Driver Alertness System Using Cognitive Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for preventing drowsy driving often rely on intrusive warnings that may be ignored, and they can be complex, involving third parties or not effectively maintaining driver alertness.

Innovation Solution

An alertness-increasing system that determines when a driver is or may become in-alert and initiates a software-based cognitive stimulation function, such as games or mental tasks, to increase alertness without distracting the driver from their primary task.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional warning systems (lights and buzzers) are used to alert drowsy drivers, then driver alertness may be increased, but the warnings are often ignored or perceived as intrusive and distracting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of alerting driverVSAvoiddriver acceptance and convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using traditional warning systems that alert the driver to their drowsiness, the patent inverts the approach by providing cognitive stimuli (games, puzzles, questions) that actively engage the driver's mind and prevent drowsiness. The system transitions from a reactive warning model to a proactive engagement model, where the driver is stimulated to maintain alertness rather than being warned about their state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of drowsiness into a beneficial engagement activity. By detecting signs of drowsiness and responding with cognitive stimulation tasks, the system transforms a negative state (driver fatigue) into a positive interaction (mental engagement), thereby maintaining safety while improving driver experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If third-party service centers are involved to alert drowsy drivers, then driver safety may be improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver safetyVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the alerting function from external third-party service centers and integrates it directly into the vehicle's onboard system. The determination unit and stimulation provision are now part of the vehicle's own system, eliminating the need for external communication infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The onboard system performs multiple functions: it monitors driver state, determines drowsiness levels, and provides cognitive stimulation - all within a single integrated system. This multi-functional approach replaces the previous multi-component architecture that involved vehicle sensors, external communication networks, and service center processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the driver is engaged in mind-stimulating activities, then driver alertness is increased, but the driver may be distracted from the primary task of driving

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver alertnessVSAvoiddriver distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies cognitive stimulation in a controlled, partial manner rather than continuously. The system activates stimulation activities only when drowsiness is detected and maintains them at appropriate intensity levels, avoiding excessive engagement that would cause distraction. The stimulation is tuned to be sufficient to maintain alertness without overwhelming the driver's attention capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the driver's response to stimulation activities and adjusts the type and intensity of cognitive stimuli provided. By feedback from the determination unit about driver state changes, the system can modify stimulation levels to maintain optimal alertness while preventing distraction, ensuring the driver remains focused on the road.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3002740B1Method and system for avoiding an in-alert driver of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.03.06 VOLVO CAR CORP

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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method performed by an alertness-increasing system (1) for avoiding a situation with a potentially in-alert driver of a vehicle (2). The alertness-increasing system determines (101) that the driver is, and/or may potentially become, in-alert in his or her driving. Moreover, the alertness-increasing system initiates (102) a software-based function (4) adapted to cognitively stimulate the driver. The disclosure also relates to an alertness-increasing system in accordance with the foregoing, a vehicle comprising at least a portion of the alertness-increasing system, and a user device (3) adapted to communicate with the vehicle, comprising at least a portion of the alertness-increasing system and/or at least a portion of the function adapted to cognitively stimulate the driver