Driver condition monitoring apparatus

• US 6,239,707 B1
• Filed: 04/11/2000
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Won-Hee Park
• Original Assignee: Won-Hee Park
• Inventors: Park, Won-Hee
• Primary Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US09/547,266
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 340/576, 340/575, 340/573.1, 340/465, 340/539, 128/902, 128/903, 600/300, 600/301
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A driver condition monitoring apparatus comprising a pulse sensor 1 installed in a steering wheel of a transportation device for sensing a pulse signal from the palm or fingers of either or both of the left and right hands of a driver, an amplifier 2 for amplifying the pulse signal sensed by the pulse sensor 1 and removing a noise component therefrom, a keypad 4 including a plurality of keys for inputting information about the driver, a data storage unit 5 for storing the driver information inputted through the keypad 4 and reference data produced when the driver selects a reference data input mode in his normal healthy condition, a controller 3 for comparing pulse signals sensed by the pulse sensor 1 before, after and while driving, respectively with the reference data stored in the data storage unit 5, analyzing each of the compared results, judging the current condition of the driver from the analyzed result and visually and aurally informing the driver of the judged result respectively through a display 8 and speaker 7, an audio processor 6 for converting a specified one of various voice data stored in the data storage unit 5 into an audio signal, amplifying the converted audio signal and outputting it to the speaker 7, and a power supply 9 for supplying an operating voltage to the driver condition monitoring apparatus.

Claims

1. A driver condition monitoring apparatus for checking a physical condition of a driver driving any one of transportation devices including an airplane, ship, vehicle, two-wheeled vehicle and heavy equipment and informing the driver of the checked physical condition, comprising:

a pulse sensor installed in a steering wheel of a given one of said transportation devices for sensing a pulse signal (electrocardiogram signal) from the palm or fingers of either or both of the left and right hands of said driver;

an amplifier for amplifying the pulse signal sensed by said pulse sensor and removing a noise component therefrom;

a keypad including a plurality of keys for inputting information about said driver;

a data storage unit for storing said driver information inputted through said keypad from said driver and reference data based on a pulse signal from the palm or fingers of either or both of the left and right hands of said driver, sensed by said pulse sensor when said driver selects a reference data input mode in his normal healthy condition;

a controller for comparing pulse signals from the palm or fingers of either or both of the left and right hands of said driver, sensed by said pulse sensor before, after and while driving, respectively with said reference data stored in said data storage unit, analyzing each of the compared results, judging the current condition of said driver from the analyzed result and visually and aurally informing said driver of the judged result respectively through a display and speaker;

an audio processor responsive to a first control signal from said controller for converting a specified one of various voice data stored in said data storage unit into an audio signal, amplifying the converted audio signal and outputting it to said speaker;

said display responsive to a second control signal from said controller for displaying the measured condition of said driver in a numerical value or picture; and

a power supply for supplying an operating voltage to said driver condition monitoring apparatus using a self power source of said given transportation device.

2. The driver condition monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pulse sensor is contained within both sides of said steering wheel of said given transportation device in a manufacturing process of said given transportation device, said pulse sensor being made of a material conductible and contactable with the skin of the palm or fingers of either or both of the left and right hands of said driver.

3. The driver condition monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said display is installed in a fascia board of said given transportation device.

4. The driver condition monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said display is installed in a predetermined portion of said steering wheel of said given transportation device.

5. The driver condition monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controller is adapted to, if said driver brings the palms or fingers of his left and right hands into contact with said pulse sensor on said steering wheel for a predetermined period of time, measure body fat of said driver on the basis of said driver information stored in said data storage unit and inform said driver of the measured result in a numerical value and voice respectively through said display and speaker, said driver information including a stature, weight, age and sex of said driver.

6. The driver condition monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controller is adapted to display a graphic of an electrocardiogram through said display if said driver selects an electrocardiogram mode using a mode selection key on said keypad and brings the palms or fingers of his left and right hands into contact with said pulse sensor on said steering wheel for a predetermined period of time.

7. The driver condition monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pulse sensor includes its terminals contained respectively within a plurality of grips installed in said given transportation device.

8. A driver condition monitoring apparatus for checking a physical condition of a driver driving any one of transportation devices including an airplane, ship, vehicle, two-wheeled vehicle and heavy equipment and informing the driver of the checked physical condition, comprising:

a transmitter module including a pulse sensor installed in a steering wheel of a given one of said transportation devices for sensing a pulse signal (electrocardiogram signal) from the palm or fingers of either or both of the left and right hands of said driver, an amplifier for amplifying the pulse signal sensed by said pulse sensor and removing a noise component therefrom, an auxiliary controller for converting an analog pulse signal from said amplifier into a digital pulse signal, a radio frequency transmitter for modulating the digital pulse signal from said auxiliary controller into a radio frequency signal, amplifying the modulated radio frequency signal and transmitting it by radio through a transmitting antenna, and a transmitter power supply for supplying an operating voltage to said transmitter module using a self power source of said given transportation device or a rechargeable battery; and

a receiver module including a radio frequency receiver for receiving the radio frequency signal from said radio frequency transmitter in said transmitter module through a receiving antenna, demodulating it into the original pulse signal and amplifying the demodulated pulse signal, a keypad including a plurality of keys for inputting information about said driver, a data storage unit for storing said driver information inputted through said keypad from said driver and reference data based on a pulse signal from the palm or fingers of either or both of the left and right hands of said driver, sensed by said pulse sensor when said driver selects a reference data input mode in his normal healthy condition, a main controller for comparing pulse signals from the palm or fingers of either or both of the left and right hands of said driver, sensed by said pulse sensor before, after and while driving, respectively with said reference data stored in said data storage unit, analyzing each of the compared results, judging the current condition of said driver from the analyzed result and visually and aurally informing said driver of the judged result respectively through a display and speaker, an audio processor responsive to a first control signal from said main controller for converting a specified one of various voice data stored in said data storage unit into an audio signal, amplifying the converted audio signal and outputting it to said speaker, said display responsive to a second control signal from said main controller for displaying the measured condition of said driver in a numerical value, and a receiver power supply for supplying said operating voltage to said receiver module using the self power source of said given transportation device or the rechargeable battery.

9. The driver condition monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said steering wheel of said given transportation device has a circular shape and said transmitter module has a steering wheel cover shape to be installable in said circular steering wheel, said pulse sensor being attached to both sides of said steering wheel cover shape.

10. The driver condition monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said transmitter module is detachably attached to said steering wheel or a plurality of grips of said given transportation device or directly to the skin of said driver to sense a pulse signal from the palm or fingers of either or both of the left and right hands of said driver.

11. The driver condition monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said receiver module is installed in a predetermined portion of a fascia board of said given transportation device in such a manner it can readily be operated and viewed by said driver while driving.