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MERRY CHRISTMAS LONGS!...it would appear no more "patent pending".......
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE DETECTION OF MICROSLEEP EVENTS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a method and device for the detection of microsleep events.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Methods for quantifying driving performance errors associated with sleep onset are of key importance for reducing the number of sleep related crashes. In the US, driver sleepiness is a major cause of motor vehicle crashes and is responsible for approximately 40,000 injuries and 1500 deaths each year. In one study, 55% of 1000 drivers surveyed indicated that they had driven while drowsy and 23% had fallen asleep at the wheel. This confirms other studies that sleepiness or sleep onset may play a role in vehicle crashes that are erroneously attributed to other causes.
Microsleep events are a useful indicator of sleep onset. A microsleep event often occurs as a result of sleep deprivation, or mental fatigue, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or hypersomnia.
There are standardized methods for monitoring microsleep, which include: monitoring the electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrooculogram (EOG), video, test of performance, and the like. Of all these methods, the EEG is considered the most reliable for measuring sleepiness. However, both EEG and EOG, require the use of electrodes, which are attached to the subject, thereby making these methods inappropriate to routinely monitor any operators conducting fatigue prone tasks, such as, for example, vehicle drivers. The other methods are impractical because they are both difficult to set-up and because they require intensive data analysis by humans thereby making data treatment difficult to automate.
There are various ways by which microsleep episodes can be identified. Some experts define microsleep according to behavioral criteria (eyelids closure), while others rely on electroencephalogram markers such as a 3-15 second episode (shorter durations would be difficult to visually detect and longer times would qualify as sleep onset.) during which 4-7 Hz (theta wave) activity replaced the waking 14-20 Hz (alpha wave) background rhythm.
Microsleep, subjectively related to the sensation of "nodding off', is associated with the interruption of the blinking artifacts characteristic of full wakefulness. During microsleep events, attention lapses can impair the ability to detect and respond to crucial stimuli and events. For example, microsleeps (or microsleep episodes) can become extremely dangerous when occurring during situations which require continual alertness, such as driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery. People who experience microsleeps usually remain unaware of them, instead believing themselves to have been awake the whole time, or feeling a sensation of 'spacing out'. The sleepy driver is at very high risk of having an accident during a microsleep episode. Many accidents have occurred because of microsleep episodes.
Clearly, the ability to detect microsleep events would be useful as a means of alerting and warning drowsy drivers of such events.
Several studies have used "quantitative" EEG methods to identify driver sleepiness. Theta power (EEG waves), and the frequency of theta bursts typically increase during prolonged driving, and are associated with poor driving performance. Disadvantageously, these techniques typically average EEG activity over several seconds (up to 1 minute), and therefore could not be used to detect brief microsleep events of between 3 seconds and 15 seconds.
A variety of physiological measures have been proposed to alert drivers to the onset of drowsiness.
One of the most investigated is PERCLOS (or PERcent CLOSure), which measures drowsiness as the percent of time a driver's eyes are closed over a
time period. When a sufficient number of open/closed patterns are obtained, PERCLOS will trigger an alarm. PERCLOS works at percentages greater than 80%, which typically means that within 1 minute, the eyes of the individual must be closed for 48 seconds before an alarm is triggered. Clearly, this delay in unacceptable in tasks such as driving a vehicle because by the time PERCLOS activates the alarm, the driver will already have either fallen asleep, or be on the verge of falling asleep. Therefore, disadvantageously PERCLOS is too slow a system to allow preventive actions to be taken before an individual, such as a driver, experiences the first signs of sleepiness.
EOG records, which are made to exclude potential artifacts during EEG records, also show that normal eye blinks often continue during microsleep events, indicating that the eyes are at least partially open.
Another physiological measure, which is based on measurements of eye closure and which supposedly alerts drivers to the onset of drowsiness, is the measurement of peak blink velocities, as described in United States Patent 7071831 B2. The system described therein includes a pair of glasses or spectacle frames that must be worn by the individuals in order to monitor the occurrence of eye blinks. However, this kind of device must be carried or worn by operators (i.e. portable devices).
