METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING ALERTNESS OF AN OPERATOR OF A MANUALLY-OPERATED SYSTEM

摘要

An apparatus (100) for maintaining alertness of an driver of a motor vehicle periodically generates an audible alert signal to which the driver responds by pressing a button (109) on the vehicle's steering wheel. The response time of the driver to the signal is monitored and if an increase is detected, the repetition rate of the alert signal is increased. The repetition rate may be further modified by taking into account vehicle driving conditions which may indicate a risk of boredom in the driver.