KR20100084762A - A drowse prevention neck-let and its fabrication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A sleepiness prevention necklace and an implementation method are provided which can turn on the radio, open the window of the car, operate the driver's seat massager and reduce the speed of vehicles in the sleepiness driving. CONSTITUTION: A sleepiness prevention necklace includes: a sensor unit(10) which senses at least one among the blood pressure and pulse frequency; a comparison control part(20) which outputs a control signal after deciding the sleepiness by comparing a standard value established when a user is in a steady-state with an input value which is an output value of the sensor; an alarm part(30) which is operated according to an output signal of the comparison control part; and a communications unit(40) which transmits an output signal of the comparison control part to the other peripheral parts.

Description

A drowse prevention neck-let and its fabrication method

The present invention relates to a necklace equipped with a drowsiness preventing device and a method of implementing the same.

Conventional drowsiness preventing devices are mostly used to prevent drowsy driving of the driver, and they are worn on parts of the body (gloves, rings, etc.) and mounted inside the vehicle (lane detection sensors installed on bumpers, and pupils installed in front of the driver's seat). Surveillance cameras, pulse sensors installed on the steering wheel).

1 is a functional diagram of a conventional drowsiness preventing device, a measurement unit for detecting a drowsiness in general, the control unit (2) to determine whether the drowsiness through this, and the alarm unit to sound an alarm in accordance with the determination result of the control unit It consists of (3).

The technologies introduced so far related to the anti-drowsiness apparatus are classified into three types as follows, and their characteristics and disadvantages are introduced.

First, commercialized anti-drowsy earrings sound an alarm when the driver sleeps. In other words, the alarm sounds even if only the head is bowed, and the alarm does not sound even if the head is not bowed (or leaned against the driver's seat) even when dozing (indirect measurement problems).

Second, the drowsiness prevention device (registered patent 10-0762733, drowsiness driving prevention system and method; registered patent 10-0766592: iris reflection image-based drowsiness prevention device and method) using a camera while the camera installed in front of the driver's seat observes the eyes If the eyelid is closed for a long time or the pupil disappears from the camera, an alarm sounds. Such devices can malfunction even when strong scattered light enters, bows or turns (problems in sensor characteristics and placement), and above all, complex configuration and expensive installation (configuration problems).

Third, in the case of a drowsy driving prevention device and method of the vehicle (Registration No. 193924), the lane detection unit of the piezoelectric element and the bumper located on the handle detects drowsiness, and operates a warning light and a vibration sheet to wake up the driver. However, depending on the position of the piezoelectric element, the pressure information is uncertain (problem of sensor arrangement), and the alarm sounds even if the lane is changed without being sleepy, and the alarm does not sound unless it is changed even when sleepy (problem of indirect measurement).

As can be seen from the above, the above technologies can alarm even in the event of a sleepy situation due to sensor placement, indirect measurement, configuration and characteristics, especially the latter two are complex and expensive. On the other hand, in the case of fixing the pulse rate sensor to the village vein ('Drowsiness operation prevention device using a glove and its control method', Patent No. 0785689), the sensor is closely adhered to the village vein of the wrist to measure accurately However, in the case of the grip force measurement, even if the driver is not sleepy, the grip state may vary greatly, so the reliability is greatly reduced (problems in sensor characteristics and arrangement).

The present invention is to solve the four problems (① indirect measurement, ② configuration, ③ sensor characteristics and ④ placement problems) exposed in the background art.

In other words, judging drowsiness due to bowing down or lane departure is a judgment based on 'indirect measurement (①)', which is a big mistake, and a camera system for photographing the driver's eyes (sleepiness) is complicated. It is expensive to install, and it is useless if you look away from the camera.

The measuring means of equilibrium sensor (anti-drow earrings), camera (eye-closure), and piezoelectric element (pulse) utilize 'sensor characteristics (③)', although cameras and piezoelectric elements are more reliable than equilibrium sensors. Even if a camera or piezoelectric element is used, '(geometric) arrangement (④)' between the sensor and the measuring part is invalid. In other words, the eye must be taken at a certain position with a camera or the pulse sensor is measured by closely attaching a pulse sensor to the palm of the hand. If the distance between the eye and the camera is not constant, there is a large miscalculation, and the grip of the hand is the The error is large because it depends on the condition.

