Abstract: The method, system, and computer-readable medium facilitates monitoring a vehicle operator, the environment ahead of the vehicle, and/or forces acting on the vehicle during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired (e.g., distracted, drowsy, intoxicated), alerting the vehicle operator when impairment is detected, and log data relating to vehicle operator impairment for further analysis. The method, system, and computer-readable medium may monitor the vehicle operator, the environment ahead of the vehicle, and/or forces acting on the vehicle using either or both of optical sensors or accelerometers. In particular, one optical sensor may monitor the vehicle operator to detect eye blinks, head nods, head rotations, and/or gaze fixation. Another optical sensor may monitor the road ahead of the vehicle to detect lane deviation, lane centering, and time to collision. The accelerometers may detect acceleration in the direction of vehicle travel and/or lateral acceleration.

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.

Abstract: A system for preventing drowsiness in a driver by employing a thermal grill that includes warm and cool regions. The system includes a threshold determination module and a configuration module. The threshold determination module determines temperatures for warm and cool regions corresponding to a level below the driver's pain threshold. The warm and cool regions configured at these determined temperatures do not cause an uncomfortable sensation for an alert driver. Accordingly, the configuration module configures the thermal grill to these determined temperatures. As the driver gets drowsy, the driver's pain threshold falls, the configured thermal grill causes an uncomfortable sensation for the driver and alerts the driver.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Devices and methods for sleep detection involve the use of an adjustable threshold for detecting sleep onset and termination. A method for detecting sleep includes adjusting a sleep threshold associated with a first sleep-related signal using a second sleep-related signal. The first sleep-related signal is compared to the adjusted threshold and sleep is detected based on the comparison. The sleep-related signals may be derived from implantable or external sensors. Additional sleep-related signals may be used to confirm the sleep condition. A sleep detector device implementing a sleep detection method may be a component of an implantable pulse generator such as a pacemaker or defibrillator.

Abstract: One embodiment is an enhanced power supply including electronic power supply circuitry within a housing. The enhanced power supply further includes one or more sockets operatively associated with the housing providing for the connection of an external apparatus to the enhanced power supply such that the external apparatus may communicate data or another signal through the connection to an output cable. The output cable may to be connected to a device such that both power and at least one signal will be provided to the device through the output cable. Systems featuring an enhanced power supply and methods of providing power and one or more other signals to a device with a reduced number of cables are also disclosed.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method for monitoring and/or predicting drowsiness of a driver of a vehicle or a machinery operator are provided. A set of infrared, IR, or near infrared, NIR, light sources, is arranged such that an amount of the light emitted from the light source incidents on an eye of the driver or operator. The light that impinges on the eye of the driver or operator forms a virtual image of the signal sources on the eye including the sclera and/or cornea. An image sensor obtains consecutive images capturing the reflected light, wherein each image will contain glints from at least a subset or all of the light sources. A drowsiness index can be determined based on the extracted information of the glints of the sequence of images, wherein the drowsiness index indicates a degree of drowsiness of the driver or operator.

Abstract: A system for event triggering comprises an interface and a processor. An interface configured to receive a face tracking data and receive a sensor data. The processor configured to determine a degree of drowsiness based at least in part on the face tracking data and the sensor data; in the event that the degree of drowsiness is greater than a first threshold, capture data; and in the event that the degree of drowsiness is greater than a second threshold, provide a warning.

Abstract: A stimulatory effect estimation device includes a stimulus generator 3 which applies a stimulus to a back seat passenger, an electroencephalogram 2 which measures the brain waves of the back seat passenger, a memory 4, and an ECU 5 which specifies the brain wave indexes of stimulatory effects which surface in response to the stimuli both when the passenger is awake and when the passenger is asleep from the brain waves measured by the electroencephalogram 2 when a stimulus is applied from the stimulus generator 3 while the passenger is awake and the brain waves measured by the electroencephalogram 2 when a stimulus is applied from the stimulus generator 3 while the passenger is asleep.

