Gaze Detection Congestion Control for Vehicle-Mounted Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gaze detection systems struggle to reliably determine which vehicle-mounted devices a driver is gazing, especially when devices are installed on both sides of the driver seat, and they lack efficient congestion control for infrared light emission periods, leading to overlapping light emissions and excessive illumination.
Innovation Solution
A gaze detection apparatus with infrared LEDs and cameras installed on each vehicle-mounted device, utilizing a synchronization signal to control light emission periods, ensuring non-overlapping infrared light emission and enabling reliable gaze detection through image processing, allowing for hands-free operation of devices using eye blinking cues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple monitor cameras are installed to detect gaze direction for devices on both sides of the driver seat, then gaze detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by installing the same gaze detection apparatus (infrared LED and infrared camera) on multiple different vehicle-mounted devices (audio device, air conditioner, lamp). Each device's gaze detection apparatus serves both as a local gaze detector and as part of the overall system for determining which device the driver is gazing at, eliminating the need for separate monitor cameras at different positions.
2Ease of operation
If infrared light emission periods of multiple vehicle-mounted devices are not synchronized, then each device can operate independently, but light emission overlap causes excessive illumination and detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through synchronized infrared light emission. All gaze detection apparatuses emit infrared light in coordinated time periods determined by the determination apparatus, ensuring that only one device emits infrared light at a time. This periodic synchronization prevents overlapping illumination while maintaining independent device operation capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If the driver must use hands to operate vehicle-mounted devices, then operation precision is maintained, but driver attention is diverted from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hand-operated control system with an eye-based control system. The gaze detection apparatus detects which device the driver is gazing at, and the determination apparatus translates this visual attention into device selection, allowing the driver to operate devices through eye movements rather than hand movements, thereby maintaining precision while reducing distraction.
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
The system effectively detects driver gaze on multiple vehicle-mounted devices, prevents light emission overlap, and allows for hands-free operation of devices like lighting, audio, and temperature control using eye blinking, enhancing user convenience and reducing unnecessary illumination.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared LED 1 of emitting infrared light
Implementation Method 2
an infrared camera 2 of photographing eyes of a driver based on light which is reflected from the eyes of the driver by the infrared light emitted from the infrared LED 1
Data Source
AI summary
A gaze detection apparatus of the present invention may include an infrared LED of emitting infrared light, an infrared camera of photographing eyes of a driver based on light which is reflected from the eyes of the driver by the infrared light emitted from the infrared LED, and a gaze detection unit of determining whether the driver gazes the infrared camera based on an image of the eyes photographed by the infrared camera, and at least one of the infrared LED and the infrared camera is installed on each of a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices, and operates to emit the infrared light to the driver from each vehicle-mounted device, photograph the driver within a corresponding light emission period, and detect whether the driver gazes based on photographed information, and the vehicle-mounted devices are under a congestion control so that the light emission periods of the infrared light emitted therefrom are not overlapped with each other.