KR101021039B1 - An IR sensor equipped spectacles for sober driving - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to anti-drowsiness glasses for the driver. So far, there are three types of anti-drowsiness devices that have been introduced as products or industrial property rights: ① earring-type drowsiness prevention devices, ② drowsiness prevention devices using eye observation cameras, and ③ drowsiness prevention devices for lane departure detection. However, they often sound alarms even when they are not sleepy. These shortcomings are based on the criteria for judging whether the driver is drowsy (① dropping his head, ② closing his eyelids, ③ changing lanes) or detecting them. The sensor's installation position (1) hung on the wheel, ② installation of the pupillary camera on the windshield of the driver's seat, and ③ installation of the distance sensor between the lane and the vehicle at the bottom of the vehicle are not appropriate. It is easy to see.

The present invention has completely solved this problem, irrespective of the driver's head position and lane changes, an appropriate detection sensor for accurately determining the driver's drowsiness and an alarm device that can wake the driver in case of dozing, are installed in the glasses. Is characteristic. It has a drowsiness error rate of almost 0%, is compact and lightweight, and can be attached and detached.

Anti-Drowsiness Glasses, IR Sensor, Alarm, Speaker, Vibrator, Differential Amplifier, Voltage Comparators

Description

Anti-Drowsiness Glasses {An IR sensor equipped spectacles for sober driving}

The present invention relates to anti-drowsiness glasses for the driver. That is, unlike the existing drowsiness preventing device, the present invention is to install a module (sensor unit, signal processing unit and alarm unit) that can determine the driver's drowsiness in the glasses, to increase the accuracy of the drowsiness judgment, and to reduce the weight Pursued.

1 shows a typical spectacle frame. In general, the spectacle frame has a lens frame 11 for fixing a lens and an outer portion 12 formed thickly outward of the lens frame 11, and an eyeglass leg portion 13 connected through the outer portion 12 and the hinge 16. It consists of. In more detail, the eyeglass leg portion 13 has an ear hook 15 formed at one end thereof, and an adjacent portion 14 is formed at the opposite side thereof, and an outer portion of the lens frame 11 is formed through the hinge 16. Connected with (12).

As a drowsiness preventing device introduced so far as a product or industrial property, drowsiness preventing earrings (commercialized and on sale), drowsiness preventing device using a pupil observation camera (registered patent 10-0762733, drowsiness driving prevention system and method thereof; registered patent 10 -0766592: There are three kinds of drowsiness prevention device based on iris reflection image) and drowsiness prevention device (idea) for detecting lane departure. However, they often generate alarms even when they are not sleepy due to sensor placement, configuration, and characteristics. In particular, the latter two use a camera, which is very complicated and expensive.

First, an already commercialized earring device sounds an alarm (or vibration) when the driver bows down, so if the user snoozes and bows, the alarm sounds. If you lean on) there is a disadvantage that the alarm (or vibration) does not sound.

Second, the drowsiness prevention device using a pupil observation camera is a camera installed in front of the driver's seat while the eye is closed while the eye is closed (patent 10-0762733) or the pupil disappears from the camera (registered patent 10-0766592), the alarm is It rings. Such devices may malfunction even when strong scattered light enters or the driver bows or turns. Above all, they are complex and expensive to install, especially if the driver wears sunglasses when using a visible light camera.

Lastly, the concept of the sleepiness prevention device for lane departure detection using the lane detection camera is not drowsy during driving and the alarm sounds only when the lane is changed, and if the lane is not changed even when dozing, the alarm does not sound and a collision with the front car may occur. .

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As described above, there are three types of existing drowsiness preventing devices, which are discussed in more detail below.

① Anti-Drowsiness Earrings: Turn on the power button and hang it on your ear. There is an angle adjustment button, and the alarm sounds when you bow your head higher than the set angle (usually 30 °). Even if you do not sleep, the alarm is activated when you lean your head, and also wears glasses because the glasses legs overlap with the earrings, so there is a disadvantage of wearing comfort.

② Drowsiness prevention device using eye observation camera: Two kinds of devices are introduced as industrial property. One (registered patent 10-0762733) installs a thumb-only camera on the windshield frame of the vehicle, and the other device is attached to a suitable place inside the vehicle. You can see the eyes taken with a small monitor, and the camera attached to the monitor checks the position of the eyes with a blinking cycle, and the central processing unit calculates whether the eyes are opened and closed and whether they are drowsy Make a decision and sound the alarm. The other (registered patent 10-0766592) irradiates near-infrared rays on the driver's face, searches for the image of the light source formed on the iris with high reflectance while photographing the face with a camera, and then determines the closure of the eye according to the deformation of the image. Based on the duration, it determines whether it is drowsy and sounds an alarm. The latter uses near-infrared light to compensate for the weakness of the former (miscalculation caused by scattered visible light) (the camera phone can also be used). .

