Driver State Recognition via Steering Angle Speed and Lane Deviation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driver state recognition systems rely on predefined limit values and fail to accurately differentiate between inattentiveness due to fatigue, alcohol, or drug influence, and do not effectively monitor the course of steering angle speed and lane behavior for timely intervention.

Innovation Solution

The method involves monitoring the course of steering angle speed and frequency of steering corrections, combined with lane behavior analysis, to determine driver inattentiveness by evaluating the steering angle and lateral distance from lane markings, identifying patterns such as sudden steering interventions and frequent lane deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If predefined limit values are used for driver state recognition, then the system is simple to implement, but the accuracy of differentiating between fatigue, alcohol, and drug influence is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver state detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the driver state recognition into multiple independent monitoring dimensions: steering angle monitoring, steering angular speed monitoring, lane keeping behavior monitoring, and frequency of steering corrections. Each dimension is evaluated separately and then integrated to determine overall driver state, allowing high accuracy without requiring a single complex system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds the dimension of steering angular speed monitoring to the traditional steering angle monitoring. By evaluating both the angle and its rate of change, the system gains additional information about driver alertness levels, enabling better differentiation between various states of inattentiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If steering angle and lane behavior are monitored continuously, then driver inattentiveness can be detected timely, but the computational load and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver safety monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent monitors steering corrections that exceed predetermined thresholds rather than analyzing all steering inputs. By focusing only on corrective actions that indicate potential inattentiveness (sudden, large-angle corrections), the system achieves high reliability while minimizing computational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes predetermined threshold values for steering angle, steering angular speed, and lane deviation during system initialization or calibration. These pre-set criteria enable real-time monitoring without complex runtime calculations, as the system only needs to compare current readings against the pre-determined thresholds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If only steering angle is monitored, then the system is simple, but it cannot effectively identify sudden steering corrections indicating inattentiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering behavior analysis accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces steering angular speed as an intermediary parameter between steering angle and driver state assessment. By calculating the rate of change of steering angle, the system identifies sudden corrections that indicate inattentiveness, bridging the gap between simple angle monitoring and complex driver state interpretation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1957309B1Method and device for recognising the state of a driver
Publication Date: 2012.08.01 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP1957309B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1957309B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP1957309B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and to a device for recognising the state of a driver. According to the invention, the curve of a signal characterising the state of the driver is evaluated and in the event of a typical curve, a signal characterising the state of the driver is generated.