The invention comprises of a system of eyelid motion monitoring and the method of eyelid motion monitoring used as a warning apparatus against falling asleep during vehicle, machine or other working devices operation (e.g. overhead cranes) or as a system to monitor the work of personnel operating systems controlling production lines, packaging lines, switchboards or operators of industrial monitoring, road traffic, etc. detecting the level of drowsiness and registering the time during which personnel operate and supervise their production lines or monitoring systems. The system and method can also be used to determine the well-being of pilots - the level of their fatigue with the flight and their concentration as an effect of autopilot use during the flight with the need to maintain focus as errors in the operation of on-board computers may occur.

There is a known system that warns the driver about uncontrolled lane change that interferes with the steering of the vehicle, for example the Japanese Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system used, for example, in Infiniti vehicles. The system uses a camera located in the rear-view mirror case that monitors the road in real time and sends information to a computer that analyses the data in real time and checks whether there is a car between the lanes on which the vehicle is moving. If the vehicle starts to cross any of the lines without turning on the indicator by the driver, the computer sends a warning and warning lights are displayed on the dashboard and a sound is heard from the speakers. At the same time, the system also begins to interfere with the steering of the vehicle. The wheels positioned on the opposite side in relation to the line the car is crossing are braked. However, the driver should not be anxious as the whole process is not very rapid. Otherwise, the driver could become alarmed and react too violently. This process is barely noticeable, but enough to attract the driver's attention. If the computer senses the movement of the steering wheel, and the driver adjusting the driving track - the system stops braking the wheels. The design of the system is intended not to interfere with the driver's daily driving routine. It does not work in urban traffic and at speeds below 70 km/h. Moreover, for LPD system to interfere with the steering of the vehicle, it is required the system is switched on every time the vehicle is started. Otherwise, the driver will only get a standard warning about an uncontrolled lane change. The disadvantage of the LDP system is that it works properly in good visibility conditions. It is primarily intended for long routes, such as motorway travel, where the lines are easy to detect. The operation of the LDP system may be disturbed by rain, snow or muddy roads, but practical tests proved it detects most of the white and yellow lines, both continuous and broken. Of course the disadvantage of this system is that its operation depends on the sensitivity of the camera used, the view angle of the camera and how clean the lens of the camera is.

There are simple systems detecting the level of drowsiness in a river and reminding them to take a break in the journey by triggering a sound or visual signal. The operation of simple systems, used e.g. by Volkswagen is based on detecting the motion of the steering wheel, which are typical for fatigued people.

There are also more complex systems, e.g. in Mercedes-Benz and Skoda, which develop a pattern of driver behaviour during the first minutes of driving, take into account the time of day and time of travel and analyse about 70 parameters from different sensors. The warnings are displayed as symbols of a set of indicators (e.g. a cup of coffee). A popular driver fatigue monitoring system used in Skoda models is based on information stored in the computer memory about the regular way of driving - the information is saved after turning on the ignition and the system during the first 15 minutes of driving - this preliminary assessment of driving style is constantly compared with the current way of driving. If there is a discrepancy between the regular way of driving and current driving, a break in the journey is recommended.

The main disadvantage of this system is its indirect operation - based on the record of the first 15 minutes of driving. The manufacturer informs that the system will not produce a warning if the driver falls asleep for approx. 1 second in some traffic situations such as driving in sports mode, unfavourable weather conditions such as snow or rain, or on poor road surfaces. The system is recommended when driving on motorways. The system automatically deletes the preliminary driving style assessment when the car is stopped and the ignition is turned off, or when the car is stopped, the safety belt is released and the car door is opened or the car is stopped for 15 minutes.

Another popular driver monitoring system is used in coaches and trucks, where the camera image of the driver's face is recorded and stored in the computer memory as a reference image for analysis, and then, while the vehicle is in the course of driving, the camera image of the driver's face is recorded and the recorded image is compared with the image stored in the memory as a reference image.

There are other systems analysing closing of an eye based on the image sent by the camera scanning the current image of the driver's face and comparing the scanned image in real time with the previously stored image of the rested driver.

The systems described above compare the image of the whole face of the driver or selected parts of the face (eyes, eyebrows), while the important thing is the location of the driver's face in relation to the cameras. Pilots of aircraft also use popular systems, such as the one patented as no. US10102773, which track and compare the image of the whole face of the pilot or selected parts of their faces, which however limits the scope of application only to times when the pilot is sitting in the front seat straight up, facing the steering wheel, and not during check-lists’ check-ups or changing parameters or instrumentation controls.

The main goal to be achieved through the invention is to develop a system of simple design that is reliable and low cost, monitors the condition of drivers, machine operators, monitoring operators, etc. in real time, independent of changes in road conditions, conditions in the driver's cab, machine rooms, monitoring rooms, etc. - lighting, humidity, etc. A method of monitoring the eyelid motion, especially in systems warning against falling asleep or of drowsiness, characterised by the fact that at least one eye is illuminated by one or more optical beams with an intensity smaller than that which causes the eye to react to the illumination by an optical radiation beam, generated by an optical radiation source, the intensity of the reflected light beam is measured using an optical radiation sensor and compared with the optimum value, which is the intensity value when the eyelids of the eye are open and the eyeball is illuminated with the intensity value of the reflected beam when the eyelids are closed, including the analysis of the duration of this intensity value and the production of an alarm signal when the intensity value and duration of this value meet the criteria for closed eyelids, or the parameters of all eyelid motion are stored for further analysis.

The intensity of the light beam is preferably reflected from the surface of the eyeball and from the surface of the closed eyelids is effectively measured and compared, or the intensity of the light beam passing along and between the contact plane between open and closed eyelids is measured and compared. The system uses an interruption of optical radiation beam (or multiple beams) by changing the position of the eyelid during closing and opening.

The goal of the invention was achieved by developing an eyelid movement monitoring apparatus which, according to the invention guidelines, contains a supporting structure to which at least one optical radiation source and at least one optical radiation sensor, a signalling system and at least one power supply system connected to the signalling system are fixed.

The equipment preferably includes at least one control system connected to the optical radiation source, and at least one signal level shaping and processing system connected to the optical radiation sensor and signalling system, whereas the control system and the signal level shaping and processing system shall be connected to the power supply.

The equipment preferably includes at least one memory processor chip connected to an optical radiation source, optical radiation sensor and signal processor, and at least one memory reading module, connected to at least one memory processor chip, with the memory processor chip and memory reading module connected to the power supply.

The goal of the invention was also achieved by developing an eyelid movement monitoring apparatus which, according to the invention guidelines, contains a supporting structure to which at least one optical radiation source and at least one optical radiation sensor, and a panel including at least one signalling system and power supply system connected to the signalling system are fixed.

The equipment preferably includes at least one control system connected to the optical radiation source with the use of a wire, and at least one signal level shaping and processing system connected to the optical radiation sensor with the use of a wire and signalling system, whereas the control system and the signal level shaping and processing system shall be connected to the power supply. The panel preferably includes at least one memory processor chip connected to an optical radiation source, optical radiation sensor with the use of wires and signal processor, and at least one memory reading module, connected to at least one memory processor chip, with the memory processor chip and memory reading module connected to the power supply.

Eyelid motion monitoring system contains a superstructure to which at least two optical systems ending in a light-guide cable are attached, and an assembly comprising at least one source of optical radiation and at least one optical radiation detector, at least one power supply unit connected to the signalling system, and at least two optical fibres connecting the optical systems to the source of optical radiation and the optical radiation detector.

The panel preferably includes at least one memory processor chip connected to at least one detector, with at least one source of optical radiation and at least one signalling module, and one memory reading module connected to at least one memory processor chip, with the memory processor chip and memory reading module connected to the power supply.

The panel preferably includes at least one control system connected to the optical radiation source, and at least one signal level shaping and processing system connected to the optical radiation sensor and signalling system, whereas the control system and the signal level shaping and processing system shall be connected to the power supply.

