JP2007234060A - Doze prevention device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a doze prevention device for surely awakening only an operator without putting obstacles in the operation. <P>SOLUTION: This doze prevention device 10 is applied in an operation room 14 of a vehicle 12, and provided with a first camera 22, an air gun 24 and second cameras 26 and 27 integrated with the air gun 24 ahead of the operator 18 in the operation room 14. A face image signal from the first camera 22 is processed, and when a computer detects the doze status of the operator, the computer drives (the solenoid of) the air gun 24. Consequently, the lump of air is injected from the air gun 24 to the face of the operator. Thus, the operator is awakened when stimulated by the lump of air. Then, much higher awakening effects are expected by containing aromatic particles such as awakening perfume in the lump of air. In this way, it is possible to surely awaken only the operator without putting obstacles on his or her operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a snooze prevention apparatus, and a snooze that awakens from a doze by applying a lump of air (preferably including an arousal fragrance or irritating odor) to a driver of a vehicle or a moving body such as an automobile, a train, or a train by an air cannon. The present invention relates to a prevention device.

  Examples of this kind of dozing prevention device are disclosed in Patent Literature 1 to Patent Literature 5.

  The dozing prevention device disclosed in Patent Literatures 1-4 detects the driver's dozing state by an appropriate method, and turns the fan in response to the detection to direct the scent (irritating odor) to the driver's cab or the driver. To be released.

In another example disclosed in Patent Document 5, the driver's face is photographed with a CCD camera, the movement speed of the center of the eyeball or the pupil is detected, and when the movement speed falls below a certain level, it is assumed that the person is dozing. Then, the cylinder valve is opened, and an irritating odor gas such as allyl isothiocyanate is sprayed from the spray nozzle toward the driver's nose.
JP-A-5-16694 [B60K 28/06, G08B 21/00] JP-A-6-255358 [B60H 3/00] JP-A-8-2284 [B60K 28/06] JP-A-9-240269 [B60H 3/00, B60K 28/06] JP 2002-370559 [B60K 28/06, A61B 3/113, G08B 21/06]

  In the prior arts of Patent Documents 1-4, since the fragrance (irritating odor) is sent out by the fan, even if it is released toward the driver, the fragrance (irritating odor) is also given to other passengers. As a result, passengers will be burdened.

  Further, in the prior art of Patent Document 5, it is difficult to think that allyl isothiocyanate can reach the driver's nose with only the gas pressure of the cylinder, and therefore the driver must sniff allyl isothiocyanate. Then, by all means, the injection nozzle must be arranged at the tip of the driver's nose, which interferes with the driver's driving.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a snoozing prevention device that can reliably wake up only the driver without disturbing driving.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a dozing prevention device comprising an air cannon having a discharge hole and a driving means for driving the air cannon in response to detection of dozing, thereby discharging a lump of air from the discharge hole of the air cannon. is there.

In the invention of claim 1, for example, a driver's face image is taken with a camera, for example, the computer detects the driver's dozing state from the face image, and in response to the detection of the dozing state, the computer Drive. Then, a lump of air (vortex ring) is discharged or discharged from the discharge hole of the air cannon toward the driver's face. Even if there is no fragrance, the mass of air discharged from the cannon can be awakened as if it had blown a sudden gust of wind on its face. It is possible to wake up only the driver without any burden.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the snooze prevention device according to claim 1, further comprising a wake-up fragrance supplying means for supplying the wake-up fragrance to the air cannon, wherein the mass of air includes odor particles due to the wake-up fragrance.

  In the invention of claim 2, since the odor particles of the awakening fragrance are released by the air cannon at the driver's nose, a greater awakening effect can be expected. That is, it is possible to reliably deliver the scent particles of the awakening fragrance to the driver's nose without extending the spray nozzle to the tip of the nose. Therefore, the driver can be surely awakened, and the drawbacks of the prior art that the injection nozzle interferes with driving can be solved. Further, since the odor particles are discharged from the discharge port of the air gun and reach as a lump of air, there is almost no scattering, so even if a stimulating odor or aroma for awakening is discharged by the air gun, Do not give unnecessary burden.

  The invention of claim 3 is the snooze prevention device according to claim 2, wherein the awakening fragrance supplying means includes a tank for storing the awakening fragrance, and a tube for supplying the awakening fragrance from the storing means to the discharge hole or the vicinity thereof.

  In the invention of claim 3, since the awakening fragrance is supplied to the air cannon whenever it is necessary, the stimulating odor or fragrance by the awakening fragrance is not scattered unnecessarily, it is efficient, and the driver and passengers can avoid the smell There is no burden.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the air cannon includes a housing, the discharge hole includes a cylindrical portion communicating with an inlet formed in the housing and having an outlet, and the tube supplies the awakening fragrance into the cylindrical portion. Item 4. The device for preventing snoozing according to Item 3.

  In the invention of claim 4, since the awakening fragrance is supplied from the tube into the cylindrical portion, there is no useless scattering of the awakening fragrance and it is efficient. At the same time, by keeping the awakening fragrance in the tubular portion in advance, it is possible to quickly respond to the driver's sleep.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the snooze prevention device according to claim 4, wherein an air valve that can be opened and closed is provided in the housing, the air valve is opened when the discharge hole is closed, and the air valve is closed when the discharge hole is opened.

  In the invention of claim 5, the back flow of the odor particles from the discharge hole can be prevented, and the air can be quickly filled into the housing after the discharge.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the dozing prevention apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the air cannon is arranged so that a mass of air discharged from the discharge hole reaches below the nose of the driver. is there.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since a mass of air containing odorous particles reaches under the driver's nose (nasal nostrils), the awakening effect by the awakening fragrance can be further improved.

  According to this invention, even if there is no fragrance, the mass of air discharged from the air cannon (vortex ring) can be awakened as if, for example, an instantaneous gust was blown on the face. Thus, it is possible to reliably awaken only the driver without burdening the passenger on unnecessary awakening.

  Further, if the odor particles of the awakening fragrance are mixed into the air mass from the air cannon, the odor particles can be surely delivered to the driver's nose without extending the spray nozzle to the tip of the nose. Therefore, the driver can be surely awakened, and the drawbacks of the prior art that the injection nozzle interferes with driving can be solved. Further, since the odor particles are discharged from the discharge port of the air cannon and reach as a lump of air, there is almost no scattering, so even if the stimulating odor is discharged by the air cannon, no unnecessary burden is given to the passenger.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  With reference to FIG. 1, a dozing prevention apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a vehicle 12. In FIG. 1, an automobile is illustrated as the vehicle 12. However, it should be pointed out in advance that the dozing prevention device of the present invention can be applied to any mobile body (vehicle) such as a car, a train, a vehicle such as a train, and a ship. Further, in the present invention, the dozing state is detected, but the “sleeping state” includes not only the state after entering the dozing state but also the state before entering the dozing state, that is, the state where the arousal is reduced. Please note that.

  A driver's seat 16 is provided in the driver's cab 14 of the vehicle 12, and a driver 18 sits in the driver's seat 16 and controls or drives the vehicle 12 by grasping a handle (steering wheel) 20. A first camera 22 is provided in the cab 14 and in front of the driver 18, for example, above a dashboard (not shown). The first camera 22 is a camera for detecting dozing, and captures the face of the driver 18, particularly the eyes and the vicinity thereof. However, the first camera 22 may be provided on the dashboard or below the dashboard.

  Below the dashboard, the air gun 24 and the second cameras 26 and 27 are provided integrally with the air gun 24. The air cannon 24 is for releasing a stimulating odor or aroma for awakening toward the nose (olfactory device) of the driver 18 as will be described later. The second cameras 26 and 27 are for controlling the posture of the air cannon 24, that is, the direction in which the pungent odor is emitted, and are stereo cameras that capture a whole body image of the driver 18. It should be noted that the second cameras 26 and 27 are spaced apart in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1, but only one camera is shown in FIG.

