Alert Manager for Driver Workload Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges in safely using mobile device features while driving, as existing technologies do not effectively manage user interaction during attention-sensitive driving conditions, potentially leading to distractions and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a connected device adapter with an alert manager, which connects to a vehicle data port and a mobile device, determines an alert mode based on driver workload estimation to either allow or deny access to mobile device features, ensuring safe interaction by coordinating feature usage with the vehicle user-interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mobile device features are integrated with vehicle infotainment systems, then user convenience and feature accessibility are improved, but driver distraction and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a workload estimation system and alert manager as intermediaries between the driver and mobile device features. The system monitors driver workload through various sensors and data sources, then mediates access to mobile features by blocking or alerting the driver when workload exceeds safe thresholds, thus preventing distraction while maintaining feature availability when safe
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops by monitoring driver state, workload conditions, and mobile feature usage patterns. The alert manager receives feedback from workload estimation and adjusts feature access permissions dynamically, providing real-time feedback to the driver through alerts when feature usage would be unsafe, and adjusting system behavior based on ongoing monitoring results
2Reliability
If driver workload monitoring and alert management systems are implemented, then driving safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the existing infotainment system architecture. The workload estimation and alert management capabilities are built into the same system that handles mobile device connectivity and infotainment functions, allowing a single system to perform both traditional infotainment roles and safety monitoring roles, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the alert manager and workload estimation functions with the existing mobile device integration infrastructure. By combining safety monitoring, feature access control, and infotainment management into a unified system rather than separate independent systems, the patent reduces the overall complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a device configured to connect to a vehicle data port and a mobile device and including an alert manager. The alert manager may be configured to determine, according to a driver workload estimation, an alert mode indicative of how to process a vehicle user-interface request to access a mobile device feature for use via the vehicle user-interface, and access the feature of the mobile device in accordance with the alert mode.