WO2018135979A1

WO2018135979A1 - Method and device for registering electrocardiogram and rheogram from a driver of an automobile

Info

Publication number: WO2018135979A1
Application number: PCT/RU2018/050009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Евгений Михайлович ГЛУХОВСКИЙ
Original assignee: Евгений Михайлович ГЛУХОВСКИЙ
Priority date: 2017-01-20
Filing date: 2018-02-08
Publication date: 2018-07-26
Also published as: RU2653995C1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of electrocardiogram (ECG) and rheogram data acquisition from a driver of a vehicle and a device for carrying out same, and can be used for determining the physiological condition of the driver, preventing an accident due to a critical physiological condition of the driver, and also can be used in systems of identification and verification of driver identity (authorisation) on the basis of ECG and rheogram data as well as on the basis of information about the rheogram signal carrier phase. The technical result is a reduction of the noise level in ECG signals registered from the hands of the driver of the vehicle by means of a pair of electrodes. In order to achieve said technical result a method for ECG data acquisition from a driver of a vehicle was developed, which comprises: registering an original ECG signal from the hands of a driver by means of at least two electrodes arranged on the steering wheel of the vehicle; registering at least one frequency inducing a noise pickup on the original ECG signal; synthesizing a noise signal (clutter) on the basis of at least one frequency measured, the noise pickup on the original ECG signal and at least one analogous frequency identified in the original ECG signal; subtracting the noise signal from the original ECG signal for obtaining ECG data from the driver of a vehicle.

Description

METHOD FOR REGISTRATION OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS AND REHOGRAMS FROM A DRIVER OF A CAR AND A DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT

METHOD

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to a method for acquiring data of an electrocardiogram (ECG) and rheogram from a driver of a vehicle and a device for implementing the method, and can be used to determine the physiological state of a driver, prevent an accident due to a critical physiological state of a driver, and in identification and verification systems (authorization) the driver according to the ECG and rheogram, as well as information about the phase of the carrier signal of the rheogram. ECG data and rheograms (full impedance, including phase) can be used in multi-factor authentication systems as biometric driver data to limit access to driving.

BACKGROUND

The prior art method and device for acquiring an ECG from a car driver, disclosed in RU 2 435 681 C 1. This document describes how to obtain ECG and rheograms using electrodes placed on the steering wheel of a car and in case of detecting a violation of the driver’s cardiac activity in the form arrhythmias, blood flow disorders or the state of falling asleep of the driver, the vehicle stops smoothly. This solution is selected as the closest analogue.

The disadvantage of this solution is that it does not provide high-precision ECGs and rheograms using a pair of electrodes from the hands of the car driver, including while driving, due to the inability to filter interference in the frequency band of the useful signal. Also, the contact resistance during ECG registration from the driver’s dry hands is much higher than with standard ECG recording using a conductive gel, so the effect of induced noise in the car is much higher, and the useful ECG signal is weaker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is the creation of such a method of acquiring ECG data and rheogram from the driver of the vehicle using a pair of electrodes placed on the steering wheel of the vehicle, providing high-precision ECGs and rheograms cleared of interference lying in the frequency range of the useful signal, which cannot be removed with conventional frequency filters. The ECG data and rheograms obtained in this way can be used not only to determine the driver’s state according to the heart rate, but also to analyze the shape of the atrioventricular complexes (morphological analysis of the ECG), as well as to identify and verify the driver’s personality according to ECG and full impedance ( complex resistance) of the driver. At the same time, to record ECG signals and rheogram (impedance), only a pair of electrodes is enough.

The technical result is to reduce the amount of noise in the ECG signals recorded from the hands of the driver of the vehicle through a pair of electrodes. An additional advantage of the claimed solution is to reduce the amount of noise in the rheogram data recorded from the hands of the vehicle driver by means of a pair of electrodes, and to obtain information about the phase of the rheogram carrier signal.