In any case, the methods are not traceable to the camera, making eye monitoring difficult and portable. In particular, in the case of the visible light camera sensor, even if the driver is wearing sunglasses, it is difficult to pass even infrared light, so there is a disadvantage that it becomes useless.

③ Drowsiness prevention device for lane departure detection: It determines the driver's drowsiness by monitoring the distance between the vehicle and the lane by using a camera, and if it approaches the lane, moves away, or changes the lane even if it is not drowsy while driving, there is a possibility of misjudge This is the biggest.

As described above, in the normal operation state, the devices often generate alarms even if they are not sleepy. The causes are based on the characteristics of the sensor, the installation position, and the criteria for determining whether the driver is drowsy. Thus, in order to derive the problem to be solved by the present invention, it is necessary to consider the external change mechanism of drowsiness. That is, when the driver sleeps, he first becomes confused, closes his eyes almost at the same time, then bows down, loses his hand (muscles), and eventually gets out of the lane. Looking at this sleepiness mechanism, it is the most direct that the eyes are closed, the bowing down is subsequent in time, and the departure from the lane is the last. Therefore, monitoring eyelid closure is the most direct and accurate drowsiness criterion.

Based on this analysis, the problem which this invention should solve is summarized as follows. First, the method of determining whether the driver is drowsy must be direct and accurate. Use eyelid closure as a criterion for drowsiness. In this case, the eye blinking time and the eye closing time when sleepy are different from each other, and this should also be considered.

Second, as can be seen from the above example ② (drowsiness prevention device using a pupil observation camera), even if the eyelid closure is set as the standard for drowsiness judgment, the camera is fixed inside the vehicle, so it is impossible to track the driver's eyes. do. For this reason, the sensor must be in a position to constantly track the driver's eyes.

Third, the present invention should be able to wear the examinee or sentry soldiers who want to chase drowsiness rather than use only while driving, and should be designed to be attached and detached for those who wear the original glasses.

The solution to the problems to be overcome by the present invention is derived as compared with each problem as follows.

[1] From the first condition, it is possible to observe the eyelid closure phenomenon as a direct and accurate way of judging drowsiness (this criterion is also used in the previously published industrial property rights (Patent 10-0762733, Patent 10-0766592). However, it was not effective because the camera could not track the driver's eyes.) People often blink their eyes, which is approximately 1/16 to 1/8 seconds, and blinking within a maximum of one second is the driver's mentality. Judging by driving, if more than that, the driver is determined to be sleepy. I feel tired while driving and close my eyes for a long time (1 ~ 1.5 seconds) and open it up, so I think the driver is sleepy. (When running at 100 km / h speed in the experiment, if you close your eyes for more than 1.5 seconds, Feels). Therefore, if the time to close the eyes is more than 1 second, an alarm (beep or vibration) is sounded to wake the driver.

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[2] The sensor that monitors eye closure does not necessarily need to be a camera. In fact, camera systems are too expensive and too complex to install. The sensor qualification of the present invention is sufficient if only knowing whether the eyes are closed or not. That is, it is possible to distinguish between the pupil and the eyelid (when the eyes are closed) or the flesh near the eyes. Since driving at night like a clay, the sensor that distinguishes the eye from the eyelid should be an infrared (IR) sensor. Assuming daytime driving, the long wavelength (8 -12um) infrared sensor is suitable. In addition, even if the sensor composed of a single pixel detector is sufficient to achieve the above object, it can be seen that the infrared sensor of the present invention is preferably a single element long wave length IR sensor (SLIR sensor) having a single pixel.

[3] From the second condition, the sensor to be used in the present invention must be able to track the driver's eyes. In the existing examples (Patent 10-0762733, Patent 10-0766592), since the camera is fixed somewhere in the front windshield of the inside of the vehicle can not track the position of the eye when the driver turns his head. To improve this, you need to keep the sensor close to your face, but look for a way for the driver to follow the sensor as it turns.

[4] According to the third condition, the user of the present invention should be easy to install and detach so that the user of the present invention can be worn not only by the driver, but also by an examinee who wants to keep away from drowsiness, and the like.

