Occupant Warning System for SDRS Events
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle occupants engaged in activities like drinking or applying makeup may not be aware of sudden changes in driving conditions, such as hitting a speed bump or making a sharp turn, leading to potential accidents or discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines video see-through (VST) with video-unrelated-to-the-VST (VUR) using a head-mounted display (HMD), camera, and computer to provide an occupant with a representation of the outside environment, alerting them to imminent Sudden Decrease in Ride Smoothness (SDRS) events by presenting VST when such events are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an occupant engages in activities like drinking or applying makeup in a vehicle, then the occupant can perform work or entertainment tasks, but the occupant becomes unaware of sudden driving condition changes leading to potential accidents or discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
A camera system captures images of the outside environment and transmits them to a display device inside the vehicle, serving as an intermediary that provides visual information about driving conditions without requiring the occupant to look outside. This allows the occupant to remain engaged in activities while maintaining awareness of the environment through the displayed images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of turning the head or body to look outside with an electronic information transmission system. Instead of physically moving to observe the environment, the occupant receives visual information through a display device, substituting mechanical observation with electronic information delivery.
2Loss of information
If the occupant looks out of physical windows to maintain awareness, then the occupant can detect driving conditions, but the occupant cannot engage in work or entertainment activities
Solution Approach 1:
The camera and display system act as an intermediary that delivers environmental information to the occupant without requiring the occupant to physically look outside. This allows simultaneous engagement in activities and maintenance of environmental awareness through the displayed visual feed.
3Loss of information
If a camera system is installed to provide environmental visibility, then the occupant can maintain awareness while engaged in activities, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical observation systems with a simplified electronic imaging and display system. Instead of requiring mechanical movement or complex optical arrangements, the solution uses a camera to capture images and a display device to present them, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining information delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A safety system for an autonomous vehicle that may be used to warn an occupant engaged in a certain activity that involves handling an object that can harm the occupant in an event of a Sudden Decrease in Ride Smoothness (an SDRS event). The safety system includes a camera that takes images of the occupant and a computer that estimates, based on the images, whether the occupant is engaged in the certain activity. The computer receives from an autonomous-driving control system an indication of whether an SDRS event is imminent. Responsive to both receiving an indication of an imminent SDRS event and estimating that the occupant is engaged in the certain activity, the computer commands a user interface to warn the occupant shortly before the SDRS event.