System and method for monitoring driver fatigue
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring driver fatigue and inattention in a vehicle having a steering control, the system comprising:
- a sensor connected with respect to the steering control and the sensor having a millivolt AC signal;
a controller connected with respect to the sensor, the sensor providing a steering input activity level to the controller, the controller includes a limiter connected with respect to an alarm, the limiter reducing the performance of the vehicle following a predetermined number of alarm activations, wherein the predetermined number of alarm activations is greater than one, the limiter reduces a performance of a vehicle by at least one of shutting down cylinders in an engine and adjusting parameters within an engine control management software;
the alarm connected with respect to the controller, the alarm activated when the steering input activity level exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the predetermined threshold comprises a steering input rotation that exceeds a maximum level; and
a speed control device connected with respect to the vehicle and to the controller, wherein the controller disables the speed control device upon activation of the alarm.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring driver fatigue in a vehicle having a steering control includes connecting a sensor with respect to the steering control and a controller with respect to the sensor. A steering input count signal and/or steering wheel rotation signal is provided from the sensor to the controller and an alarm is activated when the steering input count signal drops below a minimum level and/or the steering wheel rotation signal exceeds a maximum level. The alarm may trigger physical responses within the vehicle including audible, visual, engine management and/or similar responses.
60 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring driver fatigue and inattention in a vehicle having a steering control, the system comprising:
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a sensor connected with respect to the steering control and the sensor having a millivolt AC signal; a controller connected with respect to the sensor, the sensor providing a steering input activity level to the controller, the controller includes a limiter connected with respect to an alarm, the limiter reducing the performance of the vehicle following a predetermined number of alarm activations, wherein the predetermined number of alarm activations is greater than one, the limiter reduces a performance of a vehicle by at least one of shutting down cylinders in an engine and adjusting parameters within an engine control management software; the alarm connected with respect to the controller, the alarm activated when the steering input activity level exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the predetermined threshold comprises a steering input rotation that exceeds a maximum level; and a speed control device connected with respect to the vehicle and to the controller, wherein the controller disables the speed control device upon activation of the alarm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of monitoring driver fatigue in a vehicle having a steering control, the method comprising:
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connecting a sensor having a millivolt AC signal with respect to the steering control; connecting a controller with respect to the sensor, wherein the controller includes a limiter connected with respect to an alarm, the limiter reducing the performance of the vehicle following a predetermined number of alarm activations, wherein the predetermined number of alarm activations is greater than one, the limiter reduces a performance of a vehicle by at least one of shutting down cylinders in an engine and adjusting parameters within an engine control management software; providing a steering input signal from the sensor to the controller; connecting an alarm with respect to the controller; and activating the alarm and reducing the performance of the vehicle when the steering input signal drops below a minimum count level or exceeds a maximum rotation level. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of monitoring driver fatigue in a vehicle having a steering wheel and cruise control, the method comprising:
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connecting a sensor having a millivolt AC signal with respect to the steering wheel; connecting a controller with respect to the sensor, wherein the controller includes a limiter connected with respect to an alarm, the limiter reducing the performance of the vehicle following a predetermined number of alarm activations, wherein the predetermined number of alarm activations is greater than one, the limiter reduces a performance of a vehicle by at least one of shutting down cylinders in an engine and adjusting parameters within an engine control management software; providing a steering input count signal and a steering wheel rotation signal from the sensor to the controller; connecting an alarm with respect to the controller; activating the alarm and reducing the performance of the vehicle when the steering input count signal drops below a minimum level or the steering wheel rotation signal exceeds a maximum level; deactivating the cruise control; and manually resetting the cruise control and the alarm. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification