Vehicle driver status detection safety device

JP2026137568APending Publication Date: 2026-08-27MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025023753
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-02-17
Publication Date
2026-08-27

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

【0007】 本発明の車両の運転手状態検出安全装置は、運転手の目の画像から複数種類の判定を行い、当該複数種類の判定結果の組み合わせに基づいて、運転手の状態を正確に推定することができる。これにより、運転手の状態に応じて車両の走行を適切に抑制して安全性を高めることができる。

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2026137568000001_ABST
    Figure 2026137568000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle driver status detection safety device that accurately estimates the driver's condition and enables appropriate responses. [Solution] A driver state detection safety device 1 comprises a camera 5 that takes images of the driver's eyes while seated in the driver's seat of a vehicle, a cognitive ability determination unit 10 that estimates the driver's state from the images of the driver's eyes acquired by the camera 5, and a control unit that suppresses the vehicle's movement based on the estimated driver's state. The cognitive ability determination unit 10 makes multiple types of determinations from the images of the driver's eyes, estimates the driver's state based on a combination of the multiple types of determination results, and, depending on the driver's state, restricts driving, strengthens the control of the driver assistance control system 21, warns the driver with a warning device 25, and contacts the outside with an eCall system.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle safety device for detecting the state of a driver.

Background Art

[0002] To prevent accidents caused by drowsy driving, various safety devices have been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, a photographing device for photographing the eyes of a vehicle driver is provided, the eyes of the driver are illuminated with light, and the response speed of the pupils to the light is measured from the photographed image. Then, for example, when it is measured that the response speed of the pupils is decreasing, it is estimated that the cognitive ability of the driver is decreasing, and by suppressing the startup of the vehicle, the driving of the vehicle in a state where the cognitive ability is decreasing is suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the state (cognitive state) of the driver is estimated by shining light on the driver's eyes and measuring the response speed of the pupils, and the startup of the vehicle in a state where the cognitive ability is decreasing is suppressed. However, since various contents and degrees of the driver's state can be considered, an appropriate response method is required. For example, depending on the state of the driver, it may be necessary to appropriately issue only a warning, regulate driving, etc., and in an emergency, it may be necessary to contact the outside. Therefore, it is required to accurately estimate the state of the driver.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle driver state detection safety device that accurately estimates the state of the driver and enables appropriate responses.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the vehicle driver state detection safety device of the present invention comprises an imaging unit that captures an image of the eyes of a driver seated in the driver's seat of a vehicle, an estimation unit that estimates the driver's state from the image of the driver's eyes, and a control unit that suppresses the driving of the vehicle based on the driver's state, wherein the estimation unit makes multiple types of judgments from the image of the driver's eyes and estimates the driver's state based on a combination of the multiple types of judgment results. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The vehicle driver state detection safety device of the present invention can accurately estimate the driver's state based on a combination of multiple types of judgments made from images of the driver's eyes. This allows for appropriate suppression of vehicle movement according to the driver's state, thereby enhancing safety. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a driver state detection safety device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of the control procedure for driver state detection safety control in a driver state detection safety device. [Figure 3] This is the remainder of a flowchart showing an example of the control procedure for driver state detection safety control in a driver state detection safety device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a driver condition detection safety device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The driver state detection safety device 1 of this disclosure is applicable to various vehicles, such as plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), hybrid vehicles (HEVs), electric vehicles (EVs), or engine-driven vehicles, which are capable of external charging and external power supply.

[0010] The driver state detection safety device 1 is installed in the vehicle and has the function of detecting when the driver of the vehicle is in a state where their cognitive ability is impaired and they are unsuitable for driving, such as when they are drowsy (a state of impaired cognitive ability), and outputting control signals to various driving systems of the vehicle based on the detected driver state to provide driving restrictions, driving assistance, and warnings.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the driver state detection safety device 1 of this disclosure includes a camera 5 (imaging unit), a voice guidance emitter 6, and a cognitive ability determination unit 10 (estimation unit). Camera 5 is a video camera that is installed, for example, near the driver's seat of a vehicle and is capable of filming the head of the driver seated in the driver's seat.

