Coordinated Vehicle Alert System for Driver Distraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver alert systems generate multiple alerts simultaneously, which can distract the driver and hinder collision avoidance efforts, as they operate independently without coordination across different collision avoidance systems.
Innovation Solution
A control system that receives user-configured alert settings and generates coordinated alert patterns for haptic, auditory, and visual devices based on conditions data from various collision avoidance systems, ensuring alerts are presented in a manner that minimizes driver distraction and optimizes collision avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple collision avoidance systems generate alerts simultaneously, then the driver is warned of multiple potential threats, but the driver becomes distracted and collision avoidance effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent alert systems into a unified alert management system that coordinates visual, auditory, and haptic alerts across different collision avoidance systems. The centralized controller integrates alert requests from multiple sources and presents them in a coordinated manner, merging previously separate alert functions into a single cohesive system that reduces driver distraction while maintaining comprehensive threat warning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized alert management system as an intermediary between multiple collision avoidance systems and the driver. This intermediary receives alert requests from various collision avoidance systems, processes them according to coordinated alert patterns, and presents unified alerts to the driver, thereby mediating between multiple threat detections and single-point driver perception to eliminate distracting multiple simultaneous alerts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate collision avoidance systems operate independently, then each system can detect its specific threats, but alert coordination is poor and driver distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal alert management system that handles multiple types of threats from different collision avoidance systems through a single coordinated interface. The system is designed to accommodate various alert sources (forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, etc.) and presents them through a unified alert framework, enabling one system to perform multiple alert coordination functions across diverse threat types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the alert management function into distinct modular components: individual collision avoidance systems maintain their independent threat detection capabilities, while a separate centralized controller handles alert coordination. This segmentation allows each collision avoidance system to operate independently with its specialized detection algorithms, while the centralized controller manages the complexity of coordinating alerts from multiple sources without interfering with the specialized detection functions.
3Loss of information
If multiple alert types are generated simultaneously, then comprehensive threat information is provided, but driver attention is divided and collision avoidance is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic alert patterns where multiple alert types are presented in a coordinated sequence rather than simultaneously. The system uses alert patterns that space out visual, auditory, and haptic alerts over time, allowing the driver to process information in manageable intervals. This periodic presentation maintains comprehensive threat information delivery while preventing driver attention from being overwhelmed by simultaneous multi-sensory alerts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic alert coordination that adapts the timing, type, and intensity of alerts based on the specific threat situation and driver response. The system dynamically adjusts alert patterns to prioritize critical threats while de-emphasizing less urgent warnings, creating a flexible alert strategy that maintains information completeness while optimizing driver attention management based on real-time conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of alerting a driver of a vehicle is provided. The method includes: receiving alert settings configured by a user through a user interface; and selectively generating an alert pattern for at least one of a haptic alert device, an auditory alert device, and a visual alert device based on the alert settings.