Driver Intent Detection for Intersection Gesture Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Interactions between autonomous vehicles and human-driven vehicles at traffic intersections are hindered due to the lack of effective communication regarding driving intent, leading to potential standstills as autonomous vehicles rely solely on traffic laws and may misinterpret human gestures.

Innovation Solution

A system that captures images of a driver's gestures and attention using interior and exterior cameras, analyzing them to determine driving intent, which is then communicated to other vehicles through visual indicators or wireless messages, enabling informed decisions by both human and autonomous vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If autonomous vehicles rely solely on traffic laws and sensor detection, then they can operate independently without human intervention, but they cannot effectively interpret human gestures and driving intent at intersections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous vehicle operationVSAvoiddriver intent communication

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of interior cameras, gesture recognition algorithms, and communication devices that translate human gestures into machine-understandable signals. This intermediary layer enables autonomous vehicles to interpret driver intent without compromising their autonomous operation, resolving the contradiction between automation extent and information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical communication methods (physical presence, direct observation) with electronic and optical systems (cameras, image processing, wireless communication). This substitution allows autonomous vehicles to detect and interpret human gestures remotely and accurately, maintaining automation while recovering lost intent information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If human drivers use gestures to communicate driving intent, then they can convey information efficiently, but autonomous vehicles cannot detect or interpret these gestures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintersection throughputVSAvoidgesture detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for direct human observation with automated visual detection systems. Interior cameras capture gestures, image processing algorithms analyze them, and the system translates gestures into actionable intent signals. This substitution makes gesture detection reliable and scalable, improving intersection throughput while overcoming the detection difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the driver's gestures through camera imaging and processing. This copy preserves the essential information of the original gesture while making it analyzable by autonomous vehicle systems. The copying process enables accurate gesture interpretation without requiring direct human-to-machine observation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If both vehicles at an intersection are autonomous, then they can communicate through standardized protocols, but they lack the ability to understand human-driven vehicle intentions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle-to-vehicle communicationVSAvoidcross-vehicle type interaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal communication system that handles multiple vehicle types through a single interface. The gesture recognition and intent determination system works whether the other vehicle is autonomous or human-driven, providing adaptability across different vehicle types while maintaining reliable communication through standardized protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts human gestures into standardized communication signals. This mediator enables autonomous vehicles to understand human-driven vehicle intentions by translating non-standardized human communication into machine-understandable formats, enhancing both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11985578B2System and method to detect driver intent and employ safe driving actions

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 DISH NETWORK LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are directed towards the interpretation of driver intent relative to other vehicles. A computing device within a vehicle includes at least one camera, an output device, and circuitry. The computing device captures images of an area outside of the vehicle. The computing device identifies another vehicle relative to the vehicle. The computing device determines a driving intent of the driver, such as based on an analysis images or audio of the driver. The computing device determines whether the vehicle is moving within a threshold time after determining the driving intent. If the vehicle is moving within the threshold time, then the driver is identified as engaging in aggressive driving towards the other vehicle. The computing device may also provide information to the other vehicle indicating the driving intent of the driver.