Thus, there is a need for a detection method and device for the detection of microsleep events in a subject as an indicator of sleep onset that is able to detect brief microsleep events, at early stages, not requiring the use of electrodes or other portable devices.
BRIEF SUMMARY
We have unexpectedly discovered that microsleep events can be easily and readily detected by measuring the closing and opening patterns of the eyelids over time using a microsleep detection process, converting the raw data collected from the measurements into graphs and comparing the graphs to those of stored, standardized microsleep patterns.
Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a method of detecting a microsleep event in a subject, the method comprising: - determining a plurality of eye openness factors by measuring a plurality of distances between an upper eyelid and a lower eyelid of at least one eye over a time period; - generating graphical representations of the eye openness factors; and - correlating changes in the eye openness factors over the time period with a reference eye closure pattern indicative of the microsleep event.
The method, as described above, further comprising: illuminating the face of the subject; and recording a facial image. A digital camera having an infra-red source is used to illuminate the face and to record the facial image.
The method, as described above, further comprising: identifying the eye and the eyelids by using a facial feature recognition algorithm.
The method, as described above, further comprising: verifying the presence of microsleep characteristic eye openness factor levels by measuring the eye openness factors as a function of time for a blink cycle of the eye. The eye openness factors levels include at least one eye openness level. The eye openness factors include one or more eye openness levels and five or less eye openness levels. The eye openness factors include five eye openness levels. The eye openness levels are associated with an open eye, the closure of the eyelids, partial or closed eye, and opening of the eyelids.
The method, as described above, in which the eye openness factors include five successive eye openness levels, the sequential detection of the five levels being indicative of microsleep characteristics. The method further comprising: determining additional eye openness factors if less than five successive eye openness factor levels are detected.
The method, as described above, further comprising: computing eye opening and eye closure representative curves. The eye closure representative curves are computed using a negative slope and a second order polynomial regression applied to the eye openness factors of the first and second eye openness factor
levels. The eye opening factors are computed using a positive slope and a second order polynomial regression applied to the eye openness factors of the fourth and fifth eye openness factor levels. The method further comprising: verifying the presence of microsleep eye opening and closing representative curves by computing the Pearson coefficient of the eye closure representative curves with regard to the first and second eye openness factor levels and the eye opening representative curves with regard to the fourth and fifth eye factor levels. The subject is informed when the Pearson coefficients are greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.
The method, as described above, in which images of the face are sampled at a frequency of between 10 Hz and 60Hz.
The method, as described above, further comprising: a sub-process for detecting microsleep characteristic eye openness factor levels at an image sampling frequency of 20Hz. The sub-process comprises: verifying that a first level is detected by confirming the presence of a series six or more successive eye openness factors corresponding to an open eye.
The method, as described above, further comprising: verifying that a second level is detected by confirming the presence of a series four or more successive decreasing eye openness factors. The method, as described above, further comprising: verifying that a third level is detected by confirming the presence of a series of a minimum of five and a maximum of one-hundred and twenty successive eye openness factors.
The method, as described above, further comprising: verifying that a fourth level is detected by confirming the presence of a series of a minimum of four successive eye openness factors.
The method, as described above, further comprising: verifying that a fifth level is detected by confirming the presence of a series of a minimum of six successive eye openness factors corresponding to the open eye.
The method, as described above, further comprising: alerting the subject to the presence of the microsleep event.
According to another aspect, there is provided a microsleep event detection device, the device comprising:
- a facial image sampler for sampling facial images over time of a subject, the sampler having an infra red source for illuminating one or more eyes of the subject;
- a microprocessor having electronically stored therein an electronically executable microsleep detection process, the microprocessor being connected to the sampler for receiving the sampled facial images, the images being electronically converted to graphical representations of eye openness factors; and a memory associated with the microprocessor, the memory having stored therein a plurality of reference eye closure patterns for electronically correlating the eye openness factors with the reference eye closure patterns.
The device, as described above further comprises an alert connected to the microprocessor for alerting the subject to the microsleep event.
Accordingly, in another aspect there is provided a method of alerting a vehicle operator to a microsleep event, the method comprising:
- determining a plurality of eye openness factors by measuring a plurality of distances between an upper eyelid and a lower eyelid of at least one eye over a time period; - generating graphical representations of the eye openness factors;
- correlating changes in the eye openness factors over the time period with a reference eye closure pattern indicative of the microsleep event; and
- triggering an alarm so as to alert the operator to the microsleep event.
