GB2292242A - Monitoring and warning of a reduction in vehicle driver alertness - Google Patents
Monitoring and warning of a reduction in vehicle driver alertness Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2292242A GB2292242A GB9415838A GB9415838A GB2292242A GB 2292242 A GB2292242 A GB 2292242A GB 9415838 A GB9415838 A GB 9415838A GB 9415838 A GB9415838 A GB 9415838A GB 2292242 A GB2292242 A GB 2292242A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- driver
- alertness
- monitoring
- reduction
- warning
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K31/00—Vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed, i.e. preventing speed from exceeding an arbitrarily established velocity or maintaining speed at a particular velocity, as selected by the vehicle operator
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K28/00—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions
- B60K28/02—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the driver
- B60K28/06—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the driver responsive to incapacity of driver
- B60K28/066—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the driver responsive to incapacity of driver actuating a signalling device
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
- B60T2201/00—Particular use of vehicle brake systems; Special systems using also the brakes; Special software modules within the brake system controller
- B60T2201/08—Lane monitoring; Lane Keeping Systems
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
- B60T2201/00—Particular use of vehicle brake systems; Special systems using also the brakes; Special software modules within the brake system controller
- B60T2201/08—Lane monitoring; Lane Keeping Systems
- B60T2201/086—Lane monitoring; Lane Keeping Systems using driver related features
Abstract
At least one driver controllable parameter is continuously measured or monitored to establish whether a indication of a reduction in driver alertness can be detected. If an indication of a reduction in driver alertness is detected then a check sequence is initiated in which the speed of the vehicle is reduced and the response of the driver to this reduction of speed is monitored. If the driver does not respond to this reduction in speed this confirms that a reduction in driver alertness is present and a warning device is then activated. <IMAGE>
Description
A METHOD FOR MONITORING AND WARNING OF A REDUCTION IN
DRIVER ALERTNESS AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT SUCH A METHOD
This invention relates to motor vehicles and in particular to a method for monitoring and warning of a reduction in the alertness of a driver of a motor vehicle and apparatus for use in such a method.
It is known to provide a driver status monitoring system in which the alertness of the driver is monitored by one or more sensing devices attached to the vehicle controls and if the signals from the sensing devices are outside predetermined limits a warning is initiated such as flashing a driver visible light.
It is a problem with such prior art devices that in practice it is very difficult to sense driver alertness and this can lead to driver irritation because of a large number of false alarms.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for monitoring and warning of a reduction in driver alertness.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for monitoring and warning of a reduction in motor vehicle driver alertness comprising repetitively measuring at least one parameter indicative of driver alertness, initiating a check sequence if a pattern of reduced driver alertness has been sensed and if the response of the driver to the check sequence is unsatisfactory initiating a warning device, wherein said check sequence includes reducing the speed of the vehicle by a predetermined amount and monitoring whether the driver reacts to counteract this reduction in speed.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a monitoring and warning system for alerting a driver of an engine powered vehicle of a reduction in alertness comprising of an engine power output control system, a driver monitoring system and a driver warning device, the driver monitoring system having respective inputs from at least one driver controllable device and from at least one alertness sensing means arranged to sense at least one parameter indicative of driver alertness, the driver monitoring system being connected to the engine power output control system and to the driver warning system wherein the driver monitoring system, upon receiving a signal from the or each alertness sensing means indicating a reduction in alertness, initiates a check sequence to confirm whether a reduction in alertness is present by sending a signal to the engine power output control system to reduce the power output of the engine and monitors the or each driver controllable device to determine whether there is any response from the driver and if no response is sensed sends a signal to the driver warning system to provide a positive indication to the driver that a reduction in alertness has been sensed and confirmed.
The driver controllable device may be an accelerator pedal a signal indicative of the position of which is sent to the driver monitoring system by a position sensor attached to the accelerator pedal.
The parameter indicative of driver alertness may be steering wheel position and the alertness sensing means may be a sensor arranged to provide a signal indicative of steering wheel position.
The engine power output control system may be an engine management system.
The driver warning system may be a buzzer.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing of which:
Figure 1: is a part cutaway side elevation of a motor vehicle including apparatus in
accordance with the second aspect of this invention;
Figure 2: is a schematic block diagram of the apparatus according to the second aspect of
the invention;
Figure 3: is a block diagram of the method for monitoring a warning of a reduction in
driver alertness in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
With particular reference to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a motor vehicle 11 having an engine 12 the power output of which is controlled by a power output control system in the form of an engine management system 16.