Abstract: A system for determining optimum wake time is disclosed whereby the system comprising includes a receiver for receiving electroencephalogram (EEG) data. The system further includes a processor configured to generate at least one frequency band based on the EEG data received, wherein the processor is further configured to determine an optimum wake time based on a relative low point on the at least one frequency band. The system also includes an indicator configured to provide notification of the optimum wake time.

Abstract: A sleep state management device includes a sensor that detects movement in bedding where a measurement subject is sleeping, and a control unit that calculates a peak value difference, which is a difference between adjacent peak values in a detection signal outputted from the sensor, determines that a period in which a number of times the peak value difference exceeds a threshold is greater than a predetermined value is a period in which the measurement subject has moved, and manages the sleep state of the measurement based on a result of the determination.

Abstract: A first sensor is coupled to a seat back surface and/or a seat belt, and a second sensor is positioned remotely from the first sensor. The first sensor is configured to generate a raw signal indicative of biological data and noise, and the second sensor is configured to generate a baseline signal indicative of noise associated with the first sensor. A computing device is programmed to determine a state of the occupant based on at least the raw signal and the baseline signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses monitor and evaluate the movement and sounds of an individual in a sleeping structure to identify individual movement and sound activities that are outside acceptable movement and sound tolerances. Similarly, the methods and apparatuses monitor and evaluate the gases surrounding the individual and the temperature and humidity to identify environmental conditions that are outside acceptable environmental tolerances. The methods and apparatuses constantly and dynamically change the acceptable movement and sound tolerances and the acceptable environmental tolerances based on the age of the individual and based on historical monitoring of the movement and sounds of the individual, historical monitoring of the gases surrounding the individual, and historical monitoring of the temperature and humidity surrounding the individual.

Abstract: An environment associated with at least one crew member is identified, and a line-of-sight associated with the at least one crew member is determined. An alarm is generated when the line-of-sight remains within a predetermined area for an elapsed time that exceeds a first predetermined temporal threshold associated with the identified environment.

Abstract: A system for monitoring operator alertness. The system includes a sensor for detecting a head position property of a head of an operator and a controller in operative communication with the sensor. The controller is configured to collect a first plurality of time points of the head position property of the head of the operator, determine a baseline of the head position property of the head of the operator based on the first plurality of time points, collect a second plurality of time points of the head position property of the head of the operator, determine an operating condition of the head position property of the head of the operator based on the second plurality of time points, and evaluate the alertness of the operator based on a comparison of the operating condition to the baseline to identify a period of head stillness.

Abstract: A measurement device is provided with a sensor for detecting body motion of a subject and a CPU for executing processing for generating display data. The CPU includes a first discrimination unit for discriminating a sleeping state of the subject for each unit period, based on a sensor signal output from the sensor, a second discrimination unit for discriminating a level of the sleeping state of a predetermined period consisting of a predetermined number of continuous unit periods, based on the sleeping state for each unit period, a decision unit for deciding a display mode for each predetermined period, according to the level of the sleeping state of the predetermined period, and a generation unit for generating display data for displaying the level of the sleeping state of the subject in the predetermined period on a display device with a graph along the time axis.

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.

Abstract: A driver monitoring apparatus includes a detection section, a warning section and a changing operation section. The detection section detects at least one of a face direction and an eye direction of the driver, and generates a detection information regarding the at least one of the face direction and the eye direction detected. The warning section determines whether the driver has an inattentive drive by comparing the detection information to a reference information, and generates a warning when it is determined that the driver has the inattentive drive. The changing operation section receives an operation for changing the reference information, and changes a current reference information set before receiving the operation to a new reference information according to the operation received.

