ALERTING DEVICE

摘要

The invention provides a wearable alerting device for monitoring the eyelid movements of a user wearing the device. The device comprises a wearable frame (12), at least one emitter (24) fixed relative to the frame for emitting radiation towards the wearer's eye, at least one photo detector (26, 28) positioned with respect to the emitter for receiving scattered radiation reflected from the eyelid of the wearer when the eyelid is closed or partially closed, and an alerting means (36, 89) for providing an alert signal in response to the detector detecting scattered radiation reflected from the closed or partially eyelid. The frame is preferably in the form of eyeware such as a frame for a pair of spectacles or sunglasses with the emitter(s) and detectors disposed in the frame around the eyepiece lenses. A microprocessor is provided for distinguishing between normal blinking and the onset of sleep.