To achieve this technical result, a method was developed for acquiring ECG data from a driver of a vehicle, in which: using at least two electrodes placed on the steering wheel of a vehicle, the source ECG signal is recorded from the driver’s hands; registering at least one frequency causing interference to the original ECG signal; based on the measured at least one frequency, the pickup on the original ECG signal, and the detected at least one similar frequency in the original ECG signal, an interference signal (noise) is synthesized; subtract the interference signal from the original ECG signal to obtain ECG data from the driver of the vehicle. Similarly, it is possible to synthesize the interference signal on the rheogram and subtract the interference signal from the original rheogram signal to obtain rheogram data from the vehicle driver. In this case, the frequency causing a noise effect (jitter of the contact) can be extracted from the data of at least one acceleration sensor - an accelerometer located in the steering wheel.

Dynamically changing resistance between the driver’s hands and the electrodes (jitter of the contact) can be measured using impedance signals recorded from the same pair of electrodes as the ECG. Further, the impedance signals are used to synthesize the ECG noise signal associated with the displacement of the baseline due to the changing contact resistance. The ECG interference signal caused by jitter of the contact is likewise subtracted from the original ECG signal to obtain driver ECG data. It was also developed a data processing device for acquiring ECG data, made with the possibility of: receiving the original ECG signal recorded using at least two electrodes placed on the steering wheel of the vehicle; receiving an interference signal synthesized on the basis of the measured at least one frequency, causing interference to the original ECG signal, and detected at least one similar frequency in the original ECG signal; subtracting the interference signal from the original ECG signal to obtain the ECG data of the vehicle driver.

To obtain rheogram data from the impedance signals, at least one carrier at different frequencies is used with the possibility of automatic selection of the carrier frequency, free from interference. A digital quadrature mixer is also used to obtain complete impedance information (amplitudes and phases). This solution gives an advantage over other methods of isolating the signal and rheogram data in terms of accuracy and information content (in particular, by the analog method using a narrow-band amplifier).

According to the obtained ECG data, it is possible not only to perform better diagnostics of the vehicle driver both by rhythm analysis and by analyzing the shape of the atrioventricular complexes, but also to more accurately identify and verify the driver’s personality (authorization).

The rheogram signal and phase delay information of the rheogram carrier signal can complement the individual personality traits (biometrics) of the driver and be used in conjunction with ECG data for authorization (authentication).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the essence of the invention, and to more clearly show how it can be implemented, hereinafter, reference will be made, only as an example, to the accompanying drawings, on which:

FIG. 1 is an example of a technical diagram of a system for implementing a method of acquiring an ECG from a vehicle driver.

figure 2 is an example of connecting means for collecting rheogram data to the technical scheme of the system for implementing the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An example implementation of the inventive method will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1, which presents a simplified technical diagram of a system 100, that implements a method of acquiring ECG data of a driver of a vehicle, such as a car.

Before driving or while driving, the driver, driving the vehicle, covers the steering wheel with the palms of his hands and the electrodes placed on it, made, for example, in the form of conductive inserts, or a coating made using conductive fabric, rubber, paint or other conductive material placed over the entire radius of the steering wheel. Additionally, at least one electrode may be placed on the gear lever. The data processing device 11 determines the pair of electrodes that is involved due to contact of the driver’s hands with electrodes, from which ECG data will be recorded in the future. To determine the involved pair of electrode contacts, information on the impedance obtained by measuring the driver rheogram (impedance) is used. Accordingly, when changing hands, ECG data will be recorded from another pair of contacts, which allows the driver not to think about the position of the hands for continuous (or with small pauses) ECG data reading even during movement and maneuvers. If several pairs of electrodes are involved, then ECG data is recorded from a pair of electrodes that has the least resistance (i.e., where is the best contact).

As electrodes, liners, coatings, as well as covers, steering wheel windings in the form of a spiral (spring) or mesh, as well as stickers of any shape, including in the form of patterns, decorations, can be used. Such solutions make it possible to carry out a reversible modification of the steering wheel, which makes it possible to use the device not only in new cars equipped with the ECG-wheel option (with a modified steering wheel), but also to modify previously manufactured cars to incorporate the mentioned option without the need to change the steering wheel. Where "ECG-wheel" is the possible name of the option where our device and method will be applied.