In order to overcome the above problems, the present invention uses a highly reliable pulse sensor (③), which measures the most sensitive total diameter (dong) pulse when sleepy, but also measures the blood pressure as well as the pulse rate. It is a big feature that it is formed in the shape of a necklace so that it can be detected directly by sticking (④) to the vein.

Solution to the problems to be solved by the present invention is as follows.

First, a device for measuring pulse rate (blood pressure and pulse rate) is used as a sensor having high judgment reliability of drowsiness (sensor characteristics; in the case of the existing technology, blood pressure was not measured).

Second, as shown in Fig. 2a, the neck of the carotid artery (7), which is most sensitive to drowsiness, is selected as the measurement site, and a drowsiness detection sensor (sensor part) can be worn on the neck to directly measure the pulse state of the total jugular vein. (Direct measurement and sensor placement).

Third, in addition to the sensor unit, the other two functions (comparison control unit, alarm unit) constituting the drowsiness prevention device is also installed on the neck. The alarm unit may also be configured as a vibrator having a massage function to prepare for hearing (not for hearing loss drivers), but also to mechanically release the user's tiredness.

Fourth, the present invention is provided with a communication unit to communicate with other devices in the vehicle, so as to maximize the sleepiness prevention effect, such as turning on the radio when the sleepy, opening a window, operating the driver's seat massager, decelerate the vehicle do.

According to the present invention, the pulse sensor unit, the comparison control unit and the alarm unit (speaker or massager) are installed in the necklace (FIG. 2b). By measuring, it is possible to judge whether drowsiness is more accurate, and it is not only the sound but also massages the rubella in the back of the neck, so that it can be surely chased away from the drowsiness (from the bone protruding from the back of the ear, about 4-5cm toward the vertebrae) There are dents along the way that can be squeezed or rubbed with your fingers to stiffen your shoulders, tired eyes, stuffy nose, runny nose, molar pain or drowsiness.)

Because of this, the present invention completely solves the malfunction, high cost, and drowsiness error caused by the problems with the existing similar technologies (1) indirect measurement, 2 configuration, 3 sensor characteristics and 4 arrangement problems. In other words, unlike conventional drowsy earrings or eye-taking cameras, it is irrelevant to bowing or turning heads, and unlike steering wheels with piezoelectric elements (or drowsy gloves), it is not related to holding a steering wheel hard or weak. There is no at all. In addition, unlike the lane change detection device, there is no possibility of malfunction due to the direct measurement method, and the manufacturing cost is also low because the configuration is not complicated like the eye closing camera or the lane change detection device.

In addition, the driver is provided with a communication unit that can communicate with other devices in the vehicle, so that during the drowsy driving, the radio is turned on, the window is opened, the driver's seat massager is operated, and the vehicle is decelerated. This function maximizes the effect of pursuing drowsiness by operating the vehicle-related functions in parallel such as flashing emergency lights. In particular, turning on blinking lights and slowing down the brake lights also have the advantage of allowing other drivers to drive defensively.

In general, the pulse rate is almost constant in normal activity, but when tired or sleepy, the pulse rate is lower than the normal pulse rate (hpulse per hour), and the blood pressure decreases.

The present invention relates to a drowsiness preventing device formed in a necklace, and adopts a 'pulse measurement' method for determining whether drowsiness. The present invention is superior to the conventional one in that the drowsiness preventing function is formed in the necklace.

First, as shown in FIG. 2A, the blood pressure sensor 11 and the pulse rate sensor 12 are closely attached to the total carotid artery 7 (two locations on the left and right from the center of the neck) to measure blood pressure and pulse rate, respectively, so that drowsiness can be judged more accurately. Secondly, by not only alarming the speaker 31, but also massage the part of the parenchymal blood (5) and the occult blood (6) at the back with the vibrator (massage) 32, thereby releasing the tiredness of the user, You can chase drowsiness (Figure 2a).

The configuration of the present invention derived from the above-mentioned problem solving means (first to fourth) and a functional relationship between them are shown in FIG. 2b, and the configuration, function, and characteristics thereof are as follows.