[0012] The voice guidance device 6 is a device that generates voice guidance, which will be described later, for the driver. The camera 5 and the voice guidance device 6 can be powered by the vehicle's auxiliary battery 11. The cognitive ability determination unit 10 is installed in the vehicle's control unit (ECU), which has input / output devices, memory devices (ROM, RAM, non-volatile RAM, etc.), a central processing unit (CPU), a timer, etc. The cognitive ability determination unit 10 receives input of the timing when voice guidance is issued from the voice guidance issuing device 6, as well as an image of the driver's head taken by the camera 5, and determines the state of the driver's cognitive decline based on the image of the driver's head.

[0013] Furthermore, if the cognitive ability determination unit 10 determines that the driver is in a state of impaired cognitive ability, it controls the driving drive control device 20 (driving restriction control device) which controls the driving power source in the vehicle, to suppress the vehicle's movement (preventing engine start, adjusting acceleration). Furthermore, if the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 determines that the driver is in a state of cognitive decline, it controls the eCall system 31 to notify an external party (center) that the driver is in a state of cognitive decline.

[0014] When the eCall system 31 needs to notify an external party (center) that the driver is experiencing cognitive impairment, it acquires the vehicle's current location from the vehicle's GPS 32, other various vehicle information 33, and the driver's voice using the microphone and speaker 34 installed in the vehicle. This information is then combined and transmitted to the external party via the communication device 35 installed in the vehicle. The system also allows the driver to be contacted from the outside using the microphone and speaker 34.

[0015] Furthermore, if the cognitive ability determination unit 10 determines that the driver is in a state of cognitive decline, it outputs a control signal to the control unit (ADAS ECU) of the driver assistance control system 21 (driver assistance control device) to perform enhanced driver assistance control. As part of the enhanced driver assistance control, the driver assistance control system 21 performs, for example, enhanced steering assist function in the EPS 22 (electric power steering system) and enhanced sensitivity of the surrounding surveillance camera 23 used in the autonomous driving system.

[0016] Furthermore, if the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 determines that the driver is in a state of cognitive decline, it will issue a warning to the driver using the warning device 25. The warning device 25 includes, for example, a meter 26 (instrument panel), HUD 27 (head-up display), buzzer 28, and voice guidance device 29 located near the driver's seat in the vehicle.

[0017] Figures 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing an example of the control procedure for the driver state detection safety control in the driver state detection safety device 1. The cognitive ability determination unit 10 performs the driver state detection safety control shown in Figures 2 and 3 at a timing before the vehicle starts moving, such as when the vehicle engine is started or when the vehicle power is turned on.

[0018] The cognitive ability determination unit 10 first lights a warning lamp to inform the driver that it is detecting the driver's state (step S5 in FIG. 2). The warning lamp may use the meter (instrument panel) 26 of the vehicle, or may be independently provided in the vehicle. Next, the cognitive ability determination unit 10 measures the amount of light in the vehicle interior (driver's seat) (step S10). The amount of light in the vehicle interior may be estimated from the captured image by the camera 5, or the detection value may be input from a light amount sensor or the like provided in the vehicle.

[0019] Next, the cognitive ability determination unit 10 determines whether or not the driver's line of sight is directed at the lens of the camera 5 from the head image of the camera 5 (step S20). When the cognitive ability determination unit 10 determines that the line of sight is not directed at the camera 5 (NO in step S20), it causes the voice guidance device 6 to issue a voice guidance so that the line of sight is directed at the lens of the camera 5 (step S30). Then, the processes after step S20 are executed again. Thereby, the driver is made to direct the line of sight toward the camera 5.

[0020] When the cognitive ability determination unit 10 determines that the line of sight is directed at the camera 5 (YES in step S20), it reads out image processing conditions corresponding to the light amount L measured in step S10 (step S40). The image processing conditions here are conditions such as the contrast ratio and brightness of the image so that the pupil diameter and the position of the head can be detected from the head image of the driver captured by the camera 5, for example.