Accordingly, in yet another aspect, there is provided a method of correlating EEG and EOG microsleep patterns with eye closure patterns, the method comprising:
- measuring EEG and EOG microsleep patterns in a subject;
- determining a plurality of eye openness factors by measuring a plurality of distances between an upper eyelid and a lower eyelid of at least one eye over a time period;
- generating graphical representations of the eye openness factors; and
- correlating changes in the eye openness factors with the EEG and EOG microsleep patterns.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a microsleep detection device according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the device being used on a subject;
Figure 2 is a flow diagram of a microsleep event detection process that may be used by the device of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3A and 3B are schematic views of the fully open eye (Figure 3A) and the fully closed eye (Figure 3B) with their associated eye openness factor;
Figure 4 is a series of schematic views of an example of the variation of the eye openness factor as a function of time for a blink cycle;
Figure 5 is an illustrative example of the fully closed eye (period L4 and L5), at the moment of a microsleep; and
Figure 6 is a flow diagram of a microsleep characteristic eye openness factor levels detection sub-process that may be used with the microsleep event detection process of Figure 2 for an image sampling frequency of 20 Hz.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Generally stated, the non-limitative illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method and device for the detection of microsleep events in a human subject based on the analysis of eye closure patterns of at least one eye, typically both eyes, which occur during microsleep events.
During microsleep events, measured by EEG and EOG, we observed a progressive variation of the distance between an upper eyelid and a lower eyelid of a human subject over time. We now describe hereinbelow a method and device, which provides complementary evidence of impending sleep in drowsy operators, such as vehicle drivers, airplane pilots, air traffic controllers and the like, using eye closure patterns, which when detected, alerts sleepy operators to unsafe situations before eyelid closure occurs, thereby correlating EEG and EOG microsleep patterns with eye closure patterns.
Also described is a method for the analysis of eye closure patterns allowing the differentiation between a normal eyelid closure and one due to drowsiness.
Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown an example of a microsleep event detection device 100, which generally comprises facial image sampler such as a digital camera 102 with an associated infrared source 104, a microprocessor 106 with an associated memory 108 and either or both an alarm/display 110 and input/output interface 112.
Thus, in one example, there is described a method using the device 100 for detecting a microsleep event in a human subject. The method comprises: determining a plurality of eye openness factors by measuring a plurality of distances between an upper eyelid and a lower eyelid of at least one eye, typically both eyes, over a time period; generating graphical representations of
the eye openness factors; and correlating changes in the eye openness factors over the time period with a reference eye closure pattern indicative of the microsleep event.
In operation, the digital camera 102 is aimed at the face of a subject 10 and illuminates his or her eyes 12 using the infrared source 104 in order to determine the eye openness factor, i.e. a value representative of the distance between the upper 14a and lower 14b eyelids. The images taken by the digital camera 102 are then processed by the processor 106 which executes a microsleep event detection process stored on its associated memory 108. Upon detection of a microsleep event, the microsleep event detection device 100 may inform the user of a microsleep event by triggering an integrated alarm and/or display 110 or provide the information to a further process or device via the input/output interface 112. It is to be understood that other components may be added to the microsleep event detection device 100 such as, for example, a user interface and a wireless communication device.
Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a flow diagram of a microsleep event detection process 200 that may be electronically executed by the processor 106 of the microsleep event detection device 100 of Figure 1. The steps of the process 200 are indicated by blocks 202 to 212. The process 200 starts at block 202 by sampling an image of the face of a subject 10 using the digital camera 102. The digital camera 102 may sample images at a frequency between about 10 and 60Hz (i.e. sampling frequency). At block 204, the process 200 identifies, in the sampled digital image, the eye 12 and eyelids 14a, 14b of the subject 10. This may be accomplished using a facial feature recognition algorithm executed by the processor 106. Then, the eye openness factor is computed.
