Adaptive Surroundings View Framing for Driver Distraction Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle surroundings views can distract drivers by presenting irrelevant information, leading to increased cognitive load and reduced focus on relevant road elements.

Innovation Solution

Adapt the lateral ends of the surroundings view based on the vehicle's course and driver's intention using sensor and map data to exclude irrelevant information, focusing on relevant elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the surroundings view displays a wide area to provide comprehensive information, then the driver can perceive more elements of the surroundings, but the driver becomes distracted by irrelevant information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of surroundings informationVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by dynamically adjusting the display parameters of different regions within the surroundings view. Specifically, it modifies the field of view, magnification, and information density based on the driver's current state and the relevance of different spatial zones. This allows the system to provide comprehensive information where needed while minimizing distraction in other areas, resolving the contradiction between completeness and driver focus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts the surroundings view characteristics in real-time based on driver monitoring data, vehicle context, and environmental factors. The field of view, information density, and displayed elements are continuously adjusted to match the driver's current cognitive state and task requirements, enabling the system to maintain information completeness while preventing distraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If the surroundings view includes all detected elements to ensure complete awareness, then the driver perceives all relevant information, but the cognitive load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of surroundings perceptionVSAvoidcognitive load on driver
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by selectively displaying only the most relevant portions of the surroundings information based on driver needs, vehicle context, and environmental factors. Rather than presenting all detected elements equally, the system prioritizes and filters information to show only what is currently necessary for safe driving, thereby reducing cognitive load while maintaining essential awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the surroundings view are assigned different information densities and levels of detail based on their relevance to the driver's current task. High-priority areas receive more detailed information, while low-priority areas are simplified or omitted, creating a non-uniform information distribution that reduces overall cognitive load while preserving critical awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the surroundings view is fixed to provide stable information, then the display is simple and consistent, but it cannot adapt to changing driving conditions and driver intentions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to driving contextVSAvoidcomplexity of surroundings view system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts multiple parameters of the surroundings view including field of view angle, magnification level, information density, and displayed elements based on real-time driver monitoring data, vehicle state, and environmental context. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to respond to changing driving conditions and driver intentions while maintaining a relatively simple underlying display architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates driver monitoring feedback to continuously adjust the surroundings view characteristics. By monitoring driver attention, cognitive state, and interaction patterns, the system receives feedback that drives real-time adjustments to the display parameters, enabling adaptability without requiring complex manual configuration or intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4653228A1Method for providing a surroundings view to a driver of a vehicle, data processing apparatus, computer program, computer-readable storage medium, and use
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4653228A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4653228A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4653228A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method for providing a surroundings view (32) to a driver of a vehicle (10) travelling on a driveable area (12). The surroundings view (32) is based on sensor data (D) provided by at least one sensor (14) configured to detect the surroundings (16). Moreover, the surroundings view (32) extends from a first lateral end (34) to a second lateral end (36). The method comprises obtaining first data (D1) indicative of a course of the driveable area (12) ahead of the vehicle (10). Additionally, the method comprises obtaining second data (D2) indicative of a travelling intention of the driver. Furthermore, the method comprises adapting at least one of the first lateral end (34) and the second lateral end (36) based on the first data (D1) and based on the second data (D2). Moreover, a data processing apparatus (18), a computer program (26), and a computer-readable storage medium (24) are presented. Also, a use of first data (D1) indicative of a course of a driveable area (12) ahead of a vehicle (10) and/or second data (D2) indicative of a travelling intention of a driver of the vehicle (10) is explained.