  The air cannon 24 (and the second cameras 26 and 27) may be provided on the dashboard or above each. However, a mass of air from the air cannon 24 must be discharged or discharged toward at least the face of the driver 18. If odor particles due to awakening fragrance are mixed in the air mass, the driver's nostrils are facing downward, so that at least the air cannon 24 can eject the air mass from below the nose toward the nostril entrance. It is desirable to be arranged in

  The air cannon 24 is installed on the base 28 as shown in FIG. However, in FIG. 2, illustration of the stereo cameras 26 and 27 provided integrally with the air cannon 24 is omitted. The base 28 is, for example, a metal or plastic plate, and a rotating disk 30 is provided at the center so that the rotational position in the direction of arrow A can be controlled. The rotation direction and the rotation amount (that is, the rotation position) of the rotary disk 30 are controlled by a motor described later. Therefore, the housing 34 is supported so as to be able to turn in the direction of arrow A, and its turning angle is controlled by the motor.

An angle 32 is provided on the rotating disk 30, and the housing 34 of the air cannon 24 is supported by the angle 32. That is, the angle 32 is a pair, and those angles 32
A rotary shaft 36 is passed to the upper end position of the housing 34, and a housing 34 is fixed to the rotary shaft 36. The rotation direction and the rotation amount (that is, the rotation position) of the rotation shaft 36 are controlled by a motor described later. Therefore, the housing 34 is supported so as to be able to be raised and lowered in the direction of the arrow B, and the elevation angle is controlled by the motor.

  A housing 34 of the air gun 24 is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole by a material such as plastic, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, and a through hole 42 is formed at the center of the front plate 38 of the housing 34. A cylindrical body 44 is attached on the front surface of the front plate 38 so as to surround the through hole 42. A discharge hole 46 of the air cannon 24 is formed by the cylindrical body 44 (and the through hole 42). Therefore, in the air cannon 24 of this embodiment, the discharge hole 46 is configured to be able to rotate or rotate vertically and horizontally.

  The overall shape of the air cannon 24 is not limited to the rectangular parallelepiped of the embodiment, and may be a cylindrical shape or a triangular or polygonal cylindrical shape.

  The back plate 48 of the housing 34 of the air gun 24 is formed of a soft material such as a soft plastic plate or a rubber plate. An electromagnetic solenoid 50 is disposed behind the back plate 48, and a plunger 52 is provided on the solenoid 50 so as to be able to advance and retract. That is, when a drive current is applied to the solenoid 50, the solenoid 50 is energized, the plunger 52 pops forward, and the plunger 52 strikes the back plate 48. Accordingly, the back plate 48 is pushed inward, and pressure is instantaneously applied in the housing 34. By this pressure, air is discharged or discharged straight from the discharge hole 46 of the front plate 38 of the housing 34. It has been confirmed by experiments by the inventors that the reach distance of the air reaches several meters although it depends on the size (volume) of the housing 34 and the pressure applied by the plunger 52.

  On the front plate 38 of the housing 34, a tank 54 for storing a fragrance that gives a stimulating odor or fragrance for awakening (collectively referred to as “waken up fragrance”) is further provided. The awakening fragrance is brought into the cylindrical body 44, that is, into the discharge hole 46 through the head 56 and the tube 58.

  In this embodiment, a fragrance (fragrance) is used as the awakening fragrance. Examples of such fragrances include natural fragrances, synthetic fragrances, and blended fragrances thereof. Examples of natural fragrances include citrus essential oils such as lemon, orange and bergamot, neroli (orange flowers), jasmine and rose. Flower essential oil, peppermint oil, fennel oil, anise oil, camphor oil, basil (mebuki), black pepper, cassia (cinnamon), clove, Iran and Iran. Synthetic fragrances include formic acid esters, acetic acid esters, methyl salicylate, borneol, menthol, camphor, cineol, methyl jasmonate, and the like. Furthermore, for example, allyl isothiocyanate used in the prior art can be used.

