JPH1040481A - Awakening drop warning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a detection object person possible to easily a detecting object person possible to easily grasp the state of lowering of his own awakening by himself, and to issue the warning of awakening drop at a proper timing corresponding to the individual difference of the detecting object person. SOLUTION: This warning device is provided with a CCD camera 10 for inputting the state of a detecting object person 1, eyelid open/close judging circuit 11, awakening drop degree calculating circuit 21 for calculating an awakening drop index value based on the eyelid open/close judgement of the eyelid open/close judging circuit 11, liquid crystal display 401 for displaying the calculated awakening drop index value, slide switch 411 for setting an awakening drop warning threshold value at any arbitrary value, warning output judging circuit 31 and voice warning circuit 50 for generating the warning by comparing the awakening drop index value with the awakening drop warning threshold value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alertness reduction alarm device which detects a decrease in alertness of a driver of a vehicle or a plant monitor, for example, and issues an alarm when the alertness decreases. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional alertness reduction apparatus for a vehicle disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 6-219181 and 6-270711. Is a detection target person who is a detection target of arousal detection, 10 is a CCD camera for photographing the detection target person 1,
Reference numeral 11 denotes an eyelid opening / closing determination circuit for inputting a face image of the detection target 1 from the CCD camera 10 and performing eyelid opening / closing determination by image processing, and reference numeral 20 denotes a detection target 1 based on eyelid opening / closing determination by the eyelid opening / closing determination circuit 11. Awakening degree calculating circuit for calculating awakening degree, 30 is an alarm output judging circuit for judging whether or not to give an alarm, 50 is a sound alarm for outputting a sound alarm to the detection target 1 according to a command of the alarm output judging circuit 30. Circuit.

Next, the operation will be described. The CCD camera 10 is installed in, for example, a meter panel of an automobile, and inputs a face image of the detection target 1 such as a driver. The eyelid opening / closing determination circuit 11 receives an image signal from the CCD camera 10, determines opening / closing of the eyelids, and outputs a determination result of eyelid opening / closing to the awakening degree calculating circuit 20 at every 33 mS which is a video rate.
As a method for determining whether the eyelids are open or closed, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-27
No. 0711 discloses a method that utilizes a decrease in circularity of a pupil region that is brightly captured as a retinal reflection image.

Next, a description will be given of a method of calculating the degree of awakening reduction α by the awakening degree calculating circuit 20. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of occurrence of blinks in the i-th awakening determination section, where tb _i (1) to tb _i (N _i ) indicate the closing of each blink in the i-th awakening determination section. Indicates duration. For example, in the Japanese Patent Laid-Open 6-219181 discloses, as a wakefulness reduction of alpha, is used an indication that the integrated value in one minute blinking eye-closure duration having a certain threshold TB_ _th or more closed-eye duration. That is, it is determined that the degree of arousal decrease is large when the number of blinks having a long closed eye duration increases.

[0005]

(Equation 1)

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the awakening degree calculating circuit 20, the alarm output judging circuit 30, and the voice alarm circuit 5 in FIG.
11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the "0". First, in step ST10 and step ST11, the blink flag FLG
_B, clears the eye closing duration β, and clears the total eye closing time T in step ST12. Next, step ST1
At 3, an eyelid opening / closing signal is input from the eyelid opening / closing determination circuit 11. While the detection subject 1 does not blink, the eyelid opening / closing signal output from the eyelid opening / closing determination circuit 11 is “eyelid opening”,
In step ST20, the process proceeds to step ST30. In step ST30, the blink flag FLG_
If B is 0, that is, if the eyelid was also opened last time, the process shifts to step ST31 to clear the blink flag FLG_B and the eye closing duration β, and shifts the process to step ST40. In step ST40, it is determined whether or not one minute has elapsed.
At step 13, the eyelid opening / closing signal is input after waiting for the update of the eyelid opening / closing signal.

When the detection subject 1 blinks and closes his or her eyes, the process shifts from step ST20 to step ST21 to update the eye closing duration β, and in step ST22, the blink flag FLG_B is set to 1. Steps ST13, ST20, and ST2 while the eyes are closed
1. The processing of step ST22 is repeated, and the closed eye duration β is counted up according to the closed eye duration.

When the blinking ends and the eyes are opened again, the processing shifts to steps ST20, ST30, and ST33, and in step ST33, the eye closing duration β
But it is determined whether or not greater than TB_ _th. β ≧ TB
Performs multiplication processing of the total eye-closing time T in step ST34 when the _ _th, β <integration process in the case of TB_ _th is not performed, the process proceeds to step ST40 to clear the β blink flag FLG_B and the closed-eye duration .

When the one-minute analysis section ends, step S
The process proceeds from T40 to step ST41 to set α = T. At this time, α means that equation (1) has been calculated. Audio alarm for example, in determining that arousal decrease if alpha ≧ alpha _th in step ST42 step ST50, generates such as "attention to arousal decrease." Note that set here 0.5 seconds TB_ _th is the alpha _th and 10 seconds.

As described above, the conventional alertness reduction alarm device is configured so that the awakening reduction rate α increases when the detection subject 1 is in the alertness reduced state and a blink with a long eye closing duration occurs. , Α and α _th , it is possible to grasp the decrease in arousal based on the comparison of the magnitudes and generate an alarm to the detection target person 1 to urge arousal.

[0011]

Since the conventional alertness reduction alarm device is configured as described above, a single threshold value α _th is used as a threshold value of the alertness reduction degree α when determining whether to output an alarm. For this reason, there has been a problem that it is not possible to output an appropriate alertness reduction alert corresponding to the individual difference of the detection target.

FIG. 20 is a graph showing the time change of the degree of arousal reduction α in two persons A and B to be detected, and shows an example in which both persons A and B have decreased arousal from 60 minutes. Since the threshold value α _th of the arousal decrease degree α is set to 10 seconds, the detection target person A satisfies α ≧ α _th at t = 60 minutes, so that it is possible to generate an arousal degree alert with good timing. On the other hand, in the detection subject B, α ≧ α _th is satisfied by t
= 90 minutes, and the time of the alertness reduction alarm output is t = 90 minutes, and the timing of the alarm is later than the alertness reduction of the detection target person B. Such a phenomenon occurs because there is an individual difference in the eye closing duration and pattern of the blink. Here, if the threshold α _th for generating a low alertness is set to a low value, for example, α _th = 5 seconds in order to respond to the detection target B, an alarm is generated at an appropriate timing for the detection target B. However, in the detection target person A, α ≧ α _{th at} time t = 13 minutes when the arousal reduction has not yet progressed.
As a result, an alarm is generated, and the alarm becomes troublesome for the detection target person A. As described above, in the conventional alertness lowering alarm device, since the fixed threshold value is used as the threshold value for the alertness lowering alarm generation, the alertness lowering alert is performed at an appropriate timing corresponding to the individual difference of the blink of the detection target person. There was a problem that it was not possible to output an image.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alertness lowering alarm device for inputting a state of a person to be detected by a sensor and collecting information on the alertness of the person to be detected. And, awakening degree calculating means for calculating an awakening index value based on the information collected by the awakening information collecting means, and a display means for displaying the arousal lowering index value calculated by the arousal degree calculating means, Alarm threshold setting means for accepting the setting of an arousal lowering alarm threshold based on an arousal lowering index value based on the occurrence of an arousal lowering alarm as an criterion, and the arousal lowering index value and the arousal lowering alert threshold being predetermined. And an alarm generating means for issuing an alert for lowering arousal when the magnitude relation is satisfied.

