JP5569843B2 - System for detecting signs of falling asleep while driving a car, and method for detecting signs of falling asleep while driving a car - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention particularly relates to a doze sign detection system during driving of a car, and a doze sign during driving of a car, in which a seat-like pressure sensor is disposed on a steering wheel to detect a doze sign by detecting a reaction from a driver. It relates to the detection method.

  Conventionally, a dozing sign detection system while driving a car is used to detect a dozing sign based on changes in body movements (blinking, breathing, jaw position, handle gripping force, etc.), driving abnormalities (handle) Can be broadly divided into those that are to be detected based on the fact that they are not cut for a certain period of time, no change in speed, abnormally approaching the guardrail, etc.) and those that are to be detected by measuring the response time to the stimulus.

  In Patent Document 1, if the speed does not change in a certain length of time, a confirmation signal is sent to the driver as the possibility of dozing, and the driver cancels this, and the release is released within a certain time. The content of determining that the user is awake if performed is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, when the inter-vehicle distance warning device gives a warning, the reaction time until the driver performs a deceleration operation is continuously measured, and when this reaction time tends to increase, a warning warning is issued. Is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 3, a question is periodically issued to a driver from a speaker, and the driver responds to the question with a voice. The response is picked up by a microphone, and a response is given for a predetermined time or more. The content which determines that it is not asleep is disclosed.

JP 2005-204829 A JP-A-9-323564 JP 2008-225537 A

  Patent Document 1 has the following problems. That is, if the speed does not change, the standard for dozing is ambiguous. Even when the speed does not change, the driver may be awake, and may be asleep even if the speed changes. In particular, it is more difficult to keep the accelerator pedal depressed at a constant pressure during the nap, and as a result, the speed can change during the nap.

  Patent Document 2 has the following problems. That is, when the preceding vehicle is away and there is a sufficient inter-vehicle distance, the inter-vehicle distance alarm is not issued, and the detection means for the sleep driving does not work. On highways where there is a sufficient distance between cars, there is a high risk of falling asleep due to the feeling of driving tension.

  Patent Document 3 has the following problems. There is a possibility that the response by voice is misunderstood by music in the car, radio voice or noise. In order to avoid this misunderstanding, it is necessary to turn off the music and radio, and one factor of the comfort of the car is lost, and the troublesome factor of voice answering increases.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a dozing sign detection system during driving of a car and a dozing sign detection method during driving of a car that can reliably detect a dozing sign by using a stimulus signal that is not bothersome for the driver and a response method that is not bothered. Is to provide.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for detecting a drowsiness sign during driving of a vehicle, wherein a tactile stimulus signal is repeatedly transmitted in a period excluding a certain condition excluding period, and a vibration corresponding to the tactile stimulus signal. Generating means, means for detecting a response from the driver to vibration caused by the tactile stimulus signal, means for measuring an actual elapsed time after transmission of the stimulus signal, and a response from the driver And means for determining confirmation of the driver's arousal level based on a non-real time length, and the means for generating vibration corresponding to the tactile stimulus signal is a vibration motor or a piezoelectric device disposed on the steering wheel. Distributing multiple actuator elements to multiple locations on the steering wheel or spoke supporting the wheel,
The means for detecting a response from the driver is a seat-like pressure sensor disposed on a steering wheel.
Is a drowsiness sign detection system during driving of a vehicle, characterized by being mounted on a steering wheel .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the vibration detection function corresponding to the tactile stimulus signal is applied to a wide range of steering wheels regardless of how the driver is gripping the steering wheel. When the driver who is driving and senses the vibration responds, the response can be achieved by holding back at that position on the steering wheel. The present invention is a drowsiness sign detection system during driving of a vehicle, characterized in that a pressure sensor is arranged in the system.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for detecting a drowsiness sign during driving of a vehicle, wherein the means for repeatedly transmitting a tactile stimulus signal is repeated at pseudo-random intervals within a certain time width. A system for automatically detecting a tactile stimulus signal is a drowsiness sign detection system during driving of a car.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the tactile stimulus signal is generated such that the tactile stimulus signal has a random fluctuation of α seconds centering on the median value M seconds selected by the driver. This is a system for detecting signs of falling asleep while driving a car.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the drowsiness sign detection system during driving of the vehicle is configured such that, in the data sent from the means for detecting the response from the driver, when there is no response from the driver for a predetermined value A seconds or more, the driver Is a doze sign detection system while driving a car, characterized in that it is determined that the sign is a doze sign.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for detecting signs of drowsiness during driving of a vehicle, wherein the predetermined exclusion period is a fixed time zone when the engine is stopped, a fixed time zone when the engine is started, a right turn and a left turn. Flashing time zone, time zone when steering angle is turned over a certain position, time zone when acceleration is changing more than a certain value by depressing the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, mission gear reverse, neutral or parking The present invention is a drowsiness sign detection system during driving of a car, characterized by being in one of the following time zones.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting a drowsiness sign during driving of a vehicle, including means for repeatedly transmitting a tactile stimulus signal in a period excluding a certain condition exclusion period, and vibration corresponding to the tactile stimulus signal. On the steering wheel, means for detecting a response from the driver to the tactile stimulus signal with a seat-like pressure sensor on the steering wheel, and means for generating vibration corresponding to the tactile stimulus signal The means for detecting the response from the driver, wherein a plurality of vibration motors or piezoelectric actuator elements arranged on the steering wheel are distributed at a plurality of locations on the steering wheel or the spokes supporting the wheel, by mounting place pressure sensors arranged sheet form on the steering wheel, the driver Based response to no real-time length from a doze warning detection method while driving, characterized in that determining the dozing sign of the driver.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the vibration corresponding to the tactile stimulus signal is applied to a wide range of steering wheels regardless of how the driver is gripping the steering wheel. When the driver who is driving and senses the vibration responds, the response can be achieved by holding back at that position on the steering wheel. This is a method for detecting a drowsiness sign during driving of a car, characterized in that a pressure sensor is arranged in the vehicle.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the data sent from the means for detecting a response from the driver, if there is no response from the driver for a predetermined value A seconds or more, the driver Is a sign of falling asleep during driving, characterized by determining that a sign of falling asleep.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting a drowsiness sign during driving of a vehicle, wherein the fixed exclusion period is set to a fixed time zone during engine stop, a fixed time zone during engine start, a right turn, and a left turn. Flashing time zone, time zone when steering angle is turned over a certain position, time zone when acceleration is changing more than a certain value by depressing the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, mission gear reverse, neutral or parking This is a method for detecting a drowsiness sign during driving of a car, characterized in that it is any one of the following time zones.

