System and method for detecting and preventing drowsiness
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method for preventing drowsiness in a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- using a processor and a memory to execute steps comprising;
monitoring one or more parameters associated with the driver;
determining whether the driver is drowsy based on the monitored parameters associated with the driver; and
responsive to determining that the driver is drowsy, activating a thermal grill located on an outermost surface of a steering wheel of the vehicle such that at least a portion of the thermal grill is exposed on the outermost surface of the steering wheel, the thermal grill comprising interlaced regions, wherein activating the thermal grill results in two adjacent regions approaching two different temperatures.
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Abstract
A system for preventing drowsiness in a driver by employing a thermal grill. The system includes a detection module and an intervention module. The detection module monitors a driver'"'"'s parameters to determine whether the driver is drowsy. If the driver is determined to be drowsy, the intervention module activates a thermal grill with interlaced hot and cold regions. This activation causes the hot regions to approach one temperature and the cold regions to approach another. Additionally, this activation leads to an uncomfortable sensation for the driver, alerts the driver, and prevents the driver from getting drowsy.
132 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for preventing drowsiness in a driver of a vehicle, the method comprising:
using a processor and a memory to execute steps comprising; monitoring one or more parameters associated with the driver; determining whether the driver is drowsy based on the monitored parameters associated with the driver; and responsive to determining that the driver is drowsy, activating a thermal grill located on an outermost surface of a steering wheel of the vehicle such that at least a portion of the thermal grill is exposed on the outermost surface of the steering wheel, the thermal grill comprising interlaced regions, wherein activating the thermal grill results in two adjacent regions approaching two different temperatures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer program product for preventing drowsiness in a driver of a vehicle, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including computer program code for:
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monitoring one or more parameters associated with the driver; determining whether the driver is drowsy based on the monitored parameters associated with the driver; and responsive to determining that the driver is drowsy, activating a thermal grill located on an outermost surface of a steering wheel of the vehicle such that at least a portion of the thermal grill is exposed on the outer surface of the steering wheel, the thermal grill comprising interlaced regions, wherein activating the thermal grill results in two adjacent regions approaching two different temperatures. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer system for preventing drowsiness in a driver of a vehicle, the computer system comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium, the non-transitory computer readable medium including computer program code for:
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monitoring one or more parameters associated with the driver; determining whether the driver is drowsy based on the monitored parameters associated with the driver; and responsive to determining that the driver is drowsy, activating a thermal grill located on an outermost surface of a steering wheel of the vehicle, the thermal grill exposed on the outermost surface of the steering wheel, the thermal grill comprising interlaced regions, wherein activating the thermal grill results in two adjacent regions approaching two different temperatures. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification