Peripheral Vision Driver Assistance System for Dynamic Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing human-machine interfaces in dynamic environments, such as traffic, require drivers to divert attention from the scene to user interfaces for information, leading to reduced safety due to distractions and limited information about potential future events.

Innovation Solution

A system that predicts both actual and hypothetical future states of entities in a dynamic environment, using sensor data to calculate and communicate relevant information through perceivable stimuli, allowing drivers to focus on the most critical events without diverting attention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If information is provided through traditional user interfaces, then information transmission is achieved, but driver attention is diverted from the traffic scene

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transmissionVSAvoidtraffic safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the driver's peripheral vision as an intermediary channel to transmit information without requiring active attention. The system projects information into the driver's peripheral visual field, allowing the driver to perceive critical data without shifting focus from the central traffic scene, thus resolving the contradiction between information transmission and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional 2D display interfaces to a 3D spatial information presentation in the driver's peripheral vision. By embedding information in the peripheral visual dimension rather than requiring central gaze shifts, the system enables information access without attention diversion, maintaining both information transmission and traffic safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If the driver focuses on the traffic scene, then perception accuracy is improved, but information from assistance systems cannot be accessed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperception accuracyVSAvoidinformation access
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the visual field into central and peripheral zones, assigning different functions to each. The central vision maintains high-acuity perception of the traffic scene, while the peripheral vision delivers simplified, high-contrast information from the assistance system. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both perception accuracy and information access without requiring attention switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If tactile stimulation is used to alert the driver, then attention is captured, but the driver's focus is diverted from the traffic scene

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver alertnessVSAvoidtraffic safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality differentiation by providing rich, detailed information in the peripheral visual field where it is needed for awareness, while keeping the central visual field clear for active driving tasks. Information is selectively presented in specific peripheral zones corresponding to relevant traffic directions, enhancing alertness without causing general distraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3693943B1Method for assisting a person in acting in a dynamic environment and corresponding system
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 HONDA RES INST EUROPE
  • EP3693943B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3693943B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3693943B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention assists a person in assessing a dynamic environment. Information on actual states of at least two entities in a common environment is obtained and a first future state for each of the entities is predicted based on the obtained information. Then, at least one of a time to event for a first event involving the at least two entities, a position of occurrence of the first event relative to the person or to a predetermined entity associated with the person, a direction to a current location of an entity involved in the first event, and a probability of occurrence of the first event based on the predicted future states is predicted is determined. Additionally, a second future state for at least one of the entities is predicted, based on a hypothetical state of at least one of the entities. The hypothetical state is generated by altering at least one parameter of the actual state. Then, at least one of a time to event for a second event involving the at least two entities, a direction to a current location of an entity involved in the second event, and a probability of occurrence of the second event, a position of occurrence of the second event relative to the person or to a predetermined entity associated with the person based on the second future state is predicted. A signal for driving at least one actuator is generated. The signal is indicative of an information which encodes at least one of the position of the first event, the time to event for the first event, the probability of occurrence of the first event and a further information which encodes at least one of the position of the second event, the time to event for the second event, the direction to the current location of the entity involved in the second event and the probability of occurrence of the second event, The signal causes a stimulation by the at least one actuator emitting stimuli being perceivable by the person by its perceptual capabilities.