The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 21, 1995
Filed:
Jan. 10, 1995
David E Cooper, Tempe, AZ (US);
Other;
Abstract
A sleep awakening device awakens drivers of motor vehicles who are falling asleep while driving. The sleep awakening device includes a pair of eyeglasses and a control unit electrically connected thereto to provide both visual and audible warnings to alert a driver who is falling asleep. The pair of eyeglasses include a sensing lever that is in constant contact with one of the driver's upper eyelid muscles. Downward motion of the eyelid moves the sensing lever downward and actuates a microswitch that is coupled to the sensing lever. The microswitch in turn actuates circuitry located in the control unit to turn on a light each time the driver closes his eyelid. The circuitry includes a time delay relay that initiates an audible signal if the eyelid remains closed for a preset period of time. A normal blink of a driver's eye does not produce an audible alarm. However, if the driver's eyelid fails to open in a predetermined time, the audible alarm will sound. As soon as the driver's eyelid opens, a yellow caution light and the audible alarm are reset. Normal eye blinks produce illumination of the yellow caution light in view of the driver, thereby assuring the driver that the sleep awakening device is functioning properly.