The goal of the invention was also achieved by developing an eyelid motion monitoring system which, according to the guidelines of the invention, comprises of a supporting structure to which at least one source of optical radiation, at least one optical radiation detector, at least one control system, at least one matching system, a wireless communication module and a power source are attached, whereas the control system is connected to the source of optical radiation and matching system, and the matching system is connected to the wireless communication module and the optical radiation detector, and the power source is connected to the control system, the matching system, the communication module, and the panel having at least one wireless communication module connected to at least one signalling system, as well as the power source connected to the communication module and the signalling system.

The panel preferably includes at least one signal level shaping and processing system between the communication module and the signalling system, connected to a power source.

The panel preferably includes a processor chip with memory connected to the wireless communication module and signalling chip and a memory reading chip connected to the processor chip with memory, both of which are connected to a power source.

Wireless communication panels are preferably radio communication panels or communication panels using optical radiation or sound waves.

The source of optical radiation is preferably a light-emitting diode or laser diode or bulb.

The radiation detector is preferably to be a photodiode or phototransistor, CCD matrix or photoresistor. The source of optical radiation and the optical radiation detector are preferably fixed to the supporting structure on opposite sides of the eye, parallel to each other, and at the eyelid contact edge level.

The optical radiation source and the optical radiation detector are preferably fixed to the supporting structure at any point so that the optical radiation generated by the optical radiation source is reflected by the optical radiation detector when reflected from the closed eyelid.

The signalling system preferably includes an acoustic alarm generating unit or a vibration alarm generating unit or a light alarm generating unit.

The signalling system preferably includes a wireless communication panel that transfers the alarm signal to external signalling systems or to external actuators.

The memory reading module preferably includes a galvanic or radio output or an optical radiation output to read data stored in the memory by an external device.

The invention has been presented in examples of realization in the drawing, where fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the course of the optical radiation beam in the device in an advantageous embodiment using the phenomenon of reflection of the optical radiation beam, fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the course of the optical radiation beam in the device in an advantageous embodiment using the phenomenon of intercepting the optical radiation beam, fig. 3 shows the apparatus in an advantageous embodiment in front view; fig. 4, the apparatus in the second embodiment in front view; fig. 5 apparatus in the next embodiment in front view; fig. 6 apparatus in the next embodiment in front view; fig. 7 apparatus in the next embodiment in front view; fig. 8 the apparatus in the next embodiment in front view; fig.9 block diagram of the apparatus according to the invention in an advantageous embodiment; fig. 10 block diagram of the apparatus according to the invention in the next advantageous embodiment, fig.11 block diagram of the apparatus according to the invention in the next advantageous embodiment fig. 12 block diagram of the apparatus according to the invention in the advantageous embodiment, fig. 13 block diagram of the apparatus according to the invention in the advantageous embodiment, fig. 14 block diagram of the apparatus according to the invention in the advantageous embodiment, fig. 15 block diagram of the apparatus according to the invention in the advantageous embodiment, fig. 16 block diagram of the apparatus according to the invention in the advantageous embodiment.

According to the invention, the apparatus uses the phenomenon of reflection of the optical radiation beam from the eyeball and eyelid of the eye, as it is shown schematically in fig. 1. The beam either bounces completely off the eyelid and hits the detector or partially bounces off the eyeball and hits the detector, the rest of the beam is absorbed and/or bounces in another direction missing the detector. Eyelid closing is diagnosed by one absorption of optical radiation through the eyeball and another through the eyelid. With the appropriate setting of the 2. source of optical radiation and 3.2 source of optical radiation in relation to each other, it is possible to precisely diagnose the closing of the eyelid for a period longer than that resulting from the normal eyelid blinking - the motion of the eyelids leading to keeping the eyes close for 300 ms - 400 ms. The frequency of blinking is usually constant for each person, but impacted by various emotional factors - anxiety, excitement and fatigue, or external factors such as temperature, humidity, cigarette smoking, it can change.

