Method to alert drowsy driver

• US 6,950,027 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2001
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Banas, Patrick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/772,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20020101354A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,702 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/575, 340/576, 180/271, 180/272, 180/281
• 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

adjusting a degree of opening of a vehicle aperture an amount that increases as said level of drowsiness increases.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said vehicle aperture is a window.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said vehicle aperture is a sunroof.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of adjusting said degree of opening of said vehicle aperture occurs when a predetermined level of drowsiness is monitored.

5. A method to alert driver comprising the steps of:

monitoring level of drowsiness; and

pumping an amount of oxygen into a vehicle cab in response to an increase in said level of said drowsiness, wherein a climate control system is utilized to pump said amount of oxygen.