In-Cabin Alert Mediation for Driver Awareness of External Warnings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers and passengers are increasingly distracted and less aware of their surrounding environments due to technological advancements and vehicle features like sound deadening insulation and autonomous driving, which can lead to dangerous situations when they fail to recognize environmental alerts.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system comprising internal and external visual sensors, a media device for presenting alerts to occupants, and a processor that determines when to broadcast external visual signals inside the vehicle based on the intensity of internal visual signals, ensuring that occupants are aware of external alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sound deadening insulation and autonomous driving features are implemented, then vehicle comfort and automation are improved, but driver awareness of external environmental alerts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system comprising external sensors, processors, and internal alert devices that mediate between the external environment and the driver. This intermediary detects environmental alerts externally and presents them to the driver through internal media devices, bypassing the sound deadening insulation barrier while maintaining driver awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical approach of relying on natural sound transmission through vehicle insulation with an electronic/optical system. External sensors detect alerts, processors analyze the data, and internal media devices present alerts to the driver, substituting the natural acoustic path with an electronic information transmission system.
2Measurement precision
If external sensors continuously monitor the environment, then detection capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring where external sensors continuously scan the environment but the system activates alert presentation only when environmental changes are detected. The processor periodically evaluates sensor data and triggers internal media devices only when alerts are identified, rather than continuously presenting information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on detected environmental conditions. Sensors operate continuously but the processing and alert presentation are dynamically activated only when relevant environmental alerts are detected, optimizing energy usage based on real-time conditions rather than operating at constant intensity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for increasing driver awareness of external audible and visual alerts. The external alerts may be detected by external sensors of a vehicle. Systems may use internal sensors to determine whether a driver of the vehicle appears aware of the external alert or whether the external alert is detectable inside the vehicle. If the driver does not appear aware of the external alert, or the external alert is not detectable inside the vehicle, the vehicle may broadcast an internal alert to the driver. The internal alert may be one or more of a visual alert, an audible alert, or a tactile alert.