  FIG. 3 is a top view of the air cannon 24 shown in FIG. For simplicity, illustration of the base 28, the tank 54, and the like is omitted in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4 which is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3, a shutter 62 and a shutter 64 are provided to open and close both ends of the cylindrical body 44, that is, the through holes 42 and the outlet 60. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the illustration of these shutters is omitted for easy understanding.

  The shutter 62 and the shutter 64 are supported by a shaft 66, the shutter 62 is fixedly attached to one end of the shaft 66, and the shutter 64 is fixedly attached to the other end of the shaft 66. Therefore, when the shaft 66 is rotated, the shutter 62 and the shutter 64 are also rotated.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the shutter 62 (the same applies to the shutter 64) is formed in a disc shape, and a shaft hole 68 through which the shaft 66 passes is provided at the center thereof. The shutter 62 is provided with fan-shaped cutouts (slits) 70 and 72, and the slit 70 and the slit 72 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center point of the shutter 62.

  As can be seen from FIG. 4, the shutter 62 and the shutter 64 are fixed to the shaft 66 so that the through hole 42 and the outlet 60 are simultaneously opened and closed. That is, when the shutters 62 and 64 are rotated simultaneously (synchronously) by a rotation mechanism described later, the through hole (that is, the inlet of the discharge hole 44) 42 and the outlet 60 are simultaneously opened and closed.

  Note that the slits 70 and 72 are not necessarily limited to the shape shown in FIG. 5, and may have other shapes.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an air hole 76 is formed in the bottom surface 74 of the housing 34, and a shutter (air valve) 78 that opens and closes the air hole 76 is provided. The shutter 78 is formed in a plate shape, for example, and although not shown, the air hole 76 is opened and closed by a slide (thread) mechanism. However, the shutter 78 may be formed in the same shape as the shutter 62 and the shutter 64, and the air hole 76 may be opened and closed by a rotation mechanism.

  In the air cannon 24 having such a configuration, after detecting the driver's dozing as described later, the three-dimensional position of the human nose is specified by the cameras 26 and 27, and the air cannon 24, that is, the outlet 60 of the discharge hole 46. When the direction is determined, the shutter 62 and the shutter 64 close the inlet 42 and the outlet 60 of the discharge hole 46, and the shutter 78 closes the air hole 76. However, the shutters 62, 64 and 78 may be always closed. That is, the inside of the discharge hole 46 is a closed space. When the head 56 is driven in this state, the awakening fragrance is dropped into the cylindrical body 44, that is, the inside of the discharge hole 46, and the odor particles for awakening are enclosed.

  Next, the shutter 62 and the shutter 64 are rotated to open the inlet 42 and the outlet 60. Then, the solenoid 60 is energized to drive the plunger 52. In response, the back plate 48 of the housing 34 is pressed, and the irritating odor odor particles sealed in the discharge hole 46 are discharged as shown in FIG. The length of the arrow at the outlet 60 in FIG. 6 (A) represents the magnitude of the discharge speed. Therefore, the velocity distribution of the irritating odor odor particles discharged or discharged from the air cannon 24 is initially at the center. Large and small at the periphery. As time passes, the odor particles discharged from the discharge hole 46, that is, the outlet 60, form a spiral from the center of the discharge hole 46 toward the periphery as shown in FIG. 6B. Therefore, the odor particles discharged from the discharge hole 46, that is, the outlet 60, form a vortex ring 80 as shown in FIG. 6C, and the odor particles remain in the shape of the vortex ring 80 and the nose of the driver 18 (FIG. 1). Reach up to. Therefore, the odor particles are not scattered, so that the irritating odor is not unnecessarily given to the passenger. However, although not obvious in FIG. 6C, the vortex ring 80 has a so-called donut shape or ring shape.

