Abstract: In a method and a device for detecting the drowsiness of a driver in a motor vehicle, a drowsiness model is provided to determine a value characterizing the drowsiness of the driver as a function of at least one output quantity of a driver-activity sensor array. Moreover, the device for detecting drowsiness includes a brightness sensor as well as a correction model for correcting the value characterizing the drowsiness of the driver as a function of at least one output quantity of the brightness sensor.

Abstract: A method is provided for dismissing or altering a user-configured alarm upon detection of the user's sleep state. The method includes associating an alarm device with the 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. If the user is asleep, the alarm is actuated in a typical manner. If the user is awake, the alarm is suppressed. If the user is neither asleep nor fully awake, the alarm is adjusted to provide an appropriate level of stimulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera for detecting a driver's drowsiness state, which can increase the number of pixels in an image of a driver's eye even when using an image sensor having the same number of pixels as a conventional camera instead of a high definition camera. The camera of the present invention is, thus, capable of determining whether the driver's eyes are open or closed. The camera for detecting the driver's state according to the present invention includes a cylindrical lens mounted in front of the camera configured so as to enlarge an image in the vertical direction, a convex lens located in the rear of the cylindrical lens, an image sensor for taking an image of a driver's face formed by the cylindrical lens and the convex lens, and an image processor for extracting an eye area from the image of the driver's face and determining whether the driver's eyes are open or closed.

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: A system that includes at least one processor, a first set of sensors connected to a first means for controlling a vehicle and electronically connected to the at least one processor, wherein the first set of sensors includes at least one sensor, a second set of sensors connected to a second means for controlling a vehicle and electronically connected to the at least one processor, wherein the second set of sensors includes at least one sensor, at least one alarm electronically connected to the at least one processor, and computer executable instructions readable by the at least one processor and operative to activate the at least one alarm when the first set of sensors detects the absence of an operator's hand, and the second set of sensors detects the absence of an operator's hand.

Abstract: A driving assistant system and method having a warning function for alerting a driver of a risk level, which synthetically determines a running speed of a vehicle, a driver's inattention, a road condition, and the like and provides a warning corresponding to a degree of risk (risk level) to the driver. In particular, a calculated data value corresponding to a degree of a driver's drowsy or careless status is compared to calculation values corresponding to a vehicle speed and the degree of risk of a road to predetermined reference values corresponding to the output values and outputs at least one warning message alerting a driver of risk levels according to the comparison result.

Abstract: A patient position-activated room device control apparatus coupled to a patient's bed controls a device associated with a patient's room in response to the patient changing position relative to the patient's bed.

Abstract: A method for detecting the onset of drowsiness in an operator of a vehicle or other apparatus. The operator grips a steering wheel or similar control handle, which continuously outputs gripping signals. The method provides for dynamic offset removal to obtain baseline signals, selection of physiologically-significant signals, combining and processing signals to form a proxy signal, analysis of the proxy signals to detect patterns indicative of the onset of drowsiness, and generating alerts as appropriate. The method provides for multiple sliding windows, for dynamic baseline adjustment; and statistical processing to detect physiologically-meaningful patterns indicative of the onset of drowsiness, as distinct from incidental changes in operator gripping through hand position readjustment during normal operation.

Abstract: A person-support apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of sensors, and a controller. The plurality of sensors are configured to determine a person's position relative to the frame. The controller is operatively coupled to the sensors. The controller determines whether an exit condition has been met. A light source is operatively coupled to the controller. The light source is activated by the controller when the controller determines that the exit condition has been met.

Abstract: A system and method provide for reducing the snoring of a person sleeping on an adjustable bed. The system comprises a device configured with at least a microphone and a speaker, the device configured to monitor for a noise consistent with snoring. The system further comprises a control unit communicably coupled to the device and configured to actuate at least one motor of the adjustable bed to adjust at least a portion of the adjustable bed, wherein the control unit is further configured to actuate the at least one motor in response to the device detecting a noise consistent with snoring.

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: There is provided an arousal state classification model generating device for generating a blink waveform pattern model and an arousal state pattern model based on data on a blink waveform, which are preferably used for accurately estimating an arousal level with respect to unspecified object persons, an arousal state classifying device for classifying the arousal state of an object person, and a warning device. In the arousal state classification model generating device, a first pattern model is generated by learning a statistical model by using as learning data first feature data extracted from the blink data of at least one of the eyes of each object person at the time of blinking and blink waveform identification information.

