit reaches a predetermined number, and which is reset by the further pulse outputted therefrom;

(g) an OR gate, connected to said counter and to said quick steering detection circuit, which takes a logical OR of the further pulse of said counter and the pulse of said quick steering detection circuit; and

(h) a second alarm device, connected to said OR gate, which generates an intense alarm to the vehicle driver in response to the output signal of said OR gate.

29. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 3, which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle condition responsive circuit which generates a high-level voltage signal only when detecting that the vehicle travels in such a monotonous state as to make the vehicle driver drowsy;

(b) a first AND gate, connected to said frequency of steering detection circuit and to said vehicle condition responsive circuit, which enables the pulse from said frequency of steering detection circuit to pass therethrough only when the high-level signal from said vehicle condition responsive circuit is received; and

(c) a second AND gate, connected to said quick steering detection circuit and to said vehicle condition responsive circuit, which enables the pulse from said quick steering detection circuit to pass therethrough only when the high-level signal from said vehicle condition responsive circuit is received;

and wherein said alarm unit comprises;

(d) a first alarm device, connected to said first AND gate which gives a gentle alarm to the vehicle driver in response to a high-level voltage signal therefrom;

(e) a timer, connected to said first AND gate, which outputs a high-level voltage signal for a predetermined period of time in response to the pulse fed from said frequency of steering detection circuit via said first AND gate;

(f) a third AND gate, connected to said first AND gate and to said timer, which enables the pulse from said frequency of steering detection circuit via said first AND gate to pass therethrough while the high-level voltage signal from said timer is received;

a counter, connected to said third AND gate, which counts the number of pulses from said frequency of steering detection circuit passed via said third AND gate and outputs a pulse when the counted number of said pulses reaches a predetermined number, and which is reset by the pulse outputted therefrom;

(h) an OR gate, connected to said counter and said second AND gate, which takes a logical OR between the pulse of said counter and the pulse of said quick steering detection circuit via said second AND gate; and

(i) a second alarm device, connected to said OR gate, which gives an intense alarm to the vehicle driver in response to the output signal of said OR gate.

30. A drowsiness alarm system as recited in claim 1 wherein said quick steering detection circuit comprises means for detecting a steering operation having a steering angle exceeding a predetermined integral multiple of the predetermined amount of change of the vehicle steering angle within the predetermined period of time.

2. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle for providing a warning in the event of driver drowsiness as determined from vehicle steering changes, comprising:

(a) an alarm unit which produces an alarm in a predetermined form in response to a pulse inputted thereto;

(b) a steering angle sensor which generates a signal indicative of the angle through which a steering wheel is turned;

(c) a steering angle detection circuit, connected to said steering angle sensor, which outputs a pulse each time the vehicle steering angle changes by a predetermined amount; and

(d) a frequency of steering detection circuit, connected to said steering angle detection circuit, for outputting a pulse to said alarm unit whenever the pulses from said steering angle detection circuit have a predetermined timed relationship with one another and the number of such pulses within a predetermined period of time exceeds a predetermined number whereby the alarm is produced whenever the number of steering operations exceeding the predetermined amount of change of the steering angle within the predetermined period of time exceeds the predetermined number.

6. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 2, which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle speed sensor which outputs a high-level voltage signal when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value; and

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to said frequency of steering detection circuit, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle speed sensor, and an output terminal of which is connected to said alarm unit for passing the pulse from said frequency of steering detection circuit therethrough to said alarm unit only when said vehicle speed sensor sends the high-level voltage signal thereto.

7. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 2, which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle speed sensor which outputs a high-level voltage signal when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value; and

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to said steering angle detection circuit, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle speed sensor, and an output terminal of which is connected to said frequency of steering detection circuit for passing the pulse from said steering angle detection circuit therethrough to said frequency of steering detection circuit only when said vehicle speed sensor sends the high-level voltage signal thereto.

12. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 2, which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle condition responsive circuit which generates a high-level voltage signal only when detecting from various vehicle operating conditions except a vehicle steering condition that the vehicle travels in such a monotonous state as to make the vehicle driver drowsy; and

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to said steering angle detection circuit, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle condition responsive circuit, and an output terminal of which is connected to said frequency of steering detection circuit for enabling the pulse from said steering angle detection circuit to pass therethrough to said frequency of steering detection circuit only when said vehicle condition responsive circuit sends the high-level voltage signal thereto.

13. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in claim 2, which further comprises:

(a) a vehicle condition responsive circuit which generates a high-level voltage signal only when detecting from various vehicle operating conditions except a vehicle steering condition that the vehicle travels in such a monotonous state as to make the vehicle driver drowsy; and

(b) an AND gate, one of two input terminals of which is connected to said frequency of steering detection circuit, the other input terminal of which is connected to said vehicle condition responsive circuit, and an output terminal of which is connected to said alarm unit for enabling the pulse from said frequency of steering detection circuit to pass therethrough to said alarm unit only when said vehicle condition responsive circuit sends the high-level voltage signal thereto.

19. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in any one of claims 2, 3, 6 through 9, 12 through 15, wherein said frequency of steering detection circuit comprises:

(a) a timer which generates a pulse whenever a predetermined period of time has passed;

(b) a counter, connected to said steering angle detection circuit, which counts the number of the pulses fed from said steering angle detection circuit, and is reset by the pulse fed from said timer, and which outputs the frequency of steering detection pulse when the counted number reaches a predetermined number.

20. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in any of claims 2, 3, 6 through 9, or 12 through 15, wherein said frequency of steering detection circuit comprises:

(a) a first timer, connected to said steering angle detection circuit, for outputting a high-level voltage signal for a predetermined period of time whenever the pulse from said steering angle detection circuit is received;

(b) a first differentiator, connected to said first timer, for differentiating the high-level voltage signal fed from said first timer and outputting a first differentiated pulse signal responsive to the rising edge of the high-level voltage signal outputted from said first timer;

(c) an inverter, connected to said first timer, which inverts the level of the output voltage signal of said first timer;

(d) a second differentiator, connected to said inverter, for differentiating the inverted voltage signal fed from said inverter and outputting a second differential pulse signal responsive to the falling edge of the high-level voltage signal outputted from said first timer;

a second timer, connected to said first differentiator, which starts counting the time in response to the first differentiated pulse signal from said first differentiator and outputs a pulse whenever the counted time reaches a predetermined value, and which is reset by the second differentiated pulse signal from said second differentiator;

(f) a primary OR gate, connected to said second timer and said second differentiator;

(g) a flip-flop, the set terminal of which is connected to said first differentiator and reset terminal is connected to said primary OR gate, and which is set by the first differentiated pulse signal from said first differentiator to output a further high-level voltage signal from a Q output terminal thereof, and which is reset by the output signal of said primary OR gate;

(h) a counter AND gate connected to said flip-flop and to said steering angle detection circuit;

(i) a counter, connected to said counter AND gate, which counts the number of pulses fed from said steering angle detection circuit via said counter AND gate passed while said flip-flop sends the further high-level voltage signal to said counter AND gate, and which outputs the quick steering detection pulse when the counter number of the pulses from said steering angle detection circuit reaches a predetermined number; and

(j) a secondary OR gate, connected to said primary OR gate and to an output terminal of said counter, for sending the output signals from either said primary OR gate or said counter to a reset terminal of said counter as a reset signal.

27. A drowsiness alarm system for a vehicle as set forth in any one of claims 2, 6, 7, 12 and 13, wherein said alarm unit comprises:

(a) a first alarm device, connected to said frequency of steering detection circuit, which gives a gentle alarm indication to the driver in response to the pulse fed from said frequency of steering detection circuit;

(b) a timer, connected to said frequency of steering detection circuit, which outputs a high-level voltage signal for a predetermined period of time in response to the pulse fed from said frequency of steering detection circuit;

(c) an inverter, connected to said timer, which outputs an inverter voltage signal when the high-level voltage signal from said timer is inputted;

(d) a differentiator, connected to said inverter, which differentiates the inverted voltage signal of said inverter to output a differentiated signal responsive to the falling edge of the high-level voltage signal outputted from said timer;

(e) a second AND gate, connected to said frequency of steering detection circuit and to said timer, which enables the pulse from said frequency of steering detection circuit to pass therethrough while the high-level voltage signal from said timer is received;

(f) a counter, connected to said second AND gate, which counts the number of the pulses passed via said second AND gate and outputs a pulse when the counted number of the pulses reaches a predetermined number;

(g) an OR gate, connected to said differentiator and to the output terminal of said counter, which sends the logical OR signal of the differentiated signal from said differentiator and the pulse from said counter into said counter for resetting said counter; and

(h) a second alarm device, connected to said counter, which gives an intense alarm indication to the vehicle driver in response to the pulse from said counter.