Wireless Headset Alert Prioritization for Driver Distraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicles face challenges in providing information to drivers without causing distraction, as existing systems lack efficient methods to prioritize and deliver alerts based on urgency and driver attentiveness.

Innovation Solution

A wireless headset system with control circuitry that communicates with vehicle systems to provide alerts based on a multi-level priority hierarchy, interrupting or postponing alerts according to their urgency and engaging in communication sessions, while also allowing voice control of vehicle systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If alerts are provided to the driver through the wireless headset, then the driver receives important information, but the driver may become distracted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation delivery to driverVSAvoiddriver distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of alert delivery by using a multi-level priority hierarchy (first level, second level, third level) to differentiate alert urgency. This allows the system to deliver critical information reliably while minimizing distraction by only interrupting communication sessions for high-priority alerts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts alert delivery based on real-time conditions, specifically whether the driver is engaged in a communication session. The alert delivery mechanism changes behavior based on the driver's current state, providing information when safe and postponing when distraction risk is high

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If multiple alerts are provided simultaneously, then comprehensive information is delivered, but driver overload and distraction increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddriver overload

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments alerts into distinct priority levels (first level, second level, third level) based on urgency. This segmentation allows comprehensive information delivery while preventing overload by organizing alerts hierarchically and delivering them in a structured manner rather than simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the system interrupts communication sessions for alerts, then critical information is delivered timely, but communication continuity is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealert delivery timelinessVSAvoidcommunication session continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of communication session handling based on alert priority. First level alerts (highest urgency) interrupt communication sessions to ensure timely delivery, while second and third level alerts postpone delivery until the session ends, preserving communication continuity for less critical information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20230111923A1Wireless headset communication system

Publication Date: 2023.04.13 STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS

AI summary

An example system according to an example of the present disclosure includes a wireless headset having a speaker and a microphone. Control circuitry is disposed in a vehicle and is in communication with a plurality of vehicle systems. The control circuitry is configured to provide alerts through the speaker based on information from the plurality of vehicle systems indicating occurrence of trigger events, and to determine when to provide each alert based on a priority level of the alert within a multi-level hierarchy of priority levels.