From the first and second problem solving means ('measuring total blood pressure and pulse rate to increase the reliability of drowsiness determination'), the pulse measuring unit 1 is formed of two sensor elements 11 and 12, In close contact with the total vein (7) on the left and right to measure, but one (blood pressure sensor, 11) to measure the blood pressure, the other (pulse rate sensor, 12) to measure the pulse rate sensor unit 10 (FIG. 2B).

In addition, based on the analysis of the third solution means, the blood pressure and pulse rate values measured by the sensor unit (10; 11, 12) is input to each of the comparison control unit 20 and the already stored reference value (measured value of the do not sleep) and Compared with each other, the result of the comparison, when it is determined that this 20 is drowsiness, the alarm unit 30 generates an alarm. The alarm unit 30 is another alarm having at least one or two or similar functions of the vibrator 31 and the sound speaker 32 for massage the region of the rubella (5) and the occult blood (6) behind the neck. It includes a function (FIGS. 2A and 2B).

FIG. 3a is an embodiment of the present invention, and components 11, 12, 31, 32, 70, 71, 72 and 73 having the functions 11, 12, 20, 30, 31, 32 and 40 of FIG. , 74,75). The embodiment is described below.

The blood pressure sensor 11 and the pulse rate sensor 12 of a predetermined shape closely contacting the left and right common carotid arteries 7 to measure the blood pressure and the pulse rate, and the input values measured by the sensors 11 and 12 are compared with the reference value. The comparison control unit 20 for determining sleepiness and the comparison control unit 20 are composed of a storage unit 21 storing a reference value and a digital signal processor (DSP) 22 for determination of sleepiness. It is indicated by a box 72.

In addition, the alarm unit 30 that sounds an alarm by receiving the output signal of the comparison control unit 20 is composed of a speaker 31 for making a sound and a vibrator 32 to massage, the speaker 31 is a voice signal processing unit 33 Together with one box 73, two vibrators 32 are separately formed (FIG. 3A). The output signal of the comparison control unit 20 may be selectively input to the communication unit 40 and transmitted to the receiving unit 80 of the vehicle peripheral device. The communication unit 40 may include a modulator 43, an RF transmitter 41, It consists of an antenna 42 and is indicated by one box 74 in FIG. 3a.

Component boxes (72, 73, 74) are connected to each other by a stainless steel corrugated pipe (71) to tighten the around the neck when wearing the present invention, the inside of each component box (72, 73, 74) is slip The pad 70 is attached so that the present invention does not slip when the neck is worn. In addition, the two vibrators 32 were connected to the component boxes 73 and 74 with flexible elastic wires 75, respectively, to allow some movement.

Figure 3b shows the user (side and front) wearing the present invention on the neck. In FIG. 3B, the drowsiness preventing necklace is coated with an embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 3A) with various colors of materials (such as cloth or plastic) to give an accessory-like appearance.

On the other hand, in the present invention, the method and operation procedure for setting the reference value of blood pressure and pulse rate are as follows (FIG. 4).

[1] First, after the user wears the present invention to the neck, the sensors 11 and 12 are closely attached to the total jugular vein, and the two vibrators 32 are adhered to the rubella region. Then, the switch (not shown) is turned on to measure the 'blood pressure' and the 'pulse rate' in the normal (non-sleeping) state and store them in the storage 21 of the comparison control unit 20 to save the reference (reference blood pressure). And pulse rate). This process is called 'reference setting' mode.

[2] After that, use the mode switch key (not shown) to change the 'reference setting' mode to the 'drowsiness prevention' mode. At this time, the blood pressure sensor 11 and the pulse rate sensor 12 are in close contact with the total carotid artery 7 in front of the neck to continuously measure the blood pressure and the pulse rate, respectively.

[3] 'Blood pressure' and 'pulse rate' measured in the 'drowsiness prevention' mode are respectively input to the comparison control unit 20 and compared with the reference value set in the 'reference setting' mode to determine whether the current user drowsiness.

[4] In the present invention composed of the sensor unit 10, the comparison control unit 20 and the alarm unit 30, if the result of [3] is 'measured blood pressure <reference blood pressure' or 'measured pulse rate <reference pulse rate', the alarm Any one or both of the speaker 31 or the vibrator 32 of the unit 30 is operated. The speaker 31 broadcasts a predetermined 'music' or voice (eg, 'wake up, do not sleep'), and the vibrator 32 massages with vibration.