[0014] The alertness lowering warning device according to the second aspect of the present invention is a wakefulness information collecting means for inputting the state of the person to be detected by a sensor to collect information on the wakefulness of the person to be detected, and the wakefulness information collecting means. Means for calculating an awakening index value using an amount indicated by the information collected by the means and a set parameter; and accepting a setting of an arbitrary value of the parameter used for calculating the arousal index value. Parameter setting means, display means for displaying the wakefulness index value calculated by the wakefulness degree calculating means, wakefulness warning threshold value which is a reference for generating a wakefulness warning based on the wakefulness index value, and the wakefulness An alarm generating means for issuing an alert for lowering alertness when the lowering index value satisfies a predetermined magnitude relationship.

A third aspect of the present invention provides the alertness lowering alarm device, wherein the alarm generating means has a plurality of alarm methods, and further includes an alarm method selecting means for receiving a selection input of the alarm method.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the alertness lowering alarm device, the alarm threshold value setting means can receive setting of a plurality of alertness reduction alarm thresholds, and the alarm generating means has a plurality of alerting methods. Different alerting methods are used in accordance with the magnitude relationship between the decrease index value and the plurality of alertness decrease alert thresholds.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the awakening reduction alarm device, the awakening reduction degree calculating means calculates a plurality of awakening index values based on a plurality of different evaluation indices, and the alarm threshold setting means performs the plurality of awakening reduction. It is possible to accept the setting of a plurality of alertness reduction alarm thresholds corresponding to the index values, and the alarm generation means determines that any one of the plurality of alertness index values becomes an alert generation requirement between the alertness reduction alarm threshold and the predetermined alertness. When the magnitude relation is satisfied, the awakening warning is issued.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the alertness lowering alarm device, the alarm generating means has a plurality of alarming methods assigned to each of the alertness lowering index values and satisfies a predetermined magnitude relationship which is an alarm generating requirement. The alertness lowering warning is issued by a different alerting method for each alertness lowering index value.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the alertness lowering alarm device, the display means displays a history of the alertness lowering index value over a predetermined time in the past and a currently set alertness lowering threshold value. It is.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the awakening reduction alarm apparatus, the display means displays a statistical calculation result of the awakening reduction index value for a predetermined time in the past and a currently set awakening warning threshold value. It was done.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the awakening-lowering warning device is configured such that the display means displays the frequency distribution of the awakening-lowering index value over a predetermined time in the past as a statistical calculation result.

A wake-up alerting device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a wake-up information collection means for inputting a state of a detection target by a sensor and collecting information on the wake-up state of the detection target, and the wake-up information collection. Awakening degree calculating means for calculating an awakening index value based on the information collected by the means,
When the alertness reduction index value and a predetermined alertness lowering threshold value satisfy a predetermined magnitude relationship, an alerting means for issuing an alertness reduction alarm is provided. During the time, the awakening warning is not output.

An awakening reduction alarm apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a wakefulness information collecting means for inputting a state of a detection target person by a sensor and collecting information on the wakefulness state of the detection target person, and the wakefulness information collection. Awakening degree calculating means for calculating an awakening index value based on the information collected by the means,
When the alertness reduction index value and a predetermined alertness lowering threshold value satisfy a predetermined magnitude relationship, an alarm generating means for issuing an alertness lowering alarm is provided, and the alarm generating means, after issuing the alertness lowering alert, During a predetermined period of time, the alertness reduction alarm threshold is changed to an alarm suppression side.

A wake-up alerting device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is a wake-up information collecting means for inputting a state of a detection target person by a sensor and collecting information on the wake-up state of the detection target person; Awakening degree calculating means for calculating an awakening index value based on the information collected by the means,
When the awakening index value and a predetermined awakening alarm threshold satisfy a predetermined magnitude relation, an alarm generating unit that issues an awakening alarm, and an input requesting a stop of the generated awakening alarm is received, An alarm stopping means for outputting an alarm stop signal to the alarm generating means, wherein the alarm generating means stops the awakening alarm when receiving the alarm stop signal from the alarm stopping means, and thereafter, for a predetermined time, the awakening reduction The alarm threshold is changed to the alarm suppression side.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering warning device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a detection target person such as a driver of various vehicles, which is a detection target of the alertness reduction. CC that captures the detection target 1
D camera (awakening information collecting means), 11 is CCD camera 1
An eyelid opening / closing determination circuit (awakening information collecting means) for inputting a face image of the detection target person 1 from 0 and performing eyelid opening / closing determination by image processing. This is a voice alarm circuit (alarm generation means) for outputting a low-alarm alert, which performs the same operation as each part in the low-alarm alarm device shown in the conventional example.

Reference numeral 21 calculates the degree of awakening reduction (awakening index value) α of the detection subject 1 based on the eyelid opening / closing judgment by the eyelid opening / closing judgment circuit 11, and outputs it to the display switch box 40 and the alarm output judgment circuit 31. An awakening degree calculating circuit (awakening degree calculating means), 31 is an alert threshold of the awakening degree α input from the awakening degree calculating circuit 21 and an awakening degree α input from the display switch box 40 (awakening alarm threshold).
An alarm output determination circuit (alarm generation means) 40 for determining whether or not to perform an alarm based on α _th , a display switch box (display means, alarm threshold setting) installed near the detection target 1 such as a driver Means), 401 is the display switch box 40
A liquid crystal display (display means) 411 for displaying the degree of arousal decrease α installed in the display switch box 40 is a slide switch (alarm threshold value setting means) for setting the alarm threshold α _th of the arousal degree α which is installed in the display switch box 40. is there.

Next, the operation will be described. The CCD camera 10 inputs the face image of the detection target 1 as in the conventional example,
The eyelid opening / closing determination circuit 11 determines the eyelid opening / closing of the detection target 1 in the same manner as in the conventional example. The awakening degree calculating circuit 21 calculates the awakening degree α by the same method as the conventional awakening degree calculating circuit 20 and outputs the result to the display switch box 40 and the alarm output judging circuit 31. The liquid crystal display 401 of the display switch box 40 displays the level of the awakening decrease degree α and presents it to the detection subject 1.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the details of the configuration of the display switch box 40. Here, the slide switch 411 for setting the alarm threshold value α _th is arranged so as to be in parallel with the display of the arousal reduction degree α on the liquid crystal display 401, and the same position of both displays the same value. The slide switch 411 displays a reference recommended value of a standard alarm threshold.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit 2 for calculating the degree of arousal reduction in FIG.
1 is a flowchart showing operations of an alarm output determination circuit 31 and an audio alarm circuit 50. The operation of obtaining the arousal reduction degree α in steps ST10 to ST41 is the same as the operation described with reference to FIG. 17 in the conventional example, and will be described below.
In step ST11, the blink flag FLG_B and the eye closing duration β are cleared, and in step ST12, the total eye closing time T is cleared. Next, in step ST13, an eyelid opening / closing signal is input from the eyelid opening / closing determination circuit 11. While the detection subject 1 does not blink, the eyelid opening / closing signal output from the eyelid opening / closing determination circuit 11 is “eyelid opening”,
In T20, the process proceeds to step ST30. If the blink flag FLG_B is 0 in step ST30, that is, if the eyelid was also open last time, the process proceeds to step ST31, where the blink flag FLG_B and the eye closing duration β are cleared, and the process proceeds to step ST40. In step ST40, it is determined whether one minute has elapsed,
If one minute has not elapsed, the eyelid opening / closing signal is input after waiting for the update of the eyelid opening / closing signal again in step ST13.