Combining the solutions mentioned above, the requirements for the present invention can be summarized as follows. According to the present invention, the eyelid blink is observed using the SLIR sensor, and when the eye blinking time is 1 second or more, there is an alarm unit (warning sound or vibration) that determines the sleepiness (signal processing unit) to wake up the driver. Since the SLIR sensor should be installed in a place where it can be monitored without missing an eye state and effectively wake up the driver's drowsiness, the modules (SLIR sensor unit, signal processing unit and alarm unit) are installed in the glasses. In addition, the modules can be attached to or detached from the glasses so that not only the driver but also a sentry, examinee, or the like can be used.

The anti-drowsy earrings that are currently on sale are very innovative in terms of their low price, but the alarm (or vibration) will sound when you bow your head regardless of the driver's drowsiness. If you lean on the open area, the alarm will not work. In addition, when wearing glasses, the pair of glasses and earrings of the 'drowsiness prevention earrings' overlap each other has a disadvantage in that the wearing feeling is not good.

In addition, the 'drowsiness preventing device using a pupil observation camera' (registered patent 10-0762733, drowsiness driving prevention system and method; registered patent 10-0766592: iris reflection image-based drowsiness preventing device and method) introduced as industrial property is a driver's seat When the camera installed in front observes the eyes and the eyelid is closed for longer than a certain time, the alarm function is activated. Such devices can malfunction even when strong scattered light enters or the driver bows or turns, and the device is complex and expensive to install. In addition, even if near-infrared is used, the equipment is still complicated and the traceability is low, such as the addition of a near-infrared ray irradiation device.

On the other hand, the lane monitoring drowsiness prevention device is a very indirect drowsiness monitoring method, even if an alarm sounds because it will sound in an accident state is not a recommended device.

The present invention completely solves the problems indicated by the configuration, arrangement, and characteristics of the sensors, and provides an appropriate long-wave IR sensor, drowsiness determination function, and alarm function to wake up by accurately judging whether drowsiness (eye cap winding). It is compactly installed on the glasses. Advantages of the present invention compared to the existing invention is as follows.

First, the present invention monitors the state of the driver's eyes at all times, but because it monitors right next to the driver's eyes, there is no misjudgment (high accuracy of the constant monitoring and judgment).

Second, since the long-range IR sensor is adopted as the drowsiness monitoring sensor, it can be judged accurately (~ 100%) at night as well as in the sun. As a result, a separate near-infrared light source is not required (simplification of the device).

Third, since the monitoring sensor type is a single pixel detector, not an array type detector, the electronic part combined with it is simple (that is, it is not necessary to detect geometrical elements such as eyes and eyebrows like a camera, and a complex drowsiness determination algorithm to handle this). This is why the price is relatively cheap (economical price).

Fourthly, the present invention is a SLIR sensor capable of capturing eye blinking (two states such as closed eyes and opened eyes), a signal processor for discriminating the eye blink state, and determining the continuity of the cycle, and an output signal from the signal processor. It is composed of an alarm unit that generates a switching pulse to sound a warning sound (or vibration), so it is small in size and light and easy to wear (small and light).

Fifth, the present invention can be made only for anti-drowsiness glasses, but may be installed in the existing glasses because it is small and light. In other words, by making it possible to attach and detach existing glasses such as sunglasses, dimming lenses, guardian glasses, myopia and primitive glasses, it is possible to use not only the driver but also the examinee and the sentry (universal use).

The present invention is to install the anti-drowsiness sensor module (IR sensor and signal processing unit and the alarm unit) in the glasses, to increase the accuracy of drowsiness determination, simplify the configuration, miniaturization and light weight. From the above problem solving means (four problems), the configuration, function and features of the present invention can be described as follows.

Figure 2 shows the configuration and functional diagram for the drowsiness prevention sensor module of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor module for preventing drowsiness is connected to a sensor unit 21 that detects blinking of eyes (two states such as a closed state and an opened state) and an output terminal of the sensor unit 21. A signal processor 22 for distinguishing the blinking state and determining the persistence of eye closure, a switching unit 23 for receiving and switching a signal output from the signal processing unit 22, and a switching signal from the switching unit 23 It consists of an alarm unit (24) for sounding a warning sound (or vibration), and a power supply unit 25 for supplying power to the components (21 to 24).