Abstract: A method for displaying a visual warning signal to warn a driver of a vehicle about a traffic situation that is determined to be critical. The visual warning signal displayed to the driver is based on sensor data furnished by at least one sensor unit that determines a line of sight of the driver. A display unit for displaying the visual warning signal is selected from a group of at least two separately controllable display units depending on the line of sight of the driver.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting safe operation of a vehicle includes an environment sensor system detecting hazards within the vehicle environment, a driver monitor providing driver awareness data (such as a gaze track), and an attention-evaluation module identifying hazards as sufficiently or insufficiently sensed by the driver by comparing the hazard data and the gaze track. An alert signal relating to the unperceived hazards can be provided.

Abstract: Provided are an awakened-state maintaining apparatus and an awakened-state maintaining method that maintain an awakened-state of a driver. In the awakened-state maintaining apparatus (100), a visual-stimulation control unit (107) calculates an initial displaying position that is in accordance with the product of initial setup time and detected vehicle speed. A displaying means displays on the initial displaying position a visual stimulation image pertaining to a visual-stimulation virtual object that will evoke an awakened-state, and also updates the visual stimulation image using a visual effect wherein the visual-stimulation virtual object is displayed so as to seemingly approach the vehicle at the detected speed, in accordance with the time elapsed since the visual stimulation image was first displayed.

Abstract: A method for detecting fatigue is provided herein. The present invention includes the following steps: measuring a plurality of physiological feature data from a user in continuous time to generate a feature sequence; computing the rate of drop and/or calculating the difference of the rate of drop based on the feature sequence; and determining the fatigue level of the user by analyzing the rate of drop and the difference of the rate of drop. A fatigue detecting device is also disclosed here. The present invention can be utilized to effectively monitor the fatigue level of the user.

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 subject's 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: 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.

Abstract: Sleep management techniques and devices are configured for use with a data-capable personal worn or carried device. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data representing a sleep profile defining parameters upon which a target score is established, and acquiring data representing acquired parameters associated with sleep activity. The method also includes determining a first score for a first acquired parameter, determining a second score for a second acquired parameter, and calculating at a processor a sleep score based on data in a memory including the first score and the second score. Further, the method includes causing presentation of a representation of the sleep score to indicate either an attainment of the target score or a deviation therefrom.

Abstract: A method of alerting an occupant of a seat assembly of the occurrence of a triggering event comprising the steps of monitoring for the occurrence of the triggering event, vibrating the seat assembly and/or probing the seat assembly.

Abstract: A driver drowsiness mitigation system of a vehicle includes a driver impairment detection system for detecting drowsiness of a driver of the vehicle. A plurality of alert devices is provided for countering a drowsiness of the driver of the vehicle. A controller enables at least one of the alert devices when a drowsiness of the driver is detected. A prioritized order for enabling respective alert devices is selectively configurable within the controller according to the identity of the driver.

Abstract: A monitoring system monitors and/or predicts drowsiness of a driver of a vehicle or a machine operator. A set of infrared or near infrared light sources is arranged such that an amount of the light emitted from the light source strikes 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. Each image contains glints from at least a subset or from all of the light sources. A drowsiness index can be determined based on the extracted information of the glints of the sequence of images. The drowsiness index indicates a degree of drowsiness of the driver or operator.

Abstract: The method and system of this invention is an improvement invention on a system that detects when an operator of a vehicle falls asleep, through the use of a digital video camera. The system is automatically disabled and no alarm sounds if the vehicle is not in motion.

Abstract: A method of monitoring incapacity of a subject which includes the steps of continuously monitoring eye and eyelid movement of at least one eye of the subject; analyzing eye and eyelid movements to obtain measures of ocular quiescence and the duration of an interval of no eye or eyelid movement; and if the duration of ocular quiescence exceeds a predetermined value providing a potential incapacity warning and requesting a response within a predetermined period, and applying an emergency procedure if no response is made within a predetermined interval.

Abstract: According to one aspect of one embodiment of the present invention, a safety control system for vehicles, includes, a communication device having at least one of an input accessible from within the vehicle and an output communicated within the vehicle, at least one sensor operable to sense at least one condition related to vehicle operation, and a controller communicated with the sensor and the communication device to selectively suppress at least one of said input and said output in response to a sensed parameter of said at least one condition being outside of a threshold. When an input is suppressed, the driver is prevented from accessing or inputting information into the communication device. When an output is suppressed, communication between the device and the driver of a vehicle is suppressed to, among other things, avoid distracting the driver during certain driving situations or conditions relating to the driver, vehicle and/or environment.