When the detection subject 1 blinks and closes his or her eyes, the process shifts from step ST20 to step ST21 to update the eye closing duration β, and in step ST22, the blink flag FLG_B is set to 1. Steps ST13, ST20, and ST2 while the eyes are closed
1. The processing of step ST22 is repeated, and the closed eye duration β is counted up according to the closed eye duration.

When the blinking is completed and the eyes are opened again, the processing shifts to steps ST20, ST30, and ST33, and in step ST33, the eye closing duration β
But it is determined whether or not greater than TB_ _th. β ≧ TB
Performs multiplication processing of the total eye-closing time T in step ST34 when the _ _th, β <integration process in the case of TB_ _th is not performed, the process proceeds to step ST40 to clear the β blink flag FLG_B and the closed-eye duration .

When the one-minute analysis section ends, step S
The process proceeds from T40 to step ST41 to set α = T. As a result, the arousal decrease degree α is calculated by the equation (1) shown in the conventional example. Here, TB
_ _Th is set to 0.5 seconds. This awakening degree α is output to the display switch box 40 and the liquid crystal display 401
Will be displayed. The above is the same as step ST41 of the conventional example.
This is the operation up to.

Next, in step ST43, the set alarm threshold value α _th is input from the display switch box 40, and α and α _th are set in step ST42 in the same manner as in the conventional example.
Are compared, and when α ≧ α _th , it is determined that the arousal has decreased, and in step ST50, for example, “attention to arousal decrease” by voice
Output an alarm.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the person 1 to be detected can know the value of the arousal reduction degree α from the liquid crystal display 401 of the display switch box 40.
In addition, since the threshold value α _th of the alarm can be set to any appropriate value, the detection target person 1 can easily grasp his or her wakefulness reduction state, and the detection target person 1
It is possible to issue a low alert alert at an appropriate timing corresponding to the individual difference of the blink.

In the above description, the value of the arousal lowering degree α is displayed by using the liquid crystal display 401, but the display method is not limited to liquid crystal, but is displayed by other display means such as an LED level meter. Needless to say, it is good.

Further, set to 0.5 seconds threshold TB_ _th eye-closure duration β in the above, this threshold TB_ _th
Can be changed within an appropriate range.

Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment,
Awakening reduction degree was determined by an integrated value α blink closed eye duration with (waking reduction index value) TB_ _th = 0.5 seconds or closed-eye duration beta beta, arousal decrease the degree of particular formula (1) Instead of being limited to this, the degree of arousal reduction may be determined by, for example, α2 represented by Expression (2).

[0038]

(Equation 2)

[0039] TB_ _th = 0 this formula is awakening decrease in the degree.
The evaluation is based on the ratio of the number of blinks having an eye closing duration β of 5 seconds or more to the total number of blinks.

In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the person to be detected 1 is the display switch box 4.
The liquid crystal display device 401 of 0 can know the value of wakefulness reduction of [alpha] 2, and, since the threshold value [alpha] 2 _th alarm can be set to any appropriate value, arousal reduction state of the detection subject 1 itself Can be easily grasped, and the alertness lowering alarm can be issued at an appropriate timing corresponding to the individual difference of the blink of the detection target person 1.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering warning device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 32 denotes an alarm output determination circuit (alarm generating means), and reference numeral 41 denotes a detection target 1 such as a driver. A display switch box (display means, alarm threshold setting means, alarm method selection means) installed in the vicinity, 421 is an alarm sound selection switch (alarm method selection means) installed in the display switch box 40, and 51 generates a large volume. Buzzer (alarm generating means). Note that the same or corresponding portions as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

Next, the operation will be described. The configuration and overall operation of the alertness reduction alarm device of the third embodiment are almost the same as those of the first embodiment, except that an alarm sound selection switch 421 is added to the display switch box 41 and the buzzer 5
1 is different.

In the third embodiment, the awakening degree calculating circuit 21 calculates the awakening degree α, and the alarm output judging circuit 32 outputs the output of the awakening alarm using the _αth input from the display switch box 41 as a threshold value. Until the determination is made, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed. Alarm output judgment circuit 32
Determines whether to output an audio alarm by the audio alarm circuit 50 or a buzzer sound by the buzzer 51 based on the alarm sound selection signal input from the display switch box 41, and when it is determined that the alarm is to be issued, One of the above outputs is performed according to the selected position of the selection switch 421.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the detection target person 1 can select the type of alarm according to his / her preference. Thus, it is possible to perform an alarm more suitable for the detection control person 1.

In the above description, whether the alarm sound or the buzzer is set in the display switch box 41, the volume of the alarm sound may be set in the display switch box 41. For example, the type of alarm may be selected from among voice alarm, buzzer, flashing of strong light, vibration and the like.

Embodiment 4 FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering warning device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 33 denotes an alarm output determination circuit (alarm generating means), and reference numeral 43 denotes a detection target 1 such as a driver. A display switch box (display means, alarm threshold setting means) 412 installed in the vicinity is a slide switch (alarm threshold setting means) further installed in the display switch box 43. The same or corresponding portions as those shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

Next, the operation will be described. The configuration and overall operation of the alertness lowering alarm device of the fourth embodiment are almost the same as those of the first embodiment, except that a slide switch 412 is added to the display switch box 43, and the buzzer 51 is added to the alarm output determination circuit 33. The difference is that they are connected.

In the fourth embodiment, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed until the awakening degree calculating circuit 21 calculates the awakening degree α. In the display switch box 43, the slide switch 411 and the slide switch 41
2, two alarm thresholds α _th 1 and α _th 2 can be set. In the alarm output determination circuit 33, α input from the awakening degree calculation circuit 21 and the above α _th 1 and α _th
2 and an alarm is generated. Slide switch 41
1 and the slide switch 412 are linked, and α _th 1 and α _th
th 2 is adapted to be set so that α _th 1 <α _th 2.

The alarm is generated in the voice alarm circuit 50 by, for example, not generating an alarm when α <α _th 1;
When the _{α th 1 ≦ α <α th} 2 to generate an alarm by sound alarm circuit 50, as in such case the alpha _th 2 ≦ alpha generating an alarm by buzzer 51, two alarm thresholds alpha _th 1 , Α _th 2
Two different alarm sounds are generated depending on the magnitude of the alarm.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, another type of alarm can be generated in a stepwise manner in accordance with an increase in the arousal reduction degree α. Thus, it is possible to cause the detection target person 1 to recognize the arousal reduction level in a stepwise manner. In addition, as the arousal level decreases, an alarm with a higher arousal effect is output and the detection target 1
It is also possible to encourage the awakening of the person.

The alarm method used for the stepwise alarm is not limited to the above-mentioned audio alarm and buzzer, but may be another alarm method such as flashing or vibration of strong light.

