What is this product?

The Drowsy Driver Detection System uses a 24-GHz transceiver both to illuminate the head and upper torso of the driver and also to capture the reflected signal from the driver containing the pertinent data. These transceivers are similar to those used in automatic door entry systems and operate at safe power and frequency levels.

   

The technique monitors and quantitatively measures several indices, such as the general activity level, the speed, frequency and duration of eyelid closure, the rate of heartbeat and respiration, by analyzing the Doppler components present in the reflected signal. The APL system uses two criteria to measure the degree of drowsiness.

1. A drowsy index based on general activity. This index measures the activity of the person being monitored. As fatigue sets in, this activity will drop below a certain level. A warning can be given at this time notifying the person that they are becoming sleepy.
   
2. A supplemental index monitors the eye activity for changes associated with increased levels of drowsiness and for eye closure. This second index allows for warnings of increasing intensity as the onset of sleep occurs.
   

© 2000 The Johns Hopkins University