JP3374613B2 - Low alertness device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wakefulness alarm device which detects awakening weakness of drivers of various vehicles, plant supervisors and the like and issues an alarm.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional alertness lowering warning device described in JP-A-6-219181 and JP-A-6-270711. FIG. 37
In the figure, 10 is a closed eye sensor, 20 is a feature extraction means, 3
Reference numeral 0 is an awakening degree determination means, and 40 is an alarm means.

The operation of the conventional alertness lowering warning device will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the operation of the conventional device. First, as an initial setting, "500m
Then, the timer is cleared (step S1). The eye-closing sensor 10 including a camera or the like for capturing an image of an eyeball portion images an eyeball portion of a subject illuminated by light from a light source, extracts a pupil region of the eyeball portion from the captured image, and performs the eye-closing operation. Detect (step S
2). The feature extracting means 20 first extracts the eye-closing duration and the like from the detected eye-closing operation (step S3). Next, it is determined whether or not the eye closing duration exceeds 500 ms (step S4). This threshold value is set in advance and is usually set based on the fact that the eyes closed of a human at the time of awakening are about 200 ms or less, and the eyes closed for 500 ms or more when the awakening degree decreases. . When the eye-closing duration exceeds 500 ms, the eye-closing duration is added to the total eye-closing duration (step S5). When the time interval of awakening degree determination is 1 minute, it is determined whether or not the timer has reached 1 minute (step S6), and after 1 minute, the awakening degree determination means 30 "total eye-closing duration of eyes closed exceeding 500 ms". Is determined to exceed 15 seconds (step S
7). In the awakening degree determination means 30, the total eye closed duration is 1
If it exceeds 5 seconds, it is determined that the wakefulness has decreased (step S
8) Then, an alarm is given by a predetermined buzzer sound or the like (step S9). If the total eye-closing duration does not exceed 15 seconds, it is determined that the user is awake (step S1).
0). This completes the awakening level determination at the first time interval, clears the total eye-closing duration and the timer (step S101), returns to step S2, and repeats the awakening level determination operation at the next time interval. To do.

[0004]

The conventional alertness lowering warning device is constructed as described above, and when the alertness lowering is detected, a warning is given by a predetermined warning means. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an operation example in which a decrease in awakening of a subject is detected and an alarm is issued by a conventional low awakening warning device. The horizontal axis of this graph is time t (minutes), and the vertical axis is the total eye-closing duration of eyes closed exceeding 500 ms. When the total eye-closing duration of eyes closing exceeding 500 ms exceeds 15 seconds, a buzzer alarm is issued. Indicates that you are doing. As can be seen from this figure, the effect of the first warning is about 5 minutes until the second warning is issued, but the effects of the second and subsequent warnings gradually decrease, and the fifth warning Subsequent warnings are completely ineffective. In addition, in this example, the effect of the first warning is about 5 minutes, but depending on the subject, the effect of about 5 minutes may not be obtained. As described above, in the conventional device, the same warning is given to all the target persons regardless of whether or not the alarm is effective for the target person. Further, even when the decrease in awakening is repeatedly detected, the same alarm means is always used to give an alarm, so that the subject becomes accustomed to the alarm, and as a result, the awakening effect of the alarm disappears.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and gives an effective warning to each subject, and is always effective even when repeated awakening lowering is detected. It is an object of the present invention to obtain an alertness lowering alarm device capable of issuing a certain alarm.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor for measuring at least information relating to awakening degree of a subject, and a feature amount relating to awakening degree is extracted from an output signal of the sensor. Feature extraction means, based on the feature amount extracted by this feature extraction means, for alertness determination means for determining the awakening degree, when the subject is determined by the awakening degree determination means to be in a state of low awakening, to issue an alarm According to the plurality of warning means, and the time interval from the last time it is determined to be in the awakened state to the current state in which the awakened state is determined to be,
An alarm selecting unit for selecting an alarm unit to be activated from a plurality of alarm units is provided.

Further, a wakefulness lowering warning device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a sensor for measuring at least information relating to the wakefulness of a subject, and a feature extracting means for extracting a feature amount related to the wakefulness from an output signal of this sensor. , A plurality of alarms for issuing an alarm when the target person is determined to be in an awakened state by the awakening degree determination means and the awakening degree determination means based on the feature amount extracted by the feature extraction means And an alarm selection unit that selects an alarm unit to be activated from among a plurality of alarm units based on the change in the feature amount from the last determination of the awakened state to the current determination of the awakened state. It is a thing.

In addition to the alarm device according to claim 3 of the present invention, in addition to the alarm device according to claim 1 or 2, there is provided an optimum alarm storage means for storing an alarm means determined to have a large awakening effect, The stored warning means is preferentially used when it is determined that the alertness is lowered.

Further, a wakefulness lowering warning device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is, in addition to the one of the first or second aspect, provided with a warning selection input means by which a subject can select a warning, and the selected warning means is provided. When it is determined that the wakefulness is lowered, it is preferentially used.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wakefulness lowering alarm device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1
In the figure, 11 is a sensor that measures information related to the arousal level of the target person, for example, a steering wheel operation sensor, 21 is a feature extraction unit that extracts a feature amount related to the arousal level from the output of the sensor 11, and 31 is the extracted feature amount. Awakening degree determining means for determining the awakening degree based on the above, 51 is a warning selecting means for selecting a warning means to be used when a warning is issued, 41a, 41
b and 41c are alarm means A for issuing an alarm,
Alarm means B and alarm means C, for example, each alarm means 4
Although 1a, 41b and 41c are all alarms by melody sound, different melody sounds such as the alarm means A is a melody sound a, the alarm means B is a melody sound b, and the alarm means C is a melody sound c. In the first embodiment, the target person is, for example, the driver of the vehicle, and information relating to the driver's awakening degree is, for example, the steering wheel operation angle θ.
(Degree).

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the steering wheel operation angle θ (degrees) when awakening and when awakening is lowered. The horizontal axis of this graph indicates time t (seconds). As can be seen from the figure, the steering wheel operation angle during awakening is about 10 degrees, and fine operation is performed, but when the awakening gradually decreases, the steering wheel operation angle becomes 20 degrees or more. FIG. 3 shows the standard deviation of the steering wheel operation angle per minute based on the detected steering wheel operation angle, and shows the change over time. The horizontal axis is time in minutes. As can be seen from the figure, the standard deviation of the steering wheel operating angle during awakening is about 5 degrees, but when the awakening gradually decreases, it becomes 10
More than once. Utilizing this, in the first embodiment, the standard deviation of the steering wheel operation angle is extracted as a feature amount related to the awakening degree, and the awakening degree is determined.

[0012] Hereinafter, regarding the operation of issuing the alertness reduction,
Description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG. First, the timer is cleared as an initial setting (step S11). The steering wheel operation angle sensor 11 detects the steering wheel operation angle by the driver by measuring the rotation angle of the steering wheel (step S).
12). In the feature extraction means 21, the determination time interval (for example, 1
Min) to extract the standard deviation of the steering wheel operation angle (step S13). Based on the extracted standard deviation of the steering wheel operation angle, the awakening degree determination means 31 determines the awakening degree (step S14). That is, when the standard deviation of the steering wheel operation angle does not exceed 10 degrees, it is determined that the vehicle is in an awake state (step S1).
5). When the standard deviation of the steering wheel operation angle exceeds 10 degrees, it is determined that the awakening state is in decline (step S16).

When it is determined that the awakening state is low, an alarm is issued. When issuing an alarm, the alarm selecting means 51 selects the alarm means. That is, in the awakening degree determination after the timer has been cleared, there are cases where it is first determined that the awakening state is low,
If it is the first warning, it is determined whether the warning generated according to the determination of the awakening state in step S16 is the first warning (step S17). If the warning is the first warning, , Alarm means A is selected (step S18). If the alarm is the second alarm or later, the alarm means is selected based on the value of the timer (step S19). The timer here measures the time interval from the time when the awakening lowering state was determined last time to the time when the awakening lowering state was determined this time, and the alarm generation interval is measured. The value of the timer is 0 at the time of the first alarm. If the alarm is the second or later alarm, the alarm means is changed unless the timer exceeds 5 minutes (step S1).
10). For example, when the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means A, the warning means B is selected. When the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means B, the warning means C is selected. When the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means C, the warning means A is selected. If the alarm is the second or later, the timer will
If it exceeds the minute, the alarm means selects the same as the previous one (step S111). If the alarm means is selected, an alarm is issued by the selected alarm means (step S11).
2). That is, if the alarm means A is selected, the melody sound a, and if the alarm means B is selected, the melody sound b,
If the alarm means C is selected, an alarm is given by the melody sound c. When the alarm ends, the timer is cleared (step S113) and the process returns to step S12.

FIG. 5 shows an operation example in which the alertness lowering device of the first embodiment detects the alertness lowering of the subject and gives an alarm. The horizontal axis of this graph is time t (minutes), and the vertical axis is the standard deviation of the steering wheel operating angle. When the standard deviation of the steering wheel operating angle exceeds 10 degrees, an alarm is issued by the melody sounds a, b, and c. Indicates that In this operation example, the effect of the first melody sound a is small, so the second melody sound b is used for warning. Further, since the effect of the alarm by the melody sound b is reduced in the sixth time, the alarm is issued by the melody sound c in the seventh time.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when it is determined that the wakefulness is lowered and the alarm is issued, the alarm is issued with the same melody sound as the previous time only when the elapsed time from the previous alarm is longer than the predetermined time, If the elapsed time from the previous alarm is shorter than the specified time, the previous melody sound is considered to have a small effect, and since it is changed to another melody sound and an alarm is issued, a melody sound with a large awakening effect for each subject is selected. Then
An alarm can be given. Also, the subject gets used to the alarm,
It is possible to prevent the alert effect from disappearing and always give an alert with the alert effect.

In the first embodiment, the alarm means A,
B and C are the same kind of alarms with melody sounds,
Although the melody sounds are different from each other, the melody sounds are not limited to the melody sounds. For example, the alarm means A, B, and C may be the same kind of alarms by sound, and sounds with different contents.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the alertness lowering warning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 12 is a sensor that measures information related to the arousal level of the subject, for example, a skin potential sensor that detects the potential of the skin, 22 is a feature extraction means that extracts a feature amount related to the arousal level from the output of the sensor 12, 32 is an awakening degree determining means for determining an awakening degree based on the extracted feature amount, 5
Reference numeral 2 is an alarm selecting means for selecting an alarm means to be used when an alarm is issued, and 42a, 42b and 42c are an alarm means A, an alarm means B and an alarm means C, respectively, for issuing an alarm. The warning means 42a, 42b, 42c are all the same kind of warning by a buzzer sound, but the warning means A has a low volume, the warning means B has a medium volume, and the warning means C has a high volume. In the second embodiment, the information related to the driver's arousal level is the skin potential, and the feature amount is the average skin potential.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the average skin potential (mV) when awakening and when awakening is lowered. The horizontal axis of this graph indicates time t (minutes). As can be seen from the figure, the average skin potential during awakening is about several mV, but when the awakening gradually decreases, the skin potential rises, showing a value of about several tens mV. Utilizing this, in the second embodiment, the arousal level is determined by the value of the average skin potential.

Hereinafter, regarding the operation for issuing the alertness reduction,
A description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG. First, the timer is cleared as an initial setting (step S21). The skin potential sensor 12 is attached to, for example, the arm or palm of the subject and detects the skin potential (step S22). The feature extracting unit 22 extracts the average skin potential at the determination time interval (for example, 1 minute) (step S23). Based on the extracted value of the average skin potential, the arousal level determination means 32 determines the arousal level (step S24). That is, if the average skin potential value does not exceed, for example, 10 mV, it is determined to be in the awake state (step S25), and if the average skin potential value exceeds 10 mV, it is determined to be in the awake state (step S2).
6).

When it is determined that the awakening state is low, an alarm is issued. When issuing an alarm, the alarm selecting means 52 selects the alarm means. That is, similarly to the first embodiment, it is determined whether the alarm is the first alarm (step S27), and when the alarm is the first alarm, the alarm means A is selected (step S28). If the alarm is the second alarm or later, the alarm means is selected based on the value of the timer (step S29). Similar to the first embodiment, the timer here measures the time from the occurrence of the previous alarm to the generation of the next alarm, and the value of the timer is set to 0 during the first alarm. If the alarm has been issued for the second time and thereafter, the alarm means is changed unless the timer exceeds 5 minutes (step S210).
For example, when the alarm means at the time of the previous alarm is the alarm means A,
The alarm means B is selected. When the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means B, the warning means C is selected. When the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means C, the warning means A is selected.
If the alarm has been issued for the second time or later and the timer has exceeded 5 minutes, the alarm means selects the same as the previous one (step S211). If the alarm means is selected, an alarm is issued by the selected alarm means (step S212). That is,
If the warning means A is selected, a low-volume buzzer sound is issued, if the warning means B is selected, a low-volume buzzer sound is issued, and if the warning means C is selected, a high-volume buzzer sound is issued. When the alarm ends, the timer is cleared (step S213) and the process returns to step S22.