The information about the contact pair involved can also be used by the data processing device 11, which can be implemented on the basis of a microcontroller or microprocessor, or implemented on the basis of a computing device, such as an on-board computer, PC or mobile communication device (for example, a smartphone or tablet) or a single-board computer , in order to provide the functions of automated control of the car, determining the position of the hands on the steering wheel and / or gear lever and monitoring the driver’s control by car. Additionally, the data processing device 11 may be equipped with a storage device for storing information. In the event that a loss of control is detected, the data processing device 11 can send control commands to the car control system, for example, to reduce the speed or to make the vehicle stop smoothly, turn on the alarm, etc. You can also set a speed threshold at which the driver is required to hold the steering wheel with both hands for safe driving or to provide assistance to novice drivers to learn how to keep their hands on the steering wheel correctly by reminding the driver using sound or speech signals.

After the involved pair of contacts is determined, the stage of registration from the driver’s hands of the initial ECG signal with the help of at least two electrodes begins. In accordance with FIG. 1 a simplified diagram of the system 100, the original ECG signal is supplied from the electrodes 1 and 2 to a differential amplifier 3, then to the ADC 4, where it is converted to digital form and fed to the data processing device 11 for further processing. Differential amplifier 3 and ADC 4 can also be implemented in a single chip, the so-called front end.

To eliminate the electrical noise impact (interference) arising due to interference from the operation of the vehicle’s equipment, at least one frequency that causes interference to the original ECG signal is recorded simultaneously with the registration of the original ECG signal. For example, to eliminate common-mode interference to the original ECG signal, at least one frequency is recorded between the driver and the vehicle’s common power circuit in the following way. Information about at least one of the mentioned frequencies is supplied to the ADC 5 from the operational amplifier 6 in the form of a signal that amplifies it between the midpoint of the pair of electrodes taken from the differential amplifier 3 and the analog ground 7. Analog ground 7, in turn, through the stray capacitance of the galvanic the junction is connected to a common vehicle power circuit, which is also connected to the car body (not shown in FIG. 1).

Further, information about at least one frequency with ADC 5 extracted from the signal by a frequency and phase analyzer, such as a fast Fourier transform analyzer (hereinafter referred to as an FFT analyzer) 9 is fed to an interference signal synthesizer 10. Also, an interference signal synthesizer 10 through an FFT analyzer 8 receives information about the original ECG signal from ADC 4 to detect at least one frequency in the original ECG signal, similar to at least one measured frequency, causing interference to the original ECG signal to synthesize the interference signal, t. e. the phases and amplitude of the interference signal are adjusted according to the original ECG signal. This interference signal enters the data processing device 11, which, in turn, is modified in the software and hardware so as to ensure that the interference signal is subtracted from the original ECG signal to obtain the ECG data of the car driver. The interference signal synthesizer 10 can be implemented on the basis of a separate microcontroller or microprocessor, or on the basis of the data processing device 11, modified in the software and hardware part to implement the functions of the interference signal synthesizer described in this application 10. Additionally, the interference signal synthesizer 10 can synthesize interference signal, taking into account at least one frequency that causes pickups on the original ECG signal recorded with an antenna located near the source interference either near the driver and / or another place inside the car where a pick-up signal is detected. Accordingly, at least one frequency detected by the aforementioned antenna is processed by the ADC 12 and the FFT analyzer 14 and fed to the noise signal synthesizer 10. Similarly, information about at least one frequency from the vehicle’s onboard power supply and / or from other vehicle power sources enters the synthesizer of the interference signal 10 through the information conversion unit 13 and the FFT analyzer 15. The signal conversion unit 13 can be implemented on the basis of the ADC connected to the on-board power supply contacts of the car through elitel voltage, or through high-pass filter and an amplifier, if not enough resolution ADC or directly. FFT analyzers 8, 9, 14, 15 and ADCs 12 and 13 can be implemented as separate independent devices, or they can be implemented on the basis of a single microcontroller or microprocessor, including the data processing device 11, modified in software - the hardware part accordingly.

