Transportable Fatigue Evaluation With Facial and Heart-Rate Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fatigue evaluation systems in professional contexts, particularly in the aeronautical field, are subjective and prone to declarative biases, as they rely on operator declarations, which can be influenced by factors like food consumption and stress, and are not suitable for continuous monitoring without diverting the operator's attention.
Innovation Solution
A transportable system integrating a camera for facial image acquisition, a heart rate sensor, and a calculator to objectively evaluate fatigue by processing facial markers and heart rate data, with a human-machine interaction device to send alerts if fatigue exceeds a threshold, all housed in a portable case.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If declarative questionnaires are used to evaluate fatigue, then the evaluation can be performed, but the results are subjective and biased by operator state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/declarative system of questionnaires with an optical and physiological sensing system. Cameras capture facial images and sensors measure heart rate, replacing subjective self-reporting with objective physiological and behavioral measurements that automatically indicate fatigue levels without being influenced by operator state or willingness to report accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediate measurement indicators (facial markers, heart rate) that mediate between the operator's actual fatigue state and the evaluation result. These intermediaries provide indirect but objective evidence of fatigue without requiring direct operator input, thereby eliminating the bias inherent in declarative methods.
2Duration of action of moving object
If operators are asked to declare fatigue levels during work, then continuous monitoring is possible, but it interrupts and de-concentrates the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the operator to be monitored passively without active participation. The cameras and sensors automatically capture facial images and physiological data in the background, enabling continuous fatigue assessment without requiring the operator to stop work, respond to prompts, or otherwise interrupt their concentration on tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs periodic, automated capture of facial images and physiological measurements at intervals, enabling continuous monitoring through a series of discrete, non-intrusive measurements rather than requiring continuous operator engagement or interruption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a transportable system is designed with integrated components, then the system is portable and versatile, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (cameras for facial image capture, sensors for heart rate measurement, calculation units for fatigue assessment, and alert systems) into a single integrated portable device. This merging enables the system to be transported and deployed across different work environments while maintaining all necessary functions within one unified platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing facial images, measuring physiological parameters, calculating fatigue levels, and providing alerts. This multi-functionality within a single portable unit allows the system to adapt to various operational contexts and operator needs without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A transportable system of evaluation of a level of fatigue of at least one operator. The system includes a case, a camera configured to acquire images of the face of an operator, a sensor configured to measure a heart rate of the operator, a calculator, and a human-machine interaction device. The calculator is configured to receive the images acquired from the camera and the measurement of the heart rate from the sensor, and configured to process the images and the measurement to calculate a level of fatigue of the operator. The human-machine interaction device is configured to transmit an alert if the calculated level of fatigue is greater than a predefined threshold. The calculator and the human-machine interaction device are at least partially integrated into the case. The camera and the sensor are integrated or apt to be stowed in the case.