Sleep awakening device for drivers of motor vehicles
US5469143A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B21/06
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sleep awakening device awakens drivers of motor vehicles who are falling asleep while driving. The sleep awakening device includes a pair of eyeglasses and a control unit electrically connected thereto to provide both visual and audible warnings to alert a driver who is falling asleep. The pair of eyeglasses include a sensing lever that is in constant contact with one of the driver's upper eyelid muscles. Downward motion of the eyelid moves the sensing lever downward and actuates a microswitch that is coupled to the sensing lever. The microswitch in turn actuates circuitry located in the control unit to turn on a light each time the driver closes his eyelid. The circuitry includes a time delay relay that initiates an audible signal if the eyelid remains closed for a preset period of time. A normal blink of a driver's eye does not produce an audible alarm. However, if the driver's eyelid fails to open in a predetermined time, the audible alarm will sound. As soon as the driver's eyelid opens, a yellow caution light and the audible alarm are reset. Normal eye blinks produce illumination of the yellow caution light in view of the driver, thereby assuring the driver that the sleep aw…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.