Driver Gaze Range Estimation for Abnormal State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver state estimation systems struggle to accurately determine a driver's state in varying travel environments, as the amplitude of saccades does not significantly differ between normal and abnormal states in environments with fewer cautionary objects.
Innovation Solution
A driver state estimation apparatus that utilizes a line-of-sight detection device to set a predetermined visual range based on the driver's gaze direction, calculating the ratio of gaze points within this range to determine abnormal states, and adjusts this range based on travel environment information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the amplitude of saccade is used to estimate driver state, then the estimation is accurate in environments requiring quick visual search in wide range, but the estimation accuracy deteriorates in environments with fewer cautionary objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from saccade amplitude to the ratio of gazing points within a predetermined visual range. This parameter change enables accurate driver state estimation across different travel environments, as the ratio of gazing points remains a reliable indicator of driver state regardless of whether the environment requires wide visual search or not
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal estimation method that works across different travel environments by using the ratio of gazing points within a predetermined visual range. This single metric serves multiple functions: it detects driver state in both complex environments with many cautionary objects and simple environments with fewer objects, making the system adaptable to various driving conditions
2Device complexity
If the amplitude of saccade is used as the estimation criterion, then the system complexity is low, but the reliability of driver state estimation deteriorates in expressway environments with few other vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the estimation criterion from saccade amplitude to the ratio of gazing points within a predetermined visual range. This parameter change maintains system simplicity while significantly improving reliability across different driving environments, including expressway conditions with fewer vehicles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical measurement of saccade amplitude with an optical-based measurement of gazing point distribution. This substitution uses line-of-sight detection technology to track where the driver is looking, providing more reliable estimation without significantly increasing system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A driver state estimation apparatus includes an in-vehicle camera that detects the driver's line of sight; and a controller configured to estimate the driver's state based on the driver's line of sight. The controller sets a predetermined visual range including a line-of-sight direction in the case where the driver directs their line of sight in an advancing direction, acquires a distribution of the driver's gazing points within a predetermined time based on the driver's line of sight, and estimates that the driver is in an abnormal state in the case where a ratio of the gazing points included in the predetermined visual range among all the gazing points included in the acquired distribution of the gazing points is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio.