HALIFAX — So. Driver Pete has been diagnosed with sleep apnea and you’ve ponyed up some dough for one of those devices.

(They’re called Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP devices, btw.)

The question is, with a sleep apnea-testing rule coming in the U.S. (and likely Canada), how do you know Pete’s actually being forthright when he says he uses it.

The answer is, you don’t. Rather, you didn’t.

This week, a Halifax-based software company came up with a solution.

Umbian Inc. has just launched a three-month pilot program to introduce a new product called U-Sleep and it’s essentially a computerized way to measure compliance with and get the most out of a sleep-apnea treatment program.

According to Umbian’s Malcolm Ferguson, the U-Sleep wirelessly downloads usage data from the CPAP device daily and automatically sends out alerts to the fleet managers if Joe Trucker’s not using the thing as prescribed.

Then, the driver and his manager and/or sleep specialist will assess his usage habits and try to help.

According to the Umbian website, studies show that monitoring of CPAP devices encourages more regular use and in fact improves the effectiveness of therapy.

The pilot program requires that participants be equipped with a Philips Respironic CPAP. Ferguson said the Philips device is easily the most popular.

Umbian has also established a relationship with The Snore Shop, a leading Canadian sleep therapy clinic.

The Snore Shop will provide screening, CPAP devices and support to the drivers throughout the trial. Dr. Neil Smith, The Snore Shop co-owner, is a practicing otolaryngologist with an interest in sleep-disordered breathing as it pertains to upper airway mechanics.

"We are very excited to be a part of this important pilot with Umbian. We believe U-Sleep will prove to be a vital part of the overall assessment and ongoing treatment for patients with sleep apnea," says Dr. Smith.

Want to be a part of the study? As long as you’re operating out of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or P.E.I., just visit www.umbian.com/u-sleep and sign on.

You just might have your eyes opened.