The position of a driver controllable device in the form of an accelerator pedal 13 is sensed by means of a position sensor 18 and a resulting signal indicative of accelerator position is sent to a driver monitoring system 15. The accelerator pedal 13 is connected to a throttle valve (not shown ) mounted in an air inlet passage of the engine 12 by means of a throttle cable 21.
The position of a steering wheel 14 is sensed by alertness sensing means in the form of a position sensor 19. The position of the steering wheel is used as a parameter indicative of driver alertness and the signal from the position sensor 19 is sent to a driver monitoring system 15 to provide an indication of a reduction in driver alertness or the onset of driver fatigue.
A warning system in the form of a buzzer 17 is connected to said driver monitoring system 15 to provide when required a positive indication to the driver that a reduction in alertness has been sensed and confirmed.
The driver monitoring system 15 is arranged to regularly and repetitively sample the signal received from the steering wheel sensor 19 and compare whether there has been any change from the last time this signal was sampled.
If the monitored signal indicates that there has been no change in steering wheel position then this may indicate a reduction in driver alertness and the driver monitoring system 15 then initiates a check sequence.
The first stage in the check sequence is for the driver monitoring system 15 to send a signal to the engine management system 16 which will the cause the engine management 16 to reduce the power output from the engine 12. The engine management system 16 will then reduce the fuel supply to the engine 12 thereby reducing the power output from the engine 12 and hence the speed of the vehicle.
The reduction in engine power should the cause the driver of the vehicle to further depress the accelerator pedal 13 so as to maintain the original speed of the vehicle 11. If the driver monitoring system 15 detects by means of the signal from the accelerator pedal sensor 18 no response from the driver to the reduction in vehicle speed this confirms that a reduction in driver alertness has occurred. The driver monitoring system 16 then sends a signal to thg driver warning system to activate the buzzer 17 to warn the driver that their alertness is reduced.
If however the driver responds positively to the reduction in vehicle speed by further depressing the accelerator pedal 13 then the signal from the accelerator pedal position sensor
18 will indicate this to the driver monitoring system 15. The driver monitoring system 15 will then restore the normal relationship between the engine management system 16 and the engine 12.
The method of monitoring and warning the driver of a reduction in his alertness is best described with reference to Figure 3.
Firstly, the driver monitoring system 15 monitors a parameter indicative of driver alertness to determine whether there is an apparent reduction in alertness or vigilance. If no such reduction in alertness is sensed a further check is made after a predetermined period of time and this sequence will be repeated until some indication of a reduction in alertness is sensed.
When an apparent reduction in alertness is detected by the driver monitoring system 15. a check sequence is initiated in which the speed of the vehicle is reduced and the driver monitoring system 15 monitors whether there is any reaction from the driver. If no reaction is sensed then this confirms a reduction in alertness or the presence of fatigue and the driver monitoring system 15 warns the driver of the apparent reduction in their alertness.
Alternatively, if a reaction to the reduction in speed is sensed by the driver monitoring system 15 then the speed of the vehicle is gradually reset to its normal value and the driver monitoring system 15 reverts to repetitively monitoring the signal from the steering wheel sensor 19 used to provide an indication of a reduction in alertness.
It will appreciated that this invention is applicable to vehicles irrespective of the form of motive power employed for example the engine could be an electric motor, diesel engine.
spark ignited engine, gas turbine engine or external combustion engine.
Similarly although the invention has been described by way of example with reference to an engine in which the throttle valve is controlled mechanically by a throttle cable it is equally applicable to motor vehicles in which the connection between driver demand and engine power is achieved by electrical or electronic means and it will be appreciated that the engine power output control system and the driver monitoring system could be combined as one integrated unit.
It will also be appreciated that there are numerous ways in which the power output of the engine could be temporarily reduced to reduce the speed of the vehicle and the example described above is only one convenient way of achieving this reduction.
Furthermore. it will be appreciated that there are numerous parameters apart from steering wheel position which can be used to provide an indication of a reduction in alertness or the onset of fatigue. For example in BE-899076-A there is described an arrangement in which the pressure exerted by a driver on the steering wheel is used, in DE-3732782-A a force sensor is attached to the steering column, in DE-3300086-A and DE-3240498-A the deviation of the vehicle from one traffic lane to another is used, in USX144531-A there is described a detector in which eyelid movement is used and in DE-4211556-A image sensors are used.
