Vigilance monitoring system

• US 8,096,946 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2003
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Compumedics Limited
• Original Assignee: Compumedics Limited
• Inventors: Burton, David
• Primary Examiner(s): MALLARI, PATRICIA C
• Application Number:
  US10/417,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20040044293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,199 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/508, 600/509, 600/529, 600544-547, 600/587, 600/595, 340/575, 340/576, 701/1
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0083 especially for waking up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/10 Electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/14 Electro-oculogram [EOG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/60 Muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/46 by self learning
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/02 Dead-man's devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/12 for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger limiting speed of vehicles other than rail vehicles B60K31/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/14 operated upon collapse of driver deadman's devices for electrically propelled vehicles B60L3/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0872 Driver physiology
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a system and method of monitoring the alertness or wakefulness of a driver. The monitored parameters include cardiac, respiratory and movement parameters. Sensors are located in various locations of the driver side section to detect the vigilance of a driver. These sensors include pressure sensors embedded in the seat and pedals, and a head band for monitoring EEG, EMG and EOG signals.

Claims

1. A driver vigilance monitor comprising:

a prompting device for evoking a response from a driver;

a plurality of hand pressure sensors for continuously measuring hand pressure of the driver applied to different portions of a steering wheel of a vehicle and for detecting the driver'"'"'s response, with the plurality of hand pressure sensors providing hand pressure signals conveying a range of hand pressures applied to different portions of the steering wheel;

a sensor for detecting eye movement or driver head position; and

a processor in communication with the prompting device and the hand pressure sensors and the sensor for detecting eye movement or driver head position,

the processor cooperating with the hand pressure sensors and the sensor for detecting eye movement or driver head position to obtain driver-specific data,

and wherein the processor determines the driver'"'"'s level of alertness by the driver'"'"'s response to the prompting device.

2. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the hand pressure sensors are integrated into the steering wheel of the vehicle.

3. The monitor of claim 2, wherein the hand pressure sensors detect hand pressure at a plurality of locations around the steering wheel.

4. The monitor of claim 2, wherein the prompting device includes a plurality of LEDs.

5. The monitor of claim 2, and further comprising a vehicle intervention system for intervening in the control of the vehicle.

6. A driver vigilance monitor comprising:

a prompting device for evoking a response from a driver;

a plurality of hand pressure sensors for continuously measuring hand pressure of the driver applied to different portions of a steering wheel of a vehicle and for detecting a driver'"'"'s response, with the plurality of hand pressure sensors providing hand pressure signals conveying a range of hand pressures applied to different portions of the steering wheel;

a sensor for detecting eye movement or driver head position; and

a processor in communication with the prompting device and the hand pressure sensors and the sensor for detecting eye movement or driver head position,

the processor cooperating with the hand pressure sensors and the sensor for detecting eye movement or driver head position to obtain driver-specific data,

wherein the processor determines the driver'"'"'s level of alertness by the driver'"'"'s reaction to the prompting device,

and further comprising an alert mechanism in communication with the processor and integrated in the vehicle, wherein the alert mechanism is activated by the processor after determining that the driver does not satisfy a vigilance threshold.