Portable system for assessing fatigue levels and associated assessment method

Abstract

Portable System for Assessing Fatigue Level and Associated Assessment Method. The present invention relates to a portable system (10) for assessing the fatigue level of at least one operator. The system comprises: a housing (12), a camera (14) configured to acquire images of the operator's face, a sensor (16) configured to measure the operator's heart rate, a computer (18), and a human-machine interaction device (40). The computer is configured to receive the images acquired from the camera and the heart rate measurement from the sensor, and is configured to process the images and measurements to calculate the operator's fatigue level. The human-machine interaction device is configured to issue an alert if the calculated fatigue level exceeds a predefined threshold. The computer and the human-machine interaction device are at least partially integrated into the housing.The camera and sensor are integrated or designed to be housed within the casing. See Figure 1 for abbreviations.

Description

Title of the invention: Transportable system for evaluating a level of fatigue and associated evaluation method

[0001] The present invention relates to a transportable system for objectively evaluating a fatigue level of at least one operator.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of objective evaluation of the level of fatigue, in particular of operators in a professional context.

[0003] In certain professions, the level of fatigue of operators is a fundamental issue, particularly when the operator's profession involves making decisions that could put his life or the lives of other people in danger.

[0004] It is known that an advanced level of fatigue impairs brain performance, in particular reaction time and the quality of decisions made.

[0005] Thus, when an operator is tired, the quality of the decisions taken is impaired.

[0006] Furthermore, in a context of advanced fatigue, the operator is likely to doze off or even fall asleep, thus making him unfit for the tasks assigned to him.

[0007] In particular, in the aeronautical field, the flight crew, and in particular the pilot(s), have the task of guaranteeing the safety of passengers and their transport to their destination.

[0008] In airlines, fatigue risk management systems, also called FRMS (Fatigue Risk Management System), have been implemented. These systems are based on questionnaires declaring fatigue levels associated with a biomathematical model for predicting the evolution of fatigue during the flight. The objective of these systems is to predict phases of drowsiness during the flight.

[0009] However, these systems are highly subjective since they are limited by the operator's declarations before the flight. Thus, there is a strong bias associated with the state in which the operator feels when making his declaration. This state is, for example, strongly influenced by his food consumption, his stress level or his excitement at the time he makes his declaration.

[0010] Furthermore, it is not wise to ask the operator to make a declaration again during his work since the interruption would risk distracting him and would be likely to cause risks for him or for the passengers.

[0011] There is therefore a need for a non-interruptive and more objective fatigue assessment system that eliminates reporting bias and makes it possible to measure an operator's fatigue without distracting them from their work.

[0012] To this end, the present invention relates to a transportable system for evaluating a fatigue level of at least one operator, the system comprising: - a box; - a camera configured to acquire images of the operator's face; - a sensor configured to measure the operator's heart rate; - a calculator configured for: • receive, from the camera, the acquired images of the operator's face, • receive, from the sensor, a measurement of the operator's heart rate, and • process the images and measurements received to calculate an operator fatigue level; and - a human-machine interaction device configured to issue an alert to the operator and / or an administrator if the calculated fatigue level is higher than a predefined threshold;

[0013] the computer and the human-machine interaction device being at least partially integrated into the housing.

[0014] the camera and the sensor being integrated or suitable for being stored in the housing.

[0015] The heart rate sensor and the camera make it possible to acquire data representative of the operator's fatigue level without the operator having to distract himself from his current task.

[0016] Furthermore, the fact that the sensor, the camera, the computer and the human-machine interaction device are integrated or capable of being integrated into the housing makes the system easily transportable and therefore allows an assessment of the level of fatigue: before, during and / or after, an operator's mission.

