A System and Method for Improving Driver’s Safety

Abstract

Abstract A system and method for improving driver’s safety The present invention provides a system (100) and method (200) for improving driver’s safety. A camera arranged within a vehicle interior to detect drivers face movement. The system (100) further includes a drowsiness detection module (120), the camera monitors the driver’s eye blinking rate and movement, when the driver eyes are detected to be closed for more than a particular time, LED lights are activated and a mild buzzer warns against disaster cautions. A breath analyser placed in the vehicle interior to detect driver’s alcohol consumption. If the driver detected drunk up to specific parameter, then system will switch off vehicle automatically. The system (100) includes a music system, according to the driver’s facial expression, driver’s mood detected and the system (100) plays music to comfort the driver mood while driving. Figure 1

Specification

Description:Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle safety. More specially, the present invention relates to a system and method for improving driver's safety.

Background of the invention:

[0002] The rate of the road accidents has increased to a great extent in India. According to recent survey, 461,312 road accidents were reported in India resulting in 168,491 deaths and 443,366 injuries. There are traffic guidelines which people don't follow properly causing a lot of road accidents. One of the main reasons for road accident is alcohol consumption by drivers, alcohol consumption leads many accidents on road.

[0003] According to recent traffic surveys, fatigue and alcohol consumption while driving contribute to 23% and 38% of road accidents, respectively. As per the data of 2022 3,268 accidents and 1,503 deaths in India were caused by drunk driving, which is about 11% of the total road accident deaths in the country. Hence drunk driving is very dangerous. Police can fine drunk driver but cannot stop their drinking habit and due to such situation, the driver drives under influence of alcohol and leads to accidents.

[0004] Generally, after going on a long drive, the driver may fall asleep and that may lead to a fatal accident due to unconsciousness of the driver. It has widely observed that drivers often fall asleep after long drives and it is also a natural thing that after a particular time while driving, the driver may automatically fall asleep and thus may lead to accidents on highway.

[0005] Therefore, there is a requirement for a system and method for improving driver's safety that overcomes all the problems stated above..

Objects of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for improving driver's safety.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is the system and method for improving driver's safety that enhances road safety by, mitigating the risk of accidents caused by driver drowsiness and driving under influence of alcohol.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is the system and method for improving driver's safety that improves drivers' mood while driving to avoid any kind of injury and disaster.

Summary of the invention:

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a system and method for improving driver's safety. The system may include an alcohol detection module, a drowsiness detection module, a mood detection module, a processing unit and a control unit.

[0010] The alcohol detection module analyse a driver breath, there may be a sensor arranged within the system to analyse the breath of the driver to detect the level of alcohol in the driver's breath. The drowsiness detection module analyse driver's eyes and blinking rates and eyelid closure duration. The drowsiness detection module may include a camera to analyse driver's eyes and blinking rates and eyelid closure duration. The mood detection module analyses driver's facial expressions and emotional state, the mood detection module maybe provides a signal indicative of the driver's mood.

[0011] The processing unit may be communicatively coupled to the alcohol detection module, drowsiness detection module, and mood detection module. The processing unit maybe arranged to receive and process signals from the alcohol detection module, drowsiness detection module, and mood detection module.

[0012] The system may activate a vehicle alert module upon detection of alcohol above the specific parameter, drowsiness, and mood condition of the driver. The system may deactivate the vehicle's engine if alcohol is detected above the specific parameter. Further the system may activate audio-visual alerts within the vehicle if drowsiness is detected.

[0013] The control unit may be communicatively coupled to the processing unit and configured to adjust the vehicle's operations based on signals from the processing unit, it may include alter the speed of the vehicle or trigger an alarm.

[0014] In an aspect of the present invention, the drowsiness detection module may include an image processing unit configured to detect facial landmarks including the eyes, and there may be a feature extraction unit arranged within the system that evaluates the driver's blinking rate and eyelid closure duration to determine a drowsiness level.

[0015] In other aspects of the present invention, the mood detection module includes, the image processing unit configured to detect and analyse facial expressions, including mouth and lip movements, and the feature extraction unit that evaluates the facial expressions to determine the driver's emotional state.