[0021] Next, the cognitive ability determination unit 10 starts shooting by the camera 5 and starts acquiring images of the driver's eyes and head (such as between the eyebrows) (step S50). Then, the cognitive ability determination unit causes the voice guidance device 6 to give voice guidance to the driver to open and close the eyes (step S60). This voice guidance to open and close the eyes is, for example, content that guides the driver to first open the eyes, then prompt to close the eyes, and further repeat this opening and closing of the eyes.

[0022] The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 terminates image acquisition after a predetermined time has elapsed since the voice guidance (step S70), inputs the acquired image, and performs image processing according to the image processing conditions read in step S40 (step S80). The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 measures the driver's head movement h from the acquired driver's head image (image after image processing) (step S90 in Figure 3). Head movement h is, for example, the speed of movement of the driver's head.

[0023] The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 then obtains the period f of saccades (saccadic eye movements) from the acquired image of the driver's eyes (step S100). Saccades are eye movements that move, for example, the center (focal point) of the eye, but here the period f of the focal point movement is measured. The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 measures the eye movement speed P from the acquired image of the driver's eyes (step S110).

[0024] Furthermore, the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 measures the eye movement pattern D from the acquired image of the driver's eyes (step S120). The movement pattern D is, for example, the smoothness of the eye movement. The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 further calculates the left-right differences (ΔfLR, ΔPLR, ΔDLR) for the saccade period f, movement speed P, and movement pattern D, respectively (step S130).

[0025] Next, the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 calculates a corrected element score (sX) for each element (step S140). The corrected elements are sF, sP, sD, sΔfLR, sΔPLR, and sΔDLR. ​​In sF, sP, and sD, F, P, and D are, for example, the average values ​​of the left and right eyes, respectively.

[0026] The element scores calculated in step S140 are categorized (step S145). The element scores are divided into three ranges in descending order of size: safe range, median range, and dangerous range. The safe range is the range above the appropriately set standard value. The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 determines whether all of the calculated element scores (sF, sP, sD, sΔfLR, sΔPLR, sΔDLR) are above their respective preset reference values ​​(step S150). If it determines that all element scores are above the threshold reference value (safe side) (YES in step S150), it starts the vehicle's drive engine (step S160). If the vehicle is an EV, PHEV, or HEV that can be driven by an electric motor, it may be controlled to allow the operation of the electric motor. The reference values ​​should be set around the lower limit of each element score within a range where it can be determined that the driver is not in a state of cognitive impairment (no problems driving).

[0027] If the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 determines that not all element scores are above the standard value, that is, that any element score is below the standard value (NO in step S150), it determines whether all of the element scores (sF, sP, sD, sΔfLR, sΔPLR, sΔDLR) are within the appropriately set risk values ​​(step S165). If it determines that all element scores are not within the risk values ​​(YES in step S165), it determines whether the median score among all element scores is below a certain number (step S170).

[0028] The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 switches to the driving assistance function enhancement mode (step S180) if the median score is less than or equal to a predetermined number, that is, if the number of elements among the multiple element scores that are within the median range is less than or equal to a predetermined number set as appropriate (YES in step S170).

[0029] The enhanced driving assistance mode is a mode in which the driving assistance control system 21 enhances the driving assistance control as described above. Furthermore, the cognitive ability determination unit 10 should warn the driver by various warning devices 25 that it has switched to the enhanced driving assistance mode. The cognitive ability determination unit 10 causes the vehicle to perform driving interlock control (step S190) if the median score is not below a certain number, that is, if the number of element scores that are within the range of the median score exceeds a predetermined number (NO in step S170).

[0030] As described above, the driving interlock control controls the driving drive control device 20 (driving restriction control device) to restrict the vehicle's movement, including preventing engine starting and restricting the operation of the driving drive motor. Furthermore, the cognitive ability determination unit 10 may warn the driver using various warning devices 25 if the vehicle is in a driving interlock state or if its cognitive ability is impaired.

[0031] Furthermore, if the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 determines that any of the element scores (sF, sP, sD, sΔfLR, sΔPLR, sΔDLR) are at a dangerous level (NO in step S165), it determines whether the element scores that are at a dangerous level are a specific combination (step S185).