FIG. 9 shows an operation example in which the alertness lowering alarm device of the second embodiment detects the alertness lowering of the subject and gives an alarm. The horizontal axis of this graph is time t (minutes), and the vertical axis is the average skin potential. When this average skin potential exceeds 10 mV, a low volume buzzer sound, a middle volume buzzer sound, and a high volume buzzer alarm are issued. Indicates that you are doing. In this operation example, since the effect of the first buzzer sound with a low volume is small, the second time the buzzer sound during the volume is used for the alarm. Further, since the warning effect by the buzzer sound during the volume is reduced in the fifth time, the warning is issued by the buzzer sound with a high volume in the sixth time.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the average skin potential is extracted as the characteristic amount relating to the arousal level, and the buzzer sound is used in the alertness reduction state. When performing the alarm, a buzzer sound with the same volume as the previous warning is issued only when the elapsed time from the previous alarm is longer than the specified time, and when the elapsed time from the previous alarm is shorter than the specified time, It is assumed that the buzzer sound has a small effect, and the buzzer sound of another volume is changed to give an alarm. Therefore, the buzzer sound of a volume having a large awakening effect for each subject can be selected to give an alarm. It also prevents the subject from becoming accustomed to the alarm and losing the alertness of the alarm.
You can always give alerts that have awakening effect.

In the second embodiment, the alarm means A,
Although B and C are the same type of alarms with buzzer sounds and have different buzzer sounds respectively, they are not limited to buzzer sounds. For example, the alarm means A, B, and C are all blown from the air conditioner, Different air volumes may be used. In the second embodiment, when changing the alarm means, if the alarm means at the time of the previous alarm is the alarm means C, the alarm means A is selected. However, the alarm means at the time of the previous alarm is alarmed. In the case of the means C, the warning means A may not be selected and the warning means C may be continuously selected.

Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wakefulness lowering alarm device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 13 is a sensor that measures information related to the arousal level of the subject, for example, an electroencephalogram sensor, 23 is a feature extraction unit that extracts a feature amount related to the arousal level from the output of the sensor 13, and 33 is an extracted feature amount. Awakening degree determining means for determining the awakening degree based on the above, 53 is a warning selecting means for selecting a warning means to be used when a warning is issued, 43a,
Reference numerals 43b and 43c are warning means A, warning means B, and warning means C for issuing warnings. For example, although the warning means 43a, 43b, and 43c are all warnings of the same kind due to vibration of the seat, The means A is longitudinal vibration, the alarm means B is lateral vibration, and the alarm means C is vertical vibration.
The vibration directions are different. In the third embodiment, the information related to the awakening degree of the driver is the brain wave, and the feature amount is the intensity of the α wave (8 to 13 Hz) in the brain wave.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the intensity of α waves in the electroencephalogram during awakening and when awakening is decreased. The horizontal axis of this graph represents time t (minutes), and the vertical axis represents α wave intensity (mV). As can be seen from the figure, the α-wave intensity at the time of awakening is about several mV, but when the awakening gradually decreases, it shows a value of about several tens mV. Utilizing this, in the third embodiment, the arousal level is determined based on the α wave intensity in the electroencephalogram.

The operation for issuing the alertness reduction alarm will be described below.
Description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG. First, the timer is cleared as an initial setting (step S31). The brain wave sensor 13 is attached to the subject's head and detects a brain wave (step S32). The feature extracting means 23 extracts the α-wave intensity in the electroencephalogram (step S33). Based on the extracted α wave intensity, the awakening degree determination means 33 determines the awakening degree (step S34). That is, when the α wave intensity does not exceed 10 mV, it is determined that the user is awake (step S35),
When the α wave intensity exceeds 10 mV, it is determined that the state is in awake state (step S36).

When it is determined that the awakening state is low, an alarm is issued. When issuing an alarm, the alarm selecting means 53 selects the alarm means. That is, similarly to the first embodiment, it is determined whether the alarm is the first alarm (step S37), and when the alarm is the first alarm, the alarm means A is selected (step S38). If the alarm is the second alarm or later, the alarm means is selected based on the value of the timer (step S39). The timer here measures the time from the occurrence of the previous alarm to the generation of the next alarm, and the value of the timer is set to 0 during the first alarm. If the alarm is the second or later alarm, the alarm means is changed unless the timer exceeds 5 minutes (step S310). For example, when the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means A, the warning means B is selected. When the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means B, the warning means C is selected. The alarm means at the time of the previous alarm is the alarm means C.
In the case of, the alarm means A is selected. If the alarm has been issued for the second time or later and the timer has exceeded 5 minutes, the alarm means selects the same as the previous one (step S311). If the alarm means is selected, an alarm is given by the selected alarm means (step S312). That is, if the warning means A is selected, the front-back vibration is issued, if the warning means B is selected, the left-right vibration is issued, and if the warning means C is selected, the vertical vibration is issued. When the alarm ends, the timer is cleared (step S313) and the process returns to step S32.

FIG. 13 shows an operation example in which the alertness lowering device of the third embodiment detects the alertness of the subject and gives an alarm. The horizontal axis of this graph is time t (minutes), and the vertical axis is α-wave intensity, which indicates that when the α-wave intensity exceeds 10 mV, a warning is issued by the seat longitudinal vibration, the seat lateral vibration, and the seat vertical vibration. . In this operation example, the effect of the third vibration of the seat front-back vibration is small, so that the fourth warning is issued by the lateral vibration of the seat. Also, the sixth
Since the effect of the vibration due to the left and right vibration of the seat has decreased, the warning is given by the vibration of the seat up and down for the 7th time. Further, since the effect of the vertical vibration of the seat is less effective in the eighth time, the alarm is issued again by the vibration of the seat back and forth in the ninth time.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the α-wave intensity of the electroencephalogram is extracted as the characteristic amount related to the arousal level, and the alarm is issued by the vibration of the seat in the awakening lowering state, but the same as in the first embodiment. When an alarm is issued, an alarm is issued in the same vibration direction as the previous time only if the elapsed time from the previous alarm is longer than the specified time. If the elapsed time from the previous alarm is shorter than the specified time, the previous vibration is issued. Since the effect is small in the direction and the alarm is issued by changing to another vibration direction, the alarm can be issued by selecting the vibration direction having the great awakening effect for each subject. Further, it is possible to prevent the subject from getting accustomed to the alert and lose the alertness effect due to the alert, and to always give the alert with the alertness effect.