Embodiment 5 FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering alarm device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 24 denotes an alertness lowering degree calculating circuit (alarm lowering) for calculating two different alertness lowering index values α and β. Degree calculation means), 34 is an alarm output judgment circuit (alarm generation means) for judging an alarm output based on two different alertness reduction index values α, β, and 44 is installed in the vicinity of the detection target 1 such as a driver. Reference numeral 413 denotes a slide switch (alarm threshold setting means) for setting an alarm threshold β _th installed in the display switch box 44. Note that the same or corresponding portions as those shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

Next, the operation will be described. The alertness lowering alarm device of the fifth embodiment calculates another alertness lowering index value β in addition to the operation of the alertness lowering alarm device of the first embodiment, and calculates two alertness lowering index values α and β. It operates to give an alarm for each. Awakening degree calculation circuit 24
Calculates the degree of awakening a in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and at the same time, calculates the closed-eye duration β for an urgent warning of awakening. The alarm output judgment circuit 34 compares the alarm thresholds α _th , β _th inputted from the display switch box 44 with α, β, and if α ≧ α _th , the audio alarm circuit 50
Generates an audio alarm, and if β> _βth , the buzzer 51
Generates an alarm. The value of α _th is set by the detection subject 1 by the slide switch 411 as in the first embodiment, and the value of β _th is set by the detection target 1 to a value of about 1 to 3 seconds by the slide switch 413.

FIG. 7 shows a circuit 2 for calculating the degree of arousal reduction in FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing operations of the alarm output determination circuit 34, the audio alarm circuit 50, and the buzzer 51. Processing other than steps ST60 to ST62 in FIG. 7 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and after step ST22,
In step ST60, the alarm output determination circuit 34 inputs the set alarm threshold value β _th from the display switch box 44, and when β ≧ β _th determines that the state should be an urgent alarm, and in step ST62, the buzzer 51 Output an alarm.

[0055] As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the other alarms and waking reduction index value α represents the total closing period in TB_ _th (for example, 0.5 seconds) blink for 1 minute In addition, an emergency alert with the closed-eye duration β as the awakening index value is added, and the alert threshold of each of the two awakening index values can be changed. Even when the drop is not detected and the alarm is not output, the alertness can be detected by another alertness index value β and an alert can be output. Thus, a more detailed warning can be provided to the detection target person 1.

In the above description, two alertness reduction index values are used, but it is needless to say that the accuracy of alertness reduction detection can be further improved by using three or more alertness reduction index values. Absent.

Embodiment 6 FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering warning device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 12 denotes an electroencephalogram electrode (awakening information collecting means) attached to the detection target 1; An awakening degree calculating circuit (awakening degree calculating means) 35 for calculating different awakening index values α, α3, and an alarm output determining circuit 35 for determining an alarm output based on two different awakening index values α, α3 ( Alarm display means), 45 is a display switch box (display means, alarm threshold setting means) installed near the detection target 1 such as a driver, and 402 is a liquid crystal display (display) further installed in the display switch box 45. Means), 41
Reference numeral 4 denotes a slide switch (alarm threshold value setting means) installed in the display switch box 45. The same or corresponding portions as those shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

Next, the operation will be described. In the sixth embodiment, the awakening degree α calculated from the blink pattern and the awakening degree α3 calculated from the brain wave state are calculated, respectively.
Alert each one. Arousal decrease degree calculation circuit 25
Receives the eyelid opening / closing signal from the eyelid opening / closing determination circuit 11, calculates α by the equation (1), receives an analog EEG signal from the electroencephalogram electrode 12, and outputs the α wave component (frequency 8 to 13 Hz) and the whole The brain wave component is calculated, and the awakening decrease degree α3 is calculated by Expression 3.

Α3 = α wave component / total brain wave component Equation (3)

The calculation of the ratio α3 can be performed by using the area ratio of the power spectrum of the brain wave and the like. The display switch box 45 outputs α, α from the awakening degree calculating circuit 25.
3 are displayed on the liquid crystal displays 401 and 402, respectively. The detection target person 1 is the slide switches 411 and 414
, The alarm thresholds α _th and α3 _th are set, and the alarm output determination circuit 35 compares α with α _th and α3 with α3 _th ,
audio alarm circuit 50 sends to the audio alarm circuit 50 to the alarm instruction when the alpha ≧ alpha _th or .alpha.3 ≧ .alpha.3 _th generates an audio alarm. This type of audio alarm case may be different in between cases where the the .alpha.3 ≧ .alpha.3 _th of α ≧ α _th.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, two sensors of the CCD camera 10 and the electroencephalogram electrode 12 are provided, and an alarm is generated based on two arousal decrease index values detected by the respective sensors. As a result, it is possible to provide the detection target 1 with a more detailed warning by improving the accuracy of the arousal drop detection by the double arousal drop detection.

In the above description, two sensors and the arousal index value are used. However, it is possible to further improve the accuracy of the arousal detection using three or more sensors and the arousal index value. Needless to say.

Embodiment 7 FIG. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a configuration of a display switch box of the alertness lowering warning device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 46 denotes a display switch box (display means, alarm threshold setting means), and 403.
Is a liquid crystal display (display means) for displaying the past history of the awakening degree α, and 415 is a dial switch (alarm threshold setting means) for setting an alarm threshold α _th . The configuration of the alertness lowering warning device according to the seventh embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, but the display method of the display switch box is different from that of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described. The operation of the seventh embodiment except for the display of the alertness lowering warning device is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a duplicate description will be omitted. The display switch box 46 includes a storage circuit (not shown). The display switch box 46 stores the awakening reduction degree α input from the awakening reduction degree calculation circuit 21 for the past 20 hours of the detection, and as shown in FIG. At 403, the transition of the awakening degree α for the past 20 hours is displayed, and the current awakening degree α is displayed in a large scale. The set alarm threshold α _th is displayed on the liquid crystal display 403 in, for example, a broken line shape.

The detection subject 1 operates the dial switch 415 while watching the past history display of the arousal reduction degree α and the alarm threshold α _th displayed in a broken line, thereby setting the alarm threshold α _th to itself. It can be set to an appropriate value that matches.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the subject 1 can easily grasp the past transition of the degree of arousal and recognize this. The alarm threshold can be set to an appropriate value depending on the basis.

Embodiment 8 FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a configuration of a display switch box of an awakening reduction alarm apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 47 denotes a display switch box (display means, alarm threshold setting means);
Reference numeral 4 denotes a liquid crystal display (display means) for displaying the past frequency distribution of the arousal reduction degree α, and reference numeral 416 denotes a dial switch (alarm threshold setting means) for setting an alarm threshold α _th . The configuration of the alertness lowering alarm device of the eighth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
However, the display method of the display switch box is different from that of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described. The operation of the eighth embodiment except for the display of the alertness lowering alarm device is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the duplicated description will be omitted. The display switch box 47 includes a storage circuit and an arithmetic circuit (not shown). The display switch box 47 calculates the awakening decrease degree α of the past 20 hours based on the value of the awakening decrease degree α of the past 20 hours inputted and stored from the awakening degree calculation circuit 21. The frequency distribution is calculated, and this is displayed on the liquid crystal display 404 as shown in FIG. Further, the current awakening decrease degree α is displayed in, for example, a linear shape, and the set alarm threshold α _th is displayed in, for example, a broken line shape.