The method of monitoring in this case shall consist of placing an optical radiation source generating at least one optical radiation beam and at least one optical radiation detector in the vicinity of at least one eye, after which at least one eye shall be illuminated by at least one optical radiation beam with an intensity less than that which causes the eye to react to the illumination by an optical radiation source, and then the intensity of the reflected light beam is measured using an optical radiation detector and compared with the optimum value, which is the intensity during the time when the eyelids of the eye/eyes are open and the eyeball is illuminated with the intensity of the reflected beam when the eyelids are closed, the duration of the reflected intensity value when the eyelids are closed shall be analysed and an alarm signal shall be produced if the duration of the measured reflected intensity value is equal to or greater than the maximum permitted duration of the reflected intensity value for normal blinking.

In this way the intensity of the beam/beams and the optical radiation reflected from the eyeball is measured and compared - part of the beam is absorbed by the eyeball and is not reflected and the one reflected from the eyelid. Differences in beam/beams strength are significant and shall enable determining the exact time periods of the specified beam strength and the intensity at which the alarm signal shall be produced, for example when the system detects that an eyelid is closed for too long (e.g. more than one second) while driving a vehicle or performing any other activity, and sets off an alarm (vibrations, acoustic, etc.) to warn the user against falling asleep.

When the changes should be based on a long-term observation - visual fatigue or the impact of external conditions on the operation of the eye - the parameters of all eyelid movements in a given period of time are stored in real time memory for further analysis.

According to the invention, the apparatus also uses the phenomenon of intercepting the radiation beam through a closed eyelid with the appropriate setting of the source 2. of optical radiation and the detector 3. of optical radiation in relation to each other, for reference see fig.2. The beam either passes between open eyelids and hits the detector or partially bounces off a closed eyelid and does not hit the detector. In both cases, the shape and course of the radiation beam can be realized by means of mirrors, prisms, lenses or optical fibres.

In this case the method of monitoring is similar to that described above, with the important difference that the source of optical radiation and the optical radiation detector are situated on both sides of the eye collinearly and the intensity of the optical radiation beam/beam passing along the contact plane of the edges of the eyelids when they are closed and open is measured and the optical radiation beam interruption (intersection) is used by changing the position of the eyelid during its closing and opening. In both cases, the shape and course of the radiation beam may also be realised by means of mirrors, prisms, lenses or optical fibre so that it is not necessary to place the 2. source of optical radiation and the 3. detector of optical radiation directly at the eye.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the design of the apparatus according to the invention in which the apparatus has a source of 2. optical radiation fixed, for example, at the temple of the supporting structure 1 - for example, on a spectacle frame and a 3. detector of optical radiation fixed to the carrying structure 1 , for example, in the lower part of the supporting structure 1. Source 2. of optical radiation and 3. of optical radiation detector can be fixed in a position presented in fig. 5 - source 2. of optical radiation fixed at the temple of supporting structure 1 and detector 3. of optical radiation fixed to supporting structure 1 for example in the upper part of the supporting structure 1 or as in fig .7 next to each other, for example in the lower part of supporting structure T Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of the design of the apparatus according to the invention, in which the apparatus has fibre-optic cable endings 10 fixed, for example, at the earpiece of the supporting structure 1 in the lower part of the supporting structure 1.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic design of the apparatus according to the invention in the next embodiment, in which the apparatus has two 2. sources and two 3. detectors of optical radiation attached to the supporting structure 1 in an arrangement as presented in fig. 3. The operation of the apparatus is identical to that of the apparatus presented in fig. 1 , with the adjustment operations being performed for each eye separately. The use of this design eliminates system malfunctions which are caused by driver's vision defects such as the simultaneous blinking of eyelids - twitching of one eye (blinking at a higher frequency) or when one eye blinks at a lower frequency than the other, or when the driver closes one eyelid deliberately and not because they are falling asleep.

Embodiments shown in fig. 3, fig. 4, fig. 6, fig. 7 and fig. 8 concern the application of the method according to the invention using the phenomenon of optical radiation beam reflection from the eyeball and eyelid.