Abstract: The Snooze Alert is a device that prevents a person from falling asleep while driving a vehicle, truck, bus or for any reason that requires a person to stay awake and alert. The advantage of this device is that it does not hang on the ear and it has three sources of power. The Snooze Alert is incased in a soft pouch with an adjustable strap that holds the pouch between the lower chin and the upper chest area. When a person's head tilts forward or to the side, like when falling asleep the chin depresses the activator switch which send an electrical current that activates the vibrator and the buzzer and thereby instantly waking up the person.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method for monitoring and/or predicting drowsiness of a driver of a vehicle or a machinery operator are provided. A set of infrared, IR, or near infrared, NIR, light sources, is arranged such that an amount of the light emitted from the light source incidents on an eye of the driver or operator. The light that impinges on the eye of the driver or operator forms a virtual image of the signal sources on the eye including the sclera and/or cornea. An image sensor obtains consecutive images capturing the reflected light, wherein each image will contain glints from at least a subset or all of the light sources. A drowsiness index can be determined based on the extracted information of the glints of the sequence of images, wherein the drowsiness index indicates a degree of drowsiness of the driver or operator.

Abstract: A measurement device is provided with a sensor for detecting body motion of a subject and a CPU for executing processing for generating display data. The CPU includes a first discrimination unit for discriminating a sleeping state of the subject for each unit period, based on a sensor signal output from the sensor, a second discrimination unit for discriminating a level of the sleeping state of a predetermined period consisting of a predetermined number of continuous unit periods, based on the sleeping state for each unit period, a decision unit for deciding a display mode for each predetermined period, according to the level of the sleeping state of the predetermined period, and a generation unit for generating display data for displaying the level of the sleeping state of the subject in the predetermined period on a display device with a graph along the time axis.

Abstract: In a system for supervising the safety on a site with at least one movable object, a drowsiness detection system is arranged at the movable object for supplying data related to a drowsiness state of an operator of the movable object. A monitoring system remote from the movable object receives the drowsiness state related data and logs and/or evaluates this drowsiness state related data.

Abstract: The portable alarm system for coffins is a system that enables a person who has been mistakenly interred to transmit a signal that indicates that he/she is alive. The system includes a signal transmitting structure removably secured in the coffin or tomb. A lamp or light source provides illumination for the tomb or coffin to allay the effect of panic for the entombed person. A receiving device is located in a prominent place, whereby the transmitted signal may be readily and quickly observed by security or other personnel. After a predetermined period, the system can be easily removed from the coffin for reuse.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring sleep stages to determine optimal arousal times and to alert an individual to negative states of wakefulness. In an embodiment, a device receives pressure data from at least one pressure sensor, where the pressure sensor is associated with furniture used for an individual to sleep. The device uses the pressure data to determine a sleep stage for the individual. The sleep stage is used to determine whether it is an optimal arousal time for the individual. The device sends an indication to not wake the individual if it is not the optimal arousal time for the individual. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and system for risk prediction for a support actuation system. The system includes a support actuation system for an automobile having a support actuation module and/or a risk prediction system. The risk prediction system includes a sensor, a processor, and/or a memory. The sensor detects images corresponding to identity data, environment data, event data, and/or behavior data, which are stored in the memory. The memory also stores a database including identities of users, environment risk values, event risk values, and/or behavior risk values. Using the identity data, the environment data, the event data, and/or the behavior data, the processor determines the environment risk value, the event risk value, the behavior risk value, and/or the total risk value for a user. When the total risk value is above a predetermined risk threshold, the support actuation module performs support actuation.

Abstract: A system and a method for preventing drowsiness are provided. The system for preventing drowsiness calculates brainwaves of a user by receiving a signal around a head of a user without contact, detects a state of the user based on the calculated brainwaves, and performs a necessary function according to the detected state of the user. Thus, convenience is increased when measuring the brainwaves of the driver using the contactless electrodes.