Thus, the interference signal is synthesized not only on the basis of the frequencies recorded between the driver and the vehicle’s common power circuit, but also taking into account the frequencies recorded by the antenna and / or arising due to the operation of all the vehicle’s on-board electronics (ignition system, air conditioning system, power source: generator).

Also, the interference signal can be synthesized taking into account at least one frequency, causing interference to the original ECG signal, and arising as a result of: the operation of the generator and / or the appearance of an ignition spark, which is triggered when engine operation and / or blower motor operation. To register interference from the ignition system, the aforementioned antenna is used, which can be located near the high-voltage cable of the ignition system, and registration of interference from the generator and the electric motor to the blower is carried out by measuring voltage from the onboard power supply in one or several places, as an option: separately at the generator output and separately at the power input of the blower motor. Accordingly, when the engine speed changes, the change in the pickup frequency will also be recorded at the generator output.

All received frequencies are processed as described previously to synthesize the interference signal.

The data processing device 11 can additionally be configured to receive rheogram or impedance data from the same pair of electrodes, by which the ECG data is obtained. To ensure this opportunity, it is necessary to equip the system 100 with additional technical means. Next, these technical means will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

In particular, to remove the initial rheogram signal (impedance), the clock system 15 is additionally introduced into the system 100, controlled by a data processing device 11, a pump generator (rheogram signal carrier) with a differential current output, low-pass filters 17, 19, and 20, and a quadrature mixer 18. The rheogram pumping signal is usually a signal with a frequency of 16-300 kHz (up to 1 MHz in some applications) supplied to a person through the same pair of electrodes from which ECG data is recorded. The pumping signal generator 16 and the ADC 4 are clocked from the clock generator 15, thereby ensuring synchronous digitization of the original ECG signal and the generation of the pumping signal, and the sampling frequency of the ADC 4 should be higher than the frequency of the pumping signal (at least 2 times by Kotelnikov's theorem). Synchronous digital conversion is required so that it is then easy to separate these signals without interference. Thus, on the ADC 4 through the differential amplifier 3 with a pair of electrodes 1 and 2, both the input of the initial ECG signal and the rheogram signal are provided. The original ECG signal is extracted using the low-pass filter 17 connected to the output of the ADC 4. The low-pass filter 17 is usually a third-order moving average (sinc filter) with a period that is a multiple of the period of the swap signal. Next, the selected source ECG signal is processed by the information processing device 11 and an interference signal synthesizer in the manner described above to obtain ECG data of a car driver.

The rheogram (impedance) signal is extracted using the quadrature mixer 18. For the operation of the digital quadrature mixer 18, it is convenient that the sampling frequency of the ADC 4 exceeds the carrier frequency of the rheogram (swap) by 4 times. Then the calculations are reduced to addition and subtraction, since the periods of sine and cosine at 4 points are described by the sequences: Fsin = [0 1 0 -1], Fcos = [1 0 - 1 0].

At the input of the quadrature mixer 18, the signal S with ADC 4 is supplied. The reference signal REF is a digital signal that synchronously repeats the current output of the pumping signal generator 16. At the output of the quadrature mixer 18, a pair of conjugated signals I and Q are obtained. After I and Q signals are extracted in the quadrature mixer These signals pass through the low-pass filters 19 and 20, respectively, to obtain the real (Re) and imaginary (Im) parts of the signal characterizing the full impedance. Usually, a 3rd order moving average filter (sinc filter) with a period multiple of the rheogram carrier frequency is used.

Further, the signals Re and Im are used to calculate the amplitude and phase according to the formulas by means of the data processing device 11:

U = Re ² + Im ² , where U is the voltage envelope of the amplitude of the carrier signal; f = arctg ^, where f is the phase delay of the voltage of the carrier signal, relative to the current.