Fig. 5 shows the schematic design of the apparatus, which refers to the application of the method according to the invention using the phenomenon of intercepting the radiation beam through a closed eyelid, in which the source of 2. of optical radiation is fixed to the temple of the supporting structure 1 - for example, to the frame of spectacles and the detector 3. of optical radiation is fixed to the supporting structure 1 on the opposite side. It is obvious that such a solution may also apply to the embodiment in which the ends of optical fibre 10 are fixed in this position.

Fig. 9 shows the schematic design of the apparatus according to the invention in an advantageous embodiment, in which a source of 2. optical radiation and a 3. detector of optical radiation are mounted on the supporting structure 1 - for example on a spectacle frame - in any place of the supporting structure 1 as shown in figs. 3 -- 8. In addition, the apparatus also includes -- mounted on supporting structure 1 -- a 2.1 control system connected to a 2. source of optical radiation and a 3.2 signal level shaping and processing system connected to a 3. optical radiation detector and a 3.3 signalling system. The control system 2. and the signal level shaping and processing system 3.2 are connected to the power supply system 4. The source of 2. optical radiation is for example an electroluminescent diode, a laser diode, a bulb. The 3. detector of optical radiation is for example a photodiode, a phototransistor, a CCD matrix, a photoresistor. The signalling system 3.3 shall include a module producing an acoustic or vibration alarm, a light or wireless communication module transmitting the alarm signal to external signalling systems or to external actuators, for example a power switch, activation of the car braking system, etc.

According to the invention the apparatus shall operate as follows - after putting the supporting structure on the head, the power supply 4 of the apparatus is switched on and source 2. sends a beam of optical radiation towards the eye. After closing the eye, the sensitivity of the 3. optical radiation detector is adjusted - for the response to closing to be correct - and the intensity of the alarm signal - vibration or sound generated by the 3.3 signal system. When the alarm signal intensity is adjusted, the eye opens and the apparatus operates continuously until the power is turned off, i.e. it analyses the signal level and measures the duration of the signal change, but when the changeover time is shorter than the set time it does not turn on the alarm signal, and when the changeover time is equal to or longer than the set time it does not turn on the alarm signal. Taking the apparatus off the driver's face without turning off the power can generate an alarm signal.

Fig. 10 shows the schematic design of the apparatus according to the invention in an advantageous embodiment, in which a source of 2. optical radiation and a 3. detector of optical radiation are mounted on the supporting structure 1. The apparatus shall also include -- mounted on the supporting structure 1 -- a memory 5 processor chip connected to a 2. source of optical radiation, a 3. optical radiation detector and a 3.3 signalling chip, and at least one memory reading module 6 , connected to at least one memory processor chip 5 . -Processor chip with memory 5 and memory reading module 6 are connected to the power supply 4.

A memory reading module 6 includes a galvanic or radio output or optical radiation output to read the data found in the memory by an external device and process that data - for example, supervision of the real time of observation of monitors of equipment by controllers, facility or field supervisors.

If the processor data storage chip 5 is only used as an analyser 3.2 and the apparatus does not collect data for further analysis, a memory readout module 6 shall not be used.

Same as in the layout depicted in fig. 9 The source of 2. of optical radiation is, for example, an electroluminescent diode, a laser diode, a bulb, and the detector of 3. of optical radiation is, for example, a photodiode, a phototransistor, a CCD matrix, a photoresistor. Also in this embodiment, the signalling system 3.3 contains a panel that generates an acoustic or light or vibration alarm, or is a wireless information transmitter for external signalling systems mounted, for example, to the vehicle, control room, etc.

According to the invention the apparatus shall operate as follows - after putting the supporting structure on the head, the power supply 4 of the apparatus is switched on and source 2. sends a beam of optical radiation towards the eye. After closing the eye, the sensitivity of the 3. optical radiation detector is adjusted - for the response to closing to be correct - and the intensity of the alarm signal - vibration or sound generated by the 3.3 signal system. When the alarm signal intensity is adjusted, the eye opens and the apparatus operates in real time until the power is turned off, i.e. it analyses the signal level and measures the duration of the signal change, but when the changeover time is shorter than the set time it does not turn on the alarm signal, and when the changeover time is equal to or longer than the set time it does not turn on the alarm signal. The apparatus can also store selected data in real time. Taking the apparatus off the driver's face without turning off the power can generate an alarm signal. In this apparatus, the processor data storage 5 can act as an analyser 3.2. as in the solution presented in fig. 9.and, of course, in this case, the memory reading module 6 is not necessary.

Fig. 11 shows the schematic design of the apparatus according to the invention in an advantageous embodiment, which differs from the embodiment presented in fig. 7 only because on the supporting structure 1 - for example, only the source 2. of optical radiation and the detector 3. of optical radiation, which are connected by means of electric wires 8 to the external 7a unit, are mounted on the spectacle holder.

An external 7a assembly has a control system 2. connected to an optical radiation source 2. by an electric cable 8 and a signal level shaping and processing system 3.2 connected to an optical radiation detector 3. and a signalling system 3.3 by an electric cable 8. The source 2. of optical radiation and the 3. detector of optical radiation are connected to the electrical wires 8.

The control system 2. and the signal level shaping and processing system 3.2 are connected to the power supply system 4.

Same as in the layout depicted in fig. 9 The source of 2. of optical radiation is, for example, an electroluminescent diode, a laser diode, a bulb, and the detector of 3. of optical radiation is, for example, a photodiode, a phototransistor, a CCD matrix, a photoresistor.

Also in this embodiment, the signalling system 3.3 contains a panel that generates an acoustic or light or vibration alarm, or is a wireless information transmitter for external signalling systems.

An external unit 7a may be an independent unit or be incorporated in another device such as the vehicle's dashboard. Cables 8 can be connected permanently or through any of the connectors only for the duration of use.

The apparatus operates in the same way as the apparatus described in fig.9. Fig. 12 shows the schematic design of the apparatus according to the invention in an advantageous embodiment, the embodiment of which differs from the embodiment presented in fig. 9 by an external 7b module/panel, which instead of the 2. control module and the 3.2 signal level shaping and processing module has a processor chip with memory 5 connected to the 3.3 signal module and a memory reading module 6 connected to the power supply module 4. The 2 2 optical radiation source and 3. optical radiation detector are connected to a processor chip with memory 5 by electrical wires 8.

This system presents identical elements to those described in fig. 10 and works in the same way.

If the processor data storage chip 5 is only used as an analyser 3.2 and the apparatus does not collect data for further analysis, a memory readout module 6 shall not be used.

Fig. 13 shows the schematic design of the apparatus according to the invention presented in the next advantageous embodiment, which includes the ends of optical fibre 10, being any optical system, for example a lens, prism, mirror, etc., fixed permanently or temporarily to the supporting structure 1, connected by optical fibre 9 with the optical radiation source 2. and the optical radiation detector 3. placed in the module 11a.

In addition, module 11a also includes a 2. control system connected to a 2. source of optical radiation and a 3.2 signal level shaping and processing system connected to a 3. optical radiation detector and a 3.3 signalling system. Control system 2. and signal level shaping and processing system 3.2 and signalling system 3.3 are connected to the power supply system 4.

The apparatus designed according to the inventions works in the same way as embodiment presented in fig. 9.

The apparatus in this version can operate using the phenomenon of intercepting the light beam by the eyelid as well as the phenomenon of changing the absorption or optical radiation reflection angle for a closed and open eyelid. This depends on the location of the fibre 8 endings and the optical modules used.

Fig. 14 shows the schematic design of the apparatus according to the invention in an advantageous embodiment, the embodiment of which differs from the embodiment presented in fig. 11 by an external 7b module, which instead of the 2. control module and the 3.2 signal level shaping and processing module has a processor chip with memory 5 connected to the 3.3 signal module and a memory reading module 6 connected to the power supply module 4. The 2. optical radiation source and 3. optical radiation detector are connected to a processor chip with memory 5 by optical fibres 9.

This system presents identical elements to those described in fig. 10 and works in the same way.

If the processor data storage chip 5 is only used as an analyser 3.2 and the apparatus does not collect data for further analysis, a memory readout module 6 shall not be used. Fig. 15 shows the schematic design of the apparatus according to the invention in the next advantageous embodiment, which includes 1 optical radiation source 2. and optical radiation detector 3.1 mounted on the supporting structure, control system 2. connected to the optical radiation source 2. and system 3.4 matching the detector 3. to the communication module 3.5, communication module 3.5 and power supply system 4a connected to the control system 2. , matching system 3.4 and communication module 3.5.

The apparatus contains a separate 12a panel containing a 3.6 communication module, a 3.2 signal level shaping and processing system connected to it and a 3.3 signalling system connected to a 3.2 signal level shaping and processing system. All systems are connected and powered from the 4.b.supplv system.

The 3.5 and 3.6 communication modules can be any radio, audio or optical radiation communication module.

According to the invention, the embodiment works in the same way as the one presented in fig.9, the only difference is that the information about changes in the beam intensity and the duration of the beam of a certain intensity, which are the basis for generating the alarm signal, are transmitted through wireless communication modules, which results in the use of a separate 4a power supply system for the apparatus's systems mounted on the supporting structure 1, i.e. for the 3.4 matching system and the 3.5 communication module and 2.1 system instead of using the direct transmission.

The use of communication modules 3.5, 3.6, eliminates the limitations resulting from the use of electric wires 8 or fibre optic 9 - the ease of their destruction and interruption of monitoring, entanglement of wires, limited length, etc.

Fig. 16 shows the schematic design of the apparatus according to the invention in the next advantageous embodiment, which includes 1 optical radiation source 2. and optical radiation detector 3.1 mounted on the supporting structure, control system 2. connected to the optical radiation source 2. and system 3.4 matching the detector 3. to the communication module 3.5, communication module 3.5 and power supply system 4a connected to the control system 2. , matching system 3.4 and communication module 3.5.

The apparatus contains a separate 12b unit including the 3.6 communication module, which, instead of using the 3.2 chip shaping and processing signal level, used a processor chip with memory 5 connected to the 3.6 communication module and the 3.3 signalling chip and memory reading chip 6. All systems are connected and powered from the 4.b.supply system.

The 3.5 and 3.6 communication modules can be any radio, audio or optical radiation communication module.

If the processor data storage chip 5 is only used as an analyser 3.2 and the apparatus does not collect data for further analysis, a memory readout module 6 shall not be used.

According to the invention, the embodiment works in the same way as the one presented in fig.10, the only difference is that the information about changes in the beam intensity and the duration of the beam of a certain intensity, which are the basis for generating the alarm signal, are transmitted through wireless communication modules, which results in the use of a separate 4a power supply system for the apparatus's systems mounted on the supporting structure 1, i.e. for the 3.4 matching system and the 3.5 communication module and 2. system instead of using the direct transmission.

The apparatus designed according to the invention, can be applied, by using a processor data recording system 5, a memory reading system 6 and an appropriate program for processing and visualization of this data, as an apparatus for monitoring the work of personnel operating systems controlling production lines, packaging lines, switchgear or operators of industrial monitoring, traffic, etc., warning of drowsiness and recording the time during which personnel operate and supervise production lines or monitoring systems entrusted to them. It is well known that the frequency of blinking of eyelids when working on a computer or observing monitors or performing monotonous permanent activities such as reading tables, diagrams in production line monitoring centres, power plants or switchgears is reduced even by 5 times. Replaying of the recording of changes in the frequency of eyelid closing during eyelid closing sequences while the system was switched on enables a later analysis to exclude whether the monitored person has not slept and whether they have been monitoring the equipment entrusted to them all the time.

Although the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be clear that the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments presented. The invention can be modified to include any number of varieties, changes, basics or equivalent combinations that have not yet been described but which fall within the scope of the attached claims. In addition, although various examples of the embodiments have been described, it should be understood that the forms of the invention may include only some of the embodiments described. Accordingly, the invention should not be seen as limited by the above description.