Sleep Alert Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sleep alert device (11) that mounts on the steering wheel of a vehicle that acts by pressure by the ringers or hand of the driver. The invention includes a multiplicity of sensors (12) as well as an instant alarm system which prevents accidental problems with previous delay alarm systems and repositioning of the hands without pausing or turning the device off. Sensors (12) are mounted circumferentially around the steering wheel and trigger and alarm with no delay of any kind and are connected directly or wirelessly to a control panel for control of the pressure sensors (12).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 678,881, filed May 6, 2005 and is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to sleep detection warning devices and more particularly it pertains to a novel steering wheel sleep alert warning system for waking a dozing driver. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Drivers of motor vehicles, especially truck drivers, often put in long grueling hours at the wheel of their vehicle. Because of the need or desire to reach a given destination at a given time it is not infrequent that drivers spend more time at the wheel than is reasonably prudent and safe or spend time driving fatigued long past when they should be asleep. It is not surprising then that motor vehicle accidents occur where the driver has dozed off at the wheel and where ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] It is another object of this invention to provide a sleep alarm that is effective by placement on the hands in a desirable location on a steering wheel that is more likely to be a true measure of pressure. It is yet a further object of the invention to take automation out of the process of putting a sleep detector on hold or during other activities which eliminate errors or dependence on the automated part of the system to be accurate.

Problems solved by technology

Drivers of motor vehicles, especially truck drivers, often put in long grueling hours at the wheel of their vehicle.

It is not surprising then that motor vehicle accidents occur where the driver has dozed off at the wheel and where the vehicle has veered off the road.

Accidents result not only in vehicle damage, property damage and severe injury or death of the driver, it can also result in the death or injury of other drivers or pedestrians in the area of the accident.

Accidents that occur when the driver falls asleep at the wheel often have a high percentage of fatality.

NHTSA conservatively estimates fatigue-related crashes results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in monetary losses each year.

Contact is measured by the drivers' skin resistance rather than pressure and has been considered unreliable since the ambient temperature differences effect perspiration and thus alter skin resistance readings.

While it is clear that each of these devices fulfill a particular objective or requirement it is clear that each has particular limitations and in general are either extraordinarily complex or do not activate an alarm until the driver has already started to dose off.

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