Referring now to Figures 3A and 3B, the eye openness factor may be expressed as d having a value between 1 , representing a fully open eye 12 (see Figure 3A), and 0, representing a fully closed eye 12 (see Figure 3B). The value of d may be computed, for example, by dividing the measured distance between the upper
14a and lower 14b eyelids positions in a Cartesian representation (X1Y) by a reference measure of the fully open eye D. Thus:
d =(upper lid position (xu,yu) - lower lid position (xi,y?))/DA
where D = upper lid position (xu,yu) - lower lid position (xL.yO and (xu,yu) = instant upper lid position, (x?,y?) = instant lower lid position, (xu,yu) = upper lid position at maximum eye opening and (xL.yO = lower lid position at maximum eye opening.
Referring again to Figure 2 at block 206, the process verifies if the microsleep characteristic eye openness factor levels are present.
Referring to Figure 4, there is shown an illustrative example of the variation of the eye openness factor as a function of time for a blink cycle. The blink cycle starts at time ti with a fully open eye 12 (eye openness factor d = 1.00), at t2 the eye openness factor remains at d = 1.00, then decreases, going through d = 0.80 and d = 0.50 at times t, and t,+i, until it reaches d = 0.00 at time tj (fully closed eye 12), and then increases, going through d = 0.50 and d = 0.80 at times tk and tk+i, until it reaches d = 1.00 again at tn It is to be understood that the blink cycle illustrated in Figure 4 for illustrative purpose only and that an actual cycle would comprise a number of sample times depending the sample frequency.
Referring now to Figure 5, these computed eye openness factors, as a function of time, can be represented in a graph which may be generally characterized by five successive levels, L1 to L5. The first and last levels, L1 and L5, are associated with the open eye (i.e. d = 1.00), the second level, L2, with the closure of the eyelids, 14a, 14b (i.e. 0.00 > d > 0.00, d decreasing), the third level L3, with the partial or closed eye (i.e. 0.00 < d < 0.5 for example) and fourth level, L4, with the opening of the eyelids 14a, 14b (i.e. 0.00 < d < 1.00, d increasing).
Referring again to Figure 2, the process 200 detects all five levels, i.e. L1 to L5, it then proceeds to block 208. If not, it proceeds back to block 202 for the next
image sample. At block 208, the process computes the eye closure 21 or 26 and eye opening 25 or 27 representative curves. The eye closure representative curve 21 or 26 is computed using negative slope second order polynomial regression (parabolic curve), i.e.
Y = do + d1.X + d2.X2.
where Y is the predicted outcome value for the polynomial model with regression coefficients di to 2 for each degree and Y intercept d1 ;
which is applied to the eye openness factors composing the first and second eye openness factor levels, i.e. L1 and L2. As for the eye opening representative curve 25 or 27, it is computed using positive slope second order polynomial regression applied to the eye openness factors composing the fourth and fifth eye openness factor levels, i.e. L4 and L5. Then, at block 210, the process 220 verifies if the microsleep eye opening and closing representative curves are present. This is accomplished by computing the Pearson coefficient, r:
where X and Y are positions in a Cartesian representation;
of the eye closure representative curve 21 or 26 with regard to the eye openness factors composing eye openness factor levels L1 and L2, and of the eye opening representative curve 25 or 27 with regard to the eye openness factors composing the eye openness factor levels L4 and L5. If both Pearson coefficients are greater or equal to a given threshold such as, for example, 0.9, then the process 200 proceeds to block 212. If not, it proceeds back to block 202 for next image sample. Finally, at block 212, the microsleep event detection device 100 may inform the user 10 of the detection of a microsleep event state via the integrated alarm and/or display 110 or provide the information to a further process or device via the input/output interface 112 (see Figure 1) using, for instance, a wired or
wireless telecommunication link such as, for example, Bluetooth, WiFi and the like.
It is to be understood that the Pearson coefficient threshold is not meant to be restricted to 0.9 and may be adjusted to suit a desired confidence level. It may also vary depending on the resolution of the digital camera 102 (see Figure 1).
The eye closure pattern is based on these particular observations closing, duration of the eyelid complete or partial closure and re-opening. More precisely, the eye closure pattern indicates a progressive decreasing followed by a baseline period where the eyelids are fully closed and then a reopening. If all the above occur, then a microsleep is detected.