Here, the frequency distribution p2 (n) is obtained by the following calculation. p2 (n) (%) = p1 (n) / 20 × 100 (n =
0, 1,. . . , 15) where p1 (n) is the total [time] in which the degree of arousal decrease α [seconds] is n ≦ α <n + 1 (n = 0, 1,..., 14) p1 (15): Arousal decrease Total [time] when degree α [second] was α ≧ 15

The frequency distribution p2 (n) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 404, where n is the horizontal axis, and the detection subject 1 looks at this past frequency distribution display and the alarm threshold α _th displayed in broken _lines. By operating the dial switch 416, the alarm threshold α _th can be set to an appropriate value suitable for the user.

As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, in addition to obtaining the effects of the first embodiment, the detection subject 1 can easily grasp the frequency distribution of the past arousal reduction degree and , It is possible to set the alarm threshold to an appropriate value.

In the above description, the frequency distribution of the degree of arousal reduction is displayed as it is. However, if the frequency difference is large, other appropriate display methods such as displaying the square root of the frequency can be used. Needless to say,

In the above description, the frequency distribution is displayed as a result of the statistical calculation of the degree of arousal decrease. In addition, for example, the 97th percentile value from a small value of the degree of arousal decrease is displayed as a recommended value of α _th. Alternatively, other statistical calculation results such as an average value, a mode value, a center value, and a standard deviation may be displayed, so that more appropriate setting of the alarm threshold can be performed.

In Embodiments 7 and 8,
Although the display is performed for the past 20 hours of the detection, it is needless to say that the display is not particularly limited to 20 hours.

Embodiment 9 FIG. The alertness lowering alarm device of the ninth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the eighth embodiment except that a clock circuit is added to the display switch box 47.
It is not particularly shown.

Next, the operation will be described. Embodiment 8
In the above, the frequency distribution of the past 20 hours is displayed. In the ninth embodiment, the frequency distribution of the detection subject 1 for the past 20 hours at night (pm 6:00 to am 6:00) and the frequency distribution of the subject 1 during the day (am 6:00 to pm6) are displayed. 0:00), the frequency distribution of the detection target 1 in the past 20 hours is individually calculated in the display switch box 47, so that the night frequency distribution is displayed at night and the day frequency distribution is displayed at daytime. And the alarm threshold value α _th can be set individually.

According to the ninth embodiment, the eighth embodiment
In addition to the effect of the above, the threshold value of the alarm for each day and night can be set based on the past frequency distribution. It is possible to issue an alarm at a more appropriate timing corresponding to the above.

Embodiment 10 FIG. The configuration of the alertness lowering alarm device of the tenth embodiment is almost the same as the configuration of the alertness lowering alarm device of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and is not particularly illustrated.

Next, the operation will be described. The operation of the alertness lowering alarm device of the tenth embodiment is almost the same as that of the fifth embodiment, except for the processing of the alarm output determination circuit 34.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operations of the awakening degree calculating circuit 24, the alarm output judging circuit 34, the voice alarm circuit 50, and the buzzer 51 in the tenth embodiment. The operation of calculating α and β in steps ST10 to ST42 and not outputting a voice alarm when α < _αth is the same as in the fifth embodiment. However, step the processing in the case of α ≧ α _th in step ST42 ST70
Then, it is determined whether or not the voice alarm has been output within the past 5 minutes. If the alarm has been output, the process proceeds to step ST12 without performing the alarm operation. If it is determined in step ST70 that the audio warning has not been output within the past 5 minutes, an audio alarm is output in step ST50.

As described above, according to the tenth embodiment, the alarm is not output within a certain period of time after outputting the alertness reduction alarm. Is kept strong, and the detection target person 1 can always receive the alarm freshly.

In the above description, the threshold value for the alarm judgment can be manually set. However, the same effect can be obtained by applying the above contents when the threshold value is fixed as in the conventional example. Needless to say.

Embodiment 11 FIG. The configuration of the alertness lowering alarm device of the eleventh embodiment is almost the same as the configuration of the alertness lowering alarm device of the embodiment 5 shown in FIG. 6, and is not particularly illustrated.

Next, the operation will be described. The operation of the awakening reduction alarm device of the eleventh embodiment is almost the same as that of the fifth embodiment, except for the processing of the alarm output determination circuit 34.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of the awakening reduction degree calculating circuit 24, the alarm output judging circuit 34, the voice alarm circuit 50, and the buzzer 51 in the eleventh embodiment. In step ST80, the threshold offset γ is set to 0
Set to. Hereinafter, from Step ST10 to Step S
In T43, the operation from the calculation of α and β to the input of _αth set through the display switch box 44 is the same as that of the fifth embodiment.

Next, in step ST81, after the γ change
It is determined whether or not 0 minutes have elapsed. If 10 minutes or more have elapsed, 2 is subtracted from the threshold offset γ in step ST82. However, if γ <0, γ = 0. Next, if α ≧ α _th + γ in step ST83, the process proceeds to step ST83.
A voice alarm is output at 84, and 2 is added to the alarm offset γ at step ST85.

That is, for at least 10 minutes after the output of the audio alarm, the threshold value of the alarm output increases by 2, and it becomes difficult to output the audio alarm. If α exceeds α _th +2 and outputs a further voice alarm within 10 minutes, step ST
At 85, 2 is further added to γ, and γ = 4. Then, for at least 10 minutes, the threshold value of the alarm output has increased by 4, and the audio alarm is more difficult to be output.

As described above, according to the eleventh embodiment, the alarm threshold value is increased within a certain period of time after outputting the alertness reduction alarm. Only the alarm is output one after another, and it is possible to notify the detection target person 1 that the dangerous state is progressing.

In the above description, the threshold value for the warning judgment can be manually set. However, similar effects can be obtained by applying the above contents when the original threshold value is fixed as in the conventional example. Needless to say.

In the above description, when the awakening progresses, the same voice alarm is generated one after another. However, the content of the voice alarm is changed according to the value of the alarm offset γ, and the detection target is changed by the change of the voice alarm content. The configuration may be such that the progress of the arousal decrease is notified to the person 1 in detail, and a better effect can be obtained.

Embodiment 12 FIG. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering alarm device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, a CCD camera 10, an eyelid opening / closing determining circuit 11, an alarm output determining circuit 30, and a voice alarm circuit 50 are shown.
Perform the same operation as each part of the conventional alertness reduction alarm device shown in FIG. Reference numeral 27 denotes a circuit for calculating a degree of awakening reduction (means for calculating a degree of awakening reduction), reference numeral 48 denotes a display switch box (display means, parameter setting means) installed near the detection target 1 such as a driver, and reference numeral 405 denotes a display switch box 48. Liquid crystal display (display means) installed in
7 is a dial switch for TB_ _th set installed in the display switch box 48 (parameter setting means).

Next, the operation will be described. The process in which the CCD camera 10 inputs the face image of the detection target 1 and the eyelid opening / closing determination circuit 11 performs the eyelid opening / closing determination of the detection target 1 is the same as the conventional example. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operations of the alertness reduction degree calculation circuit 27, the alarm output determination circuit 30, and the audio alarm circuit 50 in the twelfth embodiment. First, in step ST9, the blink histogram h
(N) is cleared. Here, the blink histogram is
It is a histogram of the blink occurrence frequency for each eye-closing duration for one minute, and its content is, for example, as follows.

H (0) = Duration of closed eye more than 0 ms 33 ms
The number of blinks below h (1) = Eye closing duration more than 33 mS The number of blinks less than 66 ms h (n) = Eye closing duration n × more than 33 mS (n + 1) × 3
Number of blinks less than 3mS

Next, step ST10 and step ST11
Clears the blink flag FLG_B and the closed eye duration β,
Next, in steps ST90 and ST91, the number of blinks N and the blink histogram calculation buffer ph (n) are cleared. Next, in step ST13, the eyelid opening / closing determination circuit 1
The eyelid opening / closing signal is input from 1.

While the detection subject 1 does not blink, the eyelid opening / closing signal output from the eyelid opening / closing determination circuit 11 is "eyelid open", so the process proceeds to step ST30 in step ST20. In step ST30, if the blink flag FLG_B is 0, that is, if the eyelid was also opened last time, the process proceeds to step ST31 and step ST32 to clear the blink flag FLG_B and the eye closing duration β. Next, at step ST95, the dial switch 41
With input from the display switch box 48 TB_ _th which is set by 7, in step ST96, from the blink histogram h (n), TB_ _th or more closed-eye duration in accordance with equation (2) shown in the second embodiment Awakening decrease degree α indicating the ratio of the number of blinks with β to the whole
2 and outputs the result to the display switch box 48. The liquid crystal display 405 displays the level of α2 and presents it to the detection subject 1. Note that the blink histogram h (n) used at this time is for the previous one minute, and α2 is not displayed for one minute after the start. Next, step ST
If the process is shifted to 40 and if one minute has not elapsed, the eyelid opening / closing signal is input again in step ST13 until the eyelid opening / closing signal is updated.

When the detection subject 1 blinks and closes his or her eyes, the process shifts from step ST20 to step ST21 to update the eye closing duration β, and in step ST22, the blink flag FLG_B is set to 1. Steps ST13, ST20, and ST2 while the eyes are closed
1. The processing of step ST22 is repeated, and the closed eye duration β is counted up according to the closed eye duration.

When the blink ends and the eyes are opened again, the processing shifts to steps ST20, ST30 and ST93, the number of blinks n is updated in step ST93, and the blink histogram corresponding to the closed eye duration β is calculated in step ST94. The corresponding data in the buffer ph (n) is incremented. For example, the closed eye duration β
Is 66 mS, ph (1) is incremented.
Thus, every time a blink occurs, the blink histogram calculation buffer ph (n) is updated. Then step ST
31. After clearing the blink flag FLG_B and the closed eye duration β in step ST32, the process merges with the processing in step ST95 and thereafter.

When the one-minute analysis section ends, step S is performed.
The process shifts from T40 to step ST97 to transfer the contents of the blink histogram calculation buffer ph (n) incremented during one minute to the blink histogram h (n). In step ST98, the [alpha] 2 is calculated from blinking histogram h of this 1 minute (n), it determines that the awakening decreases if [alpha] 2 ≧ [alpha] 2 _th at step ST99, an alarm is generated in step ST50.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 13, the display switch box 48, awakening reduced based on a TB_ _th which is set by the dial switch 417 blink last 1 minute histogram h (n) and at that time The level of the degree α2 is sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal display 405, and the alarm threshold α2 _th of α2 is displayed as a black triangle near the liquid crystal display 405.

[0100] detection subject 1 by operating the dial switch 417 while contrast sequential change α2 level to the alarm threshold α2 _th by TB_ _th itself is set, to an appropriate value that matches the TB_ _th in itself Can be set. That is, setting a small TB_ _th, large [alpha] 2 is displayed [alpha] 2 is larger recalculated in step ST96, and the alarm in step ST99 is likely to occur, when setting a large TB_ _th, [alpha] 2 is smaller recalculated in step ST96 Then, a small α2 is displayed, and it becomes difficult to generate an alarm in step ST99.

As described above, according to the twelfth embodiment, the parameter for calculating the alertness reduction index value is set to any appropriate value while comparing the calculated alertness index value with the alarm threshold. It is possible to set the calculated value of the alertness reduction index value to an appropriate value corresponding to the individual difference of the blink of the detection target person 1, and to issue the alertness reduction warning at an appropriate timing suitable for the detection target person 1. Become.

In the above description, the current α2 value is displayed for comparison with the alarm threshold α2 _th . However, the past history is displayed as in the seventh embodiment, or the current α2 value is displayed as in the eighth embodiment. Needless to say, a frequency distribution may be displayed, and a similar effect can be obtained.

In the above description, the case of the alertness lowering alarm device using α2 as the alertness lowering index value has been described.
Also in the alertness lowering warning device using other alertness lowering index values such as α, it is possible to set the parameter for the alertness lowering index value calculation as described above by the detection target person 1 itself, It goes without saying that a similar effect can be obtained.

Embodiment 13 FIG. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering warning device according to Embodiment 13 of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 418 denotes an alarm stop button. The same or corresponding portions as those shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The configuration of the alertness lowering alarm device of the thirteenth embodiment is substantially the same as the alertness lowering alarm device of the eleventh embodiment having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. Is provided.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the alertness reduction degree calculation circuit 24, the alarm output determination circuit 34, the voice alarm circuit 50, and the buzzer 51 in the thirteenth embodiment. Processing other than steps ST100 to ST104 in FIG.
This is similar to the eleventh embodiment shown in FIG. In the thirteenth embodiment, it is determined whether or not 10 minutes have passed after the change of γ in step ST81. If 10 minutes or more have elapsed, 2 is subtracted from the threshold offset γ in step ST82. However, if γ <0, γ = 0. Next, if α ≧ α _th + γ in step ST83, the process proceeds to the alarm output process from step ST100.

In the alarm output process, first, an alarm is started by the audio alarm circuit 50 in step ST100.
Next, the alarm stop button 418 of the display switch box 44
It is determined in step ST10 whether the alarm stop signal output by pressing is input to the alarm output determination circuit 34.
1 is determined. If the alarm stop signal has been input, 2 is added to the value of the alarm offset γ in steps ST102 and ST104, and the alarm is stopped.

If the alarm stop signal has not been input in step ST101, it is determined in step ST103 whether the alarm time required for the alarm by the voice alarm circuit 50 has elapsed. If the alarm time has elapsed, the alarm is issued in step ST104. If the alarm is stopped and the alarm time has not elapsed, the process returns to step ST101 to continue the output of the alarm while continuing to monitor the input of the alarm stop signal.

That is, according to the above-described processing, the threshold value of the alarm output is increased by 2 for at least 10 minutes after the detection target 1 stops the sound alarm by the alarm stop button 418, and the sound alarm is output. It becomes difficult. Also, 1
If α exceeds α _th +2 within 0 minutes and an audio alarm is further output, and if the detection target 1 stops the audio alarm with the alarm stop button 418, 2 is further added to γ in step ST102. = 4, and for at least 10 minutes thereafter, the threshold value of the alarm output has increased by 4, and it is more difficult to output the audio alarm. If there is no alarm stop by the detection subject 1 for 10 minutes, γ is reduced by 2 in step ST82.

