Driver Attention Focus Area Detection for Traffic Signal Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers often fail to notice changes in traffic signals when distracted by their smartphones at red lights, leading to traffic delays and increased noise pollution from honking, as they are not alerted effectively to the signal changes.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that detects when a vehicle is stopped at an intersection and determines the driver's attention focus area, using direct and indirect indicators, to alert the driver through a target display device, such as a smartphone or in-vehicle display, with visual cues like color changes, icons, timers, or audible signals when the traffic signal changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drivers use smartphones while stopped at red lights, then drivers can check messages or select music, but drivers fail to notice when the traffic signal changes from red to green
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary device (smartphone display or in-vehicle display) to convey traffic signal status information to the driver. The computing device detects the driver's attention focus area and sends appropriate traffic signal information to the determined target display device, serving as a mediator between the traffic signal and the distracted driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the driver's attention focus area and adjusting the display of traffic signal information accordingly. The computing device receives data indicating the driver's cognitive attention focus area and modifies the information presentation to ensure the driver receives traffic signal status updates.
2Loss of information
If other drivers honk their horn to alert the distracted driver, then the distracted driver may notice the traffic signal change, but excessive honking contributes to increased noise pollution and is considered rude
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical acoustic alert method (honking) with an electronic information delivery system. The computing device determines the driver's attention focus area and sends visual or audible notifications through appropriate display devices, substituting the noisy mechanical horn with a targeted electronic communication system.
3Loss of information
If the system determines the driver's attention focus area and sends alerts to the appropriate display device, then drivers are effectively alerted to traffic signal changes, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functionality by leveraging existing devices (smartphones, in-vehicle displays) for multiple purposes: the smartphone serves as both a distraction source and an alert delivery mechanism. The computing device performs multiple functions including detecting vehicle stopping, analyzing driver attention, determining target display devices, and sending alerts, consolidating complexity into a centralized system.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for alerting a driver to a status of a traffic signal are disclosed. A computer-implemented method includes: detecting, by a computing device, that a vehicle is stopped at an intersection with a traffic signal; determining, by the computing device, an attention focus area of a driver of the vehicle; determining, by the computing device, a target display device based on the determined attention focus area; and causing, by the computing device, the determined target display device to display information to alert the driver of a status of the traffic signal.