Example of microsleep characteristic eye openness factor levels at an image sampling frequency of 20GHz
Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown a flow diagram a microsleep characteristic eye openness factor levels detection sub-process 300 that may be executed at block 206 of process 200 in order to detect the presence of the five microsleep characteristic eye openness factor levels, i.e. L1 to L5 (see Figure 5) for an image sampling frequency of 20 Hz. The steps of the sub-process 300 are indicated by blocks 301 to 305.
At block 301 , the sub-process 300 verifies if the first level L1 is detected. To that end, the sub-process 300 checks if a series of a minimum of six (6) successive eye openness factors having a value of d = 1.00 is present. If so, the sub-process 300 proceeds to block 302, if not, it goes back to block 202 of process 200 (see Figure 2).
At block 302, the sub-process 300 verifies if the second level L2 is detected. To that end, the sub-process 300 checks if a series of a minimum of four (4) successive decreasing eye openness factors having values between of d = 0.99
and d = 0.01 is present. If so, the sub-process 300 proceeds to block 303, if not, it goes back to block 202 of process 200 (see Figure 2).
Then, at block 303, the sub-process 300 verifies if the third level L3 is detected. To that end, the sub-process 300 checks if a series of a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of 120 successive eye openness factors having a value of d = 0.00 is present. If so, the sub-process 300 proceeds to block 304, if not, it goes back to block 202 of process 200 (see Figure 2).
At block 304, the sub-process 300 verifies if the fourth level L4 is detected. To that end, the sub-process 300 checks if a series of a minimum of four (4) successive increasing eye openness factors having values between of d = 0.01 and d = 0.99 is present. If so, the sub-process 300 proceeds to block 305, if not, it goes back to block 202 of process 200 (see Figure 2).
Finally, at block 305, the sub-process 300 verifies if the fifth level L5 is detected. To that end, the sub-process 300 checks if a series of a minimum of six (6) successive eye openness factors having a value of d = 1.00 is present. If so, the sub-process 300 proceeds to block 208 of process 200 (see Figure 2), the presence of all five (5) microsleep characteristic eye openness factor levels. If not, the sub-process 300 goes back to block 202 of process 200 (see Figure 2). It is to be understood that the number of eye openness factors used to detect the presence of each microsleep characteristic eye openness factor level may vary, for example according to the image sampling frequency and are meant as illustrative examples only.
It is to be understood that the memory associated with the microprocessor as described above, contains a plurality of reference eye closure patterns stored therein. The graphs as illustrated in Figure 5 are compared to the reference eye closure patterns. Once a match is found, a microsleep event is verified and the alarm is activated
Although the present invention has been described by way of a particular embodiment and examples thereof, it should be noted that it will be apparent to
persons skilled in the art that modifications may be applied to the present particular embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.
I think it should be a slam dunk case, n'est pas? I think the PR should already be written & they hit "submit"...........
he must not know, otherwise he probably would be posting it....Maybe tomorrow? Montreal was hit by the snowstorm that hit us......
RELEASE THE AMIGOS!
Thanks for closing the gap! ;)......We need a blizzard of activity! At least that is what I am getting here now.....!
I think we are due for a run.....What do you think Spock?
Doesn't the gap have to be filled on the closing price?...so we had to "sells" @ .006 for 10k & 5K?
lol....now about that GAP....
Somebody just sell some at .006...that will make Rosebud feel a bit better...I hate to see a run & have people talking about the GAP @ .006.....FILL THE GAP.....
double or nothing.....
I saw 12 posts, I thought we were going to the moon...lol...it's only Hermon trying to maximize his tax benefits....are you getting back in?
NavStar Technologies Inc. Sharpens Focus on the $500M Market Opportunity in Mexico and Ecuador....
LOL
I need to go back & sharpen my pencil.....
2 minutes...get to the navstar board....!
I am willing to bet a lift ticket (billet de ski) that we hear from the Amigos this week....any takers? What is in it for me If I win?
Tueday December 8th...I (we) hope!
I saw that product a while back at the offices.......
I too am ready for news......
Any news on the "patent pending"?
I too could use an early Christmas present....that with about 2 feet of snow.....
