Gaze Detection System for Vehicle Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Driver distractions, such as looking away from the road to interact with vehicle controls or displays, contribute to a significant number of motor vehicle crashes due to blind spots and limited peripheral vision.
Innovation Solution
A gaze detection system using cameras and processing algorithms to detect the direction of a vehicle occupant's gaze, allowing control of vehicle devices like displays and systems without requiring the driver to look away from the road, by setting up gaze trigger regions within the vehicle cabin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the driver looks at vehicle displays or controls to interact with them, then the ease of operation is improved, but the driver's attention to the road is reduced causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical interaction (touching, pressing buttons) with gaze-based control. The camera system detects the driver's eye direction and uses it to trigger control functions, substituting the mechanical action of reaching and pressing with an optical detection method that requires no physical movement from the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a camera system and processing unit as an intermediary between the driver and vehicle controls. The camera captures images of the driver's eyes, the processing unit determines gaze direction, and this information is used to control vehicle functions, creating a mediating system that translates gaze into control actions without requiring direct driver interaction with physical controls.
2Ease of operation
If the driver reaches for objects inside the vehicle, then the ease of operation is improved, but the driver's attention to the road is reduced causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of reaching and grasping objects with gaze-based selection and control. Instead of physically reaching for controls or objects, the driver simply directs their gaze toward the desired target, and the system automatically activates the corresponding function or retrieves the desired item.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service by automatically detecting and responding to the driver's gaze direction without requiring additional manual input. Once the gaze trigger region is detected, the system autonomously executes the appropriate control action, eliminating the need for the driver to manually reach for or activate controls.
3Ease of operation
If the driver looks away from the road to read displays or maps, then the ease of operation is improved, but the driver's attention to the road is reduced causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the interaction interface from the traditional two-dimensional display plane to the three-dimensional spatial domain of the driver's field of view. By detecting gaze direction in 3D space and mapping it to control functions, the system allows drivers to interact with vehicle systems within their natural viewing zone without needing to shift their focus to separate display surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling devices based on a detected gaze. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for executing computer executable instructions by one or more processors for controlling one or more devices attached to a vehicle based at least in part on a detected direction of observation of an occupant of the vehicle, the method further includes receiving one or more images from at least one camera attached to the vehicle; locating, from the one or more images, one or more body features associated with the occupant; determining a direction of gaze from the one or more located body features; and controlling the one or more devices based at least in part on the direction of gaze.