[5] If, in the present invention, there is a communication unit 40 without the alarm unit 30, if the comparison result in [3] 'measured blood pressure <reference blood pressure' or 'measured pulse rate <reference pulse rate', the communication unit 40 Is operated and receives the radio signals from the processing control unit and the receiving unit 80 disposed in the vehicle (eg, radio 91, window 92 open, emergency light 93, driver's seat 94 and speed control) 95)), one or more of them may be activated (FIG. 5). In general, the wireless communication unit 40, 80 may be implemented using a Bluetooth module having a small transmission data capacity and being relatively inexpensive.

[6] In the present invention, when there is a communication unit 40 in addition to the sensor unit 10, the comparison control unit 20 and the alarm unit 30, the comparison result of [3] is' measured blood pressure <reference blood pressure 'or' measured pulse rate If the reference pulse rate, at least one or more of the vibrator 31 or the speaker 32 of the alarm unit 30 is activated, and at the same time open the vehicle interior or accessories (eg, radio 91, window 92) , Emergency light 93, driver's seat massager 94 and speed control (95).

[7] Or in the present invention composed of the sensor unit 10, the comparison control unit 20, the alarm unit 30 and the communication unit 40, the comparison result of [3] is' measured blood pressure <reference blood pressure 'or' measured pulse rate If <reference pulse rate ', either or both of the vibrator 31 or the speaker 32 of the alarm unit 30 is activated, and the result of the comparison in [3] is' measured blood pressure × measured pulse rate <reference blood pressure × reference pulse rate' If satisfactory, the communication unit 40, 80 is operated, and among the vehicle accessories (e.g., radio 91, opening the window 92, emergency light 93, driver's seat 94 and speed control 95). By activating one or more of these, the driver's attention is drawn.

Figure 1. Function of normal drowsiness prevention device

Figure 2a. Detailed functional diagram of the drowsiness preventing device of the present invention

Figure 2b. Location of the General Carotid Artery and the Epilepsy and Liposomes

Figure 3a. One embodiment of the present invention

Figure 3b. Example of wearing the present invention (side and front view)

Figure 4. Operation flow chart according to an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 5. A conceptual diagram of communication between a transmitter and a vehicle peripheral receiver of the present invention

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

1.measuring unit, 2.control unit, 3.alarm unit

10.Sensor unit, 11.Blood pressure sensor 12.Pulse rate sensor (pulse counter)

20.Comparison control unit, 21.Storage unit, 22.DSP

30.Alarm part, 31.Speaker

32. Vibrator (or massager) 33. Voice signal processor

40.Communication department, 41.RF transmitter, 42.Antenna

5.Hyeophyeol, 6.Rupidemia, 7.Total carotid artery

70 non-slip pad, 71 stainless steel corrugated pipe, 72 control box

73.Alarm part 30 box, 74.Communication part 40 box, 75.Elastic wire

80.Receiver, 81.RF Receiver

90.Vehicle equipment, 91.Radio, 92.Window

93.Emergency lights (flashing), 94.Don't sit, 95.Speed controller

Claims (9)

