Dual-Sensor Optical Assembly for Driver Viewing Direction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current driver monitoring systems cannot accurately determine a user's viewing direction due to unknown head position and orientation in three-dimensional space, which affects their ability to detect if a driver has viewed an object in the environment.
Innovation Solution
A system using a marker and an optical assembly with two sensors, one to detect the marker's spatial location and another to track the user's eye angle, allowing the processor to determine the user's viewing direction by combining spatial location and eye angle data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single optical sensor is used to track the driver's eye angle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of viewing direction deteriorates because head position and orientation in three-dimensional space cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement task into two separate functions: one optical sensor tracks the driver's eye angle, while a separate marker detection system determines head position and orientation in three-dimensional space. This segmentation allows each sensor to specialize in one measurement aspect, achieving high measurement precision without requiring a single complex sensor system
Solution Approach 2:
A marker is introduced as an intermediary object that reflects light from a light source. The marker serves as a reference point that enables the system to calculate the driver's head position and orientation indirectly through geometric relationships, rather than requiring direct sensing of head pose
2Ease of operation
If the marker is made visible to the user, then the ease of operation for system calibration is improved, but the driver's attention is diverted from the road, creating a harmful factor
Solution Approach 1:
The marker is designed to be invisible or imperceptible to the driver during normal operation, likely using infrared or ultraviolet wavelengths that are outside the human visible spectrum. The marker can be activated or deactivated as needed, changing its visibility state to enable calibration when the vehicle is stationary and remain invisible during driving
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method provides a more accurate determination of the user's viewing direction, enabling systems to assess whether a driver has seen an object, potentially preventing accidents by allowing for autonomous vehicle control or warnings if the driver has not.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical sensor arranged to view the marker and detect the marker for determining a spatial location of the optical assembly with respect to the marker
Implementation Method 2
a second optical sensor arranged to view the user and detect an eye of the user for determining an eye angle of the user
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicles and systems and methods for determining a viewing direction of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for detecting a viewing direction of a user includes a marker arranged at a fixed location, and an optical assembly. The optical assembly includes a first optical sensor arranged to view the marker, and a second optical sensor arranged to view the user. The first optical sensor detects the marker for determining a spatial location of the optical assembly with respect to the marker, and the second optical sensor detects an eye of the user for determining an eye angle of the user.