The development of technologies for preventing drowsiness at the wheel is a major challenge in the field of accident avoidance systems. Preventing drowsiness during driving requires a method for accurately detecting a decline in driver alertness and a method for alerting and refreshing the driver. As a detection method, a system has been developed that uses image processing technology to analyze images of the driver's face taken with a video camera. Diminished alertness is detected on the basis of the degree to which the driver's eyes are open or closed. This detection system provides a noncontact technique for judging various levels of driver alertness, and facilitates early detection of a decline in alertness detection of a decline in alertness during driving. When a diminished state of alertness is detected, the system issues a signal that first activates an audible warning, and then generates a menthol scent. Compared with the stimulative effect of an audible warning alone, experimental results show that the provision of an audible warning combined with a menthol scent is more than twice as effective in keeping the driver alert. (A)
Abstract