Coaxial IR Camera and Light Source for Driver Gaze Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver monitoring systems face challenges in accurately determining a driver's gaze direction and attention to the road due to uncertainties related to eye geometry and require complex calibration processes, which affect computational efficiency and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The use of coaxially aligned infrared (IR) cameras and light sources within the vehicle cabin to determine the driver's gaze by reducing variables and uncertainties through optical alignment, allowing for more efficient and accurate gaze determination using simplified equations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional driver monitoring systems use separate cameras and light sources, then the system can capture images of the driver, but the accuracy of gaze determination is reduced due to uncertainties in eye geometry and requires complex calibration processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the infrared light source and camera into a single integrated unit with coaxial alignment. The light source is positioned at the optical center of the camera lens, creating a unified measurement system that eliminates the need for separate calibration of light source position and camera angle, thereby reducing calibration complexity while improving gaze determination accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference marker that is illuminated by the infrared light source and captured by the camera. This reference marker serves as an intermediary element that provides a known geometric reference point, allowing the system to calculate gaze direction without requiring complex calibration of eye geometry parameters
2Measurement precision
If complex calibration processes are used to improve gaze determination accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but computational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex calibration procedures by using coaxial alignment of the light source and camera. The system only requires capturing images of the reference marker and performing straightforward geometric calculations to determine gaze direction, significantly reducing computational requirements while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter arrangement by using coaxial alignment, which transforms the measurement geometry into a simpler configuration. This allows gaze determination to be calculated using basic trigonometric relationships from the reference marker position in the image, rather than requiring complex multi-parameter calibration
3Measurement precision
If coaxially aligned infrared cameras and light sources are used, then gaze determination accuracy and computational efficiency improve, but the device structure becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source and camera into a single integrated module where the light source is positioned at the optical center of the camera. This integration inherently provides coaxial alignment without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms, thus maintaining measurement precision while simplifying the overall device structure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy and computational efficiency of gaze determination, enabling timely alerts and proactive vehicle control measures when the driver's gaze is diverted from the road, thereby improving safety.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared (IR) camera configured to capture an image of a driver... an IR light source that is disposed between the IR camera and the driver, and that is configured to output IR light to the driver
Implementation Method 2
a location of a glint on a cornea of an eye of the driver in the image
Data Source
AI summary
A driver monitoring system of a vehicle includes: an infrared (IR) camera configured to capture an image of a driver on a driver's seat within a passenger cabin of the vehicle; an IR light source that is disposed between the IR camera and the driver, that is optically coaxial with the IR camera, and that is configured to output IR light to the driver; a gaze module configured to determine a gaze of the driver based on the image from the IR camera; and a monitor module configured to determine whether a location where the gaze of the driver intersects a vertical plane in front of the driver is within an area on the vertical plane.