[0016] In other aspects of the present invention, the processing unit may further configure to play a music track corresponding to the detected mood of the driver and suggest shows or movies on an onboard entertainment system based on the detected mood.

[0017] In other aspects of the present invention, a visual display unit may configure to present information or warnings to the driver, based on the output of the processing unit, a wireless communication unit maybe arranged to enable hands-free calling, the activation of the wireless communication module is based on driver's alertness detected by drowsiness detection module.

[0018] In another aspects of the present invention the system may configured to activate a mist spray for alerting the driver.


[0019] In another aspects of the present invention are the drowsiness detection module and mood detection module may adjust their sensitivity and thresholds based on ambient lighting conditions and driver behaviour patterns.

[0020] In another aspects of the present invention, the system may disable or reduce the sensitivity of the detection modules temporarily based on predefined conditions, such as the vehicle being parked or in idle mode.

[0021] According to the present invention, a method of operating a system for improving vehicle safety includes steps, the system may include an alcohol detection module to determine if the alcohol concentration exceeds a predefined parameter by analysing the driver's breath. The system may include a drowsiness detection module to monitors the driver's eye movements, blinking rate, and eyelid closure duration. Further, a mood detection module may analyse driver's facial expressions. The system may determine driver's state by processing the alcohol detection module drowsiness detection module, and mood detection module.

[0022] The system may trigger vehicle response including engine deactivation, speed adjustment, and alert activation based on the detected state of the driver.

[0023] In an aspect of the present invention the method of operating the system for improving vehicle safety includes step, the system may triggered vehicle responses includes activating a backlight on the vehicle's rear window to warn surrounding drivers upon detecting unsafe driving conditions.

Brief description of drawings:

[0024] The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a system and method for improving driver's safety in accordance with the present invention; and

[0026] Figure 2 shows a process flow view of a system and method for improving driver's safety in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0027] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0028] The present invention provides a system and method for improving driver's safety for drivers. The system includes multiple driver safety system which prevent the driver from fatal accident such as drink and drive, there may be sensor arrange which detect the alcohol and prevent the driver from driving. The system also alerts the driver for better concentration on the road which prevent the driver from accident due to low energy or drowsiness.

[0029] The terms "first," "second," and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0030] Referring now to figures 1, a system for improving vehicle safety (100) for drivers in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The system (100) includes an alcohol detection module (110), a drowsiness detection module (120), a mood detection module (130), processing unit (140) and a control unit (150).

[0031] The alcohol detection module (110) analyses driver's breath and detect alcohol consumption. The alcohol detection module (110) includes an MQ3 sensor (Not shown) to analyse driver's breath and detect alcohol consumption, the MQ3 sensor is arranged within interior of vehicle, the person skilled in the art can arrange the sensor anywhere around the driver of the vehicle. The MQ3 sensor is adapted to provide a signal indicative of the presence of alcohol above a predetermined parameter. Upon starting a vehicle, the driver's safety system (100) actives and the MQ3 sensor analyse driver's breath and detect alcohol consumption, if the alcohol consumption exceeds the predefined parameter the system (100) deactivates the vehicle's engine. In a present embodiment, MQ3 is arranged to detect driver's breath. In another embodiment, a MQ138 sensor may be arranged to analyse the breath of the driver. In another embodiment, MQ303A sensor or TGS 2620 or TGS 2621 sensor or electrochemical sensors or metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) sensors or semiconductor sensors. It is obvious for a person skilled in the art arrange any alternative sensor instead of MQ3 to detect presence of alcohol within driver's breath.

[0032] The drowsiness detection module (120) includes a camera (not shown) arrange on the upper side of driver's seat adjacent to the sun visor to capture driver's face and monitor a driver's eye movements, blinking rate, and eyelid closure duration and provides a signal indicative of drowsiness based on predefined criteria. In an embodiment the camera may be arranged in the steering to capture the facial expression of the driver, it is obvious for the person skilled in the art to arranged the camera anywhere in the car to capture the driver. The drowsiness module (120) includes an image processing unit (140) which determines drowsiness level of the driver based on driver's eye movements, blinking rate, and eyelid closure duration. The system (100) activates audio-visual (not shown) alerts within the vehicle if drowsiness is detected, in the present embodiment for audio visual alert system will immediately activate an LED light and a mild buzzer (not shown) to alert the driver, the person skilled in the art can arrange any alternative embodiment to alert the driver.