In the third embodiment, the alarm means A,
B and C are the same kind of alarms due to the vibration of the seats and have different vibration directions, but the vibrations are not limited to the vibrations of the seats. For example, the alarm means A, B and C are all based on the karmic device. The stimuli may be different, such as tapping, humming, and male.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the structure of the alertness lowering warning device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 14 is a sensor that measures information relating to the arousal level of the subject, for example, an eye-closing sensor that detects the eye-closing motion of the subject, and 24 is feature extraction means that extracts a feature amount related to the arousal level from the output of the sensor 14. , 34 are awakening degree determining means for determining the awakening degree based on the extracted feature amount, and are provided with a "wakefulness determination number counter" for counting the number of times the awakening degree is determined. The "awakening degree judgment number counter" is incremented every time the awakening degree is judged (for example, every one minute), and has the same function as a timer for measuring an alarm generation interval. Reference numeral 54 is an alarm selecting means for selecting an alarm means to be used when an alarm is issued, and 44a, 44b and 44c are an alarm means A, an alarm means B and an alarm means C for issuing an alarm. The warning means 44a, 44b, 44c are all different kinds of warning means. The warning means A is a melody sound, the warning means B is an aroma gas, and the warning means C is a cold air from an air conditioner. The aroma gas promotes the arousal effect, and is, for example, menthol or citrus aroma gas. In the fourth embodiment, the information regarding the awakening degree of the driver is the eye-closing operation, and the feature amount is the eye-closing frequency C within a certain time interval.
I am trying.

FIG. 15 shows the number C of eyes closed during awakening and when awakening is lowered.
It is a graph which shows. The horizontal axis of this graph is time t (minutes)
The vertical axis represents a fixed detection time interval, for example, the number of eye closures per minute. As can be seen from the figure, the number of eyes closed at the time of awakening is about 30, but when the awakening gradually decreases, the number of eyes closed decreases to a value of about 10 to 20 times. Utilizing this, in the fourth embodiment, the arousal level is determined by the number of eyes closed per minute.

The operation for issuing the alertness reduction alarm will be described below.
Description will be made based on the flowchart of FIG. First, as an initial setting, the "awakening degree judgment number counter" is cleared (step S41). The eye-closing sensor 14 is, for example, the same as that of the conventional apparatus, and photographs a face with a camera and detects whether the eye is closed or opened by image processing (step S42). The feature extraction unit 24 extracts the detection time interval, in this case, the number of eye closures per minute (step S43).
Based on the extracted number of eye closures, the awakening degree determination means 34 increments the "awakening degree determination number counter" (step S44), and performs the awakening degree determination (step S45). If the number of eyes closed exceeds 20 times, it is determined to be the awake state (step S46), and if the number of eyes closed does not exceed 20 times, it is determined to be the awakened state (step S47).

When it is determined that the awakening state is low, an alarm is issued. When issuing an alarm, the alarm selecting means 54 selects the alarm means. That is, as in the first embodiment, it is determined whether the alarm is the first alarm (step S48). When the warning is the first warning, the warning means A is selected (step S49). When the warning is the second or later warning, the warning means is selected based on the value of the awakening degree determination number counter (step S410). "Awakening level judgment counter" here
Is for counting the number of times the awakening level has been determined since the previous alarm was issued, and has the same function as a timer for measuring the interval at which the alarm is generated. If the warning is the second or later warning, the warning means is changed unless the "awakening degree determination counter" exceeds 5, for example (step S411). For example, when the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means A, the warning means B is selected. When the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means B, the warning means C is selected.
When the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means C, the warning means A is selected. If the alarm is the second or later alarm and the "awakening degree determination number counter" exceeds 5, the alarm means selected is the same as the previous one (step S412). If the alarm means is selected, an alarm is issued by the selected alarm means (step S413). That is, when the alarm means A is selected, a melody sound is issued, when the alarm means B is selected, an aroma gas is issued, and when the alarm means C is selected, an alarm is issued by cold air from the air conditioner. When the alarm is finished, the "awakening degree judgment number counter" is cleared (step S41).
4) and returns to step S42.

FIG. 17 shows an operation example in which the alertness lowering device of the fourth embodiment detects the alertness lowering of the subject and gives an alarm. The horizontal axis of this graph is time t (minutes), and the vertical axis is the number of times of eye closing C, which indicates that when the number of times of eye closing C does not exceed 20, an alarm is issued by a melody sound, an aroma gas, or cold air. In this operation example, the effect of the 4th melody sound alarm was small, so the 5th alarm is given by an aromatic gas. Further, since the effect of the aroma gas alarm was reduced in the 8th time, the alarm was issued in the 9th time by cold air.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the number C of eye closures within a certain time interval is extracted as the feature amount related to the arousal level, and the alarm occurrence interval is determined from the awakening level determination times to determine the awakening state. In this case, a melody sound, an aromatic gas, a cold wind, etc. are used as an alarm. However, as in the first embodiment,
When issuing an alarm, only if the elapsed time from the previous alarm is longer than the specified time, the same alarm means as the previous alarm will be issued.
If the elapsed time from the previous alarm is shorter than the specified time,
Since the previous warning means has a small effect and the warning is changed to another warning means, a warning can be given by selecting a warning means having a great awakening effect for each subject. Further, it is possible to prevent the subject from getting accustomed to the alert and lose the alertness effect due to the alert, and to always give the alert with the alertness effect. Further, in the fourth embodiment, since the alarm means A, B and C are all different types of alarm means, the first embodiment
Therefore, the effect is larger than that of the third embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the alarm means A is a melody sound, the alarm means B is an aromatic gas, and the alarm means C is cold air from an air conditioner. However, the present invention is not limited to this. C are all different kinds of alerts, eg
A combination of contact cold temperature, lamp light, vibration of the seat and the like may be used. Alternatively, a plurality of warning means may be selected from the warning means A, B, and C, and a plurality of warning means may simultaneously give a warning according to the effect of the warning.

Embodiment 5. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the structure of a wakefulness lowering alarm device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 15 is a sensor that measures information relating to the arousal level of the subject, for example, an eye-closing sensor that detects the eye-closing motion of the subject, and 25 is a feature extraction means that extracts a feature amount related to the arousal level from the output of the sensor 15. , 35 are awakening degree determining means for determining the awakening degree based on the extracted feature amount, 55 is an alarm selecting means for selecting an alarm means to be used when an alarm is issued, and 45a, 45b, 45c are each an alarm. The alarm means A, the alarm means B, and the alarm means C for generating, for example, the respective alarm means 45a, 45b, 45.
Although c is an alarm by a buzzer, the alarm means A has a sound image 1, the alarm means B has a sound image 2, and the alarm means C has a sound image 3. FIG. 19 shows the configuration of the alarm means of the alertness lowering alarm device according to the fifth embodiment, and is a view seen from above the target person. In FIG. 19, 65 is a target person, 75 is a left speaker, 85 is a right speaker, and 95 is a sound image localization device that localizes a buzzer sound at an arbitrary position. For example, the outputs of the left speaker 75 and the right speaker 85 are 1: When set to 1, the sound image 1 (in this case, the buzzer sound can be heard from the rear), and when the output of the left speaker 75 and the right speaker 85 is set to 1.3: 0.5, the sound image 2 (in this case, the buzzer sound is output to the right) Sound from the rear), and when the output of the left speaker 75 and the right speaker 85 is set to 0.5: 1.3, the sound image 3
(In this case, the buzzer sound is heard from the right rear), the sound image is localized. In the fifth embodiment,
The information regarding the driver's arousal level is the eye-closing motion, and the feature amount is the eye-closing duration.

