Driver Alertness Monitoring via Wrist Biosensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems lack effective means to monitor and manage driver alertness levels, which can lead to increased risk of accidents due to drowsiness or fatigue, as they rely on limited data sources and do not provide timely interventions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a wrist device equipped with biosensors to monitor cardiac activity, sleep history, and other physiological data, which determines alertness levels and sends control signals to the vehicle system to alert the driver or take control of the vehicle if alertness falls below a threshold, integrating data from internal and external sensors and networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If vehicle control systems rely on limited data sources, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to monitor driver alertness effectively deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data sources including physiological sensors (heart rate, skin conductance), behavioral sensors (eye tracking, head position), and vehicle operation data into a unified alertness monitoring system. This integration allows the system to overcome the limitations of individual data sources and achieve reliable alertness assessment while managing complexity through systematic data fusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multi-functional sensors and processing units that can handle various types of data (physiological, behavioral, operational) and perform multiple functions (data acquisition, processing, analysis, and control). This universality enables the system to effectively monitor alertness using diverse data sources without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
2Measurement precision
If real-time physiological monitoring is implemented, then driver alertness detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic sampling of physiological parameters rather than continuous monitoring at maximum resolution. Sensors activate at intervals to collect necessary data for alertness assessment, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for safety-critical detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts monitoring parameters such as sampling rate, sensor activation thresholds, and processing intensity based on current driving conditions and detected alertness levels. During low-risk periods, monitoring intensity is reduced to conserve energy, while during high-risk conditions or when alertness drops, the system increases monitoring precision and frequency.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and data sources are integrated, then alertness monitoring reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the alertness monitoring system into modular segments including separate sensor modules (physiological sensors, behavioral sensors, vehicle sensors), data processing modules, analysis modules, and control modules. Each segment handles specific functions independently, which reduces overall system complexity by allowing independent development, testing, and maintenance of individual components while maintaining reliable integrated performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances traffic safety by providing real-time alertness monitoring and intervention, reducing the risk of accidents caused by drowsy driving through proactive alerts and vehicle control measures.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one sensor further comprises a heart activity sensor, and wherein the physiological status data comprises cardiac activity data of the person
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4~6B
AI summary
There is provided a method for alertness control of a vehicle operator, the method comprising: obtaining, by an apparatus, physiological status data of a person acquired using at least one sensor comprising at least a biosignal sensor; determining, based on at least the physiological status data, at least one alertness value being indicative of alertness level of the person; determining, by comparing the at least one alertness value to at least one alertness reference value, whether the alertness level of the person is below a threshold alertness level for operating the vehicle; and as a response to the determining that the alertness level is below the threshold alertness level, causing an output of a control signal.