Determination of the user's drowsiness by comparing the sensor unit 10 that detects at least one of the user's blood pressure and pulse rate and the output value of the sensor unit 10 as an input value with a reference value set when the user is in a normal state At least one of a comparison control unit 20 for outputting a control signal and an alarm unit 30 operating according to the output signal of the comparison control unit 20 or a communication unit 40 for transmitting the output signal thereof to a peripheral device. Or drowsiness prevention necklace, characterized in that consisting of two. According to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit 10 constitutes two sensor elements (11, 12), so as to be in close contact with the total jugular vein (7) on the left and right from the center of the neck, one side (blood pressure sensor, 11) measures the blood pressure, and the other side (pulse rate sensor, 12) drowsiness prevention necklace, characterized in that for configuring the sensor unit 10 to measure the pulse rate. The comparison control unit 20 is a storage unit 21 for storing the blood pressure and the pulse rate reference value measured when the user is in a normal state, a comparison unit for continuously comparing the blood pressure and pulse rate input value and the reference value, and comparison It consists of a predetermined microprocessor 22 to determine whether the drowsiness with respect to the result, the alarm unit 30 is a vibrator 31 for massaging the rubbing blood (5) and the back blood (6) region of the back, and At least one or both of the sounding speakers 32 or a predetermined alarm function, the communication unit 40 is a modulator 43 and the RF transmitter 41 for transmitting the result through the antenna 42 Drowsiness prevention necklace, characterized in that consisting of). The predetermined blood pressure sensor 11 and the pulse rate sensor 12 which are in close contact with the left and right total jugular vein 7 in front of the neck and measure the blood pressure and the pulse rate, respectively, and the two comparison control units 20 connected to the sensors 11 and 12; , The alarm unit 30 connected to the comparison control unit 20, the speaker 31 included in the alarm unit 30, the massage vibrator 32, or the communication unit 40 connected to the comparison control unit 20. In the drowsiness prevention necklace consisting of, each of the components (11, 12, 20, 30, 31, 32, 40) after boxing, each of the boxes each other stainless corrugated pipe 71 or flexible elastic wire 75 When the present invention is worn by tightening the neck and the measurement and massage area, and the close contact with each other, each component box (72, 73, 74) inside the non-slip pad (70) is attached to the neck If the drowsiness-resistant necklace, characterized in that not slip. The method according to claim 4, wherein the component boxes 11, 12, 20, 30, 31, 32, and 40 are connected to each other by a stainless corrugated pipe 71 or a flexible elastic wire are coated with a predetermined material having various colors. Drowsiness-resistant necklace characterized by having an accessory appearance. After the user wears the present invention to the neck, the sensors 11 and 12 are closely attached to the total jugular vein, and then the blood pressure and the pulse rate are measured in a normal (non-sleeping) state by turning on a switch and comparing these measured values. Having a reference setting mode for setting the reference (reference blood pressure and pulse rate) by storing in the storage unit 21 of the control unit 20, and after setting the reference value, by switching the reference setting mode to the drowsiness prevention mode using the mode switch key, The blood pressure sensor 11 and the pulse rate sensor 12 which are in close contact with the general carotid artery 7 in front of the neck continuously measure the blood pressure and the pulse rate, respectively, and transmit the blood pressure sensor to the comparison control unit 20 to prevent the drowsiness function. Drowsy necklace. In claim 6, when the result of the comparison control unit 20 is 'measured blood pressure <reference blood pressure' or 'measured pulse rate <reference pulse rate', any one of the speaker 31 or the vibrator 32 of the alarm unit 30 or It is characterized in that both of the operation, the speaker 31 broadcasts a predetermined music or voice (eg 'sleep, do not sleep'), the vibrator 32 is characterized by drowsiness massage Resistant necklace. When the communication unit 40 is formed without the alarm unit 30 in the present invention, if the result of the comparison control unit 20 is 'measured blood pressure <reference blood pressure' or 'measured pulse rate <reference pulse rate', the communication unit 40 operates Receiving a radio signal from the receiving unit 80 disposed in the vehicle via the processing control unit (radio 91, opening the window 92, emergency light 93, driver's seat 94 and speed control 95) D) a drowsiness necklace characterized in that it can operate any one or two or more. Pulse measurement sensor unit 10, the comparison control unit 20 to determine whether or not drowsiness from the measurement signal 10, and the alarm unit 30 and the communication unit (30) that alarms the alarm by receiving the comparison result of this (20) ( In the present invention composed of 40), if the result of the comparison control unit 20 is 'measured blood pressure <reference blood pressure' or 'measured pulse rate <reference pulse rate', among the vibrator 31 or speaker 32 of the alarm unit 30 Either or both are activated, and if the comparison result of the comparison control unit 20 also satisfies the 'measurement blood pressure × measurement pulse rate <reference blood pressure × reference pulse rate', the communication unit 40, 80 is operated, the vehicle accessory ( Drowsiness prevention characterized in that it draws the attention of the driver by operating one or more of the radio 91, opening the window 92, emergency light 93, driver's seat 94 and speed control (95) together necklace.

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