FIG. 20 is a graph showing the eye-closing duration during awakening and when awakening is lowered. In this case, the eye-closing duration is the time from the closing of the eyes to the opening of the eyes. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in FIG. 20 represents time t (minutes), and the vertical axis represents the open / closed state of the eyes. As can be seen from the figure, the eye-closing duration during awakening is about 200 ms, but as the awakening gradually decreases, the eye-closing duration increases and shows a value of about 500 ms. Utilizing this, in the fifth embodiment, the arousal level is determined based on the eye closure duration.

The operation for issuing the alertness decrease alarm will be described below.
Description will be made based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 21 and 22.
First, as initial settings, “total number of eye closures”, “number of eye closures exceeding the feature selection threshold”, timer 1, timer 2
Is cleared (step S51). The eye-closing sensor 15 is
For example, as in the conventional device, a face is photographed by a camera, and it is detected by image processing whether the eyes are closed or opened (step S52). In the feature extraction means 25,
The closed-eye duration of one closed eye is extracted (step S5).
3). Next, it is determined whether or not the feature selection threshold has been set (step S54), and if not set, the feature selection threshold is set. For example, the value of the eye-closure duration + 100 ms extracted by the feature extraction means 25 is set as the feature selection threshold (step S55). The feature selection threshold value in this case is for distinguishing whether the eye-closed duration to be extracted later is that when awakening or when awakening is low. If the feature selection threshold value has been set in the determination in step S54, the eye closure duration time is selected using the feature selection threshold value. That is, it is determined whether or not the eye-closing duration exceeds the feature selection threshold (step S56), and if it exceeds, the "number of eye-closings exceeding the feature selection threshold" is incremented by 1 (step S57). In addition, whether or not the eye closing duration exceeds or does not exceed the feature selection threshold value, it is assumed that the eye closing duration is detected and the “total number of eye closures” is set to 1
Increase (step S58). It is determined whether the timer 1 has reached the detection time interval, for example, 1 minute (step S5).
9) The above processing (steps S52 to S52) is performed until 1 minute is reached.
Repeat 59). Then, when the timer 1 reaches 1 minute, the awakening degree determination means 35 determines the awakening degree. That is,
In the awakening degree determination means 35, the following equation (1) is calculated (step S510), and K1 = “the number of eye closures exceeding the feature selection threshold” / “total number of eye closures” (1) This calculated value K1 is It is determined whether or not it exceeds 0.5 as the determination reference value (step S511), and the awakening degree is determined based on the result.

FIG. 23 shows the equation (1) when awakening and when awakening is lowered.
It is a graph which shows the value K1 calculated by. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in this figure is time t (minutes). As can be seen from the figure, the value K1 at the time of awakening is almost 0, that is, there is no closed eye exceeding the feature selection threshold value, but as the awakening gradually decreases, the value K1 increases to 0.5 or more. . Utilizing this,
In the fifth embodiment, the awakening degree is determined. The calculated value K1 is 0.
If it does not exceed 5, it is determined that the user is awake (step S5).
12). When the calculated value K1 exceeds 0.5, it is determined that the awakening state is in decline (step S513), and an alarm is issued.

When issuing an alarm, the alarm selecting means 55 selects the alarm means. That is, similarly to the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the alarm is the first alarm (step S514), and when the alarm is the first alarm, the alarm means A is selected (step S515). If the alarm is the second alarm or later, the alarm means is selected based on the value of the timer 2 (step S516). Like the timer of the first embodiment, the timer 2 here measures the time from the previous alarm occurrence to the next alarm generation, and the value of the timer 2 at the time of the first alarm. Is 0. If the alarm has been issued for the second time or later, the alarm means is changed unless the timer 2 exceeds, for example, 5 minutes (step S517). For example,
When the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means A, the warning means B is selected. When the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means B, the warning means C is selected. When the warning means at the time of the previous warning is the warning means C, the warning means A is selected. If the alarm has been issued for the second time or later and the timer 2 has exceeded, for example, 5 minutes, the alarm means selects the same as the previous one (step S518). If the alarm means is selected, an alarm is issued by the selected alarm means (step S519). That is, if the alarm means A is selected, the sound image 1 and the alarm means B are selected.
The sound image 2 is issued when is selected, and the sound image 3 is issued when the alarm means C is selected. When the alarm ends, timer-2 is cleared (step S520). Regardless of the determination of awakening lowering, "total number of eye closures", "number of eye closures exceeding the feature selection threshold value", and timer 1 are cleared (step S521), and the process returns to step S52.

FIG. 24 shows an example of an operation in which the awakening lowering alarm device of the fifth embodiment detects a lowering of awakening of a subject and issues an alarm. The horizontal axis of this graph is time t (minutes), and the vertical axis is the calculated value K.
1, the sound image 1 buzzer sound when K1 exceeds 0.5,
It indicates that the alarm is issued by the sound image 2 buzzer sound and the sound image 3 buzzer sound. In this operation example, the effect of the first sound image 1 buzzer sound is small, so that the second sound image 2 buzzer sound is issued. Further, since the effect of the sound image 2 buzzer sound is reduced in the fourth time, the sound image 3 buzzer sound is issued in the third time.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the eye-closing duration is extracted as the characteristic amount relating to the arousal level, and based on this, the awakening level determination means calculates K1 to determine the awakening level,
In the awakening lowered state, a warning is given by a buzzer sound with a different sound image, but as in the first embodiment, it is determined that the awakening is lowered,
When issuing an alarm, only when the elapsed time from the previous alarm is longer than the specified time, the same sound image as the previous alarm is issued, and when the elapsed time from the previous alarm is shorter than the specified time, the previous sound image is effective. If it is small, the sound image is changed to another sound image and an alarm is issued. Therefore, a sound image having a large awakening effect for each subject can be selected and an alarm can be issued. Further, it is possible to prevent the subject from getting accustomed to the alert and lose the alertness effect due to the alert, and to always give the alert with the alertness effect.