Further, the initial signal of the rheogram (impedance) is calculated according to Ohm's law:

R = y, where R is the resistance (rheogram), and I is the known current supplied from the swap signal generator 16. In an alternative embodiment of the claimed solution, the signals S and REF are fed to the data processing device 11, where they are quadrature mixed and the signals are calculated Re and Im and, further, the initial rheogram signal and phase delay data of the carrier signal voltage, as described above. ECG data and rheograms (full impedance) are stored in the storage device of the data processing device 11 and can be displayed in graphical form on various information display devices, including those connected to the output of the data processing device 11. Optionally, the presented solution can be modified in such a way as to ensure the elimination of mechanical noise influences that create noise signals in the original ECG signals and / or rheogram (impedance) signals. To ensure this task, acceleration sensors are additionally placed accelerometers in the steering wheel and in the gearshift lever in such a way as to ensure the registration of acceleration signals resulting from vibration causing jitter of contacts between hands and electrodes. The jitter of the contacts appears due to: engine and gearbox operation, wheel rotation, suspension work (smoothing jumps / holes on the road), shock absorber swings, vibrations caused by the rigidity of the body, suspension, steering wheel, etc. when driving a vehicle.

Acceleration signals are recorded by acceleration sensors in the direction from one to 3 axes, and the signals from 2 and 3 axis accelerometers can be converted into one signal - the projection of the acceleration vector onto the weight vector of the hands in contact with the electrodes. The obtained acceleration signals are analyzed by a frequency and phase analyzer, for example, an FFT analyzer, to determine the frequency and phase spectrum of the signals, based on which the interference signal synthesizer 10 synthesizes the interference signal, which is subtracted by the data processing device 11 from the original ECG signal and / or rheogram signal to obtain ECG data and / or rheograms of the vehicle driver, cleared of noise signals resulting from mechanical noise influences.

The device can also use impedance signals (jitter of the contact) to receive ECG interference signals and then subtract from the ECG data.

To more efficiently remove non-periodic (pulsed) noise, the FFT analyzer is modified to analyze the spectrum of a non-periodic signal, and to synthesize the interference signal and subtract it from the measured signal, you can store in the memory of the storage device a model of the transfer function of the sensor (a map of averaged amplitude and phase conversion coefficients for all frequencies) obtained in the analysis of periodic noise. In addition, the readings of acceleration sensors can be used to eliminate, by methods known from the prior art, motion artifacts that occur, for example, when steering, when artifacts occur in the ECG signal due to the displacement of the contacts and muscle noise is added to the ECG signal from the voltage of the hands. In one example of the implementation of the claimed solution, ECG data and rheograms are continuously taken from several pairs of electrodes, and according to rheogram data, the data processing device 11 determines the resistance value and compares it with predetermined threshold values (threshold with hysteresis) stored, for example, in a storage device. A pair of electrodes is determined by the data processing device 11 as involved if its resistance value is below a threshold value. Accordingly, those electrode pairs whose resistance value is higher than the threshold value are determined by the data processing device 11 as not involved. If the resistance values of several pairs are lower than the threshold value, then the data processing device 11 considers that the pair whose resistance value is the smallest (i.e., with which the driver’s hands contact is the best) is involved.

In an alternative implementation of the claimed solution, the determination of the involved pair is carried out using additional multiplexer and meter, which records ECG data and rheograms. The multiplexer provides a serial connection of pairs of electrodes to a single meter to determine their resistance values in order to search for the involved pair of electrodes. Accordingly, as in the previous example of the implementation of the claimed solution, a pair of electrodes is determined to be involved if its resistance value is below a threshold value. Information about the involved pair is then transmitted to the information processing device 11.

A combination of the above examples of the implementation of the claimed solution is also possible. In this case, the electrodes are divided into groups (segments), and the multiplexer sequentially connects the pairs of electrodes to the meters to determine their resistance values inside each group, and each group of electrodes has its own meter, which records ECG data and rheograms from the group (at the output of the multiplexer) continuously. Information about the involved pair is also transmitted to the information processing device 11.