[0017] According to particular embodiments of the invention, the system comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations: - the sensor configured to measure the heart rate is a bracelet configured to be positioned around the operator's wrist to measure his heart rate; - the camera is capable of acquiring images of the face of at least one operator who is located at a distance of between 30 and 130 cm from the housing, and according to an angular movement defined around an optical axis of the camera, at least equal to 30°; - the housing comprises a first and a second shell movable between an open position and a closed position,

[0018] the first shell defining a first compartment suitable for storing the camera and

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

[0026] a sensor reception area, the sensor being removable from the receiving area; - the first shell defines a surface intended to be at least partially in contact against the second shell when the first and second shells are in the closed position, the camera defining an optical axis whose elevation angle relative to said surface is between 30 and 40 degrees, and whose positioning angle around an axis perpendicular to said surface is between 55 and 65 degrees; - the box also includes a power supply configured to supply electrical energy to the camera, the heart rate sensor, the computer and the human-machine interaction device; - the calculator is configured to determine facial markers of the operator from the acquired images and to calculate the fatigue level of the operator further from the determined facial markers; - the system includes several heart rate sensors, each one being capable of measuring the heart rate of a respective operator, the system further comprising one of: • several cameras each configured to acquire images of a face of a respective operator, and • a single camera configured to acquire images of a face from each of several operators, the calculator being configured to calculate a fatigue level of each operator from the measurement of the heart rate of said operator and the acquired images of the face of said operator; and - the human-machine interaction device comprises a display screen and / or a loudspeaker, and optionally a vibrator integrated into the sensor, the human-machine interaction device being further configured to indicate to the operator when the image acquisition and the heart rate measurement are complete, preferably, the human-machine interaction device being further configured to acquire data relating to the or each operator, more preferably, the human-machine interaction device being configured to signal to the operator if he leaves the field of view of the camera and / or if the operator's eyes leave the field of view of the camera. The invention also relates to a method for evaluating the level of fatigue of an operator, the method being implemented by such a transportable system and comprising the following steps: - acquisition of several images of the operator's face, - measurement of the operator's heart rate to obtain a heart rate measurement, - processing of acquired images and heart rate measurement to calculate the operator's fatigue level, and - if the fatigue level is higher than a predefined threshold, an alert is issued to the operator and / or an administrator.

[0027] The system according to the invention as well as its embodiments will be better understood on reading the following description, given as a non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which: - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a transportable system for evaluating a fatigue level according to a first embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a detailed schematic representation of the camera of the system of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the system of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a flowchart of a process for assessing a level of fatigue; and - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of a trans system portable device for assessing a level of fatigue according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0028] With reference to [Fig.l], a transportable system 10 is described for evaluating a fatigue level of at least one operator.

[0029] The system 10 comprises a housing 12, a camera 14, a sensor 16, a computer 18, a human-machine interaction device 40 and optionally a power supply 22 shown in [Fig.3] and a network antenna 24, visible in [Fig.3].

[0030] The computer 18, the human-machine interaction device 40 and optionally the power supply and the network antenna 24 are integrated into the housing 12. The camera 14 and the sensor 16 are integrated or suitable for being stored in the housing 12.

[0031] The housing 12 is intended to be placed on a surface, called a support surface, such as a table or a dashboard of a cockpit.

[0032] The housing 12 preferably comprises a first shell 26 and a second shell 28 movable between an open position and a closed position.

[0033] Preferably, the housing 12 comprises means 29 forming a pivot making the first 26 and second 28 shells integral at one of their respective edges and allowing them to be moved relative to each other.

[0034] Preferably also, the housing 12 further comprises means for locking the first 26 and the second 28 shells in the closed position.

[0035] Furthermore, the housing 12 advantageously comprises on one of its shells 26, 28, a handle 32 for transporting the housing when the shells 26, 28 are in the closed position.

[0036] The locking means are preferably positioned on either side of the handle 32 on the same edge.

[0037] The dimensions of the case 12 are for example such that it complies with the dimensional constraints of cabin baggage. For example, the case 12 has dimensions less than 55 x 35 x 25 centimeters. Advantageously, the case 12 is in the form of a suitcase.

[0038] The first shell 26 has a substantially parallelepiped shape defining a surface (not shown) suitable for being in contact with the support surface, and a surface 33, called the opposite surface 33, opposite this surface (not shown). The opposite surface 33 is substantially rectangular and defines a first direction of extension X and a second direction of extension Y perpendicular to each other.

[0039] The opposite surface 33 is intended to be at least partially in contact with the second shell 28 when the first 26 and second 28 shells are in the closed position.

[0040] The first direction of extension X is substantially parallel to the edge of the first shell 26 having the pivot means 29 with the second shell 28, the second direction of extension Y being substantially perpendicular to said edge.

[0041] The first shell 26 preferably defines a first compartment 34 suitable for storing the camera 14.