In the fifth embodiment, the alarm means A,
Although B and C are the same type of alarm by buzzer sound and have different sound images respectively, they are not limited to buzzer sound, and for example, the alarm means A, B, C may be all by sound. In the fifth embodiment, the left speaker 7
5 and the output of the right speaker 85 to 1: 1 is a sound image, and the output of the left speaker 75 and the right speaker 85 is 1 :.
A sound image having a value of 0.5 is a sound image 2, and a sound image having outputs of the left speaker 75 and the right speaker 85 of 0.5: 1 is a sound image 3. However, the sound image is not limited to this. For example, the output of the left speaker is sin. (T), the output of the right speaker is cos
(T) (t is time) may be changed, and an alarm means for moving the sound image may be used. In addition, the fifth embodiment
Then, the feature extraction threshold value is set by adding 100 ms to the eyelid closing duration extracted first, but it is not limited to this. For example, 100 ms is added to the average eyelid closing duration extracted about 30 times. Those may be set as the feature selection threshold. Also, the added value is 100 ms
However, it may be set according to the degree of arousal to be detected. In other words, it is smaller than 100 ms, and as it approaches 0, even a slight decrease in awakening is detected. Further, in the fifth embodiment, when it is detected that the calculated value K1 is 0.5 or more, it is determined that the awakening state is low.
This judgment reference value is not limited to 0.5 and may be set according to the degree of detection. That is, the value is smaller than 0.5, and as the value approaches 0, even a slight decrease in awakening is detected.

Sixth Embodiment FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the alertness lowering alarm device according to the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the value K2 calculated based on the change in the average skin potential rather than checking the alertness effect of the alarm at the alarm occurrence intervals. To check the awakening effect of the alarm. The configuration of the alertness lowering alarm device according to the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the alertness determination means 32 can calculate the calculated value K2 indicating the previous alarm effect in addition to the second embodiment. It is like this.

The operation of issuing the alertness reduction alarm will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Embodiment 2
The same processing as the above is denoted by the same reference numeral. In the sixth embodiment, the awakening degree determination means 32 calculates the calculated value K2 represented by the equation (2) when it is determined that the awakening state is low (step S61).

[0048]

[Equation 1]

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of the calculated value K2. The horizontal axis of this figure is time t (minutes), and the vertical axis is the average skin potential (mV).
Then, the awakening degree determination means 32 in the sixth embodiment determines that the awakening state is low when the average skin potential exceeds 10 mV, and calculates the calculated value K2. Here, the calculated value K2 is a value corresponding to the area of the shaded portion in FIG. 25, and is the change in the average skin potential after the previous alarm, that is, the awakening lowered state after the previous determination as the awakening lowered state. It is a value based on the change in the average skin potential determined up to the present time. The larger this value, the greater the effect of the previous warning, and the smaller this value, the smaller the effect of the previous alarm. At this time, the calculated value K2 is set to 0 if it is the first time that the awakening degree determination means has determined that the awakening state is in the lowered awakening state.

When it is determined that the wakefulness is low and an alarm is to be issued, it is determined whether or not the alarm is the first alarm (step S27).
The alarm selection means 42 selects the alarm means. That is, when the warning is the first warning, the warning means A is selected (step S28). If the alarm is the second alarm or later, the alarm means is selected based on the calculated value K2 (step S62). When the alarm is the second time or later, if the calculated value K2 does not exceed, for example, 30 [mV · minute],
Assuming that the warning effect is small, the warning means is changed (step S210). The calculated value K2 is, for example, 30 [m
V. minutes], it is considered that the alarm effect is large, and the alarm means same as the previous one is selected (step S).
211). If the alarm means is selected, an alarm is issued by the selected alarm means (step S212).

FIG. 27 shows an example of an operation in which a decrease in awakening of a subject is detected and an alarm is issued by the low awakening warning device of the sixth embodiment. The horizontal axis of this graph is time t (minutes), and the vertical axis is the average skin potential. When this average skin potential exceeds 10 mV, a low volume buzzer sound, a middle volume buzzer sound, and a high volume buzzer alarm are issued. Indicates that you are doing. In this operation example, the effect of the first low-volume buzzer sound is great, so that the second-second alarm is also issued with the low-volume buzzer sound. However, the second warning with a low-volume buzzer sound was less effective, so the third warning was given with a low-volume buzzer sound. In addition, since the effect of the buzzer sound during the third volume is small, the fourth time, the buzzer sound with a high volume is used for the alarm.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, the average skin potential is extracted as the feature amount relating to the arousal level to determine the awakening level, but when the alarm is issued, the awakening level is determined. The K2 is calculated by means to check the arousal effect, and the same warning as the previous time is issued only when the calculated value K2 representing the effect of the previous alarm is larger than the predetermined value, and when the calculated value K2 is smaller than the predetermined value. Since the previous warning is considered to have a small effect and the other warnings are issued, it is possible to select and issue a warning having a large awakening effect for each subject. Further, it is possible to prevent the subject from getting accustomed to the alert and lose the alertness effect due to the alert, and to always give the alert with the alertness effect.

In the sixth embodiment, the calculated value K2 is 3
The alarm means was selected depending on whether or not it exceeds 0 [mV · minute], but it is not limited to 30 [mV · minute].

Embodiment 7. 28 and 29 are flowcharts showing the operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the alertness lowering alarm device according to the seventh embodiment is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, but the wakefulness effect by the alarm is not checked by the alarm occurrence interval, but by K
We are investigating the awakening effect of the alarm by observing the change in the value of 1.
Further, the configuration of the alertness lowering warning device according to the seventh embodiment is similar to that of the fifth embodiment, but in the awakening degree determining means, in addition to the fifth embodiment, the minimum value of K1 calculated for each awakening degree determination is " It can be stored as "K1 minimum value".

The operation for issuing the alertness reduction alarm will be described below.
Description will be made based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 28 and 29.
The same processes as those in the fifth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In the seventh embodiment, first, as an initial setting, the fifth embodiment
In addition to the initial setting in, the "K1 minimum value" is cleared (step S71). In the fifth embodiment, the wakefulness determination means 45 calculates K1 when performing the wakefulness determination, but in the seventh embodiment, in addition to the fifth embodiment,
The minimum value of the calculated value K1 calculated for each wakefulness determination is stored. That is, after the calculated value K1 is calculated, if the K1 minimum value is cleared (step S72), the calculated value K1 is stored as the K1 minimum value (step S73). If the K1 minimum value has a value, the calculated value K1 is compared with the "K1 minimum value" (step S74). If the calculated value K1 is smaller than the K1 minimum value, the calculated value K1 is changed to the K1 minimum value. Is stored (step S75). Step S513
When it is determined that the state is an awakening state and the alarm is issued, the alarm selecting unit 45 selects the alarm unit. That is, when the warning is the first warning, the warning means A is selected (step S515). If the alarm is the second alarm or later, the alarm means is selected based on the stored "K1 minimum value" (step S76). If the warning is after the second time,
If the "K1 minimum value" exceeds 0.2, the alarm means is changed (step S517). When the alarm is the second or later alarm, if the "K1 minimum value" does not exceed 0.2, the alarm means that is the same as the previous alarm is selected (step S5).
18). If the alarm means is selected, an alarm is issued by the selected alarm means (step S519). When the alarm ends, the "K1 minimum value" is cleared (step S7).
7).