As described above, according to the thirteenth embodiment, the alarm threshold value is raised each time the detection target person 1 stops the voice alarm using the alarm stop button 418, and the detection target 1 stops the alarm for a certain period of time. If there is no alarm threshold, the alarm threshold is lowered. Therefore, if the detection target 1 feels that the alarm is not appropriate and stops the alarm in the middle of the alarm, the alarm threshold can be automatically changed to the alarm suppression side. It is possible to perform an appropriate alarm.

In the above description, the threshold value for the alarm judgment can be manually set. However, similar effects can be obtained by applying the above contents when the original threshold value is fixed as in the conventional example. Needless to say.

[0111]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the awakening information collecting means for inputting the state of the person to be detected by a sensor and collecting information on the awakening state of the person to be detected, Awakening degree calculating means for calculating an awakening index value based on information collected by an awakening information collecting means, a display means for displaying the arousal level index value calculated by the arousal level calculating means, and the awakening index Alarm threshold setting means for accepting the setting of an awakening alert threshold to an arbitrary value as a reference for the occurrence of an awakening alert based on a value, and the awakening indicator value and the awakening alert threshold having a predetermined magnitude relationship. And alarm generation means for issuing a low arousal warning when the condition is satisfied, so that the detection target can see the low awakening index value displayed on the display means, and can set the low awakening warning threshold to any value. Since it can be set to an appropriate value, the detection target person can easily grasp his or her own low arousal state, and issues an awakening warning at an appropriate timing corresponding to the individual difference of the detection target person. This has the effect that it becomes possible.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the awakening information collecting means for inputting the state of the person to be detected by a sensor and collecting information on the awakening state of the person to be detected, and the awakening information collecting means Awakening degree calculating means for calculating an awakening index value using the amount indicated by the information and the set parameters, and a parameter setting means for accepting setting of the parameter used for calculating the arousal index value to an arbitrary value Display means for displaying the arousal decrease index value calculated by the arousal decrease degree calculating means, arousal decrease alert threshold value and the arousal decrease index value that serve as a reference for the occurrence of an arousal decrease alert based on the arousal decrease index value. Is provided with an alarm generating means for issuing an alert for lowering awakening when the predetermined magnitude relation is satisfied. Since the decrease index value can be confirmed by the display of the display means, and the parameter can be set to any appropriate value by the parameter setting means, the calculated value of the arousal decrease index value is set to the individual difference of the detection target person. There is an effect that it is possible to set a corresponding appropriate value and to issue a low alert alert at an appropriate timing suitable for the detection target person.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the alarm generating means has a plurality of alarm methods, and further comprises an alarm method selecting means for receiving a selection input of the alarm method. It is possible to select the type of alarm, and there is an effect that an alarm more suitable for the detection target person can be issued.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the alarm threshold value setting means can receive the setting of a plurality of alertness reduction alarm thresholds, and the alarm generating means has a plurality of alerting methods and has an alertness reduction index value. Since it is configured to use different alert methods according to the magnitude relationship with the plurality of alertness lowering thresholds, it is possible to perform an alert by a different alerting method each time the alertness lowering index value passes each alertness lowering threshold, It is possible to make the detection target recognize the progress of the arousal decrease by the difference in the type of the awakening, and for example, when the arousal decline has advanced, an alarm with a high arousal effect is output to urge the awakening of the detection target This has the effect that it becomes possible.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the arousal decrease degree calculating means calculates a plurality of arousal decrease index values based on a plurality of different evaluation indices, and the alarm threshold value setting means corresponds to the plurality of arousal decrease index values. It is possible to receive the setting of a plurality of alertness lowering thresholds that have been set, the alarm generating means is a predetermined magnitude relationship that is one of the plurality of alertness lowering index values and the alertness lowering threshold as an alarm generation requirement Since the awakening warning is issued when the condition is satisfied, there is an effect that the accuracy of the awakening detection can be improved by the detection of the awakening based on the plurality of awakening index values.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the alarm generating means has a plurality of alarm methods assigned to each of the alertness lowering index values, and the alertness lowering index value satisfying a predetermined magnitude relationship as an alarm generating requirement. Since the awakening alert is configured to be issued with a different alerting method for each, the accuracy of awakening detection is improved by alertness detection using a plurality of alertness index values, and the alertness state is alerted by an alert for each alertness index value. There is an effect that the detection target can be notified in more detail.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the display means is configured to display the history of the arousal lowering index value over the past predetermined time and the currently set arousal lowering warning threshold value. There is an effect that it is possible to more appropriately set the alertness lowering threshold while comparing the history of the alertness lowering index value displayed in (1) with the alertness lowering alert threshold.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the display means is configured to display the result of the statistical calculation of the arousal decrease index value over the past predetermined time and the currently set arousal decrease alert threshold. There is an effect that it is possible to more appropriately set the alertness lowering threshold while comparing the statistical calculation result of the alertness lowering index value displayed on the display means with the alertness lowering alert threshold.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the display means is configured to display the frequency distribution of the arousal decrease index value over the past predetermined time as a statistical calculation result, the arousal decrease index value displayed on the display means is displayed. There is an effect that it is possible to more appropriately set the alertness lowering threshold while comparing the frequency distribution of the alerting with the alertness lowering alert threshold.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the awakening information collecting means for inputting the state of the person to be detected by a sensor and collecting information on the arousal state of the person to be detected, and the awakening information collecting means Awakening degree calculating means for calculating an awakening index value based on information; and an alarm generating means for issuing an awakening alarm when the awakening index value and a predetermined awakening alarm threshold satisfy a predetermined magnitude relationship. The warning generating means is configured not to output the low alertness for a predetermined time after issuing the low alertness, so that the alarm of the alarm can be prevented by preventing the detection target from being used to the alarm. Has an effect that the detection target can always receive the alarm freshly.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the awakening information collecting means for inputting the state of the detection target by a sensor and collecting information on the awakening state of the detection target, and the awakening information collecting means Awakening degree calculating means for calculating an awakening index value based on information; and an alarm generating means for issuing an awakening alarm when the awakening index value and a predetermined awakening alarm threshold satisfy a predetermined magnitude relationship. Since the alarm generation means is configured to change the alertness lowering threshold to the alarm suppression side for a predetermined time after issuing the alertness lowering alert, further awakening after issuing the alertness lowering alert The alarm is continued only when the decrease progresses, so that it is possible to suppress a troublesome alarm and inform the detection target person of the progress of the dangerous awakening decrease.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the awakening information collecting means for inputting the state of the person to be detected by a sensor and collecting information on the arousal state of the person to be detected, and the awakening information collecting means Awakening degree calculating means for calculating an awakening index value based on information; and an alarm generating means for issuing an awakening alarm when the awakening index value and a predetermined awakening alarm threshold satisfy a predetermined magnitude relationship. Receiving an input requesting to stop the generated alertness reduction alarm, and outputting an alarm stop signal to the alarm generation means, wherein the alarm generation means receives the alarm stop signal from the alarm stop means And the awakening warning is stopped, and after that, for a predetermined time, the awakening warning threshold is changed to the warning suppression side. If the alarm is stopped in the middle of the alertness reduction alarm because it is felt that it is not appropriate, the alertness reduction alarm threshold can be automatically changed to the alarm suppression side, and there is an effect that it is possible to perform an appropriate alarm .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering alarm device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing details of a configuration of a display switch box of the awakening reduction alarm device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operations of the awakening reduction degree calculation circuit, the alarm output determination circuit, and the voice alarm circuit of the awakening reduction alarm apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering alarm device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering warning device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering alarm device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing operations of a waking lowering degree calculating circuit, an alarm output judging circuit, an audio warning circuit, and a buzzer of a waking lowering alarm device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering alarm device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a configuration of a display switch box of an awakening reduction alarm device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a configuration of a display switch box of an awakening reduction alarm device according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing operations of a waking lowering degree calculating circuit, a warning output determining circuit, a voice warning circuit, and a buzzer of a waking lowering warning device according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing operations of a waking lowering degree calculating circuit, a warning output determining circuit, a voice warning circuit, and a buzzer of a waking lowering alarm device according to Embodiment 11 of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering warning device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operations of the awakening reduction degree calculation circuit, the alarm output determination circuit, and the voice alarm circuit of the awakening reduction alarm apparatus according to Embodiment 12 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering apparatus according to Embodiment 13 of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the awakening reduction degree calculating circuit, the alarm output determination circuit, the voice alarm circuit, and the buzzer of the awakening reduction alarm apparatus according to Embodiment 13 of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional alertness reduction apparatus for a vehicle.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of occurrence of blinks in an i-th alertness reduction determination section.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing operations of the awakening degree calculating circuit, the alarm output judging circuit, and the voice alarm circuit in FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a graph showing the time change of the arousal reduction degree α in two detection subjects A and B.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 detection target person, 10 CCD camera (awakening information collecting means), 11 eyelid open / close determination circuit (awakening information collecting means), 1
2. Electroencephalogram electrodes (awakening information collecting means), 21, 24, 2
5,27 arousal decrease degree calculation circuit (arousal decrease degree calculation means), 30,31,32,33,34,35 alarm output determination circuit (alarm generation means), 40,43,44,45,
46, 47 display switch box (display means, alarm threshold setting means), 41 display switch box (display means, alarm threshold setting means, alarm method selection means), 48 display switch box (display means, parameter setting means), 50 voices Alarm circuit (alarm generation means), 51 Buzzer (alarm generation means), 401, 402, 403, 40
4,405 liquid crystal display (display means), 411, 41
2,413,414 slide switch (alarm threshold setting means), 415,416 dial switch (alarm threshold setting means), 417 dial switch (parameter setting means), 418 alarm stop button (alarm stop means),
421 Alarm sound selection switch (alarm method selection means).