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which a drowsiness preventing sensor module (FIG. 2) is installed in a typical spectacle frame (FIG. 1). The sensor unit 21 is adjacent to the outer portion 12 of the lens frame, which is an optimal position for monitoring the eye state (open or closed state), or the adjacent portion 14 corresponding to the first half of the eyeglass leg portion 13. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the sensor unit 21 is installed in the adjacent unit 14. In addition, the signal processor 22 may be installed at the outer portion 12 of the lens frame or at the earring 15 together with the central or adjacent portion 14 or the sensor portion 21 of the eyeglass leg portion 13. do. In addition, since the alarm unit 24 is preferably near the ear, the alarm unit 24 is installed in the ear hook 15, and the power supply unit 25 is also provided in the eyeglass leg unit 13 or the ear hook 15 which is easy to support its weight. Install. Meanwhile, in FIG. 3, the conductive wires connecting the sensor unit 21, the signal processor 22, the alarm unit 24, and the power supply unit 25 to each other may be installed inside the eyeglass leg 13 or the eyeglass leg 13. Use metal built in.

In Figure 3, the sensor unit 21 is to observe the blinking of the eyelid, it is configured as an IR sensor, because it must accurately recognize the signal level of the closed state and the open state of the two detectors (eg, photo-diode or photo -transister, etc.) (26), one arranged to observe the pupil and the other to observe the eye periphery (Figure 3). Figure 4a shows an embodiment of the sensor unit 21 consisting of two detectors. The detectors 26 function to switch their line of sight (LOS), respectively (elevation control keys 31 and 32, azimuth adjustment keys 33 and 34), and zero level of the two detectors. And a reset key 35 to match. The elevation of the detector gaze can be adjusted within a predetermined angle range (about ± 15 °) by the elevation adjustment keys 31 and 32 of each detector, and the azimuth angle of the detector gaze is the azimuth adjustment keys 33 and 34 of each detector. Can be adjusted within a predetermined angle range (about ± 15 °). On the other hand, the two detectors are provided with a micro lens on each pixel, the micro lens field of view (FOV) 36 is designed to be about 4mm when converted to the diameter of the circle at a distance of 3cm.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the signal processor 22 may include a differential amplifier 221 for amplifying a difference between the output signals of the two detectors 26 constituting the sensor unit 21, and a predetermined signal strength and width. A pulse judgment generation section 222 for filtering the following pulses, and an inverting section 223 for inverting the output signal level of the pulse judgment generation section 222 (FIG. 4A).

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the alarm unit 24 includes a switching unit 23 for receiving a signal output from the inverting unit 223 of the signal processing unit 22, and a switching pulse signal from the switching unit 23. Using the speaker (sp in FIG. 2) to sound a beep or vibrator (vib. In FIG. 2) to generate a vibration.

The function of each component module shown in FIG. 4A is as follows. One of the two detectors looks at the flesh around the eye (the flesh directly above or below the eye) and the other points the eye. The temperature of the pupil is relatively lower than the temperature of the flesh (about 0.5 degrees or less), because the pupil is covered with tears and cools slightly in contact with the surrounding air. Therefore, when the eyes are opened, the output signal levels of the two detectors are different. However, when the eyes are closed, the two detectors observe all kinds of temperatures, so the temperature difference becomes almost zero, so the output signal levels of the two are the same within the error range. Let's say it's 1 if there's a level difference, or 0 if it's not). Therefore, when the output signals of the two detectors are input to the differential amplifier 221 to amplify the difference, and the result is inverted by the inverting unit 222, the signal is 1 in the closed state and the eyes are opened. Signal level is 0.

Drowsy driving means that the driver does not actually sleep while driving, but the snow falls by itself due to the falling sleep, and this condition becomes worse, and the eyes are driven in a state where the time is a little longer, which leads to a big accident. To prevent this from happening, you should wake up the driver by alerting you promptly when you are just getting sleepy. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of times the eyes closed and the number of times for the general public. From this, the state of waking, sleepy and sleeping are divided. As can be seen from the graph (FIG. 5), the number of eye blinks per minute in the awake state is 35 to 50 times, and the time to close the eyes is about 0.1 to 0.15 seconds, and the number of eye blinks per minute in the sleepy state is 15 to 25 times, the time to close the eyes is 0.7 ~ 1.5 seconds, in sleep state, the number of blinks per minute is 0 to 1 times, and the time to close the eyes is about 6 seconds or more (with eyes closed) The psychologically peaceful driving time is approximately one second, so after closing your eyes, the alarm will sound if a second is exceeded. According to Fig. 5, since the drowsiness is not proportional to the number of eyes closed, it is closely related to the time to close the eyes, so if the pulse width ≥ 1 second, it is judged as drowsiness, and a switching pulse is generated to generate a switching pulse. ), An alarm (vibration or beep) should sound (Figure 2). On the other hand, when two detectors are used in the present invention, if necessary, a drowsiness determination reference time setting function is provided in the pulse determination generation unit 222 so as to set the reference pulse width (time) (Fig. 3).