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Different take on the website....not the "plesk thing".....
I am sure there are plans which are being work on behind the scenes.....We have turned into a very patient group of shareholders....
If I am up in Montreal, I will let you know!
****************************************************************
These are most basic principles of our plan:
1. Transparency. We will prepare unaudited financial statements and share them with the Company’s stockholders. The statements will be unaudited at first, due to the long deficiency in
the implementation of reliable accounting systems and procedures.
2. Initiate legal action. For the last two years, the Company was dominated by a single individual,Raphael Huppé. For the sake of Effective Control Transport and its stockholders, Mr. Huppé
must be held accountable for his misdeeds.
3. Bring in bridge financing. We intend to procure the Company with the US $250,000 bridge financing it needs to operate and continue to develop the CRAM until our plan is put to
stockholder vote.
4. Invest in CRAM testing and development. We plan to procure a sufficient number of devicesfor field testing and Electroencephalogram (EEG) validation.
5. Convene a stockholder meeting. Within 90 days of the election of the director nominees, we will convene a stockholder meeting where our plan for the future of the Company will be put to
stockholder vote and the director nominees will stand for reelection.
I am sure there will be a update as soon as the kangeroo court rules...next week?
Who knows, I may make my way up to Montreal for a little Christmas shopping in the coming weeks....maybe I can track down the amigos when I am there....
I do concur an update would be greatly appreciated! I am sure there is alot of things going on behind the scenes...in a good way...you got to wonder if RH left everything for the amigos nice & tidy......I am thinking not.....
Who's gone?
BTH, I like your tagline on your profile!
Reseller Mike
Reseller Mike is...waiting to make more money on EFFC
Maybe some shareholders could organize some "cram parties" similar to the "tea parties" to set the record straight....:)
I have been away from the ECT saga the last few days, enjoying Thanksgiving...I did not realize the markets were even open today....
I have not had a chance to delve into the re-seller post about the missing amigo....but if I had to guess, it would be the guy with the big sword.....
I am ready for take-off....I mean really ready....
There will be alot of rumors....although contact may have happened with Navstar, I am sure anything at this point may have been just overblown.
I am not sure at this point how this could effect the PPS of EFFC. If you read some of the post over on that board, it sounds like some frustated investors....(sounds like some of the same issues on this board from the past).....
just look at this post from the other board:
Posted by: masc2279 Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 10:24:40 AM
In reply to: None Post # of 1371
This company lies after lies after lies. First it was a unit for turn by turn directions in the car. Then it was a system that tracks assets. then it was a truck tracking unit. Ext. Ext. Ext and now buying a crap company to add to their crap company. They have never lived up to any of there PR's and never will. And ask yourself how are they going to pay for this merger. By you the shareholders. a Revers merger screwing you out of shares.
And one last thing how can they be doing all this with 7 employees all these possible contracts all over the planet. seriously 7 employees. Come on now. I am not saying you can't make money on a pop. but don't say this company is going anywhere with the news and disclosures they have released
The news I am waiting for is basically an update to the shareholders from the ECT Recovery Team. An update on the progress, IMO would have a much better effect for shareholders & the PPS.
It would seem like RH is still running the Website. (when it is up) Yves is still listed as the IR person. Also interesting is that JS Drouin photo is removed from the production pictures. Actually I think it was removed a while back, but just commenting on it now. You have to wonder, if the court system is just like the medical system in Canada....? Get in line & wait? Makes no sense to me if RH is out of the picture, why is the website up?
BTW, off topic, but I notice a ton of Quebec plates in VT on this "black friday".....
The 5 Amigos are all good people. As they move forward, I am sure there will be & are differences in the ideas,management, financing & execution of the future plans for the company. There are also other parties involved including investors, suppliers & creditors.
We as long term shareholders want what is best for our investment. We want the company to march forward in the right direction. We want the CRAM marketed worldwide. We want TO THE MOON with ECT!
There are key decisions to be made. Please ECT make the right decisions. Check all egos at the door. Work the Plan, then Plan to Work. The opportunity is here for everyone involved to make money.
