Driver State Monitoring with Early Voluntary Function Screening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automated driving systems face challenges in quickly and accurately determining driver abnormalities, such as illnesses or dysfunction, which can lead to delayed recognition of unsafe driving conditions, potentially compromising the driver's safety and surrounding environment.

Innovation Solution

A driver state determination apparatus that includes voluntary and involuntary function recognition sections to rapidly detect abnormalities by classifying driver functions into high and low voluntary functions, adjusting determination criteria based on their normality, and utilizing actuation methods to alert or warn the driver, thereby reducing the time required for abnormality determination while maintaining accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the system waits for a specified time to confirm involuntary function abnormality, then the measurement precision of driver abnormality is improved, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormality determination accuracyVSAvoidtime required for abnormality detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of voluntary function abnormalities (eye closure, head position) before confirming involuntary function abnormalities. When voluntary function abnormalities are detected, the system proactively reduces the specified time threshold for involuntary function confirmation, enabling early intervention while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through the sequential monitoring approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the system monitors multiple driver functions comprehensively, then the reliability of abnormality determination is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormality determination reliabilityVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is segmented into two distinct functional modules: voluntary function monitoring (detecting eye closure, head position) and involuntary function monitoring (detecting breathing, heart rate). This segmentation allows the system to maintain comprehensive monitoring capabilities while simplifying the overall architecture through modular design, where each module can be independently optimized and managed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses voluntary function monitoring as a preliminary screening mechanism. When voluntary function abnormalities are detected, the system triggers enhanced monitoring of involuntary functions with reduced time thresholds. This preliminary action approach improves reliability by using a simpler, faster voluntary function check to guide more comprehensive involuntary function monitoring, reducing the need for continuous full-system monitoring at maximum complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the system reduces the specified time for involuntary function monitoring, then the productivity of abnormality detection is improved, but the measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormality detection speedVSAvoidabnormality determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Voluntary function monitoring serves as an intermediary mechanism between the driver's actual state and the final abnormality determination. The voluntary function checks (eye closure, head position) act as early warning indicators that trigger more definitive involuntary function monitoring. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain high productivity by using quick voluntary function checks to guide when to perform more time-consuming but precise involuntary function measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3806058B1Driver condition determination apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.01.15 MAZDA MOTOR CORP

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AI summary

[Task] To advance timing of a driver abnormality determination. [Solution] A driver state determination apparatus includes: voluntary function recognition sections 401, 402, each of which recognizes whether a driver's voluntary function works normally; and an involuntary function recognition section 403 that recognizes whether an involuntary function works normally. In the case where it is recognized that the driver's voluntary function does not work normally, the driver state determination apparatus reduces a specified time required to recognize whether the involuntary function recognition section 403 functions normally.