In-Cabin Occupant State Interaction for Driver Alertness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interaction systems in motor vehicles lack the ability to dynamically adjust their functionality based on the personal state of the occupant, such as physiological and mental states, which can impact safety and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that monitors the interior environment of a motor vehicle, determines the personal state of the occupant, and interacts with the occupant by physically altering the vehicle environment or adjusting the speech-based communication system to better engage the occupant based on their state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the interaction system monitors and responds to occupant state, then safety and user experience are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interaction system is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring occupant state through cameras and microphones, determining personal state (alertness, emotion, impairment), and executing various interactions (adjusting environment, communicating, alerting). This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated interaction system, improving safety without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors occupant state and determines personal conditions without requiring manual input from the occupant. The interaction system self-adjusts environmental controls and communication parameters based on detected state, reducing the need for complex manual control interfaces while maintaining high safety responsiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system adjusts multiple vehicle systems based on occupant state, then user experience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interaction system serves as a universal control hub that can adjust multiple vehicle subsystems (temperature control, lighting, entertainment, ventilation, seating) based on a single occupant state assessment. This centralized approach allows one system to coordinate multiple adjustments rather than requiring separate control systems for each function, enhancing adaptability while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts various parameters across different vehicle systems (temperature, light intensity, audio volume, seat position) based on changes in occupant state parameters. By linking state parameters to multiple adjustable system parameters, the system achieves high adaptability through coordinated parameter changes rather than through complex structural modifications.
3Reliability
If the speech-based communication system is adjusted to engage occupant, then alertness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The speech-based communication system dynamically adjusts its engagement parameters (tempo, vocabulary, quantity, inflection, timbre) based on real-time detection of occupant alertness and emotional state. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize alertness promotion by matching communication style to current occupant condition, achieving high reliability in maintaining alertness through flexible parameter adjustment rather than through complex hardware modifications.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, computer program product, and computing system for monitoring an interior environment of a motor vehicle; determining a personal state of an occupant within the interior environment of the motor vehicle; and interacting with the occupant based, at least in part, upon the personal state of the occupant.