Abstract: A health sensing device is described for placement on a user. The device may include a sensor, a filter, and a transmitter. The sensor is configured to sense one or more factors relating to an indicator of a health related condition or occurrence. The filter is configured to evaluate a signal from the sensor and determine if the indicator has been detected. The transmitter is arranged for initiating a transmission based on a signal from the filter. The sensor can include one or more microphone devices, accelerometers, and/or MEMs devices. A method of monitoring a user for a health related condition is also described.

Abstract: A system configured to monitor ambient illumination experienced by a subject. In one embodiment, the system comprises an illumination sensor, a timer, and a storage module. The illumination sensor is configured to monitor an intensity of ambient illumination within two or more wavelength ranges by generating one or more output signals that convey information related to the intensity of ambient illumination within the two or more wavelength ranges. The timer is configured to indicate the passage of periods of time. The storage module is configured to store information related to the intensity of ambient illumination within the two or more wavelength ranges, as conveyed by the one or more output signals, for individual periods of time. The system is portable to be carried by the subject.

Abstract: A sleep disrupting apparatus disposed in a vehicle includes a processor and at least one vibration generator. The vibration generator is connected to the processor and is located in the vehicle in a position proximate to a passenger such that vibrations generated by the vibration generator are transmitted to the passenger. The processor determines a time index, generates at least three vibration signals consistent with the time index, and transmits the three vibration signals to the at least one vibration generator. The three vibration signals are separated from one another by two time intervals. The two time intervals are not equal to one another.

Abstract: What is described are a signal detecting device for detecting a vital parameter of a living being, having a plurality of electrodes and an electrode selecting device for selecting a pair of electrodes from the plurality of electrodes such that a difference signal suitable for measuring the vital parameter is derivable, an electrode arrangement and a method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an inattentive state of an operator of a vehicle and for providing information to the operator of the vehicle by obtaining face images of the operator of the vehicle, obtaining images of an environment of the vehicle, determining one or more areas of interest in the environment of the vehicle based on the images of the environment, obtaining, from a relevance and priority database, relevance and priority values corresponding to the one or more areas of interest, determining a probability of attention of the operator of the vehicle to the one or more areas of interest based on the images of the environment and the relevance and priority values, determining an attention deficiency based on the determined probability of attention and the face images, and providing the information to the operator of the vehicle based on the determined attention deficiency.

Abstract: A sleep depth determining device 2 is a device for determining an object person M's depth of sleep using a sensitivity threshold which is the minimum stimulus intensity that can be sensed by the object person M in a sleep state and includes: a stimulus giving unit 5 that gives a first stimulus P1 and a second stimulus P2 stronger than the first stimulus P1 to the object person M; a sense detecting unit 6 that detects whether the object person M senses the first stimulus P1 and the second stimulus P2; and a sleep depth determining unit 7 that determines that the object person M's depth of sleep is a depth of sleep S2 corresponding to a sensitivity threshold between a first stimulus intensity T2a and a second stimulus intensity T2b when the sense detecting unit 6 detects that the object person M does not sense the first stimulus P1 but senses the second stimulus P2. Accordingly, it is possible to precisely determine that the object person M's depth of sleep is the depth of sleep S2.

Abstract: Health-sensing and health-action devices and systems are generally described. The health-sensing device may include one or more of a sensor, a filter, and a transmitter. The sensor may be configured to sense one or more factors relating to an indicator of a health related condition or occurrence such as snoring and may include one or more microphone devices, accelerometers, and/or MEMs devices. The filter may be configured to evaluate a signal from the sensor and determine if the indicator has been detected. The transmitter may be arranged for initiating a transmission based on a signal from the filter. The health-action device may be configured for responding to an indicator of a health related condition or occurrence of a user and may include one or more of a receiver, a processor, and a responder. The health-action device may stimulate the user or may cancel the snoring sound.