Abstract: This invention relates to the detection of human biovibrations using a digital signal processing (DSP) actigraph worn by the individual, and in at least one method using any noise existing in the signals. Human biovibrations result from the human body having reverberations and oscillations from bodily functioning. The DSP actigraph has been shown to be able to identify heart beat and breathing of an individual. The invention includes a method comprising: recording movement data of an individual that includes biovibrations data, determining when the movement data substantially falls within a predetermined threshold representative of death, and providing a notification. The invention in at least one embodiment includes a method comprising: monitoring activity counts for zero crossing mode, above threshold mode, and proportional integrative mode, providing a notification when all three activity counts are within a respective predetermined range for a period of time.

Abstract: An awake state estimation portion calculates an average steering angle, an average steering angular speed and a corrective steering angle on the basis of the steering angle acquired from a steering angle detection portion. The awake state estimation portion acquires the traveling speed of the vehicle from a vehicle speed detection portion. The awake state estimation portion corrects the calculated corrective steering angle by a correction value commensurate with the type of the traveling path on which the vehicle is traveling, and estimates the degree of the awake state of the driver on the basis of the post-correction corrective steering angle. Besides, the awake state estimation portion specifically determines the correction value commensurate with the type of the traveling path on which the vehicle is traveling, on the basis of at least one of the steering angle, the average steering angular speed and the traveling speed.

Abstract: A computer connected with an electronic device applicable for a sleeping baby in a crib sets a first threshold value and sets a second threshold value. The computer receives an acceleration value of the motion of the crib from the electronic device and activates the electronic device to capture an image if the acceleration value exceeds the first threshold value. The computer detects a face zone of a captured image and locates an eye area in the face zone then calculating a ratio of height and width of the eye area and compares the ratio to the second threshold value. The computer instructs the electronic device to dial a predefined warning number automatically if the ratio of height and width of the eye area exceeds the second threshold value.

Abstract: A driving monitoring device and method includes controlling a camera to capture a face image of a driver, identifying the face image to determine if the driver is awake, and controlling a camera to capture a first image of the steering wheel. The driving monitoring device and method further includes identifying a steering wheel region and two hand regions, confirming one or more sub regions of the steering wheel region corresponding to the two hand regions, determining that the driver drives the vehicle inappropriately if the confirmed sub regions do not match standard positions, and outputting alert signals to prompt the driver.

Abstract: A device and related methods are provided. The device may be for the treatment and detection of various medical and non-medical conditions, including for detecting and treating snoring and sleep apnea, for detecting rapid eye movement of a sleeping person, and for detecting drowsiness or sleepiness of a person. The device may include an alert indicator for providing alerts to the person and a sensor configured for sensing one or more conditions of the person and communicating the condition to the alert indicator.

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 driver alert system to assist a driver in remaining alert comprising: a cooling element; a sleeve, where said sleeve receives and holds the cooling element; a plurality of body attachments, where said body attachments extend from the sleeve and may be attached to the driver's skin in order to transfer a cooling sensation to the driver's skin; a power cord, where said power cord supplies power to the sleeve. The sleeve may include an extension for the power cord that may be plugged into the DC power outlet of a vehicle such as a cigarette lighter. In one particular embodiment, the plurality of body attachments include: a Velcro strap, where the strap wraps around a driver's arm or wrist; and a headphone, where the headphone includes cooling templates that may be placed upon the driver's head.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a transmitter and an infrared sensor to control the eyelid blinks of the user, useful in the prevention and warning of drowsiness, which includes the generation of an alarm, which preferably is a sound alarm indicated for individuals who make repetitive activities and/or routines, such as drivers of passenger transport and cargo, vehicles operators, industrial machinery security and oversight activities or another that requires the permanent attention of the individual.

Abstract: To warn the driver as a function of the driver condition, a standing acoustic wave is generated. The head of the driver is positioned in this standing wave in such a way that, in a setpoint position of the head, the ears of the driver come to lie in nodal points of the standing wave, and an acoustic warning signal is able to be perceived by the driver in a deviation therefrom.