[0033] The drowsiness detection module (110) can activate the wireless communication based on drivers' alertness. The system (100) includes a mist spray (not shown) within in interior of vehicle, the image processing unit (140) detect the drivers eye movement, if the eyes of the driver remains closed for a particular time the system (100) spry the water (not shown) on the driver face through the mist spray to alert the driver. The system (100) can adjust sensitivity and thresholds of the drowsiness detection module (120) based on ambient lighting conditions and driver behaviour patterns.

[0034] For examples, if the intensity of light within the vehicle is low and the captured images are not clear to analyse the driver facial expression by the image processing unit, at that time the system will increase the sensitivity and threshold of the drowsiness detection module (120) .In a present embodiment, camera is arranged to monitors drivers eye movements, blinking rate, and eyelid closure duration. In another embodiment, PI cam maybe arranged or alter cam used to monitors drivers' eye, blinking rate and eyelid disclosure. It is obvious for a person skilled in the art to arrange any alternative camera at any position to monitors drivers eye, blinking rate and eyelid disclosure .

[0035] The mood detection module (130) analyse the driver's facial expressions and emotional state using image processing unit (140), and provides a signal indicative of the driver's mood. The image processing unit (140) gets the captured videos from the camera and analyse facial expressions, including mouth and lip movements. Further, a feature extraction unit (Not shown) arranged within the mood detection module (130) that evaluates these expressions detected by image processing unit (140) to determine the driver's emotional state. The processing unit (140) connected to the infotainment system (Not shown) which play a music track corresponding to the detected mood of the driver and suggest shows or movies on an onboard entertainment system based on the detected mood. The mood detection module (130) can adjust sensitivity and thresholds based on ambient lighting conditions and driver behaviour patterns. In present embodiment, the system (100) plays a music corresponding to drivers' facial expression and detected mood, the person skilled in art can arrange any alternative embodiment to enhance the mood of the driver.

[0036] The processing unit (140) is connected to an entire system (100) to receive and process signals from the alcohol detection module (110), drowsiness detection module (120), and mood detection module (130). The processing unit (140) activates a vehicle alert system upon detection of alcohol above the parameter, drowsiness detection module (120), and mood detection module (130) to detect condition of the driver, the control unit (150) communicatively coupled to the processing unit (140) to adjust the vehicle's operations based on signals from the processing unit (140), including altering the speed of the vehicle or triggering an alarm. In present embodiment, the processing unit (140) is Raspberry Pi 3 Model (not shown) .In an embodiment, Asus tinker board may be arranged as a processing unit (140). In another embodiment, Aeon UP board, or Banana BPI-M4 or Orange Pi PC Board (also PC2) or RockPi or FriendlyARM Nano Pi M4 or Le Potato Libre Computer or ROCK64 may be arranged as an processing unit (140).It is obvious that the person skilled in the art to arranged any processing unit based on the requirement of the system(100).

[0037] The method (200) starts at step 210 as shown in figure 2.

[0038] At step 220, an alcohol detection module (110) analyses the driver's breath to determine if the alcohol concentration exceeds a predefined parameter. The system (100) deactivates engine if alcohol detected above predefined parameter.

[0039] At step 230, a drowsiness detection module (120) monitors the driver's eye movements, blinking rate, and eyelid closure duration. An image processing unit (Not shown) determines drowsiness level based on facial landmarks, eye and feature extraction unit, drivers blinking rate and eyelid disclosure.

[0040] At step 240, a mood detection module (130) analyses the driver's facial expressions and emotional state by using image processing and providing a signal indicative of the driver's mood. The system (100) play a music track corresponding to the detected mood of the driver and suggest shows or movies on an onboard entertainment system based on the detected mood.

[0041] At step 250, a processing unit (140)receive signals from the alcohol detection module (110), drowsiness detection module (120), and mood detection module (130) to determine the driver's state.

[0042] At step 260, the system (100) triggers vehicle response including engine deactivation, speed adjustment, and alert activation based on the detected state of the driver. Further the system (100) activates a backlight of the vehicle's rear window to warn surrounding drivers upon detecting unsafe driving conditions.