FIG. 30 shows an operation example in which the alertness lowering device of the seventh embodiment detects the alertness lowering of the subject and gives an alarm. The horizontal axis of this graph is time t (minutes), and the vertical axis is the calculated value K.
1, the sound image 1 buzzer sound when K1 exceeds 0.5,
It indicates that the alarm is issued by the sound image 2 buzzer sound and the sound image 3 buzzer sound. Further, if the calculated value K1 does not become smaller than 0.2 after the alarm, it is considered that the awakening effect by the alarm is small, and that the alarm means is changed in the next alarm.
In this operation example, the effect of the first sound image 1 buzzer sound is small, so that the second sound image 2 buzzer sound is issued. Further, since the effect of the sound image 2 buzzer sound is reduced in the fourth time, the sound image 3 buzzer sound is issued in the fifth time.

As described above, in the seventh embodiment, when it is determined that the wakefulness is lowered and the alarm is issued, only when the feature amount extracted by the feature extracting means becomes smaller than the predetermined value after the previous alarm, The same warning as the previous time is given assuming that the warning has had an effect, and if the feature amount extracted by the feature extraction means does not become smaller than the predetermined value after the previous warning, the previous warning is considered to have a small effect, Since other alarms are issued, it is possible to select and issue an alarm that has a great awakening effect for each subject. Further, it is possible to prevent the subject from getting accustomed to the alert and lose the alertness effect due to the alert, and to always give the alert with the alertness effect.

If the "K1 minimum value" does not exceed 0.2, the alarm means is the same as the previous one, but the alarm means is not limited to 0.2.

Embodiment 8. FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing the structure of the alertness lowering warning device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. 32 is a flowchart showing the operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3
In 1 and 32, the same parts and processes as those in the fourth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 31, reference numeral 58 is an optimum alarm storage means for storing an alarm means that is highly effective for the subject. In the eighth embodiment, the stored highly effective alarm means can be preferentially used, and
From the second warning, it is intended to give a highly effective warning to the target person.

Hereinafter, with respect to the operation of issuing the alertness reduction alarm,
A description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG. Step S
If it is determined in 47 that the awakening state is low, an alarm is issued. When issuing an alarm, the alarm selecting means 54 selects the alarm means. That is, when the alarm is the first alarm, first,
It is determined whether the warning means is stored in the optimum warning storage means 58 (step S81). If the warning means is stored in the optimum warning storage means 58, the stored warning means is selected (step S82). Optimal alarm storage means 5
If the warning means is not stored in 8, the warning means A is selected (step S49). When the alarm is issued for the second time or later, the alarm means is selected based on the value of the "awakening degree determination number counter" inside the awakening degree determining means 34. If the alarm is from the second time onward, "awakening level judgment counter"
If the value of does not exceed 5, the alarm means is changed (step S411). If the warning is after the second time,
If the value of the "awakening degree judgment number counter" exceeds 5, the alarm means selected is the same as the previous one (step S41).
2) The previously used warning means is stored in the optimum warning storage means 58 as the optimum warning (step S83). If the alarm means is selected, an alarm is issued by the selected alarm means (step S413). When the alarm is finished, the value of the "awakening degree judgment number counter" is cleared (step S41).
4) and returns to step S42.

FIG. 33 shows an example of operation in which the alertness lowering alarm device of the eighth embodiment detects the alertness lowering of the subject and gives an alarm. The horizontal axis of this graph is time t (minutes), and the vertical axis is the number of eyes closed for 1 minute. When the number of eyes closed does not exceed 20, the alarm is given by a melody sound, aromatic gas, or cold air. In this operation example, the warning is given by the cold air stored in the optimum warning storage means 58 at the first time. Therefore, the same warning is effective until the second and third times. However, since the effect of the cold wind warning was reduced in the fourth time, the fifth time the warning was given by the melody sound.

As described above, in the eighth embodiment, when an alarm is issued, if the elapsed time from the previous alarm is longer than the predetermined time, the previous alarm means is stored as the optimum alarm and the alarm is issued. Since the means is preferentially used during the first warning, it is possible to give a highly effective warning to the target person from the first warning.

Ninth Embodiment 34 is a block diagram showing the structure of a wakefulness reduction alarm device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3
4 and 35, the same parts and processes as those in the fourth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 34, reference numeral 59 is an alarm selection input means composed of a switch or the like, which is operated when the subject himself / herself wants to select the alarm means. In the ninth embodiment, the alarm means selected by the alarm selection input means 59 can be preferentially used so as to give an alarm preferred by the subject. Alarm selection input means 5 shown in FIG.
9 shows an example. In FIG. 36, 109 is an alarm means A.
Is a switch for selecting the alarm means B, and 129 is a switch for selecting the alarm means C. These switches can be operated at any time. After the target person selects the alarm means by this switch, and once the alarm is issued by the selected alarm means, this switch is automatically turned off. 139, 149,
Reference numeral 159 is a lamp indicating that each alarm means is selected by the subject. The switch automatically turns off
The lamps 139, 149 and 159 are also automatically extinguished when the lamp is turned off.

Hereinafter, the operation of issuing the alertness reduction alarm will be described.
Description will be made based on the flowchart of FIG. Step S
If it is determined in 47 that the awakening state is low, an alarm is issued. When issuing an alarm, the alarm selecting means 54 selects the alarm means. The alarm selection means 54 determines whether or not there is an alarm means selected by the alarm selection input means 59 (step S91). If there is an alarm means selected by the alarm selection input means 59, the alarm means selected by the alarm selection input means 59 is selected (step S92). If there is no warning means selected by the warning selection input means 59 and the warning is the first warning, the warning means A is selected (step S49). When the alarm is issued for the second time or later, the alarm means is selected based on the value of the "awakening degree determination number counter". That is, when the warning is the second or later warning, the warning means is changed unless the value of the "awakening degree judgment number counter" exceeds 5 (step S411). Second alarm
If it is after the first time, and the value of the "awakening degree judgment number counter" exceeds 5, the alarm means selects the same as the previous one (step S412). If the alarm means is selected,
A warning is given by the selected warning means (step S41).
3). When the alarm is over, "Awakening level judgment counter"
Is cleared (step S414), and step S42
Return to.

As described above, in the ninth embodiment, when the alarm is issued, the alarm means selected by the subject is preferentially used, so that the alarm means selected by the subject is used for the alarm. be able to.

In the ninth embodiment, when the alarm means selected by the subject is used once, the selection switch of the alarm selection input means is automatically turned off. However, the present invention is not limited to this. , It may remain ON.

