Dynamic Attention Capacity Filtering for Vehicle Occupants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication and interactive systems, such as those in vehicles, often employ binary 'do not disturb' features that fail to account for the dynamic attention capacity of the recipient, leading to unnecessary restrictions or information overload, particularly in situations requiring varying levels of attention from the occupant.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic attention capacity monitoring system that determines the spare attention capacity of a vehicle occupant based on real-time conditions and vehicle operations, allowing for nuanced filtering and presentation of messages and interactive options to match the occupant's available attention, using a combination of local and cloud-based services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If binary do not disturb features are applied to block all messages during driving, then driver safety is improved by preventing distractions, but information flow is unnecessarily restricted when the driver has available attention capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver safetyVSAvoidinformation flow to occupant

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts message filtering based on real-time assessment of the occupant's attention capacity and current driving conditions, transitioning from static binary filtering to adaptive dynamic filtering that responds to changing operational contexts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of message filtering intensity based on the assessed attention capacity of the occupant and current driving conditions, allowing the filtering level to vary continuously rather than remaining fixed at binary extremes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If binary do not disturb features are not applied and all messages are allowed, then information flow is maximized, but the occupant may be inundated with more information than can be safely processed given current demands on attention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation flow to occupantVSAvoidattention overload to occupant

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial filtering action by selectively allowing certain messages through while blocking others, rather than applying full binary filtering, thereby providing enough information flow to meet occupant needs without exceeding safe attention capacity thresholds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If interactive options are restricted when vehicle is in drive mode, then driver safety is improved, but the system fails to account for variations in the ability of the occupant to process and respond to interactive options

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver safetyVSAvoidinteractive system responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The interactive system dynamically adapts its behavior based on real-time assessment of the occupant's attention capacity and driving conditions, enabling or disabling interactive options adaptively rather than using fixed drive-mode restrictions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of information

If the system dynamically filters messages based on attention capacity, then information flow is optimized to match occupant capacity, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation flow optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary attention capacity assessment layer between the message source and the occupant, which evaluates both the incoming information and the occupant's current state to determine appropriate filtering actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10893010B1Message filtering in a vehicle based on dynamically determining spare attention capacity from an overall attention capacity of an occupant and estimated amount of attention required given current vehicle operating conditions

Publication Date: 2021.01.12 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

A dynamic attention capacity service and/or a filtering application determine a current spare attention capacity of an occupant of a vehicle to receive incoming messages or other information. The dynamic attention capacity service and/or the filtering application selectively filter incoming messages directed to the occupant of the vehicle based on the current spare attention capacity of the occupant of the vehicle to receive the incoming message and based on a priority of the incoming message.