In an optional simplified version, the involved pair of contacts can be determined by the purest ECG signal and by the nature of the noise (for example, amplifiers “going off scale” during a break).

The data processing device 11 can also be configured to identify and / or verify the identity of a car driver by comparing the resulting high-precision ECG with those previously stored in storage device with samples corresponding to previously known car users. In addition, rheogram samples (including full impedance - complex resistance) of car users can be added to the storage device, and identification and / or verification of the identity of the car driver in order to take into account additional individual characteristics can be based on the recorded ECG and rheogram data. The driver’s identification function according to ECG or ECG and rheogram data (and full impedance) allows further data processing device 11 to automatically configure mirrors, driver's seat, steering wheel position and other options (navigator voice, radio station, etc.) in accordance with the preferences of the identified driver, and the identity verification function according to ECG data allows you to provide or block access to control or use the car, notify the main user (owner) about board car another man, and send location data, call the police at an unauthorized attempt driving (based on the availability of additional means of communication, geolocation and alarms), etc. The verification function based on ECG or ECG and rheogram data can also be an additional step in protecting against car theft when using several degrees of protection, for example, in double or triple authorization systems (multi-factor authentication) of a car user.

Also, in order to increase protection and prevent unauthorized access to the car, for example, using devices simulating a driver, rheogram signals can be recorded at different carrier frequencies. To ensure this task, the swap signal generator 16 can be configured so that the swap signal generated by it contains several different frequencies, and the quadrature mixer 18 is configured to extract the amplitude of each frequency, based on which the rheogram is calculated earlier, and the choice of carrier frequency free from interference, carried out in manual or automatic mode. Alternatively, the swap signal generator 16 may be configured to sequentially generate a swap signal by changing the carrier frequency (i.e., frequency sweeping), and the synchronous swap signal detector 18, respectively, is configured to provide a swap signal to different the frequencies on the basis of which the rheogram data and the total impedance of the driver (amplitude and phase) are calculated by the method described previously.

Based on the rheogram data obtained at different frequencies and information on the phase of the rheogram carrier signal, a model of the electrical impedance of the driver as a biological object (for example, the Cole model) can be calculated.

Since different human tissues at different frequencies have different conductivity, and faking impedance properties is an extremely difficult task, the solution described above will improve the accuracy of identification and verification of a specific person by ECG and rheogram, especially in cases where the driver’s ECG is intercepted by a device that simulates a human ECG .

Also, the data processing device 11 can be configured to perform more accurate diagnostics using the obtained ECG data using morphological ECG analysis and rhythm analysis to detect arrhythmias in order to provide, for example, the on-board computer display with recommendations to the driver to refrain from long trips or rest, and / or send an ECG to a doctor or call an ambulance in the event of a serious rhythm disturbance or harbingers of threatening or life-threatening arrhythmias. Moreover, the medical assistance service can receive ECG data in advance (before arrival), which will allow you to quickly provide the necessary assistance, while the geolocation data (location) of the car will be transferred automatically. The data processing device 11 can also be configured to dynamically monitor ECG data and, for various signs, for example, heart rate, determine the degree of driver fatigue in order to recommend stopping and resting. In the event of a serious rhythm disturbance or precursors of threatening or life-threatening arrhythmias, the data processing device 11 generates commands to the car control system to perform a smooth stop of the car. In an alternative implementation of the claimed solution, the data processing device 11 performs the aforementioned diagnostics according to the obtained ECG and rheogram data, and also allows you to analyze the electrical activity of the skin (conductivity) to assess the psychophysiological state of the driver and prevent falling asleep while driving. The device also allows you to monitor changes in blood pressure based on information about the speed of the pulse wave in the arteries, obtained according to ECG and rheogram, and can be used in telemedicine. Setting up system 100 and inputting ECG samples or rheograms for identification and verification of personality, as well as implementing some additional options, such as viewing an ECG and / or rheogram and analysis results in real time, sending an ECG and / or rheogram to a doctor, calling an emergency, etc. .p., can occur using a mobile computing device, such as a smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc., with an application installed on it that ensures the confidentiality of data transmission and storage. Initial access protection, the ability to reset settings, enter new parameters, etc. can be provided using the aforementioned mobile computing communication device and methods of verification of personality available to it.

