Driver Notification Display Timing for Autonomous Driving Attention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles operating in autonomous driving mode, particularly at level 3 where driver attention is not required, drivers may not consistently notice messages displayed in front of them due to reduced alertness and focus.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a looking-direction detection unit and notification unit that displays messages on a display in front of the driver when changes in the vehicle's environment or operations are detected, such as changes in illuminance, atmospheric pressure, or vehicle actions like starting windshield wipers, ensuring the driver's attention is drawn to relevant information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a display is disposed in front of the driver to show messages, then the driver can access information, but the driver cannot always recognize the message appropriately in autonomous driving mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage recognitionVSAvoidautonomous driving mode
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system dynamically adjusts message display timing and positioning based on real-time detection of driver looking direction. The system transitions from static display to dynamic adaptation, displaying messages only when the driver's attention is forward-facing, thereby resolving the contradiction between information delivery and driver engagement in autonomous mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the driver's looking direction and using this information to control message display. The notification unit receives feedback about driver attention state and adjusts message presentation accordingly, ensuring messages are displayed when the driver is capable of recognition while maintaining autonomous driving functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If the driver is required to look ahead carefully, then message recognition improves, but this conflicts with autonomous driving mode where driving operation is unnecessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage recognitionVSAvoiddriver attention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the driver's looking direction before displaying messages. By checking driver attention state in advance and only notifying when conditions are appropriate, the system eliminates the need for continuous driver alertness while ensuring message recognition, thus resolving the contradiction between information delivery and operational ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4279316A1Apparatus and method for message notification
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4279316A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4279316A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4279316A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus for message notification displays a message to be known to a driver of a vehicle on a display unit disposed in front of a driver's seat on which the driver is sitting, when a change in environment around the vehicle causing the driver to turn his/her attention forward, an action of the vehicle that the driver can sense, or operation by the driver of a vehicle-mounted device in a front area of the vehicle is detected, in the case where travel of the vehicle is controlled in autonomous driving mode in which driving operation by the driver is unnecessary, and where a looking direction of the driver is not a direction related to the driving operation.