Since each module of the present invention is installed inside the glasses, the distance between the sensor unit and the eyes is short and always observed, so there is no error during the alarm operation. In addition, there is an advantage that can be attached to or detached from the existing glasses (sunglasses, primitives, myopia glasses, etc.) so that not only the driver but also guards, examinees, etc. can be used.

The table below compares the advantages of the present invention over other inventions. As can be seen from the table, it can be seen that the present invention is excellent in most of the characteristics, including the reliability of sleepiness judgment.

Comparison of advantages and disadvantages between the present invention and other inventions (◎: 100, ○: 75, Δ: 50, ×: 25) Name Configuration
(Simpleness) Performance / reliability
(Sleepiness judgment) creativity
(New) price
(Economics) Invention ◎ ◎ ◎ ○ Drowsiness Earrings ◎ × ◎ ◎ Drowsy driving prevention system and method × △ ◎ × Diffuse anti-drowsiness device and method × △ △ × Drowsiness prevention device for lane departure detection × × △ ×

Figure 1. A typical eyeglass frame

Figure 2. Configuration and functional diagram for the drowsiness sensor module of the present invention

Figure 3. An embodiment of the sensor unit consisting of a single pixel detector

Figure 4. An embodiment of the configuration H / W of the present invention installed on the glasses

5. Relationship between eye closing time, frequency and sleep status for the general public

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

11.lens frame, 12.outer part, 13.glasses leg,

14.adjacent, 15.earrings, 16. hinges,

21.Sensor part, 22.Signal processing part, 23.Switching part

221.Differential amplification part, 222.Pulse judgment generation part, 223.Inversion part,

24 alarm section, 25 power section. 26. Detector

31,32.Elevation adjustment key, 33,34.Azimuth adjustment key 35.Reset key

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Claims (7)

A sensor unit 21 for detecting infrared rays, a signal processor 22 connected to an output terminal of the sensor unit 21 to determine a blink state of the eye, and receiving an output signal from the signal processor 22 to generate a warning In the normal drowsiness preventing glasses provided with an alarm unit 24 to make a power supply, and a power supply unit 25 for supplying power to the configuration modules 21, 22, 24, The sensor unit 21 is installed at a predetermined position of the spectacle frame lens frame 11 or an adjacent portion 14 of the eyeglass leg 13 to observe a blinking state, and is composed of two IR detectors 26. However, one observes the pupil and the other arranges to observe the eye periphery, and the two detectors 26 function to switch their gazes (elevation control keys 31 and 32 and azimuth adjustment keys 33). 34)) so that the high and azimuth angles of the detector line of sight can be adjusted within a predetermined angle range, and the two detectors 26 each have a microlens installed on the pixel, and the microlens clock 36 ) Is made to be a circle having a predetermined diameter at a distance of 3cm, The signal processor 22 may be installed at an outer portion 12 of the lens frame together with a predetermined position of the eyeglass leg 13 or the sensor 21, or installed at the ear hook 15 so that the sensor 21 is provided. Differential amplification unit 221 for amplifying the difference between the output signals of the two detectors 26, and a pulse determination generation unit 222 for filtering a pulse whose signal strength and width are equal to or less than a predetermined value, and a pulse determination generation thereof. And an inverting unit 223 for inverting the output signal level of the unit 222, The alarm unit 24 is provided in the earring 15 of the eyeglass leg unit 13, the switching unit 23 receives the output signal from the inverting unit 223 of the signal processing unit 22, and the switching unit 23 The drowsiness prevention glasses, characterized in that by using the switching pulse signal from the sounding a warning sound through the speaker or generating a vibration through the vibrator. delete delete delete delete delete The signal processor of claim 1, further comprising a signal processor (22) connected to the sensor unit (21), an output terminal of the sensor unit (21), and determining an eye blink state, and receiving an output signal from the signal processor (22). Drowsiness-preventing glasses, characterized in that the alarm unit 24 for generating a warning can be detached from or mounted on a normal spectacle frame.

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