  According to the dozing sign detection system of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, it is directly detected that the degree of arousal of the brain has decreased by measuring the time for the brain to respond to the stimulus. In addition, the prevention of snoozing driving is performed, and the degree of wakefulness is detected regardless of the face shape and the wrinkles that are different for each individual driver, so that the measurement accuracy is high.

  According to the drowsiness sign detection method of claims 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, the stimulation signal is stopped during a period when it is determined that the driver is concentrated on the driving operation without worrying about dozing. By not disturbing driving, the driver is not burdened excessively. The driver's response operation is an operation that minimizes the burden. Therefore, the true sleep falling-ahead detection system is easy for the driver to accept.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the dozing sign detection system during the driving | running | working of a car which can detect a dozing sign reliably, and the dozing sign detection method during driving | running | working a car can be reliably detected using the stimulus signal which is not bothered with respect to a driver | operator, and the response method which is not troublesome Can be provided.

1 is a diagram of a drowsiness sign detection system during driving of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a view of a steering wheel in a drowsiness sign detection system during driving of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2A is a diagram in which a vibration generating device is arranged on the steering wheel, and FIG. 2B is a diagram in which the vibration generating device and sheet-like pressure sensors are arranged in four locations on the steering wheel. 1 is a flowchart of a drowsiness sign detection system during driving of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a drowsiness sign detection system during driving of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to the present invention, a drowsiness sign detection system during driving of a vehicle includes means for repeatedly transmitting a tactile stimulus signal during a period excluding a certain period of exclusion, and means for generating a vibration corresponding to the tactile stimulus signal. Means for detecting a response from the driver to vibration caused by the tactile stimulus signal, means for knowing an actual elapsed time after transmission of the stimulus signal, and a real time length without a response from the driver And a means for determining confirmation of the driver's arousal level based on the above.
Here, the fixed condition exclusion period includes a fixed period of time when the engine is stopped, a fixed period of time when the engine is started, a period of time when the turn indicator is flashing during right and left turns, and a fixed steering angle. The time period when the acceleration is turned off, the time when the acceleration pedal is depressed, the time when the acceleration changes more than a certain value, the mission gear is one of the reverse time, the neutral time, or the parking time.

In the method of detecting drowsiness during driving of the present invention, a tactile stimulus signal is repeatedly transmitted in a period excluding a certain condition exclusion period, and a vibration corresponding to the tactile stimulus signal is generated on the steering wheel. The driver's response to the tactile stimulus signal is detected by a seat-like pressure sensor on a steering wheel, and the driver's doze sign is determined based on the actual time length when there is no response from the driver. This is a method for detecting a drowsiness sign while driving a car.
Here, the fixed condition exclusion period includes a fixed period of time when the engine is stopped, a fixed period of time when the engine is started, a period of time when the turn indicator is flashing during right and left turns, and a fixed steering angle. The time period when the acceleration is turned off, the time when the acceleration pedal is depressed, the time when the acceleration changes more than a certain value, the mission gear is one of the reverse time, the neutral time, or the parking time.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for detecting a drowsiness sign during driving of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, vibration generators 21 and 22 are arranged on the steering wheel 1, and the sheet-like pressure sensors 31 and 32 and two sheet-like pressure sensors (not shown) are provided. Has been placed.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of the steering wheel 1 in the drowsiness sign detection system while driving a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a diagram in which the vibration generators 21 and 22 are arranged on the steering wheel 1, and FIG. 2B is a diagram of the vibration generators 21 and 22 on the steering wheel 1, and sheet-shaped pressure sensors at four locations. It is the figure where 31, 32, 33, 34 is arranged.
The sheet-like pressure sensors 31, 32, 33, and 34 are formed by first cutting a flat pressure sensor into a predetermined shape and winding it around the circumference of the steering wheel 1. .