Thus, the presented solution provides a pairwise measurement of the resistance between the contacts, determining the pair of contacts that are currently able to record ECG data and rheograms, with continuous monitoring of the breakdown of some contacts and the inclusion of others when a person grabs the wheel or even holds the wheel with one hand , and the second for the lever. The system is able to work autonomously without access to the Internet. The necessary analysis of ECG data for the purpose of identifying and verifying the driver and assessing his physiological state is also carried out autonomously.

Also, the device can be equipped with modules for geolocation and wireless data transmission to the Internet for additional functions and independent operation, or interfaced with other on-board systems that have these modules in their composition, such as an on-board computer, car navigation system, and ERA- satellite systems Glonass "(and its analogues) and" Plato "(and its analogues). The device can complement the functionality of the aforementioned satellite systems or can be used separately to monitor the health status of the driver and automatically monitor the mode of work and rest of carriers to improve road safety.

If it is possible to transfer data to the Internet, data synchronization of the storage device in the cloud can be provided and additional programs for processing ECG data and rheograms can be applied. The ability to save ECG data in the cloud allows you to exchange data with other cars, which can be used to identify the driver in the field of car rental (car sharing) to provide access or to conveniently change the car settings (position of the seat, mirrors, adaptive control system according to the driving style). The scope of the presented solution extends not only to cars, but also to any vehicles that a person controls, including aircraft and military equipment, for example, to transfer control to the autopilot due to the health of the driver (pilot).

Claims

CLAIM

1. A method of acquiring data of an electrocardiogram (ECG) from a driver of a vehicle in which:

using at least two electrodes located on the steering wheel of the vehicle, the initial ECG signal is recorded from the driver’s hands;

registering at least one frequency causing interference to the original ECG signal;

on the basis of the measured at least one frequency, causing interference to the original ECG signal, and detected at least one similar frequency in the original ECG signal, an interference signal is synthesized;

subtract the interference signal from the original ECG signal to obtain the ECG data of the driver of the vehicle.

2. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that at least one frequency causing common-mode interference to the original ECG signal is recorded between the driver and the vehicle’s common power circuit.

3. The method according to p. 2, characterized in that at least one additional frequency is recorded, causing interference to the original ECG signal, using an antenna that is located anywhere inside the vehicle where interference is detected.

4. The method according to p. 2, characterized in that register at least one additional frequency, causing interference to the original ECG signal from the vehicle's onboard power supply.

5. The method according to p. 2, characterized in that at least one additional frequency is recorded, causing interference to the original ECG signal arising from the operation of the vehicle generator and depending on the engine speed.

6. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that at least one frequency, causing interference to at least one ECG signal received from the driver’s hands, occurs due to the appearance of an ignition spark, which is triggered when the engine is running.

7. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that at least one frequency, causing interference to at least one signal received from the driver’s hands, occurs due to the operation of the electrical equipment of the vehicle.

8. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that at least one frequency, causing interference to at least one signal received from the driver’s hands, occurs due to the operation of the electric motor on the blower.

9. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that at least one electrode is additionally placed on the gear lever.

10. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the electrodes are placed along the entire radius of the steering wheel and are conductive liners or a coating made using conductive material.

11. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that it further determines the position of the driver's hands on the steering wheel and / or gear lever.

12. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that additionally, based on the ECG data, identification and / or verification of the identity of the driver of the vehicle is carried out.

13. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that it additionally register the rheogram (impedance) signals and receive rheogram (impedance) data of the vehicle driver, and the identification and / or verification of the driver’s identity is carried out on the basis of ECG and rheogram data.

14. The method according to p. 13, characterized in that when registering the rheogram signal, a quadrature mixer is used to obtain complete information about the impedance (complex resistance: amplitude and phase delay), moreover, information about the phase of the carrier signal of the rheogram together with ECG and rheogram data is used for identification and / or verification of the identity of the vehicle driver.