[0042] Optionally, the first shell 26 is suitable for receiving the sensor 16 on the opposite surface 33. The first shell 26 then preferentially defines a receiving zone comprising an orifice 36 for the passage of a charging cable, also called a charger, of the sensor 16 when it rests on the opposite surface 33, as shown in [Fig.l].

[0043] Preferably, the first shell 26 further defines a second compartment 38 suitable for storing at least partially the human-machine interaction device 40, and optionally a third compartment 39 suitable for storing at least partially the power supply 22, preferably a power supply cable not shown.

[0044] According to a non-represented example, the human-machine interaction device 40 and the computer 18 are made of the same element. In other words, a single physical block comprises the human-machine interaction device 40 and the computer 18.

[0045] Advantageously, the first shell 26 further defines a ventilation 20 formed by ventilation holes 42 passing through the opposite surface 33 from one side to the other, to ensure ventilation of elements integrated into the shell, under said surface 33. These elements will be described below.

[0046] As will be described below, the sensor 16 is preferably removable from the shell 26. In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 1], the camera 14 and the human-machine interaction device 40 are not respectively removable from the first compartment 34 and the second compartment 38.

[0047] The first 34, second 38, and third 39 compartments as well as the orifice 36 are for example provided in the opposite surface 33.

[0048] The camera 14 is for example configured to acquire images of a face of the operator positioned close to the box 12.

[0049] In the embodiment of [Fig.l], the camera 14 is fixed relative to the housing 12, i.e. integrated into the first compartment 34 and non-removable from this compartment 34.

[0050] The camera 14 defines an optical axis O.

[0051] As shown in Figure 2 illustrating the camera 14 in detail, a reference frame is defined centered on the camera 14 and defined by a first axis XI extending along the first direction X and by a second axis Y1 extending along the second direction Y. In this reference frame, the optical axis O forms a positioning angle α with the first axis XL. The positioning angle α is preferably between 55 and 65 degrees.

[0052] It is understood that the positioning angle a is an angle around an axis not shown perpendicular to the opposite surface 33.

[0053] The optical axis O forms an elevation angle fl relative to the opposite surface 33, between 30 and 40 degrees.

[0054] In [Fig.2], the reference frame XI, Y1 is represented in dashed lines and the projections of the optical axis O on this reference frame are represented in mixed lines.

[0055] The values ​​of the positioning angle a, the elevation angle P and the angular movement A allow the camera 14 to acquire images of the operator's face even if the operator is not positioned facing the housing 12. Thus, the operator is free to perform other tasks while the camera 14 acquires images of his face.

[0056] Furthermore, and again with reference to FIG. 1, the camera 14 is capable of acquiring images of the face of an operator who is located at a distance of between 30 cm and 130 cm from the housing 12, and according to an angular movement A, defined around the optical axis O, at least equal to 30°. Preferably, the angular movement is equal to plus or minus 20 degrees along a plane parallel to the opposite surface 33, i.e. horizontally, and plus or minus 15 degrees along a plane perpendicular to the opposite surface 33, i.e. vertically.

[0057] Optionally, the camera 14 is an infrared camera.

[0058] According to a non-represented example, illuminators, for example infrared LEDs, are arranged close to the camera 14 to illuminate the operator during the acquisition of images by the camera 14. This allows the images of the operator's face to be usable even in a dark environment.

[0059] The sensor 16 is configured to measure a heart rate of the operator.

[0060] For example and as illustrated in [Fig.l], the sensor 16 is a bracelet configured to be positioned around a wrist of the operator to measure his heart rate.

[0061] The sensor 16 is suitable for resting on the opposite surface 33. For example, the sensor 16 has a dial comprising the electronic circuitry intended to carry out measurements.

[0062] To hold the sensor 16 in place when it rests on the opposite surface 33 in the closed position, the second shell 28 preferably comprises an extruded portion 50 projecting from the second shell 28, and intended to be in contact with the sensor 16 in the closed position. Preferably, when the sensor 16 has a dial, the extruded portion 50 defines a recess 52, one dimension of which corresponds to a diameter of the dial to cooperate with the sensor 16 in the closed position.

[0063] The extruded portion 50 is for example a foam.

[0064] It is then understood that, when the sensor 16 rests on the opposite surface 33, its bracelet extends in the first direction of elongation X.