[0032] This specific combination refers to a state in which, for example, the movement of the eyeballs does not adequately correspond to the movement of the head. Normally, when a person moves their head, their eyeballs move in opposition to the movement of the head to prevent the point of focus from moving. However, in a state of cognitive impairment, such as intoxication, this correction of eye movement to prevent the point of focus from moving weakens. Therefore, a state in which such correction is weakened can be determined to be a specific combination if at least one of the following states (1) to (5) is present. The control of each system (driving control device 20, driving assistance control system 21, eCall system 31) by the driver state detection safety device 1 corresponding to each state is described below.

[0033] Condition (1)... Eye movement speed: Slow (compared to normal), Eye movement associated with head movement: Slow (compared to normal), Movement pattern: Normal (smooth eye movement, constant saccadic amplitude, etc.), Left-right difference in eye movement speed P, etc.: None (normal). Condition (1) could include, for example, sleep deprivation or intoxication due to drugs or alcohol.

[0034] System response in state (1): If the eye movement speed P etc. is slightly slow, the warning device 25 will notify the driver and the driving assistance control system 21 will enhance driving assistance (for example, the criteria for issuing a warning when the vehicle deviates from its lane will remain the same, but the automatic steering function will be activated earlier when the vehicle deviates from its lane). If the eye movement speed P etc. is significantly slow, the driving interlock control will be implemented to disable the vehicle.

[0035] Furthermore, as a system response when the eye movement speed P etc. is slightly slow, specifically, if the vehicle is equipped with a lane keeping function that emits a warning sound when the outside of the vehicle's tire is 30 cm from the inside of the lane (A), and automatically returns to the original lane if the outside of the tire extends 30 cm outside the lane (B), the cognitive ability determination unit 10 will maintain the warning sound emission criterion (A) in the lane keeping function as is, and strengthen (B), for example, control the system to return to the lane when the outside of the tire touches the inside of the line. The reason for maintaining the warning sound emission criterion (A) as is is that issuing frequent warnings to a drowsy person would increase fatigue, and also to avoid the risk that the driver may feel more annoyed than usual and turn off the warnings from the warning device 25.

[0036] Condition (2)... Eye movement speed P: normal, eye movements accompanied by head movement: normal or slow, movement pattern D: greatly abnormal (small, rapid movements followed by stopping, etc.), left-right difference in eye movement speed P, etc.: large (abnormal). Condition (2) suggests, for example, a serious medical condition in the driver (such as impaired blood flow to the brain (cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, etc.)).

[0037] System response in state (2): Notification and connection to external parties via the eCall system 31 (operator service, emergency call, etc.). Condition (3)... Eye movement speed P: normal, eye movement accompanying head movement: slow or excessive (compared to normal), movement pattern: abnormal (small, jerky movements followed by stopping, large amplitude angle, etc.), left-right difference in eye movement speed P, etc.: none (normal).

[0038] Condition (3) could be, for example, dizziness (such as a semicircular canal disorder). System response in state (3): Notification by warning device 25, etc., and enhanced driving assistance. In this case, it is advisable to enhance both the warning and automatic steering. In state (3), it is assumed that driving is impossible, so driving interlock control may be unnecessary.

[0039] Condition (4)... Eye movement speed P: normal or slow, Eye movements accompanied by head movement: normal or slow, Movement pattern D: abnormal (slower than normal, overshoots and returns, extremely long periods of stillness), Left-right difference in eye movement speed P, etc.: none (normal) Condition (4) could be, for example, Parkinson's disease.

[0040] System response in state (4): Notification by warning device 25, etc., and enhanced driving assistance. In this case, both warnings and automatic steering will be enhanced. In state (4), since driving is assumed to be impossible, driving interlock control may be deemed unnecessary. Condition (5)... Eye movement speed P: normal, eye movement associated with head movement: normal, movement pattern D: abnormal (repeated changes in speed in a certain direction such as horizontal or vertical / nystagmus), left-right difference in eye movement speed P, etc.: none (normal).

[0041] Condition (5) includes dizziness, decreased responsiveness due to the effects of drugs or alcohol, etc. System response in state (5): If the abnormality is minor, notification and enhanced driving assistance are provided by the warning device 25, etc. In this case, it is advisable to enhance both the warning and automatic steering. If the abnormality is serious, driving interlock control is performed. In this case, since driving may be possible depending on the degree of the effects of drugs, etc., driving interlock control is performed.