  Further, as described above, since the odor particles are enclosed in the cylindrical body 44, it is possible to prevent the odor particles from leaking outside the air cannon 24 or inside the housing 34 before being released. In other words, since it is sufficient to enclose the minimum required odor particles in the cylinder, waste of odor particles can be eliminated.

The volume of air in the housing 34 that decreases when the back plate 48 is pressed becomes the same as or larger than the volume of the cylinder 44 (the size of the housing 34 and the cylinder 44). ), Electrical (value of the drive current applied to the solenoid 50), or both, the odor particles enclosed in the cylinder 44 can be released without waste.

  When the odor particles are released, the shutter 62 and the shutter 64 are rotated to close the inlet 42 and the outlet 60 of the discharge hole 46. Simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with this, when the shutter 78 is opened and the back plate 48 pressed by the plunger 52 returns to the original state, the housing 34 is filled with air from the air holes 76. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the odor particles emitted from the outlet 60 from flowing back into the housing 34.

  It should be noted that by adjusting the pressure applied from the plunger 52 to the back plate 48, the distance that the irritating odor (odorous particles) reaches can be adjusted. However, the relationship between the pressure applied from the plunger 52 to the back plate 48, that is, the driving current of the solenoid 50 and the reach distance of the air (irritating odor) discharged from the discharge hole 46 of the air cannon 24 is confirmed in advance by experiments or the like. There is a need.

  As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 7, the dozing prevention apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a computer 82, in which camera signals from the first camera 22 and the second cameras 26 and 27 are A / D converted, respectively. It is input via devices 84 and 86.

  As described above, the first camera 22 is a camera for detecting dozing, and the second cameras 26 and 27 are stereo cameras for controlling the attitude of the air gun 24. Images (captured images) photographed by the first camera 22 and the second cameras 26 and 27 are converted into digital data by the A / D converter 84 and the A / D converters 86 and 87, respectively, and are given to the computer 82. It is done.

  Further, the computer 50 is connected to the solenoid 50, the elevation motor 88, the turning motor 90, and the shutter motors 92 and 94.

  The solenoid 50 is excited by a drive current from a driver (not shown) that operates according to a command signal from the computer 82, thereby driving a plunger 52 that is mechanically coupled to the solenoid 50 so as to be immersible.

  The elevation motor 88 is a motor for rotating the rotary shaft 36 (FIG. 2), and the turning motor 90 is a motor for rotating the rotary disk 30 (FIG. 2). The raising / lowering motor 88 is rotated in accordance with a drive signal from the computer 82 given through a motor driver (not shown). Therefore, the computer 82 controls the elevation motor 88 to control the elevation angle in the direction of arrow B in FIG. Similarly, the turning motor 90 is rotated in accordance with a drive signal from the computer 82 given through a motor driver (not shown). Therefore, the computer 82 controls the turning motor 90 to control the turning angle in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  The shutter motor 92 is a motor for rotating the rotary shaft 66 (FIG. 4). The shutter motor 92 is rotated in accordance with a drive signal from the computer 82 given through a motor driver (not shown). Therefore, the computer 82 can open and close the two shutters 62 and 64 of FIG. 4 simultaneously by controlling the shutter motor 92.

  The shutter motor 94 is a motor for opening and closing the shutter 78 shown in FIG. That is, the computer 82 can open and close the shutter 78 on the bottom surface of the housing 34 in FIG. 4 by controlling the shutter motor 94.

  Further, the head 56 is connected to the computer 82. In this embodiment, the head 56 is configured, for example, in the same manner as a Kaiser type head using a piezo element applied to an ink jet printer. By applying a voltage to the piezo element attached to the head, the tank 54 (FIG. The droplets of the awakening fragrance supplied from 2) can be discharged. That is, the computer 82 drives the head 56 when the scent particles of the awakening fragrance should be enclosed in the discharge hole 46 (FIG. 4). However, the driving voltage of the head 56 is supplied from a head driver (not shown).

