Detecting fatigue in machine operator or vehicle driver

摘要

A pattern of operator or driver control actions is measured at the start of a period of operation of the machine or vehicle, stored and then compared with later determined patterns of control actions. When the two sets of patterns of control actions differ by a predetermined amount, a warning signal is initiated and, if appropriate, the machine or vehicle is brought to rest. In a vehicle, a pressure sensor 1 forms part of the steering wheel and a processor 5 records the pattern of variations in effort applied to the driving wheel of the vehicle by the driver over a period of time. An initially stored pattern is then compared with successive patterns during the period of driving. Other factors, such as steering wheel deflection, road speed, suspension movements, roll and vehicle position, may be taken into account by the processor.