A portable device for alertness detection

The authors' aim is to conceive a tool that permits to characterize the levels of vigilance of vehicle drivers by recording in real time the physiological signal variation. The adopted way consists in developing a portable device composed of two parts: the first is analogical for signal shaping and the second is a numerical part. The latter is built up around a DSP (TMS320C31) which ensures signal acquisition from analogue/digital converters, storage, real time treatment and display decision. In this report the authors have implemented an algorithm that permits the treatment and detection of hypovigilance detection. They are currently studying the implementation of a decision algorithm, according to a database of 12 files of 24 hour-EEG registered in volunteers. The authors are studying variations of alpha, beta, theta and delta waves of the EEG in order to define decision levels about transitions of a vigilance state to another.