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Makoto Seki 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Claims (12)

[Claims] An awakening information collecting means for inputting a state of a detection target person by a sensor to collect information on an awakening state of the detection target person, and an awakening decrease index value based on the information collected by the awakening information collection means. Awakening degree calculating means for calculating the awakening-lowering index value calculated by the awakening-lowering degree calculating means, and awakening as a reference for the generation of a low-awakening alarm based on the arousal-lowering index value Alarm threshold setting means for accepting setting of a drop alarm threshold to an arbitrary value,
An alertness lowering alarm device comprising: an alarm generator that issues an alertness lowering alert when the alertness lowering index value and the alertness lowering threshold value satisfy a predetermined magnitude relationship. 2. A wake-up information collecting means for inputting a state of a detection target person by a sensor to collect information on a wake-up state of the detection target person, and an amount indicated by information collected by the wake-up information collection means is set. Awakening index value calculating means for calculating an awakening index value using a parameter, parameter setting means for accepting setting of the parameter used for calculating the awakening index value to an arbitrary value, and the awakening degree calculating means A display means for displaying the calculated arousal decrease index value, and a case where the arousal decrease alert threshold value and the arousal decrease index value that are the basis of the arousal decrease alert based on the arousal decrease index value satisfy a predetermined magnitude relationship. And a warning generation means for issuing a warning of lowering of wakefulness. 3. The alertness reduction means according to claim 1, wherein said warning generation means has a plurality of warning methods, and further comprises warning method selection means for receiving a selection input of a warning method. Alarm device. 4. An alarm threshold setting means can receive setting of a plurality of alertness lowering thresholds, and the alarm generating means has a plurality of alerting methods, and includes a plurality of alertness lowering alert thresholds of the alertness lowering index value. 2. The alertness reduction alarm device according to claim 1, wherein different alarm methods are used according to the magnitude relation of: 5. A wakefulness decrease calculating means calculates a plurality of wakefulness index values based on a plurality of different evaluation indices, and an alarm threshold setting means calculates a plurality of wakefulness decrease thresholds corresponding to the plurality of wakefulness index values. It is possible to receive a setting, and the alarm generation means issues a low alertness alert when any of the plurality of low alertness index values satisfies a predetermined magnitude relationship that is an alarm generation requirement between the low alertness threshold and the low alertness threshold. 2. The alertness reduction alarm device according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The alert generation means has a plurality of alert methods assigned to each of the alertness lowering index values, and the alerting means is provided with a different alerting method for each alertness lowering index value satisfying a predetermined magnitude relationship as an alert generating requirement. The alertness reduction alarm device according to claim 5, wherein an alarm is issued. 7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays a history of the arousal decrease index value over a predetermined time in the past and a currently set arousal decrease warning threshold value. The alertness reduction alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays a statistical calculation result of the arousal decrease index value over a predetermined time in the past and a currently set arousal decrease warning threshold value. Item 7. The alertness lowering alarm device according to any one of Items 6. 9. The alertness reduction alarm device according to claim 8, wherein the display means displays, as a result of the statistical calculation, a frequency distribution of the alertness reduction index value over a predetermined time in the past. 10. A wakefulness information collecting means for inputting a state of the detection target person by a sensor to collect information on the wakefulness state of the detection target person, and a wakefulness index value based on the information collected by the wakefulness information collection means. Awakening-lowering degree calculating means for calculating the awakening-lowering index value and a predetermined awakening-lowering warning threshold value, and an alarm generating means for issuing a low-wakefulness alarm when a predetermined magnitude relation is satisfied, the warning generating means The alertness lowering warning device does not output the alertness lowering alert for a predetermined time after issuing the alertness lowering alert. 11. A wakefulness information collecting means for inputting a state of a detection target person by a sensor to collect information on the wakefulness state of the detection target person, and a wakefulness index value based on the information collected by the wakefulness information collection means. Awakening-lowering degree calculating means for calculating the awakening-lowering index value and a predetermined awakening-lowering warning threshold value, and an alarm generating means for issuing a low-wakefulness alarm when a predetermined magnitude relation is satisfied, the warning generating means The alertness lowering warning device changes the alertness lowering alert threshold value to the alert suppression side for a predetermined time after the alertness lowering alert is issued. 12. A wakefulness information collecting means for inputting a state of the detection target person by a sensor to collect information on the wakefulness state of the detection target person, and a wakefulness index value based on the information collected by the wakefulness information collection means. Awakening-lowering degree calculating means for calculating the awakening-lowering index value and a predetermined awakening-lowering warning threshold value, and an alarm generating means for issuing a low-wakefulness alarm when a predetermined magnitude relation is satisfied, and the generated low-wakefulness alarm Receiving an input requesting the stop of the alarm, and including an alarm stop means for outputting an alarm stop signal to the alarm generation means, wherein the alarm generation means stops the alertness reduction alarm when receiving the alarm stop signal from the alarm stop means. The alertness lowering warning device is characterized in that the alertness lowering threshold value is changed to the alarm suppressing side for a predetermined time thereafter.