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: In the case of a process for the output of music information via an audio device in a vehicle, in which the driver's behavior is determined on the basis of data of one or more driving systems and/or of one or more comfort systems of the vehicle, one piece of music respectively is stored as music information in a table for different behaviors of the driver and/or traffic situations. When the respective driving behavior and/or the respective traffic situation exists, this music information is played back by way of the audio device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system to avoid traffic accident by waking up, without false alarm, a sleeping or completely inactive motor vehicle driver. The method and the system utilizes simultaneously at least four different specified detections with so arranged thresholds for wake-up alarm, that the driver after waking up without false alarm has the possibility to avoid an impending traffic accident by evasive maneuver and other vehicle control.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a human condition detecting apparatus for highly accurately detecting a human condition, without any burden.

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: 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 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: The invention relates to a pause advice device comprising: a pause algorithm being adapted to receive input from the input arrangement, said input arrangement being adapted to provide information to said pause algorithm to start-up the pause advice device, said pause algorithm being adapted to receive a personal user profile from the input arrangement, said pause algorithm being adapted to provide user stimuli via said display means and/or via said audio source, said pause algorithm being adapted to receive response input from a user based on a users response to said user stimuli provided via said display means and/or via said audio source, said pause algorithm being adapted to provide an alarm signal via said display means and/or via said audio source, said alarm signal signaling preferred time for said user for resting according to said pause algorithm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wake-up assisting apparatus including: an electrode which comes into contact with the parietal of the human body; a signal processing part which detects brain waves through the electrode, determines the sleep stage from the thus detected brain waves, and decides the wake-up time according to the sleep stage; and a stimulating part which gives stimuli to the human body at the wake-up time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method comprising the steps of: establishing a personal user profile, representing the initial physiological conditions of said user, loading said personal user profile into said pause adviser system, by means of said pause adviser system establishing user stimuli on said output arrangement, by means of said pause adviser system establishing a fatigue level on the basis of: said reference data, said personal user profile, user input data obtained by said user input arrangement in response to said user stimuli, and sensor input data obtained from said sensor input arrangement, by means of a data processor, transforming said fatigue level into output advice data and communicating said output advice data to said output arrangement.

Abstract: This steering wheel retention state judging device includes: a torque application unit that applies a torque on a steering wheel of a vehicle, the steering wheel operated by a driver; an angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the steering wheel; and a steering wheel retention state judging unit that judges a retention state of the steering wheel by the driver based on the steering angle of the steering wheel when the torque is applied by the torque application unit.

Abstract: An on-board warning apparatus of the invention includes an inattentive time measuring device that measures a duration of an inattentive state of a driver; a dozing time measuring device that measures a duration of a dozing state of the driver; a first warning output device that warns the driver when the measured inattentive time exceeds a first predetermined period of time Ta; and a second warning output device that warns the driver when the measured dozing time exceeds a second predetermined period of time Tb. The first predetermined time Ta is shorter than the second predetermined period of time Tb.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a sleep condition with a sleep scheduler is disclosed wherein the method includes receiving a sleep parameter via an input receiver on the sleep scheduler. The method further includes associating the sleep parameter with an overall alertness and outputting a determined sleep condition based on the overall alertness. A system for providing a sleep condition is further disclosed therein the system comprising includes a display, an input receiver operable to receive a sleep parameter, and a processor in communication with the display. The processor may be operable to determine an overall alertness associated with the sleep parameter and wherein the processor is operable to output a determined sleep condition based on the overall alertness.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a fatigue determining portion determining whether an operator is tired or not by referring to fatigue information on the operator's fatigue, and a processing control portion causing a first display for recovering the operator to be shown on a display portion together with a working display on which the operator is working, when the fatigue determining portion determines that the operator is tired.

Abstract: In a driver management apparatus for managing the driver of a vehicle, a state estimating means estimates a state of the driver based on the sensing information from a sensing means Based on an estimation result, an extracting means extracts, as a capture region, part of the sensing information. The capture information storing means extracts the sensing information associated with the extracted capture region and stores the extracted sensing information as capture information. The determining means determines whether the estimation result satisfies a reporting condition. When it is determined that the estimation result satisfies the reporting condition, the controlling means retrieves the capture information associated with the estimation result and causes the retrieved capture information to be transmitted with the estimation result to the external center.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for assessing the capability of a pilot to operate an aircraft. The system senses the value of at least one operator information parameter for assessing the fitness of the pilot operating the aircraft and at least one aircraft information parameter relating to the position and motion of the aircraft. The operator information parameters include electroencephalogram information, electrocardiogram information, heart rate information, respiratory rate information, eye motion information, eyelid position information, eyelid motion information, expired gas mixture information, blood oxygen content information, blood oxygen saturation information and blood pressure information for the person operating the aircraft, and/or information about actions taken by the person operating the aircraft.