[0042] If the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 determines that the score is a dangerous value and is a specific combination (YES in step S185), it controls the eCall system 31 as described above to notify an external (center) that the driver is in a state of impaired cognitive ability (step S186). The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 then causes the driving interlock control to be performed (step S190). If the specific combination corresponds to the above states (1) to (5), it is preferable to respond as described above.

[0043] If the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 determines that the score is not a specific combination of dangerous values ​​(NO in step S185), it will perform driving interlock control without contacting the outside via the eCall system 31 (step S190). In this way, when the vehicle power is turned on, i.e., before the vehicle is driven, the cognitive ability determination unit 10 acquires an image of the driver's eyes from the image of the driver's eyes and calculates multiple element scores corresponding to the driver's cognitive ability. Furthermore, the cognitive ability determination unit 10 classifies each of these multiple element scores into one of three categories: safe value, intermediate value, or dangerous value.

[0044] Then, if all of the multiple element scores are above the standard value, the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 determines that the cognitive ability necessary for driving the vehicle is ensured and permits driving by starting the vehicle's engine, etc. The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 determines that while not all of the multiple element scores are above the standard value, not all of the multiple element scores are at a dangerous level, and the median score is below a certain number, it switches to the driving control enhancement mode. This ensures driving safety by enabling the vehicle to be driven while switching to a driving mode that is enhanced for safety (driving performance is suppressed).

[0045] The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 determines that the median score is not below a certain number, i.e., that the median score exceeds a certain number, or that there is a score at a dangerous level, By implementing driving interlock control, the vehicle's operation is restricted. This improves safety by preventing the vehicle from being driven when the driver's cognitive abilities are impaired.

[0046] The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 determines that there is a dangerous score, and if the dangerous score is a specific combination, it communicates with an external party along with the driving interlock control. As described above, the driver state detection safety device 1 of this disclosure includes a camera 5 that takes images of the head, particularly the eyes, of the driver seated in the driver's seat of the vehicle, and a cognitive ability determination unit 10 that estimates the driver's cognitive ability from the images of the driver's eyes taken by the camera 5. Furthermore, the driver state detection safety device 1 includes a voice guidance device 6 that instructs the driver seated in the driver's seat to open and close their eyes, and the cognitive ability determination unit 10 obtains parameters related to the driver's reaction speed from the images of the driver's eyes taken by the camera 5 after the instruction to open and close the eyes, and estimates the driver's cognitive ability based on these parameters.

[0047] Thus, the driver state detection safety device 1 of this disclosure does not estimate cognitive ability by shining light into the driver's eyes and measuring, for example, the reaction speed of the pupil, but rather estimates the driver's cognitive ability from the image of the driver's eyes after having the driver open and close their eyes. Therefore, it is not necessary to shine light into the driver's eyes, and the driver's cognitive ability can be estimated without putting a strain on the driver's eyes. Consequently, even if cognitive ability is estimated immediately before driving the vehicle, if the cognitive ability is normal, driving can be started safely immediately.

[0048] The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 calculates parameters related to the driver's reaction speed from the driver's eye images, including the saccade period f, eye movement speed P, and movement pattern D, as well as the left-right difference between each of these parameters. The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 calculates element scores for each of these elements by applying corrections based on head movements, determines that multiple element scores are either safe, intermediate, or dangerous, and estimates the driver's state based on the combination of these determination results. Then, according to the driver's state based on this combination of multiple determination results, the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 operates and controls the driving control device 20 which performs driving restriction control, the driving support control system 21 which performs driving support control, and the eCall system 31 to control the vehicle's operation and communicate with the outside world.

[0049] By estimating the driver's state based on a combination of multiple judgment results and performing various controls accordingly, it becomes possible to appropriately respond to all driver conditions, including operational control and external communication, thereby enhancing safety. In particular, the driver condition detection safety device 1 of this disclosure contacts an external party using the eCall system 31 when it is estimated that the driver is in a serious abnormal state. Therefore, even if the driver is unable to contact anyone, an external party can quickly respond, for example, by arranging for an ambulance, thereby further enhancing safety.

