GB2343954A

GB2343954A - Vehicle component human condition monitoring system

Info

Publication number: GB2343954A
Application number: GB9825290A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward James Andrews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-11-18
Filing date: 1998-11-18
Publication date: 2000-05-24
Also published as: GB9825290D0

Abstract

A vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator, comprising means 2 for identification and detection of operator condition indicative information whereby said means 2 performs its function without impediment or discomfort to the operator, and means 8 for generating and displaying the condition based on the acquired information. The present invention provides a system that is a component part of a vehicle of which it is a feature. Specifically, sensors in the steering wheel may measure pulse rate, skin temperature or skin resistance/perspiration and a visual means within the operator's field of view may warn the operator.

Description

A VEHICLE COMPONENT SYSTEM FOR HUMAN CONDITION MONITORING.

This invention relates to a system for monitoring the state of well being of a human employed in the operation of a vehicle, and more specifically to such a system which forms a component of a vehicle.

The monitoring of the performance of a human is used in the area of personal fitness. Monitors indicating the current heart rate of the individual undergoing some form of exercise have been made available as both portable units and as a part of an exercise machine in order to assess the current level of exercise.

The main disadvantages with present mobile monitors are that the sensors need to be strapped to the body and the display is not generally located in a position conducive to the operation of a vehicle. They are very much strap on accessories.

Over the past three or four years, road rage has become an issue of concern. It is suggested that if people are more aware that their levels of stress are increasing, they would do more to counter this and as such the occurrence of road rage related incidents could be combated. Additionally people approaching an inability to correctly operate their vehicle, for example through excessive heart rate activity, could be given some warning.

There are various methods that enable change in the well-being or stress level of a human to be monitored. Some examples of these are: measurement of the heart rate or pulse ; measurement of skin temperature; and measurement of the presence of perspiration.

The present invention provides a system that is a component part of a vehicle of which it is a feature. It negates the requirement for any strap on parts, and caters for the use of various condition indication methods.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator, comprising means for identification and detection of condition indicative information whereby said means performs its function without impediment or discomfort to its subject, and means for generating and displaying the condition corresponding to the acquired information.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator, wherein means are provided for relaying the detected information between the means for identification and detection and the means for generating and displaying the condition corresponding to the information.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator, wherein identification and detection is performed by one or more sensors.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator, wherein the sensor or sensors are located within the hand held steering means so as to readily provide contact with the operator. Where multiple sensors are provided, contact need only be made with one in order for the system to operate.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator, wherein the hand held steering means is the steering wheel of a motorised vehicle.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator, wherein the display means is located within the vehicle operators field of vision.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator, wherein the display means is integral with a motorised vehicle dashboard.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator, wherein the condition indicative information is pulse or heart rate.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is now described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows sensors situated within the steering wheel of a car and the display function of a system according to the present invention located within a dashboard of a car; and Figure 2 shows the means for relaying data between a sensor and a display.

Referring to the drawing, the vehicle component system for monitoring the wellbeing of a vehicle operator utilises one or more sensors 2, for detecting a human pulse, as shown in Figure 1. These are located within a handheld steering means 4 of the vehicle, in a position to provide comfortable contact with the vehicle operators palms, when desired.

In accordance with this invention, Figure 1 suggests a location for generation and display means 8, in this embodiment a digital numerical display and associated microprocessor, in a position whereby the display element is easily observable by the vehicle operator within the vehicles dash board 6.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the means for relaying data 10, as shown in Figure 2, is an electrical means such as conductive cable.

In order to display the current heart rate of the vehicle operator, the sensor or sensors 2 attempt to identify the presence of a pulse. This continues until said pulse is isolated and detection of the pulse commences. The pulse data is transmitted along relay means 10 to generation and display means 8. The data is then transformed into a heart rate representative value, and displayed by generation and display means 8. Display may be achieved, for example, by a numerical indicator, or by a series of lights.

Although the invention has been described as being a component of a car, it is applicable to many other types of vehicle, such as a lorry or motorcycle. In addition to this, although only one method of condition monitoring has been described, the invention encompasses others.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described by way of example only, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator, comprising means for identification and detection of operator condition indicative information whereby said means performs its function without impediment or discomfort to the operator, and means for generating and displaying the condition based on the acquired information.
2. A vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator as claimed in Claim 1, wherein means are provided for relaying the detected information between the means for identification and detection and the means for generating and displaying the condition corresponding to the information.
3. A vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein identification and detection is performed by one or more sensors.
4. A vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the sensor or sensors are located within the hand held steering means so as to readily provide contact with the operator.
5. A vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the hand held steering means is the steering wheel of a motorised vehicle.
6. A vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the display means is located within the vehicle operators field of vision.
7. A vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the display means is integral with a motorised vehicle dashboard.
8. A vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the condition indicative information is pulse or heart rate.
9. A vehicle component system for monitoring the well-being of the vehicle operator substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 & 2 of the accompanying drawings.