Here, although the vibration generators 21 and 22 are vibration motors, the present invention is not limited to this, and piezoelectric actuator elements may be used.
In particular, in the case of FIG. 2 (b), the sheet-like pressure sensors 31, 32 and 33, 34 are rich in flexibility and are arranged at four locations around the steering wheel 1. The driver holds the sheet-like pressure sensors 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the steering wheel 1 of the steering wheel 1 and generates a response signal. In the case of FIG. 2 (b), any one of the sheet-like pressure sensors 31, 32, 33, and 34 is used by the driver regardless of whether the driver holds the steering wheel 1 or not. It is possible to reliably generate the response signal.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a doze sign detection system during driving of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a drowsiness sign detection system during driving of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, the steering wheel is turned at a certain position or more during a certain period of time when the engine is stopped, a certain period of time when the engine is started, a time period when the turn indicator is blinking in the right and left turns. Vibration during the time period, the time period when the acceleration pedal changes by pressing the accelerator pedal, and the brake pedal, the transmission gear is excluded during the period excluding any period of reverse, neutral, or parking The generation signal is sent to the vibration generators 21 and 22.

Here, the means for repeatedly transmitting vibration generation signals (tactile stimulation signals) automatically and repeatedly generates vibration generation signals (tactile senses) at pseudo-random intervals within a certain time range. The stimulus signal).
For example, the vibration generation signal (tactile stimulus signal) is generated so as to have a random fluctuation of α seconds centering on the median value M seconds selected by the driver. Here, for example, an integer between 0 seconds and 2 seconds is selected as α.

When the driver senses vibration from the vibration generators 21 and 22 of the steering wheel 1, the driver grasps one of the seat-like pressure sensors 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the steering wheel 1 and generates a response signal. Let
Here, in the data sent from the means for detecting the response from the driver, when there is no response from the driver for a predetermined value A seconds or more, it is determined that the driver is a sign of falling asleep.
Here, the fixed value A second is specifically about 3 seconds, but is not necessarily limited to 3 seconds, and a value other than 3 seconds, for example, 2 seconds or 4 seconds may be selected. good.

  For how long the vibration signal lasts and when to disconnect, disconnect with the response signal from the driver, and automatically disconnect after about 1 second without any response from the driver And both.

If it is determined that the driver is a sign of falling asleep, two steps are taken to bring the car to a safe stop. The first stage mainly consists of a strong warning sound and blinking of a hazard lamp. In the second stage, a gentle forced deceleration is applied on the warning sound and the hazard lamp blinking.
When the driver wakes up, the driver can perform an operation for canceling the safe stop transition procedure on the way. As a specific method, for example, it is selected to strongly grasp one of the sheet-like pressure sensors 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the steering wheel 1 twice.

According to the drowsiness sign detection system of the present invention, there are the following effects.
The doze sign detection system of the present invention has high measurement reliability. That is, it is directly detected that the degree of wakefulness of the brain has been lowered by measuring the time for the brain to react to the stimulus, and prevention immediately before dozing driving is performed. Since the degree of arousal is detected independently of the face shape and the wrinkle of movement which are different for each driver, there is an effect that the measurement accuracy is high.

The doze sign detection system of the present invention is excellent in acceptability. That is, during the period in which there is no worry of falling asleep and it is determined that the driver is concentrating on the driving operation, the stimulus signal is stopped and the driver is not disturbed, so that no extra load is given to the driver. The driver's response operation is an operation that minimizes the burden. Therefore, the true sleep falling-ahead detection system is easy for the driver to accept.
In Patent Document 3, since there is no provision for the generation condition of such a stimulus signal, the driver is always asked.

The doze sign detection system of the present invention is excellent in validity. That is, as compared with Patent Documents 1 and 2, the conditions for generating the stimulus signal are wider, and are always constant except for a specific exclusion period. On the other hand, time zones that are concentrated on driving operations and standby operations such as waiting for a right turn are excluded.
On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, such a time zone to be excluded is included in the monitoring target, which hinders driving. In addition, since the time zone in which a person enters a nap and gets off his pedal operation, the speed is reduced, or the car in which the brake is stopped creeps is excluded from the object in Patent Document 1, it is excluded from monitoring. I'm afraid.

