Vigilance Monitoring System

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a system and method of monitoring the alertness or wakefulness of a driver. The monitored parameters include cardiac, respiratory and movement parameters. Sensors are located in various locations of the driver side section to detect the vigilance of a driver. These sensors include pressure sensors embedded in the seat and pedals, and a head band for monitoring EEG, EMG and EOG signals.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A driver vigilance monitor comprising:
 a sensor integrated into a seatbelt of a vehicle for detecting a physiological parameter of a driver;   a sensor for detecting eye movement or head position of the driver;   a prompting device for evoking a response from the driver;   a processor for determining a driver's vigilance state by comparing data in a memory device with information received from the sensor integrated into the seatbelt or the sensor for detecting eye movement or driver head position in response to the prompting device; and   a vehicle intervention system for intervening in the control of a speed of the vehicle based on said driver's vigilance state.   
     
     
         2 . The monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the physiological parameter is a respiratory parameter. 
     
     
         3 . The monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the physiological parameter is heart activity. 
     
     
         4 . The monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the physiological parameter is driver movement activity. 
     
     
         5 . The monitor of  claim 1 , further comprising an alert mechanism in communication with the processor and integrated in the vehicle, wherein the alert mechanism is activated by the processor after determining that the driver's vigilance state does not satisfy a vigilance threshold. 
     
     
         6 . The monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the data in the memory device includes driver-specific data. 
     
     
         7 . The monitor of  claim 1 , further comprising a steering wheel sensor integrated into a steering wheel of the vehicle for measuring hand pressure of the driver, and wherein the processor also uses data from the steering wheel sensor to determine the driver's vigilance state. 
     
     
         8 . A driver vigilance monitor comprising:
 a prompting device for evoking a response from a driver;   a sensor integrated into a seatbelt of a vehicle for detecting a movement or a physiological parameter of the driver;   a steering wheel sensor integrated into a steering wheel of the vehicle for measuring hand pressure of the driver;   a processor for determining a driver's vigilance state by comparing data in a memory device with information received from the sensor integrated into the seatbelt and the steering wheel sensor in response to said prompting device; and   a vehicle intervention system for intervening in the control of the vehicle based on said driver's vigilance state.   
     
     
         9 . The monitor of  claim 8 , wherein the physiological parameter is a respiratory parameter. 
     
     
         10 . The monitor of  claim 8 , wherein the physiological parameter is heart activity. 
     
     
         11 . The monitor of  claim 8 , wherein the data in the memory device includes driver-specific data. 
     
     
         12 . The monitor of  claim 8 , further comprising an alert mechanism, wherein the alert mechanism is activated by the processor after determining that the driver's vigilance state does not satisfy a vigilance threshold. 
     
     
         13 . A driver vigilance monitor comprising:
 a seatbelt sensor for detecting a physiological parameter of a driver of a vehicle;   a seat sensor integrated into a seat of the vehicle for detecting position or movement of the driver;   a processor for determining a driver's vigilance state by prompting the driver to respond and then comparing data in a memory device with information received from the seatbelt sensor and the seat sensor received in response to said prompting device; and   a vehicle intervention system for intervening in the control of the vehicle based on said driver's vigilance state.   
     
     
         14 . The monitor of  claim 13 , further comprising an alert mechanism, wherein the alert mechanism is activated by the processor after determining that the driver's vigilance state does not satisfy a vigilance threshold. 
     
     
         15 . The monitor of  claim 13 , wherein the vehicle intervention system is adapted to intervene in the control of the speed of the vehicle by restricting the speed of the vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The monitor of  claim 13 , wherein the vehicle intervention system is adapted to intervene in the control of the speed of the vehicle by an application of brakes of the vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The monitor of  claim 13 , wherein the vehicle intervention system is adapted to intervene in the control of the speed of the vehicle by restricting a fuel consumption of the vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The monitor of  claim 13 , wherein the vehicle intervention system is adapted to intervene in the control of the speed of the vehicle by interfering with normal operation of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The monitor of  claim 13 , further comprising a steering wheel sensor integrated into a steering wheel of the vehicle for measuring hand pressure of the driver. 
     
     
         20 . The monitor of  claim 19  wherein the processor uses data from the steering wheel sensor to determine the driver's vigilance state.