Abstract: A wakefulness level estimation apparatus includes: an estimation portion that estimates a level of wakefulness of a subject person based on one of a wakefulness level estimation function, of which a variable is a wakefulness level correlation value of the subject person, and a difference between the wakefulness level correlation value of the subject person and a reference value of the wakefulness level correlation value; a stimulation detection portion that detects whether an awakening stimulation is externally applied to the subject person; and a correction portion that, when the stimulation detection portion detects that the awakening stimulation is applied to the subject person, performs a correction of one of the reference value of the wakefulness level correlation value and the wakefulness level estimation function, which is used for estimating the level of wakefulness of the subject person.

Abstract: A safe operation apparatus for a moving object includes: a distraction detection unit for detecting distraction information of a user operating a moving object; a controller for collecting the distraction information from the distraction detection unit, calculating a user's distraction state value, and controlling the moving object to be automatically operated or warning of the distraction state based on the distraction state value; and an automatic operation unit for automatically operating the moving object under the control of the controller. The apparatus further includes a communication unit for transmitting the user's distraction state to a remote control center or an adjacent different moving object under the control of the controller.

Abstract: An arrangement to awaken a sleeping driver or operator of a vehicle, a vessel, an aeroplane or any other system that is controlled by a person, includes a detection part that is arranged to measure movements of a control element that belongs to the vehicle with which control element the driver has hand contact, a calculation circuit arranged to compare movements of the control element over time, and an alarm part arranged to produce vibrations in the control element. The calculation circuit is arranged to activate the alarm part when no movement of the control element has occurred during a pre-determined period, which pre-determined period indicates that the driver has fallen asleep, and in that all the parts are mounted on or are integrated with the control element.

Abstract: Detect a head position of a user viewing a display device with a sensor, determine a duration of the user viewing the display device, identify a user fatigue in response to the head position, and provide a response to the user with the display device based on the user fatigue and the duration of the user viewing the display device.

Abstract: The invention is a Bed Exit Night Light System designed to illuminate a hospital room if a patient leaves his bed, but is not activated by the presence of hospital staff or casual movement of equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, includes a housing insertable into an ear canal of a subject. A sensor disposed within the housing measures a position of the subject's head relative to an axis of gravity. A transducer is responsive to the sensor and is capable of creating a stimulus detectable by the subject under certain conditions. In various embodiments, a controller receives signals corresponding to a pitch angle and a roll angle of the subject's head measured by the sensor, determines if the pitch and roll angles correspond to a sleep apnea inducing position, and causes the transducer to generate a stimulus upon determining that the subjects head is in the sleep apnea inducing position more than a predetermined threshold number of times. Various parameters of the stimulus may be modified with successive stimulus generation until a non-sleep apnea inducing position is detected.

Abstract: Methods and systems in accordance with the present invention provide an alerting alarm system designed to keep drowsy or otherwise inattentive drivers safe while driving. The system comprises an electronic device which comprises an ON/OFF switch, a reset button, a power source; for example a battery housing; a cover, a sound producing member, and a speaker. In some implementations, the device may be permanently affixed within the passenger compartment of a car. In other implementations, the device may be detachably affixed within the passenger compartment of a car. In still further implementations, the device may be free standing, and placed wherever the user desires without being affixed to anything.

Abstract: A system for event triggering comprises an interface and a processor. An interface configured to receive a face tracking data and receive a sensor data. The processor configured to determine a degree of drowsiness based at least in part on the face tracking data and the sensor data; in the event that the degree of drowsiness is greater than a first threshold, capture data; and in the event that the degree of drowsiness is greater than a second threshold, provide a warning.

Abstract: Measured sleep alarm signaling is provided which activates an alarm in a manner that allows a user to get a predetermined amount of measured sleep, rather than just awakening the person at a specific time, or when the person has been in the bed for a certain amount of time. A method for awakening a person includes: setting a desired amount of actual sleep time; receiving measurement signals relating to the person's state of sleep over time; determining, using the received measurement signals, an actual sleep time indicating an amount of time that the person has actually slept; determining whether the actual sleep time is greater than or equal to the desired amount of actual sleep time, as a first determination result; and initiating an alarm for awakening the person using the first determination result.