[0043] The method (200) ends at step (270).

[0044] Therefore, the advantage of the present invention is to provide the system (100) for improving driver's safety. The system (100) includes an alcohol detection module (110), a drowsiness detection module (120) and mood detection module (130).The alcohol detection module (110) can prevent major accident due to alcohol detection and identifies a driver who may not too able to drive due to alcohol consumption above predefined parameter. The drowsiness detection module (120) keeps a driver continuously alert while driving to avoid accidents. The mood detection module (130) plays a song to improves driver's mood while driving, so that driver drives a vehicle peacefully.

[0045] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention best and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.
, Claims: We claim

1. A system (100) for improving driver's safety, comprising:
an alcohol detection module (110) configured to analyse a driver's breath using a sensor (Not shown), the sensor is adapted to provide a signal indicative of the presence of alcohol above a predetermined threshold;
a drowsiness detection module (120) configured to monitor the driver's eye movements, blinking rate, and eyelid closure duration using a camera (Not shown), and providing a signal indicative of drowsiness based on predefined criteria;
a mood detection module (130) configured to analyse the driver's facial expressions and emotional state using image processing, and providing a signal indicative of the driver's mood;
a processing unit (140) communicatively coupled to the alcohol detection module (110), drowsiness detection module (120), and mood detection module (130);
the processing unit (140) is configured to receive and process signals from the alcohol detection module (110), drowsiness detection module (120), and mood detection module (130);
the system (100) activates a vehicle alert module (142) upon detection of alcohol above the predetermined threshold, drowsiness, and mood condition of the driver;
the system (100) deactivates the vehicle's engine if alcohol is detected above the predetermined threshold;
the system (100) activates audio-visual alerts within the vehicle if drowsiness is detected; and
a control unit (150) communicatively coupled to the processing unit (140) and configured to adjust the vehicle's operations based on signals from the processing unit (140), including altering the speed of the vehicle or triggering an alarm.

2. The system (100) for improving driver's safety as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drowsiness detection module (120) includes an image processing unit (Not shown) configured to detect facial landmarks including the eyes, and a feature extraction unit that evaluates the driver's blinking rate and eyelid closure duration to determine a drowsiness level.

3. The system (100) for improving driver's safety as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mood detection module (130) includes, the image processing unit configured to detect and analyse facial expressions, including mouth and lip movements, and the feature extraction unit that evaluates the facial expressions to determine the driver's emotional state.

4. The system (100) for improving driver's safety as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (140) is further configured to play a music track corresponding to the detected mood of the driver and suggest shows or movies on an onboard entertainment system based on the detected mood.

5. The system (100) for improving driver's safety as claimed in claim 1, wherein a visual display unit (Not shown) configured to present information or warnings to the driver, based on the output of the processing unit (140), a wireless communication unit enabling hands-free calling, the activation of the wireless communication module (Not shown) is based on driver's alertness detected by drowsiness detection module (120).

6. The system (100) for improving driver's safety as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) is configured to activate a mist spray for alerting the driver.

7. The system (100) for improving driver's safety as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drowsiness detection module (120) and mood detection module (130) are configured to adjust their sensitivity and thresholds based on ambient lighting conditions and driver behaviour patterns.


8. The system (100) for improving driver's safety as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100)further configured to disable or reduce the sensitivity of the detection modules temporarily based on predefined conditions, such as the vehicle being parked or in idle mode.

9. A method (200) of operating a system (100) for improving driver's safety, comprising the steps of:
analysing the driver's breath using an alcohol detection module (110) to determine if the alcohol concentration exceeds a predefined threshold;
monitoring the driver's eye movements, blinking rate, and eyelid closure duration using a drowsiness detection module (120);
analysing the driver's facial expressions using a mood detection module (130);
processing the detected signals from the alcohol detection module (110), drowsiness detection module (120), and mood detection module (130) to determine the driver's state;
triggering vehicle responses, including engine deactivation, speed adjustment, and alert activation based on the detected state of the driver.

10. The method (200) operating a system for improving driver's safety as claimed in claim 9, wherein the step of triggering vehicle responses includes activating a backlight on the vehicle's rear window to warn surrounding drivers upon detecting unsafe driving conditions.

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