Driver Alertness Estimation via Dynamic Display Messages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driver alertness estimation systems in vehicles can be perceived as annoying or ignored by drivers, leading to inaccurate assessments due to arbitrary deviations from set defaults, such as speed or windscreen wiper changes, which may not be relevant to the current traffic situation.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a camera to detect eye movements and assess driver alertness through variable and prioritized messages displayed on a vehicle's dashboard, avoiding direct interference with vehicle control and using eye movement as a criterion for alertness evaluation, with priority adjustments based on message relevance, distance, and time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If stimulus signals directly influence vehicle operation (speed reduction, wiper interval change), then driver alertness can be assessed through corrective reactions, but the driver perceives this as annoying interference or paternalism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealertness assessment accuracyVSAvoiddriver annoyance and perceived paternalism

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary stimulus (display message) that does not directly control vehicle operation but still elicits a measurable driver response (eye movement). This intermediary approach allows alertness assessment without the harmful direct interference that causes driver annoyance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/operational stimulus signals (speed control, wiper control) with an optical/informational stimulus (display message). This substitution allows the same assessment function to be achieved without the harmful side effects of direct vehicle control interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If display messages are static and predictable, then the system is simple to implement, but drivers can ignore or predict messages reducing assessment reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage system simplicityVSAvoidalertness assessment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the display message system dynamic by varying message content, timing, and selection based on driver behavior patterns. This dynamic approach prevents drivers from predicting or ignoring messages, thereby maintaining assessment reliability without requiring excessive system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic display of varied messages at different time intervals, creating a rhythm that maintains driver attention. This periodic variation ensures drivers remain engaged with the display without making the system overly complex.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If stimulus signals are frequent to maintain driver engagement, then alertness assessment is more reliable, but driver annoyance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealertness assessment reliabilityVSAvoiddriver annoyance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using display messages only when needed for assessment purposes, rather than continuous stimulation. This selective approach maintains assessment reliability while minimizing driver annoyance from excessive messaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9858489B2Device for estimating the alertness of a driver

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A system and method for estimating the alertness of the driver in a moving vehicle is disclosed. A display instrument is switched over in order to display a message relating to the movement of the vehicle. An eye movement of the driver in reaction to the switch-over is detected. The driver's alertness is assessed on the basis of the detected eye movement.