Abstract: It is possible to determine the biological state of the driver of a vehicle with high accuracy. In a biological state determination device, since a driver biological state which is the biological state of the driver is estimated on the basis of information representing the biological state of the driver, a weight is set for each driver biological state on the basis of information representing the level of possibility of erroneously estimating the driver biological state, and each driver biological state is weighted on the basis of the set weight, the weighted driver biological state becomes information in which the possibility of erroneous estimation is taken into consideration. The presence/absence of an abnormality in the biological state of the driver is determined on the basis of a plurality of weighted driver biological states, thereby improving determination accuracy of the biological state of the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A fatigue degree input unit inputs a fatigue degree of a user through use of a processing device, and writes an input value of the fatigue degree into a storage device. A recommended duration calculation unit reads the input value of the fatigue degree written by the fatigue degree input unit from the storage device. In accordance with the input value of the fatigue degree read from the storage device, the recommended duration calculation unit calculates a bath duration to be recommended to the user, as a recommended duration, through use of the processing device. A recommended duration informing unit informs the user of the recommended duration calculated by the recommended duration calculation unit, through an output device.

Abstract: A method is provided for alerting a user of scheduled tasks prior to falling asleep. The method includes associating an alarm device with a user's body by securing a wearable device to the user's wrist, placing the device in a pocket, integrating the device into the user's clothing such as a belt, or otherwise placing the device in contact with or adjacent to the user. The device includes one or more sensors for detecting physiological and/or environmental parameters such as heart, respiration, or pulse rate, body movements, eye movements, ambient light, and the like. Upon detecting a pre-sleep state, the device gathers information about tasks which the user desires to perform or attend to prior to going to sleep, and alerts the user before falling asleep.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safety control system for a vehicle with controls located on the vehicle steering wheel. The controls may be arranged in a cluster on one or both sides of the upper half of the steering wheel or on a special flange mounted to the steering wheel. The contours are easily recognizable and accessible while driving without any distraction to the driver. The controls can be enhanced by varied coloring, shape, size, and texture to make them easily identifiable. The controls can be used with portable telematics devices, in a multi-modal process in conjunction with thumb gesture interpretation or speech recognition. A universal portable device docking station may be used in conjunction with the control system.

Abstract: Method of detecting the open or closed state of at least one eye of a face, comprising a detection of an eye of a face and associated system. The method comprises a detection of vertical contours of the eye, and a determination of the open or closed state of the eye on the basis of the vertical contours detected.

Abstract: A sleep management application on a computing device having a processor and a storage medium executes code that establishes to a server that maintains data pertaining to the computing device or to a user, retrieves data from the remote server, and generates a custom interface to configure a feature of the computing device. The custom interface is used to program a sleep management setting. In one implementation, a method uses the sleep management application to provide an alarm function using external data from a remote server. The sleep management application can receive the external data from the remote server and analyze the external data to identify elements that pertain to the sleep management application. Then, the sleep management application can generate a control signal based on the elements, and modify a setting governing an operation of the alarm function in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for measuring a driver's visual fatigue. The apparatus includes a ground electrode that is mounted near the driver's ear, and a measuring electrode that is mounted near the driver's eye. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a controller that is configured to induce a resting potential using measured values of the ground electrode and the measuring electrode. When the resting potential is beyond a predetermined range, the controller is configured to determine the visual fatigue to be above a predetermined threshold and output a fatigue signal.

Abstract: An attention assistance device configured to help maintain a user's focus on a given task. In one embodiment, text is presenting to a user on a touchscreen. The user tracking the text using a finger is monitored. The user is stimulated when the finger stops tracking the text for a predetermined period of time. In another embodiment, an electronic device presents an output configured to be tracked by a user. A monitoring device observes the user tracking the output. A sensory stimulating device stimulates the user when the “tracking” falls below an attention threshold.