How to Use
New to Drowsiness Alarm? Follow this guide to get started quickly.
Quick Start (3 Steps)
Open the App in Your Browser
Visit the Drowsiness Alarm home page using Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge on a PC or laptop with a webcam. No installation needed.
Adjust Settings
Use the Alarm Threshold slider to set how many seconds of eye closure triggers the alarm (default: 3s). Move the Eye Sensitivity slider until the live EAR value drops below the threshold when you close your eyes.
Click Start and Allow Camera
Click the Start button and grant camera permission when the browser prompts. The app will begin detecting eye closure immediately. Your camera feed is never displayed on screen.
Tip: Watch the live EAR value while your eyes are open. Set the sensitivity threshold slightly below that value for the most accurate detection.
Feature Reference
Alarm Threshold
| Setting | Use Case |
|---|---|
| 1–2 seconds | Maximum alertness (studying, driving) |
| 3–5 seconds (default) | General office / desk work |
| 6–10 seconds | Relaxed work where occasional eye rest is fine |
| 11–15 seconds | Light monitoring only |
Eye Sensitivity (EAR)
EAR (Eye Aspect Ratio) measures the ratio of eyelid opening height to eye width. A lower value means more closed.
| EAR Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0.30 – 0.40 | Eyes fully open |
| 0.20 – 0.29 | Slightly drooping / normal variation |
| 0.10 – 0.19 | Nearly closed / drowsy |
| Below 0.10 | Eyes fully closed |
Recommended: Note your EAR when eyes are wide open. Set the threshold 0.05–0.08 below that value. E.g., if open-eye EAR is 0.28, set threshold to about 0.20–0.22.
Alarm Sounds
| Sound | Character | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Beep | Three short sine tones | Quiet environments |
| Alarm | Rising 5-tone sequence | Most situations |
| Buzzer | Sawtooth wave buzz | Deep concentration |
| Siren | 480→1260 Hz sweep | Maximum urgency |
Optimal Environment
- Lighting: Well-lit face with light coming from in front, not behind. Avoid strong backlighting.
- Camera position: Webcam at eye level, 40–80 cm away. Avoid extreme angles.
- Glasses: Generally fine; if lens glare is severe, adjust your light source.
- Browser: Latest version of Chrome recommended for best performance.
- Background: Works best with a plain, uncluttered background.
Troubleshooting
Eye closure not detected
- Watch the live EAR value. If it stays high when your eyes close, increase the sensitivity slider.
- Improve lighting — avoid shadows across your face.
- Move closer to or farther from the camera.
"No Face Detected" message
- Make sure your full face is centered in the camera frame.
- Improve room lighting.
- Avoid hats or accessories that cover your forehead.
Camera permission denied
- Click the camera icon in the browser's address bar and allow access.
- Check browser settings: Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera.
- Reload the page after granting permission.
No alarm sound
- Use the Preview Sound button to verify audio works.
- Check your system volume.
- Some browsers block audio until a user interaction — clicking Start should unlock it.