Claims (10)
1. A method for monitoring and warning of a reduction in motor vehicle driver alertness
comprising repetitively measuring at least one parameter indicative of driver alertness, initiating a check sequence if a pattern of reduced driver alertness has been sensed and if the response of the driver to the check sequence is unsatisfactory initiating a warning device, wherein said check sequence includes reducing the speed of the vehicle by a predetermined amount and monitoring whether the driver reacts to counteract this reduction in speed.
2. A monitoring and warning system for alerting a driver of an engine powered vehicle of a reduction in alertness comprising of an engine power output control system, a driver monitoring system and a driver warning device, the driver monitoring system having respective inputs from at least one driver controllable device and from at least one alertness sensing means arranged to sense at least one parameter indicative of driver alertness, the driver monitoring system being connected to the engine power output control system and to the driver warning system wherein the driver monitoring system, upon receiving a signal from the or each alertness sensing means that indicates a reduction in alertness, initiates a check sequence to confirm whether a reduction in alertness is present by sending a signal to the engine power output control system to reduce the power output of the engine and monitors the or each driver controllable device to determine whether there is any response from the driver and if no response is sensed sends a signal to the driver warning system to provide a positive indication to the driver that a reduction in alertness has been sensed and confirmed.
3. A monitoring and warning system as claimed in Claim 2 in which the driver controllable device is an accelerator pedal a signal indicative of the position of which is sent to the driver monitoring system.
4. A monitoring and warning system as claimed in Claim 3 in which the signal indicative of the position of the accelerator pedal is provided by a position sensor attached to the accelerator pedal.
5 A monitoring and warning system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 4 in which the parameter indicative of driver alertness is steering wheel position.
6. A monitoring and warning system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5 in which the alertness sensing means is a sensor arranged to provide a signal indicative of steering wheel position.
7. A monitoring and warning system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 6 in which the engine power output control system is an engine management system.
8. A monitoring and warning system as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 7 in which the driver warning system is a buzzer.
9. A method for monitoring and warning of a reduction in driver alertness substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
10. A monitoring and warning system for alerting a driver of a powered vehicle of a reduction in alertness substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9415838A GB2292242B (en) | 1994-08-05 | 1994-08-05 | A method for monitoring and warning of a reduction in driver alertness and apparatus for carrying out such a method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9415838A GB2292242B (en) | 1994-08-05 | 1994-08-05 | A method for monitoring and warning of a reduction in driver alertness and apparatus for carrying out such a method |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9415838D0 GB9415838D0 (en) | 1994-09-28 |
| GB2292242A true GB2292242A (en) | 1996-02-14 |
| GB2292242B GB2292242B (en) | 1998-02-25 |
Family
ID=10759437
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9415838A Expired - Fee Related GB2292242B (en) | 1994-08-05 | 1994-08-05 | A method for monitoring and warning of a reduction in driver alertness and apparatus for carrying out such a method |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2292242B (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2329057A (en) * | 1997-09-05 | 1999-03-10 | Breed Automotive Tech | A driver alertness monitoring system |
| WO2002050792A1 (en) * | 2000-12-21 | 2002-06-27 | Todor Stankovic | The procedure and device intended for the man-machine system security preservation under a man's drowsiness conditions |
| DE19926873C2 (en) * | 1999-06-12 | 2003-12-24 | Klaus Hilmar Halfmann | Guard device for people who endanger themselves and others by falling asleep |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4234051A (en) * | 1978-07-26 | 1980-11-18 | Morris Jr Solon S | Driver alertness device |
-
1994
- 1994-08-05 GB GB9415838A patent/GB2292242B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4234051A (en) * | 1978-07-26 | 1980-11-18 | Morris Jr Solon S | Driver alertness device |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2329057A (en) * | 1997-09-05 | 1999-03-10 | Breed Automotive Tech | A driver alertness monitoring system |
| DE19926873C2 (en) * | 1999-06-12 | 2003-12-24 | Klaus Hilmar Halfmann | Guard device for people who endanger themselves and others by falling asleep |
| WO2002050792A1 (en) * | 2000-12-21 | 2002-06-27 | Todor Stankovic | The procedure and device intended for the man-machine system security preservation under a man's drowsiness conditions |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9415838D0 (en) | 1994-09-28 |
| GB2292242B (en) | 1998-02-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20030805 |