There are shareholders here who have invested more than 1 million dollars into the development of the CRAM. There are shareholders here who have invested more than 100k into the CRAM. There are shareholders who have invested $1000.00 into the CRAM. There are shareholders here who have invested all they have into the CRAM. We are counting on you to "right the wrongs."
Gib, Guy Paul, Guy, JC & Mario, work it out. We voted for you. If you fail, Raphael wins.-may this be motivation.....
FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION! RELEASE THE BEAST!
Have a great Thanksgiving longs!
lol..there is mario's sabre again....:)
Hey, what's with the Souvlaki quip? ;)
I'm ready for the BEAST TO BE RELEASED or other words maximize my investment!
lol...frog? French peppers? ;)
Here is a response from the ECT Recovery Team earlier this summer regarding your question which was posted on IHUB. I believe the answer is quite clear! This was answered before the injunction in Quebec took place:
The intellectual property embodied in the current version of the CRAM and developments yet to be materialized belong entirely and exclusively to Effective Control Transport, Inc. Written assignments have been signed, patent applications filed and legal opinions obtained. It is not even an issue and we regard any attempt to suggest otherwise as a farcical attempt at disinformation.
We do not control Mr. Farbos. He will always be welcome within ECT. In the meantime, let us remove Mr. Huppé and recover ECT for the shareholders’ sake.
Thank you for the appreciation. We need to hear it as the road has been difficult. Feel free to communicate this email to other shareholders and ask more questions if any have been left unanswered.
Sincerely,
/s/ The ECT Recovery Committee
To any "NEWBIES" on the board, These are the 5 Amigo's listed below:
REASONS FOR OUR SOLICITATION
We are significant stockholders of the Company. As of June 2, 2009, the mailing date in connection with the solicitation, the Committee owns in the aggregate a total of 9,917,700 shares of
Common Stock, or approximately 4% of the Common Stock outstanding. As significant stockholders of
Effective Control Transport, the Committee has a vested financial interest in the maximization of the value of the Company’s Common Stock. Our interests are aligned with the interests of all stockholders:
we have one simple goal – to maximize the value of the Common Stock for all stockholders, complete
the CRAM’s development, bring it to market, and operate the Company with honesty, competency
and transparency.
Dr. Guy J.C. Benoit, M.Sc., D.D.S., age 42, is the founder of the dentistry clinics Cliniques
Dentaires Benoit & Associés. A longtime shareholder of Effective Control Transport, Mr. Benoit has
completed degrees in microbiology and immunology (1989) from McGill University and in biology from
University on Montreal (1990). He was awarded a master in immunology in 1992 and finally completed
his doctoral studies in dentistry in 1996. He is a certified implantologist and has also received a
certification to perform bone grafts.
Guy Faucher, C.A., age 60, had advised Effective Control Transport from August 2008 to March
2009. He is the co-founder and senior partner of the accounting firm Faucher, Daviault and Partners, from
which he has retired in 2000. Throughout his career he has served as director or held senior executive
positions in many business ventures, including Orex Exploration Inc., Paraiso Del Sol Beach Resort
Hotel, Dynamak Inc., Progicar Inc. and Provilub S.A.
Guy-Paul Gauthier, age 47, worked at Effective Control Transport from April 2008 to March
2009 as Vice-President of corporate development. He is the President and director of Aquagenex Inc., a
development-stage company that manufactures a portable self-contained water treatment system
especially designed for emergency use and remote locations. He is also the former President and cofounder
of Securcap Corporation, a closely-held holding company that operated in the Health and
Environmental sectors.
Gib de Medeiros, B.Sc. Eng., Ph.D., age 48, Mr. de Medeiros worked at Effective Control
Transport from august 2007 to April 2009 as Vice-President of Sales, with responsibilities for Latin
America Business Development, Marketing & Sales, and also Strategic Planning. He cumulates twenty
nine years of progressive international experience as a senior executive and consultant in large
multinational corporations, as well as direct entrepreneurial involvement in start-ups. Prior to joining
Effective Control Transport, Mr. de Medeiros worked as a new ventures developer and entrepreneur,
having developed and headed the implementation of venture capital backed companies, privately help
start-ups, spin-offs and new business units. Mr. de Medeiros has also worked for multinational companies
like Microsoft, Editora Abril S.A. and IBM Global Business Services, in the sectors of consumer goods,
engineering, services, software, publishing, media and telecom, acquiring skills and competences in
business general management, business development, marketing & sales, distribution, human resources,
product development and customer support. Mr. de Medeiros also has academic experience both teaching
and participating in research projects at universities. He obtained a Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction
and Cognitive Ergonomics in 1992 from the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM) in Paris
(France), an Advanced Management Program (AMP) diploma in business management in 1997 from the
INSEAD in Fontainebleau (France), and an Industrial Engineering diploma in 1985 from the Polytechnic
School of the University of São Paulo, (Brazil). He has successfully finished a Project Management
specialization at McGill University, Montreal, Canada (2009).