In the first to ninth embodiments,
Although the alarm means are alarm means A, B, and C, the alarm means is 3
The number is not limited to one, and any number may be used as long as it is plural. In addition, Embodiments 1 to 3 and 5
In the seventh embodiment, when the alarm means is selected based on the timer value, the timer value is based on 5 minutes, but the present invention is not limited to this. Also, the fourth and eighth embodiments.
In the ninth embodiment, when the alarm means is selected based on the value of the "awakening degree judgment number counter", the value of the "awakening degree judgment number counter" is set to 5 as a reference, but the present invention is not limited to this.
In addition, in the first to second embodiments and the fourth to ninth embodiments, the time interval of the awakening degree determination is 1 minute, but the time interval is not limited to this, and if it is shorter than 1 minute, It can be long.

[0068]

As described above, according to the invention as set forth in claim 1, a sensor for measuring at least information relating to the arousal level of a subject, and a feature extraction for extracting a feature amount related to the arousal level from an output signal of the sensor. Means, based on the feature amount extracted by the feature extraction means, awakening degree determination means for determining the awakening degree, a plurality of for issuing an alarm when the subject is determined to be in a state of low awakening by the awakening degree determination means The alertness means and the alertness selection means for selecting an alerting means to be activated from among the plurality of alerting means in accordance with the time interval from the previous determination of the reduced awakening state to the determination of the current awakened state as awakening degree. Since the alarm system is configured, it can alert each subject with awakening effect, and even if a decrease in awakening is detected repeatedly, awakening that can always give awakening effect. The effect of the lower alarm device is obtained.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a sensor for measuring at least information concerning the arousal level of the subject,
Feature extraction means for extracting a feature amount related to the arousal level from the output signal of the sensor, based on the feature amount extracted by the feature extraction means, the awakening level determination unit for determining the awakening level, A plurality of warning means for issuing an alarm when it is determined to be in the awakening lowered state, and a plurality of the above-mentioned plurality based on the change in the characteristic amount from the time when it was determined to be the awakened lowered state last time to the time when it is determined to be the current awakened state Since the alarm selection means for selecting the alarm means to be activated from among the alarm means of 1. constitutes the alertness lowering alarm device, similarly to the one in claim 1, an alarm having an alertness effect is given to each target person, and the alarm is repeated. Even when a decrease in awakening is detected, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a low awakening warning device that can always give a warning with awakening effect.

According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to either claim 1 or 2, there is provided optimal alarm storage means for storing alarm means determined to have a large awakening effect.
When the stored optimum warning means is determined to be awakened,
Since it is used with priority, in addition to the effects of claim 1 and claim 2, it is possible to give a warning having a wakefulness effect from the first warning.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, in addition to any one of claims 1 and 2, there is provided alarm selection input means for allowing the target person to select an alarm, and the input means for the input target person's favorite alarm means. Since it is configured to be used with priority when it is determined that the alertness is lowered, there is an effect that the alertness lowering warning device capable of giving an alarm by the alerting means preferred by each subject can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wakefulness decrease warning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing a steering wheel operation angle θ (degree) during awakening and during awakening reduction according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the standard deviation θ (degrees) of the steering wheel operation angle during awakening and during awakening reduction according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing an operation example of the alertness lowering warning device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wakefulness lowering alarm device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing an average skin potential when awakening and when awakening is reduced according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing an operation example of the alertness lowering warning device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wakefulness lowering alarm device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the α-wave intensity of the electroencephalogram during awakening and when awakening is reduced according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing an operation example of the alertness lowering warning device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wakefulness lowering warning device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing the number C of closed eyes at the time of awakening and at the time of low awakening according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a graph showing an operation example of the alertness lowering warning device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the structure of a wakefulness lowering alarm device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram showing an alarm means according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a graph showing eye-closing duration during awakening and when awakening is reduced according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a graph showing a value K1 at the time of awakening and at the time of awakening reduction according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a graph showing an operation example of the alertness lowering warning device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a calculated value K2 according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a graph showing an operation example of the alertness reduction warning device according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a graph showing an operation example of the alertness lowering warning device according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an alertness lowering alarm device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a graph showing an operation example of the alertness lowering warning device according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing the structure of a wakefulness decrease warning device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing an operation of the alertness lowering warning device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an alarm selection / input means according to the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional alertness lowering warning device.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the operation of the conventional alertness lowering warning device.

FIG. 39 is a graph showing an operation example of a conventional alertness reduction warning device.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 handle operation sensor, 12 skin potential sensor, 1
3 EEG sensor, 14, 15 Eye-closing sensor, 21, 2
2, 23, 24, 25 Feature extraction means, 31, 32, 3
3, 34, 35 Awakening level determination means, 41a, 41b, 4
1c, 42a, 42b, 42c, 43a, 43b, 43
c, 44a, 44b, 44c, 45a, 45b, 45c
Alarm means, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 Alarm selecting means, 58 Optimal alarm storing means, 59 Alarm selecting means, 6
5 subjects, 75 left speaker, 85 right speaker, 95 sound image localization device, 109, 119, 129 switches, 139, 149, 159 lamps.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Makito Seki Marunouchi 2-3-3, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (72) Inventor Hiromi Terashita 2-3-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Machinery Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-56-21920 (JP, A) JP-A-6-328968 (JP, A) JP-A-5-330360 (JP, A) Actual development Sho-58-122193 (JP , U) Actual Kaihei 1-154025 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G08B 21/06 B60K 28/06 G08G 1/16

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. Based on at least a sensor for measuring information related to arousal level of a target person, a feature extraction unit for extracting a feature amount related to awakening level from an output signal of the sensor, and the feature amount extracted by the feature extraction unit. Awakening degree determining means for determining the awakening degree, a plurality of warning means for issuing an alarm when the subject is determined to be in the low awakening state by this awakening degree determining means, and after being determined to be in the low awakening state last time Depending on the time interval until it is judged to be awakened this time,
A wakefulness lowering alarm device comprising alarm selection means for selecting an alarm means to be activated from the plurality of alarm means. 2. Based on at least a sensor for measuring information related to the arousal level of a subject, a feature extraction unit for extracting a feature amount related to the awakening level from an output signal of the sensor, and the feature amount extracted by the feature extraction unit. Awakening degree determining means for determining the awakening degree, a plurality of warning means for issuing an alarm when the subject is determined to be in the low awakening state by this awakening degree determining means, and after being determined to be in the low awakening state last time A wakefulness lowering warning device comprising a warning selecting means for selecting an alarming means to be activated from among the plurality of warning means based on a change in the characteristic amount until it is determined to be in a low awakening state this time. 3. An optimum alarm storage means for storing an alarm means determined to have a large alertness effect by an alarm is provided, and the stored alarm means is preferentially used when it is determined that the alertness is lowered. The alertness lowering alarm device according to claim 1. 4. The alarm selection input means for allowing a subject to select an alarm means, wherein the selected alarm means is preferentially used when it is determined that the alertness is lowered. Low alertness alarm device.