Driver Incapability Detection via Head Shake Amplitude Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver incapacitation detection systems face challenges in accurately distinguishing between sudden illness and other factors that cause head movement, leading to potential false detection of driving incapability states, and require complex devices for measuring heartbeat and brain waves.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that includes a head detection portion to analyze images of the driver's seat and a shake detection portion to determine the driving incapability state by measuring the amplitude of head shakes before and after external forces are applied to the vehicle, distinguishing between normal and abnormal shake patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physiological measurement devices (heartbeat, breathing, brain waves) are used to detect driver state, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physiological measurement devices with a simple imaging device (camera) that captures images of the driver's head. The system analyzes head position and movement patterns from these images to detect driver incapability, substituting mechanical/physiological sensing with optical imaging and image processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy (image) of the driver's head position and uses this copy for analysis. By capturing and analyzing images of head movements rather than directly measuring physiological parameters, the system achieves detection capability with simpler equipment.
2Reliability
If face direction collapse detection is used to identify driver incapability, then detection capability is improved, but false detection increases due to looking aside during normal driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static face direction detection to dynamic head movement analysis. By examining the shake pattern (amplitude and duration) of the head after external force application, the system distinguishes between temporary looking aside and genuine incapability, reducing false detections while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the natural vibration/shake response of the driver's head when external force is applied to the vehicle. By analyzing the amplitude and characteristics of this mechanical response, the system can distinguish between a conscious driver who actively maintains position and an incapacitated driver whose head moves passively with larger amplitude.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus detecting driving incapability state of a driver includes: a head detection portion that detects a head of the driver based on an image of a driver's seat captured by an imaging device mounted on a vehicle; and a shake detection portion that detects the driver is incapable of driving when an amplitude of a shake of the head detected by the head detection portion is smaller than a first amplitude or larger than a second amplitude, which is larger than the first amplitude, before a shake determination time elapses after external force has been applied to the vehicle during travel of the vehicle.