Driver Handover Alerts Based on Driver State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drive assistance technologies fail to notify drivers of the optimal timing for switching from automatic driving to manual driving, leading to safety concerns and driver inconvenience due to inconsistent notification methods and timing.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control system that monitors driver conditions using cameras, biosensors, and load sensors to determine the appropriate notification timing and method for switching from automatic driving to manual driving, offering multiple notification options based on driver readiness, including buzzer, display, haptic, and mobile alerts, ensuring timely and safe transitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system uses multiple notification methods (buzzer, display, haptic, mobile alerts) to notify drivers of switching timing, then the reliability of driver notification is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system integrates multiple notification methods (buzzer, display, haptic feedback, mobile alerts) into a single unified system that can adaptively select and combine different notification channels based on driver condition, thereby improving notification reliability while managing system complexity through functional integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the notification method and timing based on real-time driver condition detection, transitioning between different notification strategies depending on whether the driver is attentive, fatigued, or distracted, which optimizes reliability without requiring all notification components to operate simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the system monitors driver conditions continuously to determine optimal notification timing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver convenienceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial monitoring by focusing detection resources on key driver states (attention level, fatigue indicators, operational readiness) rather than continuously monitoring all possible parameters, thereby maintaining ease of operation while reducing overall energy consumption through selective rather than exhaustive monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the system provides early notification to ensure driver readiness, then the safety is improved, but the loss of time in the driving task increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching safetyVSAvoidnotification lead time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The notification timing is dynamically adjusted based on detected driver condition - attentive drivers receive shorter lead times while fatigued or distracted drivers receive extended notification periods, optimizing safety without unnecessarily extending time loss for all drivers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from driver condition monitoring to adaptively determine appropriate notification timing, where driver responsiveness and state information feed back into the notification timing algorithm to balance safety requirements against time efficiency for each individual driving situation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3378722B1Drive assistance device and drive assistance method, and moving body
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3378722B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3378722B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3378722B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a drive assistance device for assisting driving of a vehicle by using an automatic driving function. Assuming various conditions of the driver, a plurality of notification timings to notify of switching from an automatic driving mode to a manual driving mode is set. Notifying a driver who is drowsing at a notification timing of long premature time allows the driver to have sufficient time margin to be ready for manual driving and to shift to driving action more safely. A driver who is reading a book or operating a smartphone is expected to be able to shift to driving action immediately after a notification, and thus it is sufficient to notify at a notification timing of short premature time, which can reduce inconvenience for the driver.