초록 ▼

A system for detecting impairment of operating ability of transportation vehicle operators due to sleepiness, intoxication or other causes, and for sounding an alarm when operator impairment is found. The invention employs an array of at least three dual electrode capacitive coupling sensors, placed

A system for detecting impairment of operating ability of transportation vehicle operators due to sleepiness, intoxication or other causes, and for sounding an alarm when operator impairment is found. The invention employs an array of at least three dual electrode capacitive coupling sensors, placed in the headliner above the operator\s seat, which sense operator head position and motion. Outputs from the sensors, after suitable processing and amplification, are analyzed by a microprocessor to determine the operator\s head position and motion, through triangulation analysis of distances from the operator\s head to each sensor. The microprocessor records, tracks and compares the operator head motion data to profiles of normal head motion and impaired head motion, to detect any head motion indicative of operator impairment. When operator impairment is thus determined, the microprocessor activates any of a variety of warning devices, to warn and alert the operator and possibly also operators of other nearby vehicles, that there is a state of operator impairment.

대표청구항 ▼

Impaired operator detection and warning apparatus, for detecting significant impairment of the operating ability of a transportation vehicle operator, by measurement and analysis of the motion of said operator\s head, and for warning of said impairment, comprising: (a) Sensing means, for sensing the

Impaired operator detection and warning apparatus, for detecting significant impairment of the operating ability of a transportation vehicle operator, by measurement and analysis of the motion of said operator\s head, and for warning of said impairment, comprising: (a) Sensing means, for sensing the position of said operator\s head, and for producing electrical output signals dependent upon said position of said operator\s head; (b) Signal processing, analysis, and alarm activation means, connected to said sensing means, for achieving any needed amplification of said output signals, for any height of said operator within an expected ranges of heights for said operator, and for determining the time profile of the motion of said operator\s head by analysis of said output signals, and for comparing said time profile of said motion of said operator\s head, with reference profiles characteristic of normal and impaired operator head motion, and for activation of an alarm means, upon a determination, based upon said comparison of said profiles, that said operator is significantly impaired in operating ability; and (c) said alarm means, connected to said signal processing, analysis and alarm activation means, for alerting said operator to said determination that said operator is significantly impaired.