  In such a dozing prevention apparatus 10, the computer 82 executes a time interrupt routine (interrupt routine executed at regular intervals) shown in FIG. That is, in the first step S1 of FIG. 8, the computer 82 captures the camera signal from the first camera 22 and detects whether the driver 18 (FIG. 1) is in the dozing state. As an example, the computer 82 calculates the movement speed of the center (pupil) of the driver's eyes by performing image processing on the camera signal from the first camera 22, and if the movement speed is equal to or less than a reference value, the computer 82 It is determined that

  However, any other known method can be used as a method for determining whether or not the camera signal is asleep from the camera signal. For example, when the open / closed state of the eyelid is detected and the eyelid is closed for a certain time or more. You may make it judge that it is a dozing state.

  Further, in order to detect the driver's drowsiness state, for example, a method of checking an electroencephalogram, another biological signal, or a biological parameter may be employed in addition to a method of performing image processing on the camera signal.

  Then, as a result of the detection in step S1, it is determined in step S3 whether or not it is a doze state. If “NO” in this step S3, the subsequent routine is directly exited without performing the subsequent processing.

  If “YES” in the step S3, that is, if the driver's dozing state is detected, the computer 82 detects the three-dimensional position of the driver's olfactory device (nose) in the next step S5. That is, a human whole body image is extracted from the captured images of the stereo cameras 26 and 27 by the background subtraction method, and a face region is recognized from the extracted whole body image. The face area is recognized through a contour line extraction process from the whole body image and a feature point detection process from the contour line. Subsequently, a skin color area is extracted from the face area, and the center (center of gravity) of the skin color area is specified as a nose as an olfactory device.

  Subsequently, the three-dimensional position of the nose is specified by the triangulation method from the three-dimensional positions of the stereo cameras 26 and 27 and the result of the image analysis. That is, the three-dimensional positions of the second cameras 26 and 27 can be known in advance, and the line connecting them (base line) can also be known in advance. Next, the distance between each of the two cameras 26 and 27 and the nose is obtained by obtaining the angle formed by the identified nose position with respect to the base line based on the directions of the cameras 26 and 27 when the photographed images are taken. And the direction (angle) can be calculated. Therefore, the three-dimensional position of the nose is detected (specified).

  Further, since the three-dimensional position of the air cannon 24 can be known in advance, when the three-dimensional position of the human nose is specified, the distance between the air cannon 24 and the nose and the outlet 60 of the discharge hole of the air cannon 24 are determined. (FIG. 4) The orientation can be determined.

Subsequently, in step S7, the direction of the air gun 24 is controlled. That is, in accordance with the three-dimensional position of the nose specified based on the result of the process in step S5, the computer 82 drives at least one of the elevation motor 88 and the turning motor 90, and the outlet 60 moves to the driver 18 (FIG. 1). )
The attitude of the air cannon 24 is controlled so as to face the nose.

  In subsequent step S9, the computer 82 controls the shutter motors 92 and 94 to close all the shutters 62, 64 and 78 (FIG. 4), and prepares for enclosing the awakening fragrance in the cylinder 44.

  In step S <b> 11, the computer 82 drives the head 56 and releases the awakening fragrance from the tank 54 into the cylindrical body 44. The computer 82 controls the shutter motor 92 again to open the two shutters 62 and 64 in step S13 in anticipation of the timing at which the awakening fragrance is filled into the cylindrical body 44.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 15, the solenoid 50, that is, the plunger 52 is driven to apply pressure (impact) to the back plate 48 of the housing 34. Therefore, the vortex ring 80 (FIG. 6) of the scent particle of the awakening fragrance enclosed in the cylinder 44, that is, the inside of the discharge hole 46 flies toward the nose of the driver 18. Therefore, the driver 18 can be expected to wake up from the dozing state by the stimulus caused by the impact and the stimulating odor caused by the awakening fragrance.