[0065] For example, the sensor 16 is configured to measure the operator's heart rate by photoplethysmography, known as PPG. This technique is known per se.

[0066] Alternatively, the sensor 16 is configured to perform this measurement from an analysis of electrical response between the sensor 16 and the operator's wrist, or by analysis of radar signals propagating in the operator's wrist.

[0067] As an optional addition, the sensor 16 is configured to further measure other physiological parameters of the operator, such as blood pressure, oxygen saturation, sweating, dehydration rate.

[0068] For oxygen saturation for example, in a known manner, the sensor 16 is for example configured to emit, in the direction of the operator's skin, and receive, a light signal comprising at least two wavelengths. A first wavelength corresponds to a wavelength absorbed by the saturated red blood cells, a second wavelength corresponding to a wavelength absorbed by the unsaturated red blood cells.

[0069] In this example, the sensor 16 is configured to determine the oxygen saturation of the operator by comparing the light intensity received at each of the two wavelengths.

[0070] Preferably, the cable of a charger (not shown) passes through the orifice 36, such as than an induction or direct contact charger, configured to recharge the sensor 16 when it is positioned on the opposite surface 33.

[0071] With reference to [Fig. 3] representing a sectional view of the first shell 26 along a sectional plane perpendicular to the second direction of elongation Y, the first shell 26 preferably integrates, under the opposite surface 33, the computer 18, a part of the power supply 22 and the network antenna 24.

[0072] The computer 18 is configured to receive, from the camera 14, the acquired images of the operator's face. For this purpose, the computer 18 is for example connected to the camera via a wired connection not shown.

[0073] The computer 18 is further configured to receive, from the sensor 16, the measurement of the heart rate, for example via a wireless connection passing through the network antenna 24 itself connected to the computer 18.

[0074] The computer 18 is further configured to process the images from the camera 14 and the measurement, i.e. the data from the sensor 16, received to calculate a level of fatigue of the operator.

[0075] The level of fatigue is for example a score given on a scale of 20 or 100.

[0076] For this purpose, the computer 18 is preferably configured to determine facial markers of the operator. The facial markers are points of interest located on the face and from which different characteristics can be extracted. By way of examples, said characteristics are: statistics of yawning, eye opening, direction of gaze and head, frequency of blinking of the eyes, etc.

[0077] The calculator 18 is preferably configured to calculate the operator's fatigue level furthermore from the determined facial markers.

[0078] For example, the calculator 18 is configured to extract the characteristics of the facial markers, for example using a technique such as that presented in patent applications FR3133534 and FR3133691.

[0079] The computer 18 is then configured to provide these characteristics, as well as the measurement, i.e. the data from the sensor 16 to an artificial intelligence model previously trained from a labeled data set, to determine the operator's fatigue level.

[0080] For example, the artificial intelligence model is a neural network.

[0081] The neural network comprises an ordered succession of layers of neurons, each of which takes its inputs from the outputs of the previous layer.

[0082] More precisely, each layer comprises neurons taking their inputs from the outputs of the neurons of the previous layer, or from the input variables for the first layer.

[0083] Each neuron is also associated with an operation, i.e. a type of processing, to be carried out by said neuron within the corresponding processing layer.

[0084] Each layer is connected to the other layers by a plurality of synapses. A synaptic weight is associated with each synapse, and each synapse forms a connection between two neurons. Each synaptic weight is preferably a real number, which takes both positive and negative values. In some cases, each synaptic weight is a complex number.

[0085] Each neuron is capable of performing a weighted sum of the value(s) received from the neurons of the previous layer, each value then being multiplied by the respective synaptic weight of each synapse, or link, between said neuron and the neurons of the previous layer, then applying an activation function, typically a non-linear function, to said weighted sum, and delivering at the output of said neuron, in particular to the neurons of the following layer connected to it, the value resulting from the application of the activation function. The activation function makes it possible to introduce non-linearity into the processing performed by each neuron. The sigmoid function, the hyperbolic tangent function, the Heaviside function, the Rectified Linear Unit function also called ReLU function (from the English, Rectified Linear Unit), or the softmax function, are examples of activation functions.

[0086] As an optional addition, each neuron is also capable of applying, in addition, a multiplicative factor, also called bias, to the output of the activation function, and the value delivered at the output of said neuron is then the product of the bias value and the value from the activation function. The computer 18 is then configured to communicate to the operator the level of fatigue via the human-machine interaction device as will be described below.

