259 results about "Alertness" patented technology

Visual methods and systems are described for detecting alertness and vigilance of persons under conditions of fatigue, lack of sleep, and exposure to mind altering substances such as alcohol and drugs. In particular, the intention can have particular applications for truck drivers, bus drivers, train operators, pilots and watercraft controllers and stationary heavy equipment operators, and students and employees during either daytime or nighttime conditions. The invention robustly tracks a person's head and facial features with a single on-board camera with a fully automatic system, that can initialize automatically, and can reinitialize when it need's to and provide outputs in realtime. The system can classify rotation in all viewing direction, detects' eye/mouth occlusion, detects' eye blinking, and recovers the 3D(three dimensional) gaze of the eyes. In addition, the system is able to track both through occlusion like eye blinking and also through occlusion like rotation. Outputs can be visual and sound alarms to the driver directly. Additional outputs can slow down the vehicle cause and/or cause the vehicle to come to a full stop. Further outputs can send data on driver, operator, student and employee vigilance to remote locales as needed for alarms and initiating other actions.

A vigilance monitoring system to determine the alertness of a driver of a vehicle. The system uses one or multiple sensors located at the driver-vehicle interface (steering wheel, accelerator, brakes). The sensor monitors the magnitude and frequency of the force (or displacement) exerted by a driver at the driver interface. A time derivative of the force or displacement profile is created. The variability of the time derivative of the force/displacement data from the general trend of the data as obtained by an optimized moving average of the data. An intelligent control system measures the variability and compares with an alertness rating scale to determine the alertness score of the driver and issue warning signals and actions as appropriate.

Method of an arrangement for monitoring sleep in a subject by measuring within a prescribed interval skin temperature of a predetermined region of the subject's body and a motion sensor for sensing motion of the subject, comparing the measured skin temperature of the predetermined region with a predetermined temperature threshold, and classifying the subject as being asleep or awake based on whether the skin temperature of the predetermined region is above or below the temperature threshold and on the motion data. In alternative aspects the invention relates to methods of and arrangements for manipulating sleep, as well as monitoring or manipulating alertness.

Methods of assessing driver behavior include monitoring vehicle systems and driver monitoring systems to accommodate for a driver's slow reaction time, attention lapse and/or alertness. When it is determined that a driver is drowsy, for example, the response system may modify the operation of one or more vehicle systems. The systems that may be modified include: visual devices, audio devices, tactile devices, antilock brake systems, automatic brake prefill systems, brake assist systems, auto cruise control systems, electronic stability control systems, collision warning systems, lane keep assist systems, blind spot indicator systems, electronic pretensioning systems and climate control systems.

A method and apparatus for detecting the alertness of an equipment operator by displaying a moving icon, and asking the operator to track the movements of the icon, either by following it with the eyes in a head mounted display, or by following it with a finger on a touch screen. The operator's performance can be measured by tracking the gaze of the operator's eyes, or by tracking the operator's finger movements. The performance of the operator can be compared to that particular person's history of test results, or to a data base of test results of other operators. The characteristics of the icon can be varied, and distractions can be provided on the display or screen. Control of the display or screen, tracking of the operator's eyes or finger, and analysis of the test results, can all be performed by a computer.

A method and system for maintaining operator alertness comprises a detector for detecting a physical status of an operator. The physical status indicates a first level of operator alertness. A user interface requests a second level of operator alertness from a self-evaluation of the operator at a request time. An evaluator measures at least one of an accuracy of the operator response to the requested input and a response time of the operator from the request time. An alert module generates alarm data or an alarm signal to alert the operator based on the first level of operator alertness indicating an inattentive state and at least one of the measured accuracy and operator response time indicating the inattentive state.

Methods of modifying a subject's cognitive state by applying transdermal electrical stimulation (TES). In particular, described herein are methods of applying TES using a pair of electrodes each positioned at a particular location on the skin of the subject's head, or the head and neck, to evoke a predetermined cognitive state using a TES applicator. In particular, described herein are methods of enhancing attention, alertness, or mental focus or of enhancing a calm or relaxed mental state by applying high-intensity TES across electrodes positioned on the subject's temple and either the mastoid region or on the subject's neck. The subject may control the application directly and TES may be applied by a portable, including wearable, TES applicator.

