WO2003012758A1

WO2003012758A1 - A device for detecting sleep

Info

Publication number: WO2003012758A1
Application number: PCT/IN2001/000138
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sankaran Manoj
Original assignee: Sankaran Manoj
Priority date: 2001-07-30
Filing date: 2001-07-30
Publication date: 2003-02-13

Abstract

This invention relates to a device for detecting sleep and setting off an alarm thereafter. It consists of an image capturing means (C) focussed on the eye of the user and an illuminating means (IRLED) to illuminate the eye. The image capturing means (C) may be a black and white camera. It is connected to a monitoring screen (VM) provided with a sensor (S). The sensor (S) is connected to a relay (R) which is operably connected to an alarm (B).

Description

A DEVICE FOR DETECTING SLEEP

Technical Field:

The present invention relates to a device for detecting sleep. This device is particuarly but not exclusively useful in detecting sleep and alerting sleepy drivers while driving motor vehicles.

A large percentage of highway motor vehicle accidents, particularly at night, occur as a result of drivers falling asleep while driving. Passengers if any, in the vehicles may not always be aware of the sleepy condition of drivers and as such they may not be in a position to alert and wake up the drivers. The device according to this invention is developed to detect sleep and thereafter alert all concerned. The device when used by chauffers help avert accident resulting out of sleepy drivers.

Background Art:

The device to sense sleep and produce an alarm thereafter is a novel combination and is useful in many fields. Disclosure of the Invention:

The device to sense sleep and to trigger an alarm thereafter consists of an image capturing means which may be a camera positioned to always focus on atleast one eye of the user. The camera may be a black and white camera. In the following description the image capturing means is referred as camera. This camera may be held by an adjustable holding means and is positioned to catch the eye movements clearly. A distance of 1-2 cm away from the eye is preferred, but this depends on the lens power and other factos of the camera. Camera is located such that there is no relative motion between the movement of the head and the camera. This camera may be located on a spectacle frame, on a hood, hat or on a nose pad which acts a holding means. The camera is provided with an infrared light emitting diode, hereinafter referred as IRLED. The infra red light emitted by this diode is of very low potency. The purpose of IRLED are to reflect light on the eye lid when in the closed posiiton particularly at night and to enable the camera to capture the image of the closed eye when no light is reflected therefrom. The camera and the IRLED are made to operate with a 6V DC supply which may be provided by button cells. The image of the eye captured by the camera will be continuously monitored and displayed on a monitor screen connected thereto. The monitor has an externally positioned sensor which is a light dependent resistor (LDR). The brightness and contrast of the image on the monitor screen may be adjusted with the help of control means provided on the monitor screen and may be effected to get a black and white image on the monitor screen. The sensor works on a button cell with 3V DC battery. When the image of the eye displayed on the monitor is in an open position, the output voltage of the LDR is equivalent to the input voltage of 3V D C supply. However, when the image of the eye in the monitor screen is in the closed position, there will be no output voltage from the light dependent resistor of the sensor.

A relay normally kept in a closed position is connected to the sensor of the monitoring screen. This relay has two leads which are connected to a buzzer in the closed circuit position. The contact between the leads is controlled by the relay. An open and close type switch is associated with the relay and is connected to the buzzer to operate it. When there is an output voltage from the sensor, the electromagnetic coil of the relay gets magnetised and this opens up the contact between the leads of the relay. Once the relay circuit is broken, the voltage supply to the buzzer will stop and an alert will not be triggered. Similarly, when the image of the eye on the monitor is in a closed condition, there will be no output voltage from the sensor. The circuit closes due to inherent spring tension of the electromagnetic coils. This closed circuit triggers the buzzer to produce an alarm to indicate that the target is aseelp.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for detecting sleep and setting off an alarm thereafter comprises an image capturing means focussed to receive images of atleast one eye of a user, an infra red light emitting diode for illuminating said eye, a monitor and display means connected to said image capturing means for monitoring and displaying images received therefrom, said display means being provided with a sensor consisting of a Ught dependent resistor and is connected to an open and close relay circuit, the leads of which are operably connected to an alarm.

Brief Description of Drawings:

Fig. I is a block diagram of the device for detecting sleep. It consists of a camera ( C ) connected to a buzzer (B) through a vedio monitor (VM) sensor (S) and a relay circuit (R ). Fig. II shows a schematic diagram of the device wheren the miniature camera is mounted on the spectacle frame of the user in open eye condition. Fig. Ila shows the relay circuit when voltage is received from the sensor or in other words when the eye is in an open position and when leads 1,2 are open.

Fig. Ill shows the device when the miniature camera is mounted on the spectacle frame of a user in the closed eye condition. Figure Ilia represents the closed relay circuit when no voltage is received from the sensor and when leads 1,2 are closed. The closed relay circuit triggers the buzzer to action. The noise produced thereby alerts the sleeper and persons in the vicinity.

All the components may be manufactured and made into a compact form to be placed conveniently, say for instance the on dashboard of the vehicle. It is also possible to develop the output from the relay to control the brake and fuel system of the vehicle.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for detecting sleep and setting off an alarm thereafter comprises an image capturing means focussed to receive images of atleast one eye of a user, an infrared light emitting diode for illuminating said eye, a monitor and display means connected to said image capturing means for monitoring and displaying images received therefrom, said display means being provided with a sensor consisting of a light dependent resistor and is connected to an open and close relay circuit, the leads of which are operably connected to an alarm.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image capturing means is a camera, preferably a black and white camera held in position by holding means.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said camera is mounted on a spectacle frame, a hat, or a nose pad by said holding means.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said monitor and display means is a video display screen provided with adjusting means to regulate the brightness of the display.

5. A device for detecting sleep and setting off an alarm thereafter substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.