[0087] Alternatively, the calculator 18 is configured to transmit the calculated fatigue level to a device external to the system 10 via the network antenna 24 to an administrator.

[0088] As visible in [Fig.l], the human-machine interaction device 40 comprises for example a display screen, such as a touch screen, and optionally a loudspeaker not shown.

[0089] The loudspeaker is for example located below the ventilation holes 42.

[0090] Alternatively, the display screen comprises a non-touch screen 40 and a keyboard not shown.

[0091] As an optional addition, the human-machine interaction device 40 is also partially integrated into the sensor 16, for example in the form of a vibrator not shown.

[0092] The human-machine interaction device 40 is configured to transmit, at At the discretion of the operator and / or an administrator, an alert is issued if the calculated fatigue level is higher than a predefined threshold. 8

[0093] For this purpose, if the recipient of the alert is the operator of the system 10, the alert is for example a message displayed on the touch screen 40 or an audible signal emitted by the loudspeaker.

[0094] If the recipient of the alert is an administrator, the alert is for example transmitted via the network antenna 24.

[0095] As an optional addition, the human-machine interaction device 40 is configured to acquire data relating to the operator or each operator, such as their gender, age, height, weight, or others.

[0096] Furthermore, the human-machine interaction device 40 is preferably configured to indicate to the operator when the image acquisition and the heart rate measurement are complete.

[0097] For this purpose, preferably, the vibrator integrated into the sensor 16 is configured to vibrate when the image acquisition and the measurement of the heart rate are finished.

[0098] Preferably, the human-machine interaction device 40 is configured to signal to the operator if he leaves the field of vision of the camera 14 during the acquisition of images, in particular if his eyes leave the field of vision of the camera 14. The camera field of vision is preferentially defined by the positioning angle °, the elevation angle fi and the angular movement A.

[0099] For example, the operator's eyes may move out of the field of vision if the operator turns or tilts his head or if the operator moves and is no longer facing the camera 14.

[0100] Advantageously, to provide such a signal to the operator, the vibrator integrated into the sensor 16 is configured to vibrate.

[0101] The power supply 22 is suitable for supplying electrical energy to the camera 14, the heart rate sensor 16, the computer 18 and the human-machine interaction device 40. For example, the power supply 22 comprises a cable suitable for being connected to an electrical distribution plug.

[0102] Alternatively, the power supply 22 is a battery.

[0103] The network antenna 24 is suitable for being connected to a local network system, for example via a Wi-Fi™ or Bluetooth™ protocol, or a global network system via a 4G or 5G cellular protocol. The network antenna 24 is suitable for transferring data between the computer 18 and an external system not shown, such as the fatigue level determined by the computer 18.

[0104] Optionally, the network antenna 24 is also capable of communicating with the sensor 16 so that the computer 18 receives the heart rate measurements.

[0105] The operation of the system 10 will now be described with reference to [Fig.4] illustrating a flowchart of a process for assessing an operator's fatigue level. This process is implemented, for example, before, during or after a flight.

[0106] Initially, the operator opens the housing 12 and grasps the sensor 16. Optionally, if the power supply 22 includes a power cable, the operator connects the cable to an electrical distribution plug.

[0107] If the sensor 16 is a bracelet, the operator positions it around his wrist.

[0108] The operator positions the box 12 so as to be in the field of vision of the camera 14. It is then understood that the box 12 is not directly in front of the operator but slightly offset to the side so as not to clutter the area in front of the operator so that he can carry out different tasks, even while his level of fatigue is being evaluated.

[0109] Preferably, the operator identifies himself on the system 10. For this purpose, the identification of the operator is for example carried out via a code entered manually by the operator on the human-machine interaction device 40, or by reading a code via NFC or a QR code read by the camera 14.

[0110] The method comprises an acquisition step 110, during which the camera 14 acquires several images of the operator's face.

[0111] Preferably, during the acquisition step 110, if the operator, and / or his eyes, leave the field of vision of the camera, defined by: the positioning angle a, the elevation angle / / and the angular movement A, the human-machine interaction device 40 signals that the operator leaves the field of vision of the camera 14, for example by vibrating the vibrator integrated in the sensor 16, or alternatively by emitting a sound or by displaying a message.