  As a comprehensive effect as described above, the drowsiness sign detection system of the present invention has an effect of improving the safety of driving a car.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 21, 22 Vibration generator 31,32,33,34 Pressure sensor 4 Sheet board 5 Accelerator pedal 6 Front window 7 Driver

Claims (12)

Means for repeatedly transmitting tactile stimulation signals in a period excluding an exclusion period of a certain condition;
Means for generating vibration corresponding to the tactile stimulus signal;
Means for detecting a response from the driver to vibration caused by the tactile stimulus signal;
A means for knowing the actual elapsed time after transmission of the stimulus signal, and a means for determining confirmation of the driver's arousal level based on the actual time length without a response from the driver,
The means for generating the vibration corresponding to the tactile stimulus signal is arranged by distributing a plurality of vibration motors or piezoelectric actuator elements arranged on the steering wheel to a plurality of locations of the steering wheel or spokes supporting the wheel,
The means for detecting a response from the driver is a seat-like pressure sensor disposed on a steering wheel.
A system for detecting signs of falling asleep while driving a car, characterized in that the system is mounted on a steering wheel . The vibration corresponding to the tactile stimulation signal is generated in a wide range of the steering wheel regardless of how the driver is gripping the steering wheel,
A pressure sensor is placed over a wide area of the steering wheel so that when the driver who senses the vibration responds, the response can be achieved by gripping back at that position on the steering wheel. The system for detecting a drowsiness sign during driving of a vehicle according to claim 1.
The means for repetitively transmitting tactile stimulation signals comprises:
2. The drowsiness sign detection system for driving a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the tactile stimulus signal is automatically and repeatedly transmitted at pseudo-random intervals within a predetermined time width. . 4. The drowsiness sign detection system for driving a car according to claim 3, wherein the tactile stimulus signal is generated so as to have a random fluctuation of α seconds centering on a median value M seconds selected by the driver. . In the data sent from the means for detecting the response from the driver,
The system according to claim 1, wherein if there is no response from the driver for a predetermined value A seconds or more, the driver determines that the driver is a doze sign. The exclusion period of the certain condition is a certain period of time when the engine is stopped, a certain period of time when the engine is started, a period of time when the turn indicator is blinking in the right turn and left turn, and the steering angle of the steering wheel is turned more than a certain position. 2. The time zone during which the acceleration pedal changes when the acceleration pedal is depressed, the acceleration pedal changes, or the brake pedal is depressed, and the transmission gear is one of a reverse time zone, a neutral time zone, and a parking time zone. The drowsiness sign detection system while driving a car. In the period excluding certain conditions,
Means for repeatedly transmitting tactile stimulation signals;
Means for generating vibration on the steering wheel corresponding to the tactile stimulus signal;
Means for detecting a response from the driver to the tactile stimulus signal with a seat-like pressure sensor on a steering wheel;
The means for generating the vibration corresponding to the tactile stimulus signal is arranged by distributing a plurality of vibration motors or piezoelectric actuator elements arranged on the steering wheel to a plurality of locations of the steering wheel or spokes supporting the wheel,
The means for detecting a response from the driver is a seat-like pressure sensor disposed on a steering wheel.
Is mounted on the steering wheel,
Based on the real time length without response from the driver,
Doze warning detection methods vehicles during operation you characterized by determining the dozing sign of the driver. The vibration corresponding to the tactile stimulation signal is generated in a wide range of the steering wheel regardless of how the driver is gripping the steering wheel,
A pressure sensor is placed over a wide area of the steering wheel so that when the driver who senses the vibration responds, the response can be achieved by gripping back at that position on the steering wheel. The method of detecting a drowsiness sign during driving of an automobile according to claim 7. Means for repetitively transmitting tactile stimulation signals;
8. The method of detecting a drowsiness sign during driving of a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the tactile stimulus signal is automatically and repeatedly transmitted at pseudo-random intervals within a predetermined time range. . 10. The method of detecting a drowsiness sign during driving of a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the tactile stimulus signal is generated so as to have a random fluctuation of α seconds centering on a median value M seconds selected by the driver. . In the data sent from the means for detecting the response from the driver,
8. The method of detecting a doze sign during driving of a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein if there is no response from the driver for a predetermined value A seconds or more, it is determined that the driver is a doze sign. Exclude the fixed condition from the fixed period of time when the engine is stopped, the fixed time period when the engine is started, the right and left turns, the time zone where the turn indicator is flashing, 8. The time zone in which the acceleration is changing more than a certain value by stepping on the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal, or the brake pedal, and the transmission gear is in one of reverse, neutral, or parking time zone. To detect signs of falling asleep while driving a car.

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