A wearable signal acquisition and computerized display device including at least one first sensor configured to measure at least one of the following attributes from a subject wearing the device: attention, focus, concentration, alertness, and mood. The device has a heads-up display or goggles, glasses, or another head piece having lenses. The measurement is derived from the subject's brainwaves by use of one or more algorithms. The subject wearing the device receives neurofeedback data based on this measurement through the projected image to train them how to control attention, mood, etc. and improve understanding as to how various external stimuli in the real world or virtual world impact these attributes. In one variation the sensors measure brainwave signals at two positions of the subject and use the difference in these measurements to derive an attention indicator signal used to provide neurofeedback.

A method and steering wheel for determining and verifying a state of driver alertness includes receiving a response at a steering wheel. The method includes selectively energizing at least one stimulus annunciator in the wheel in order to present a first stimulus to a driver. A processor in the wheel generates a signal indicative of a stimulus annunciator onset time indicating the moment the stimulus annunciator provided the first stimulus to the driver. A sensor array arranged on the wheel responds to a first grip pressure the driver exerts at a first grip location on the wheel. The processor generates a response signal indicative of a response onset time. The processor calculates a time interval between the stimulus annunciator onset time and the response onset time.

The invention relates to computer based user alertness monitoring systems for detecting and alleviating user fatigue. A computer-implemented automated system and method for detecting and reducing user fatigue is provided. The invention detects user alertness based on user dexterity using computer input devices and remedies a fatigued state by implementing visual, tactile and/or aural stimuli. Compensation mechanisms for increased ambient temperature and noisy environments are also presented.

An alertness monitoring system includes: means to measure velocity and amplitude of eyelid and eye movement; and storage means to continuously record the measurements. A data processor calculates the blink amplitude to velocity ratio and/or the saccade amplitude to velocity ratio and compares the measurements against a predetermined scale. The scale is derived from averaged measurements of the eye and eyelid movement parameters for a sample population measured against predetermined incremental blood alcohol levels. The output of the system can include a display for showing the alertness measurement based on the scale, or an alarm means triggered by the scale reading reaching a predetermined limit based an the blood alcohol level scale.

Spectacles for use in an eye monitoring system include a pair of ocular frames and a sensor unit adapted to be positioned adjacent an eye of the wearer. A nose bridge connects the ocular frames and incorporates an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the sensor unit relative to the eye. A frame arm extends from the outer edge of each ocular frame and is adapted to fit over the ear of a wearer. The sensor unit incorporates two infra red emitters at different angles and an infra red detector recessed into the surface of the unit to reduce the proportion of signal received by said detector which is not from the signal emitter reflected by the eye or eyelids.

This invention provides systems and methods of supplying oxygen-enriched air to an enclosed space or compartment. The systems and methods may distill oxygen from ambient air by a molecular sieve pressure cycle mechanism, such as a pressure swing absorption, may generate oxygen from water using electricity or may use oxygen enriched air produced by membrane filtration. The invention helps people improve their wellness, productivity and comfort, improve performance of mental and/or physical tasks, increase their alertness, quality of life and pleasure, reduce their drowsiness, and aid in curing and preventing disease by increasing the percentage of oxygen in the enclosed space to a beneficial and safe level.

Electrical-stimulation device with gel-dispensing kit, and a method of making and using the parts of the kit. A convenient and easy-to-use system to provide an electrically conductive path from a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device to the skin surface of a patient to supply transcutaneous stimulation, even through hair. The invention provides improved prevention and treatment for headache, depression, alertness, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and behavioral and/or other disorders. Some embodiments provide a headache-treatment system that includes an electrode base shaped to conform to a back of a human head; a TENS having projecting spring electrodes each connected to the electrode base; means for holding an electrically conductive gel in a plurality of sealed pockets; and means for unsealing the means for holding the gel and applying the gel substantially simultaneously to the projecting spring electrodes.

Disclosed is a vehicle driver safety device that serves the purpose of helping and encouraging drivers to drive attentively and with alertness with a degree of vehicle control that adapts to driver experience, vehicle speed and road conditions. Should the unsafe habits persist the system warns nearby cars and officials and records the incidents for review by a parent or mentor to serve as a deterrent. The new and unique wheel watcher utilizes a steering wheel with sensor arrays that determine the number and position of the drivers hands on the wheel, a vehicle speed and road condition sensor to judge the degree of control that is appropriate, a clock/timer to determine the length a unsafe practice persists and a driver identification device that affects the degree of safety practices that are encouraged by the system. An internal alarm is provided to alert the driver to an unsafe condition and indicators such as lights grouped with the sensors alert the driver to the safe positions for their hands that will satisfy the system that the vehicle is under adequate control.