15. The method according to p. 13, characterized in that the rheogram signals, on the basis of which the driver rheogram data is obtained, are recorded at different carrier frequencies, moreover, the selection of the carrier frequency, free from interference, is carried out in manual or automatic mode.

16. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that according to the obtained ECG data:

diagnose the driver of the vehicle;

and / or detect arrhythmias and provide recommendations to the driver to rest or to refrain from long trips if cardiac arrhythmias are detected, and / or send an ECG to the doctor or call an ambulance in case of detecting a rhythm disturbance, as well as in case of detecting a rhythm disturbance, perform a smooth stop of the transport facilities;

and / or determine the degree of fatigue of the driver and display recommendations to stop and rest based on a certain degree of fatigue.

17. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that it further obtains driver rheogram data, moreover, the diagnosis of the driver’s condition is based on ECG and rheogram data.

18. A data processing device for acquiring ECG data, configured to:

receiving an initial ECG signal recorded using at least two electrodes located on the steering wheel of the vehicle;

receiving an interference signal synthesized on the basis of the measured at least one frequency, causing interference to the original ECG signal, and detected at least one similar frequency in the original ECG signal;

subtracting the interference signal from the original ECG signal to obtain the ECG data of the driver of the vehicle.

19. The device according to p. 18, characterized in that at least one frequency causing common-mode interference to the original ECG signal is registered between the driver and the vehicle’s common power circuit.

20. The device according to p. 18, characterized in that at least one frequency causing interference to the original ECG signal is recorded from the vehicle’s onboard power supply and / or from the vehicle’s electrical equipment and / or from an antenna located in any part of the vehicle where interference is detected: near the source of interference and / or near the driver.

21. The device according to p. 18, characterized in that the data processing device is additionally configured to:

according to the obtained ECG data, diagnose the driver;

and / or analyze the shape of the atrioventricular complexes (morphological analysis of the ECG)

and / or based on ECG data, identify and / or verify the identity of the vehicle driver.

22. The device according to p. 18, characterized in that the data processing device is additionally equipped with a storage device for storing information, and is configured to:

detect arrhythmias and advise the driver to rest or to refrain from long trips if heart rhythm disturbances are detected, and / or send an ECG to the doctor or call an ambulance in case of detecting a rhythm disturbance, as well as in case of detecting a rhythm disturbance, perform a smooth stop of the vehicle; and / or determine the degree of driver fatigue and provide recommendations to stop and rest based on a certain degree of fatigue;

in dynamics to follow ECG data.

23. The device according to p. 18, characterized in that it additionally records the rheogram (impedance) signals, and the data processing device is additionally configured to:

obtaining rheogram data and complete information about the impedance (amplitude and phase) obtained on the basis of the rheogram (impedance) signals;

receiving an interference signal synthesized based on information about acceleration signals obtained from at least one acceleration sensor arranged in such a way as to ensure registration of acceleration signals resulting from vibration causing jitter of contacts between hands and electrodes; receiving an ECG noise signal caused by changing resistance (jitter of the contact) between the hands and electrodes, based on impedance signals;

subtracting the interference signal from the original ECG signal and / or rheogram signal to obtain ECG data and / or rheogram of the vehicle driver;

use information about the involved pair of contacts in order to determine the position of the hands and control the actions of the driver in driving.

24. The device according to p. 23, characterized in that the rheogram signals, on the basis of which the driver rheogram is obtained, are recorded at different carrier frequencies, and the data processing device is further configured to:

calculating the driver’s electrical impedance model based on rheogram data obtained at different frequencies and information on the phase of the rheogram carrier signal;

prevent driver from falling asleep by changing skin conductivity based on rheogram data;

25. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 23 or 24, characterized in that the identification and / or verification of the identity of the driver of the vehicle and / or diagnosis of the driver’s condition, performed by the data processing device, is carried out on the basis of ECG data and a re-gram.