Drowsy driver detection system

摘要

A method of detecting impairment of a driver of a vehicle. The method includes sensing, using a sensor, a position of the driver's head at a plurality of time points; determining, using a microprocessor, changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points; evaluating, using a microprocessor, whether the changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points exhibit at least one of a periodic and a quasi-periodic pattern; determining whether the driver is impaired based on the pattern of the changes in the position of the driver's head; and if the driver is impaired, alerting the driver using an alarm.

主权项

1. A method for monitoring the alertness of an operator of a vehicle, the method comprising:
using a sensor to detect a first plurality of positions of the operator's head relative to the sensor during a first period of time; calculating a first set of head movement data using the first plurality of positions of the operator's head detected during the first period of time; calculating a first power spectrum of the first set of head movement data; using the sensor to detect a second plurality of positions of the operator's head relative to the sensor over a second period of time; calculating a second set of head movement data using the second plurality of positions of the operator's head detected during the second period of time; calculating a second power spectrum of the second set of head movement data; comparing the second power spectrum to the first power spectrum to determine whether the second power spectrum has a greater magnitude than the first power spectrum at a characteristic frequency to evaluate the alertness of the operator; using the sensor to detect a third plurality of positions of the operator's head relative to the sensor over a third period of time; calculating a third set of head movement data using the third plurality of positions of the operator's head detected during the third period of time; calculating a third power spectrum of the third set of head movement data; and comparing the third power spectrum to the first power spectrum to determine whether the third power spectrum has a greater magnitude than the first power spectrum at a characteristic frequency to evaluate the alertness of the operator during the third period of time.