The invention discloses a ship collision risk analysis method based on AIS (automatic identification system) data. Based on historical AIS data and standard ship selection and conversion, a density clustering algorithm is used for establishing a heat map of a ship collision risk to realize spatiotemporal visualization of the ship collision risk; based on real-time AIS data and the ship position field, the course direction field, and the navigational speed field, a regional ship collision risk assessment model is constructed, and a Gaussian kernel function kernel density estimation algorithm isused for proposing a dynamic ship collision risk visualization method to realize areal-time update of the regional ship collision risk. The ship collision risk analysis method is based on the AISdata,the spatiotemporal visualization of the ship collision risk is realized,the visual image after the complex abstract ship traffic flow multi-attribute information is effectively dug and fused is realized, so that the risk level of the environment of the location of the ship can be intuitively and conveniently obtained by a driver or an operator, thusself-alertness is improved, the reasonable control measures are taken, and the safe operation of the ship is ensured.

The present invention provides an alert interactive system designed to serve as an alertness tool to ensure that a person, such as an aircraft pilot, a car or truck driver, a soldier or sailor on watch, or a security professional, remains alert. The alert interactive system provides instructions and time for the person to enter a code, and provides an alert to that person and others when the code is not entered timely and correctly. The present invention indicates when the person is not alert, and may be taking a nap, may be fully asleep, or unconsciousness.

A head worn device for monitoring alertness and attention which includes a) sensors to monitor eyelid and eye movement, b) a motion sensor and c) data storage means for storing data from said sensors. The motion sensor is an accelerometer to provide data that allows the head position to be analysed and to determine the direction of gaze. The device collects data from an accelerometer worn by the driver to detect if the vehicle is in motion and whether the head is tilted vertical plane. If the vehicle is not in motion data is not processed. When the direction of gaze is downward sensor signals from the eye movement sensors is ignored. However if the duration of downward gaze is greater than a predetermined minimum period and the vehicle is in motion, an alarm is triggered because the driver is inattentive. The device may be used to assess whether workers are sufficiently alert before they commence work. The method of measuring a subjects fitness for a particular task uses the alertness monitor or a video camera to monitor eye and eyelid movement with or without head movement data while the subject is tested with a series of tests that require the subject to follow predetermined images or lights. If the subject is unable to satisfactorily track the images the subject is not fit for work.

A method and system for detecting operator alertness of an operator of a vehicle or machine comprises an image processor and an analyzer. The image processor determines whether at least one eye of an operator is visible and determines whether the operator is generally facing forward with respect to the vehicle. The analyzer applies at least one of position analysis and motion analysis to a three dimensional representation of an operator to determine alertness of the operator if at least one eye of operator is not visible or If the operator is generally facing forward.

Disclosed is a high-speed train driver alertness detecting method based on face image and eye movement analysis. The method includes steps of acquiring images of the head of a driver by a primary camera and a secondary camera simultaneously, extracting characteristics of the head of the driver step by step by the aid of wavelet multi-scale, recognizing the head of the driver via a neural network training method, and detecting the face of the driver via an AdaBoost arithmetic; respectively starting a Harr characteristic and a two-dimensional orthogonal Log-Gabor filtering phase characteristic to detect human eyes under different illuminations; building an adaptive non-linear level-log model of the driver; realizing eye movement tracking analysis for the driver via a strong tracking particle filter arithmetic; and finally realizing weight sum for an eye movement characteristic fatigue factor value and six face images including PERCLOS, pupilla, blinking, nodding, yawning and face inclination so as to obtain an alertness value of the driver. The calculated alertness value is high in accuracy and robustness.

The present invention relates to a nutritional composition, in particular directed to children of 3-6 years, said nutritional composition comprising a protein source, a source of available carbohydrates, a lipid source, at least one probiotic microorganism, and prebiotics, wherein said lipid source comprises DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and/or ARA (arachidonic acid). The nutritional composition improves cognitive performance, in particular memory, learning comprehension, alertness, attention, concentration, processing speed, conceptual thinking, abstract thinking, verbal abilities, language comprehension, psychomotor skills, curiosity, and confident interaction with the environment. Preferably, the composition comprises one, a combination of several or all selected of the group of DHA, ARA, LA, ALA, choline, iron, iodine and folic acid.