Sleep prevention apparatus and method

• US 5,982,287 A
• Filed: 12/31/1997
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Brannen
• Original Assignee: Michael Brannen
• Inventors: Sanderson, Steve, Brannen, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US09/002,183
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 340/575, 340/576, 340/691, 340/692, 340/693, 340/691.1, 340/693.5, 340/693.6
• US Class Current: 340/575
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting drowsiness and awakening the user. The load on a piezo-ceramic eye blinking detection unit changes upon blinking activity resulting in an electrical output. This electrical output is then processed and compared to a predetermined time interval for blinking. An alarm is sounded if the processed electrical output is less than the predetermined time interval.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preventing sleep, said apparatus comprising:

an eye blinking detection unit, located proximate to an eye of a user but not on an eyelid, comprising a piezo-ceramic disc sensor;

means for locating said eye blinking detection unit proximate to an eye of a user;

means for filtering and amplifying an output of said eye blinking detection unit;

a variable timeout circuit for comparing the output of said eye blinking detection unit to a predetermined time interval;

means for creating an alarm when the output is less than said predetermined time interval; and

a power supply connected to said variable timeout circuit, said means for filtering and amplifying, and said means for creating an alarm.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said piezo-ceramic disc sensor comprises said means for creating an alarm.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for locating comprises an adhesive.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for creating an alarm comprises a buzzer.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said buzzer comprises a ceramic disc.

6. A method for preventing sleep, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a piezo-ceramic disc sensor and a power supply;

b) proximately locating the piezo-ceramic disc sensor for detecting eye blinking to an eye of a user, but not on an eyelid;

c) filtering and amplifying an output of the piezo-ceramic disc sensor;

d) comparing with a variable timeout circuit the output of the piezo-ceramic disc sensor to a predetermined time interval; and

e) creating an alarm when the output is less than the predetermined time interval.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of providing a piezo-ceramic disc sensor further comprises providing means for creating an alarm.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of proximately locating comprises employing an adhesive.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of creating an alarm comprises employing a buzzer.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of employing a buzzer comprises employing a ceramic disc.