Anti-drowsing Device with Dynamic Threshold Warning Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle proximity warning systems fail to properly adjust the timing of warnings for collision possibilities when a driver is drowsy, as they treat inattentive and drowsy states similarly and do not account for the driver's continued drowsiness after the drowsy state has been detected, potentially leading to unnecessary early warnings.
Innovation Solution
An anti-drowsy device that includes a warning output system, an eye-closing period measurement system, and a warning timing change mechanism. The device establishes an early-warning mode when the eye-closing period exceeds a first threshold and maintains it until the subsequent eye-closing periods fall below a second, lower threshold, ensuring timely warnings even if the driver is still drowsy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the early-warning mode is established when a drowsy state is detected and immediately canceled when the drowsy state is no longer detected, then the warning timing is advanced to ensure driver safety, but the warning may be output unnecessarily early and disturb the driver when the driver is still feeling drowsy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static threshold-based mode switching to a dynamic multi-threshold system. The early-warning mode now uses two thresholds (first threshold for entry, second threshold for exit) that create a hysteresis effect, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to the driver's drowsiness state and prevent unnecessary mode switching that would disturb the driver
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of threshold values from a single static value to multiple dynamic values. By introducing a first threshold value for entering early-warning mode and a second threshold value (lower than the first) for exiting it, the system creates a parameter buffer that prevents premature mode cancellation and ensures warnings are not output unnecessarily early
2Reliability
If the allowable relative speed is corrected to a lower value when inattentive or drowsy driving is detected, then the warning timing is advanced to improve safety, but the inattentive state and drowsy state are treated on the same basis which does not account for continued drowsiness after detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drowsiness detection and response into distinct phases: detection phase (using first threshold), maintenance phase (using second threshold), and recovery phase. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between initial drowsiness detection and continued drowsiness, providing more nuanced and adaptive safety responses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the driver's eye state and using the second threshold to determine when the driver has truly recovered from drowsiness. The system only exits early-warning mode when the driver's eyes remain open beyond the second threshold for a sustained period, ensuring the driver is genuinely alert before canceling the early-warning mode
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-drowsing device includes: an ECU that outputs a warning via a buzzer when a collision possibility between a preceding object and the vehicle is detected; a warning control ECU that establishes an early-warning mode in which a warning is output earlier from that used in a normal mode; and a driver monitor camera and a driver monitor ECU that monitors a driver's eyes. The warning control ECU establishes the early-warning mode when the eye-closing period of the driver becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and thereafter maintains the early-warning mode until the eye-closing period of the driver falls below a second threshold value.