[0112] The method further comprises a step 120 of measuring the operator's heart rate to obtain a measurement of the heart rate, preferably by the sensor 16.

[0113] Preferably, the acquisition 110 and measurement 120 steps are implemented simultaneously.

[0114] The method further comprises a step 130 of processing the acquired images and measuring the heart rate to calculate the operator's fatigue level.

[0115] As explained previously, preferably, the computer 18 determines the facial markers of the operator. Then, the computer 18 extracts the characteristics of the facial markers and provides these characteristics and the measurement to the artificial intelligence model previously trained to determine the level of fatigue.

[0116] The method then comprises, if the fatigue level is greater than a predefined threshold, a step 140 of sending an alert to the operator and / or an administrator as explained previously.

[0117] A second embodiment will now be described with reference to [Fig.5].

[0118] The elements common to the first and second embodiments retain their reference number. Only the distinct elements bear a reference incremented by the value 200.

[0119] The second embodiment will be described only by its differences from the first embodiment so that each feature that is not described is identical to the corresponding feature in the first embodiment.

[0120] In this second embodiment, the transportable system 210 is more compact than the transportable system 10 of the first embodiment.

[0121] In the second embodiment, the first compartment 234 is contiguous with the second compartment 238.

[0122] According to the example illustrated in [Fig.5], the first 234 and second 238 compartments are for example common. In other words, according to this example, there is no physical delimitation between the first 234 and the second 238 compartments.

[0123] In this second embodiment, the first compartment 234 extends substantially along the first X and second Y directions.

[0124] In this second embodiment, the optical axis O of the camera 14 is, in projection onto the opposite surface 33, substantially aligned with the second direction of elongation Y, in an opposite direction. In other words, the positioning angle a has a value substantially equal to 90°.

[0125] In this second embodiment, the receiving area of ​​the sensor 16 preferably defines three orifices 236 rather than just one in the first embodiment. Two of the three orifices are then preferably slots, for example parallel to each other and optionally extending in the first direction of elongation X. Each of these two orifices 236 is intended to receive a tab of the bracelet of the sensor 16 for its storage in the closed position. The third orifice 36, not shown in [Fig. 5], is intended for the passage of the charger cable of the sensor 16.

[0126] In [Fig.5], only two of the three orifices 236 are visible.

[0127] Preferably, the second shell 28 also comprises the extruded portion 250. However, in this second embodiment, the extruded portion 250 preferably does not have any recess and is only in contact with the sensor 16 via the dial of the latter, when it is present, in the closed position.

[0128] In this second embodiment, the ventilation holes 42 extend over a smaller area on the opposite surface 33 than in the first embodiment. The loudspeaker is optionally placed under these ventilation holes 42.

[0129] In this second embodiment, the locking means are positioned on edges of the first 26 and second 28 shells substantially perpendicular to the one comprising the handle 32 and the one comprising the pivot means. The pivot means are not shown in [Fig.5].

[0130] Thus, the system 210 according to the second embodiment is more compact than the system 10 according to the second embodiment, which further favors the transportable aspect of said system 210.

[0131] The operation of the system 210 according to the second embodiment is analogous to the operation of the system 10 according to the first embodiment. Thus, the system 210 according to the second embodiment is capable of implementing the method for evaluating the fatigue level described above.

[0132] In the second embodiment, the optical axis O of the camera 14 is such that the operator is placed in front of the housing during image acquisition. However, the compactness of the system 210 according to the second embodiment still makes it possible not to clutter up the space in front of the operator.

[0133] Alternatively, the camera 14 is oriented toward the right or left side of the system 10, so that the system can be respectively placed on the left or right of the operator while pointing the camera 14 toward the operator.

[0134] Variants of the system 10, 210 will now be described in which the system is configured to evaluate the fatigue level of several operators simultaneously. These variants are compatible with the system 10, 210 according to the first and second embodiments.

[0135] In these variants, the system 10, 210 comprises several sensors 16. Preferably, the first housing 26 then comprises several orifices 236, or triplet of orifices 236.

[0136] According to a first variant, the system 10, 210 further comprises several cameras 16, each configured to acquire images of a face of a respective operator.

[0137] According to a second variant, the system 10, 210 comprises a single camera configured to acquire images of a face of each of several operators.