Mario Naim, Esq., age 42, had worked as counsel to Effective Control Transport between
September 23rd, 2008 and April 13, 2009. Prior to joining Effective Control Transport, Mr. Naim had
specialized in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, banking and securities law. He has notably been
involved in U.S. and cross-border transactions, and worked with Canadian and U.S. clients in the acquisition of businesses in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. Mr. Naim received a
B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Québec in Montreal, his LL.B. from the University of Québec
in Montreal, and his LL.M. (Banking Law) at Boston University School of Law. He was admitted to the
Quebec bar in 1996 and to the New York bar in 2003.
It would be nice to have an update to answer some questions.......Do we have a new CEO?
I never met him....I believe he was up there one time when I was there, but I think he was out doing something.....
left a message.....
Ok, I admit, I l/m for Jason Shin last week.....I never spoke with him.....
I dont think this brings us to 4 cents as you asked in a prior post.....however,
A PR from the ECT Friends would help greatly, & If it were to have a few nuggets in it such as:
Update on the vote
Update on share count/official filings
Update on the actual Plan
Bruno Farbos
An announcement concerning field testing LE BEAST with Robert Transport or another transportation company.
Some goodies like these could bring us to 10-15 cent range short term......
Feel free to add any other nuggets that you may have questions about......
NavStar Confirms Rumors About Discussions With Effective Control Transport
ANAHEIM, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/23/09 -- NavStar Technologies, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: NVSR), a firm focused on developing and commercializing multi-national asset tracking and monitoring devices for vehicles and high value cargo, today, in response to many shareholder inquiries, stated that they have had some very preliminary conversations with the new board members at Effective Control Transport. Shareholders will be advised if and when the discussions progress to a more serious state.
There is your news!
love those gaps!
we need your bid support......008 is too low....we need to break out or we are going to fill some gaps below .008...
November Trades:
Date Open High Low Close Volume Adj Close
2009/11/20 0.010 0.011 0.010 0.011 346,000 0.011
2009/11/19 0.010 0.013 0.010 0.011 3,232,988 0.011
2009/11/18 0.0080 0.0080 0.0080 0.0080 317,000 0.0080
2009/11/17 0.0090 0.0090 0.0080 0.0080 - 0.0080
2009/11/16 0.0090 0.0090 0.0080 0.0080 87,000 0.0080
2009/11/13 0.0082 0.0090 0.0080 0.0090 401,467 0.0090
2009/11/12 0.0090 0.0090 0.0080 0.0080 125,666 0.0080
2009/11/11 0.0080 0.0089 0.0080 0.0080 967,186 0.0080
2009/11/10 0.0080 0.0080 0.0080 0.0080 547,625 0.0080
2009/11/09 0.0070 0.0080 0.0070 0.0070 62,875 0.0070
2009/11/06 0.0060 0.0060 0.0060 0.0060 110,000 0.0060
2009/11/05 0.0061 0.0062 0.0045 0.0060 1,002,925 0.0060
2009/11/04 0.0080 0.0080 0.0062 0.0070 158,000 0.0070
2009/11/03 0.0080 0.0080 0.0080 0.0080 11,400 0.0080
2009/11/02 0.0085 0.0085 0.0060 0.0080 731,561 0.0080
Thanks Herman!
True American Patriots!
RELEASE THE BEAST!
Lets see if we close with volume of 386k shares traded...
looking for snowflakes.....
somebody is listening......
.0109 x .011
are you a long now?
Don't be cheap...just hit the ask! :)