EEG-Based Gaze Control for Vehicle Display Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in controlling devices while driving a vehicle or when their hands are occupied, as existing technologies require direct manipulation of input units, leading to potential safety issues and inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus and vehicle system that recognizes user intentions by analyzing EEG signals, specifically steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP), to minimize input unit manipulation by allowing device control through gaze recognition, using visual stimulus signals with different frequencies displayed on multiple regions of a display unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If direct manipulation of input unit is required for device control, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and safety risks increase during driving

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of device controlVSAvoiddriving safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical input operations with eye movement detection and EEG signal analysis. The system detects user gaze direction and brain wave patterns to automatically determine control intentions, eliminating the need for physical manipulation of input units while driving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of cameras and EEG sensors that detect eye movements and brain signals. This intermediary layer translates physiological signals into control commands, serving as a bridge between the driver's intentions and device control without requiring direct manual input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If multiple display regions are used to provide comprehensive information, then information completeness is improved, but difficulty of detecting user attention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiduser attention detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display into multiple independent regions, each displaying different types of information (navigation, media control, vehicle settings, etc.). This segmentation allows comprehensive information presentation while enabling the system to focus eye tracking analysis on specific regions of interest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs different visual characteristics and color coding for various display regions to make them distinguishable. This helps the eye tracking system differentiate between regions and accurately determine which region the user is attending to, even when multiple regions are simultaneously visible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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

Enables convenient device control with reduced physical input, enhancing user experience and safety by allowing device functions to be executed through gaze recognition, thereby minimizing the need for direct input unit manipulation.

Implementation Method 1

The EEG signal generated by the visual stimulus signal may include a steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP):

Data Source

PatentEP3072444B1Display apparatus and vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3072444B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3072444B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3072444B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display apparatus, a vehicle, and a display method are disclosed, which recognize the user's intention by recognizing the user's eyes, and apply the recognized result to a device control process, thereby greatly increasing convenience of the input unit manipulation actions of the user. A display apparatus includes: a controller configured to insert a visual stimulus signal into basic visual information according to a predetermined frequency; a display unit configured to display the visual stimulus signal for generating an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal and the basic visual information; and an EEG analyzer configured to determine a frequency occupied by the generated EEG signal.