[0050] The cognitive ability assessment unit 10 selectively strengthens driving restriction control and driving assistance control according to the results of the classification of multiple element scores, and further, if necessary, makes external contact via the eCall system 31 when strengthening driving restriction control. Specifically, if all element scores are above the standard value, the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 does not strengthen driving restriction control or driving assistance control, but instead permits engine starting (permission to operate the driving power source). If any of the multiple element scores are at a dangerous level, or if none of the multiple element scores are at a dangerous level but the median score exceeds a certain number, that is, if the driver's cognitive ability is not suitable for driving, the operation of the driving power source such as the engine is restricted, thereby restricting driving and improving safety. Also, if none of the multiple element scores are at a dangerous level but the median score is below a certain number, driving is possible, but safety can be improved by strengthening driving assistance control. Therefore, it is possible to improve usability by suppressing unnecessary driving restrictions while ensuring safety according to the degree of the driver's cognitive ability.

[0051] Furthermore, if any of the multiple element scores are at a critical level, and the scores of that critical level are a specific combination, the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 can accurately estimate that the driver is in a serious abnormal state, as described above, and can contact an external party using the eCall system 31.

[0052] Furthermore, the cognitive ability assessment unit 10 acquires the head movement state from the image of the driver's head captured by the camera 5, and corrects the parameters related to the driver's reaction speed based on the head movement state. Therefore, even when the head is moving, information such as pupil dilation and closure speed can be accurately measured from the eye image. As a result, parameters related to the driver's reaction speed can be accurately measured from the image captured by the camera 5.

[0053] This concludes the description of the embodiments, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above. For example, in the driver state detection and safety device of the present disclosure, driver state detection and safety control is performed before the start of vehicle operation, but driver state detection and safety control may also be performed when the vehicle is stopped, for example, due to a traffic light, while driving. In this case, if it is determined that the driver's cognitive ability is impaired, driving restriction control should not be performed, and only a warning or, furthermore, only enhanced driving assistance control should be provided. This makes it possible to make the driver aware of the situation even when their cognitive ability is impaired while driving, and to encourage them to take action, for example, a break. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1. Driver status detection safety device 5. Camera (imaging unit) 10 Cognitive ability determination section (estimation section) 20. Driving control device (driving restriction control device) 21. Driver assistance control system (driver assistance control device) 25 Warning device 31. eCall system (means of communication)

Claims

1. An imaging unit that captures images of the driver's eyes while seated in the driver's seat of the vehicle, An estimation unit that estimates the driver's state from the image of the driver's eyes, The vehicle includes a control unit that suppresses the vehicle's movement based on the driver's condition, The estimation unit performs multiple types of judgments from the driver's eye image and estimates the driver's state based on a combination of the results of these multiple types of judgments. A vehicle driver status detection safety device characterized by the following features.

2. A vehicle driver status detection safety device according to claim 1, The vehicle is equipped with means for communicating with the outside, When the estimation unit estimates that the driver's cognitive ability is in a predetermined state of decline, the driver communicates this state of decline to an external party via the communication means. A vehicle driver status detection safety device characterized by the following features.

3. The aforementioned multiple types of determinations are the period of the driver's saccades, the speed of eye movement, the pattern of eye movement, and the left-right differences in the period of saccades, the speed of eye movement, and the pattern of eye movement. A safety device for detecting the driver's condition of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A vehicle driver state detection safety device according to claim 1 or 2, applicable to a vehicle equipped with a driving restriction control device that performs driving restriction control and a driving assistance control device that performs driving assistance control, The control unit changes the restriction level of the driving restriction control or the support level of the driving support control as a means of suppressing the vehicle's movement. A vehicle driver status detection safety device characterized by the following features.

5. The imaging unit captures an image of the driver's head along with the image of the eyes. The control unit acquires the movement state of the head from the image of the head and corrects the parameters related to the driver's reaction speed based on the movement state of the head. A safety device for detecting the driver's condition of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Correction liquid application unit

    JP2007052203A