  When the odor particles are released, in step S17, the motor 92 is controlled to close the shutter 62 and the shutter 64, and in the next step S19, the motor 94 is controlled to open the shutter 78, and the process is terminated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the stereo cameras 26 and 27 are used to specify the three-dimensional position of the driver's nose, but the video from either one of these cameras 26 and 27 and the first camera Since the three-dimensional position can be known from the video from 22, one of the cameras 26 and 27 can be omitted.

  Needless to say, the shape of the shutter shown in the above-described embodiments is not limited to this, and various shapes can be adopted. For example, a shutter of a feather diaphragm mechanism can be used. Alternatively, it is not always necessary to use a shutter.

  Furthermore, a cylinder or the like is not necessary. In this case, it is only necessary to form a discharge port (through hole) on the front plate 38 of the housing 34.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment, in order to prevent leakage and backflow of odor particles, two shutters are provided to open and close both openings of the cylinder. However, when only backflow of odor particles is to be prevented, Any one shutter may be provided.

  In the embodiment, only one awakening fragrance is used. However, any number of awakening fragrances can be used simultaneously or sequentially. In that case, the tank 54, the head 56, and the tube 58 shown in FIG. 4 may be provided in that number so that the tip of each tube faces the cylindrical body 44.

  In the embodiment, the liquid of the awakening fragrance is supplied into the cylindrical body 44 and is vaporized in the cylindrical body 44 to obtain odor particles. However, the odor particles may be supplied directly from the gas cylinder into the cylindrical body 44. In this case, the time required for the awakening fragrance to vaporize can be shortened, and the quick response is improved.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the air cannon is driven in response to the detection of falling asleep, thereby discharging a lump of air containing scent particles of the awakening fragrance on the nose of the driver's face. However, it is possible to prevent falling asleep without using such awakening fragrance. That is, even if there is no fragrance, the lump of air discharged from the air cannon can give a stimulus such as tapping a hand near the face, and the stimulus can provide an awakening effect. Is. In other words, for example, the awakening effect is obtained as if an instantaneous gust was blown on the face. Therefore, the present invention includes a configuration in which the air cannon is simply discharged toward the driver's face by the air cannon.

It is an illustration figure which shows an example of a structure of the dozing prevention apparatus of this invention. It is an illustration figure which shows an example of the air cannon used for the FIG. 1 Example. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the air cannon of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of a shutter provided in the air cannon of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing how scent particles of awakening fragrance are discharged from the air cannon of FIG. 2. It is a block diagram which shows the dozing prevention apparatus of FIG. 1 Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of FIG. 1 Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Dozing prevention device 12 ... Vehicle 14 ... Driver's cab 16 ... Driver's seat 18 ... Driver 22 ... First camera 24 ... Air cannon 26, 27 ... Second camera 82 ... Computer

Claims (6)

A doze prevention device comprising: an air cannon having a discharge hole; and drive means for driving the air cannon in response to detection of falling asleep, thereby releasing a mass of air from the discharge hole of the air cannon. Awakening fragrance supply means for supplying wakening fragrance to the air cannon is further provided,
The dozing prevention apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mass of air includes odor particles from the awakening fragrance.   The doze prevention device according to claim 2, wherein the awakening fragrance supply means includes a tank that stores the awakening fragrance, and a tube that supplies the awakening fragrance from the storage means to the discharge hole or the vicinity thereof. The air cannon includes a housing;
The discharge hole includes a cylindrical portion that communicates with an inlet formed in the housing and has an outlet.
The doze prevention device according to claim 3, wherein the tube supplies the awakening fragrance into the cylindrical portion. An air valve that can be opened and closed is provided in the housing,
The doze prevention device according to claim 4, wherein the air valve is opened when the discharge hole is closed, and the air valve is closed when the discharge hole is opened.   The dozing prevention device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the air cannon is arranged so that the mass of air discharged from the discharge hole reaches below a driver's nose.

Images