[0138] In these variants, the calculator 18 is configured to calculate a level of fatigue of each operator from the measurement of the heart rate of said operator and the acquired images of the face of said operator, as explained previously for each operator.

[0139] According to these variants, the system 10, 210 is capable of implementing the method for evaluating the level of fatigue described previously, for each operator.

[0140] The system 10, 210 according to the invention makes it possible to evaluate the operator's fatigue without distracting him from his work and by freeing himself from declarative bias.

[0141] Furthermore, the system 10, 210 allows an evaluation of the level of fatigue which is objective and non-intrusive since the operator is completely passive during the assessment.

[0142] Furthermore, the fact that the system 10, 210 is transportable makes its use particularly easy and possible in multiple situations.

Claims

Claims

1. Transportable system (10; 210) for evaluating a fatigue level of at least one operator, the system (10; 210) comprising: - a housing (12); - a camera (14) configured to acquire images of a face of the operator; - a sensor (16) configured to measure a heart rate of the operator; - a calculator (18) configured to: • receive, from the camera (14), the acquired images of the face of the operator, • receive, from the sensor (16), a measurement of the heart rate of the operator, and • process the received images and measurement to calculate a fatigue level of the operator; and - a human-machine interaction device (40) configured to emit, to the operator and / or an administrator, an alert if the calculated fatigue level is greater than a predefined threshold;the calculator (18) and the human-machine interaction device (40) being at least partially integrated in the housing (12); the camera (14) and the sensor (16) being integrated or suitable for being stored in the housing (12).;

2. The system (10; 210) of claim 1, wherein the sensor (16) configured to measure heart rate is a wristband configured to be positioned around a wrist of the operator to measure his heart rate.

3. System (10; 210) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the camera (14) is capable of acquiring images of the face of at least one operator who is located at a distance of between 30 and 130 cm from the housing (12), and according to an angular movement defined around an optical axis (O) of the camera (14), at least equal to 30°.

4. A system (10; 210) according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing (12) comprises a first (26) and a second shell (28) movable between an open position and a closed position, the first shell (26) defining a first compartment (34; 234) suitable for storing the camera (14) and a receiving area (36; 236) of the sensor (16), the sensor (16) being removable from the receiving area.

5. System (10; 210) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first shell (26) defines a surface (33) intended to be at least partially in contact against the second shell (28) when the first (26) and second (28) shells are in the closed position, the camera (14) defining an optical axis (0) whose elevation angle (θ) relative to said surface (33) is between 30 and 40 degrees, and whose positioning angle (a) around an axis perpendicular to said surface (33) is between 55 and 65 degrees.

6. System (10; 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (12) further integrates a power supply (22) configured to supply electrical energy to the camera (14), the heart rate sensor (16), the computer (18) and the human-machine interaction device (40).

7. System (10; 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the calculator (18) is configured to determine facial markers of the operator from the acquired images and to calculate the fatigue level of the operator further from the determined facial markers.

8. System (10; 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (10; 210) comprises several heart rate sensors (16), each being adapted to measure the heart rate of a respective operator, the system (10; 210) further comprising one of: - several cameras (14) each configured to acquire images of a face of a respective operator, and - a single camera (14) configured to acquire images of a face of each of several operators, the calculator (18) being configured to calculate a fatigue level of each operator from the measurement of the heart rate of said operator and the acquired images of the face of said operator.

9. System (10; 210) according to any one of the preceding claims- preceding, wherein the human-machine interaction device (40) comprises a display screen and / or a speaker, and optionally a vibrator integrated in the sensor (16), the human-machine interaction device (40) being further configured to indicate to the operator when the image acquisition and the heart rate measurement are complete, preferably, the human-machine interaction device (40) being further configured to acquire data relating to the operator or each operator, more preferably, the human-machine interaction device (40) being configured to signal to the operator if he leaves the field of vision of the camera (14) and / or if the operator's eyes leave the field of vision of the camera (14).

10. A method of assessing a fatigue level of an operator, the method being implemented by a transportable system (10; 210) according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising the following steps: - acquisition (110) of several images of the operator's face, - measurement (120) of the operator's heart rate to obtain a measurement of the heart rate, - processing (130) of the acquired images and the measurement of the heart rate to calculate the operator's fatigue level, and - if the fatigue level is higher than a predefined threshold, issue (140) of an alert to the operator and / or an administrator.