Form 9.B Project Summary

Chron: 972551

Proposal Number: 01.01-4386A

Project Title: Fatigue evaluation and countermeasures using real-time video analysis

Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)

The feasibility of a system to measure blink rate, percentage eyelid closure, blink amplitude, and blink duration from real-time video analysis to detect operator fatigue and produce countermeasures will be evaluated. The system produces an alarm when the onset of fatigue is detected (or the eyes remain closed longer than a selected interval). An active pixel camera will be used to acquire video images of the operator's eyes. Active pixel cameras are produced by a relatively inexpensive CMOS fabrication technique that can produce both analog to digital conversion circuitry on the same chip, thus the active pixel camera can produce digital video that is usable directly by a computer with no intermediate video boards, etc. A compact computer system will process the video images using specially designed algorithms to detect and quantify features of the eye in real-time. An inexpensive and non-invasive fatigue monitoring system would have broad commercial applications in aviation and ground transportation. The interruption of the circadian cycle in space flight and long distance aviation, and the continuous state of alertness required during certain tasks make alertness and fatigue monitoring especially important in these situations.

Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)

An effective, low-cost, unobtrusive fatigue monitoring system has large commercial potential because of the scale of the problem. Such a system could be widely used in commercial aviation, space missions, and ground transportation. The technology has potential for low-cost production because it is based on low-cost standard hardware components with specialized software. Early adopters of this fatigue monitoring system would probably be groups who are at high risk for fatigue-related accidents because of the hours they work including astronauts, commercial airline pilots, air traffic controllers, and long distance truck drivers.

Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,

Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)

Jeffrey Bishop

Future of Technology and Health, LC

PO Box 1233

Iowa City , IA 52244-1233

Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,

City/State/Zip)

Jennifer Bishop

Future of Technology and Health, LC

PO Box 1233

Iowa City , IA 52244-1233