Photo-sensor Drowsiness Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drowsiness detection systems for drivers are resource-intensive, expensive, and often unreliable, especially at night, due to their reliance on video processing and embedded car systems, limiting their availability and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a processing unit with photo-sensors that determines movement based on light intensity changes, allowing for a standalone, cost-effective, and reliable drowsiness detection system that can be installed as an upgrade in existing vehicles, using a plurality of photo-sensors and a processing unit to analyze light intensity information for driver drowsiness detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If video processing algorithms are used for drowsiness detection, then detection capability is provided, but resource consumption (computing power, memory) increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/video processing system with an optical sensing system. Instead of using cameras and video processing algorithms that require high computing power and memory, the invention uses photo-sensors that directly detect light intensity changes caused by driver's head movements. This substitution of the detection mechanism fundamentally reduces resource consumption while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from visual image data to light intensity data. By monitoring changes in light intensity detected by photo-sensors positioned near the driver's head, the system translates complex visual information into simple intensity variations that can be processed with minimal computational resources, directly resolving the resource consumption issue.
2Reliability
If camera-based video processing systems are used, then drowsiness detection is enabled, but system cost increases due to high resource demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive camera systems and high-performance processing units with simple photo-sensors and basic processing logic. This replacement dramatically reduces system cost while maintaining the core functionality of detecting driver drowsiness through head movement analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs inexpensive photo-sensors that can be easily manufactured and deployed. These simple optical sensors replace costly camera systems, making the drowsiness detection feature affordable and suitable for mass-market vehicles rather than being limited to premium segments.
3Reliability
If camera-based systems with video processing are implemented, then drowsiness monitoring is provided, but system reliability decreases during nighttime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces camera-based visual detection with photo-sensor-based light intensity detection. Photo-sensors are inherently more sensitive to light changes than camera systems and can effectively detect head movements even in low-light nighttime conditions, thereby improving nighttime detection reliability.
4Reliability
If steering wheel control monitoring is implemented, then drowsiness detection is enabled, but the system must be completely embedded in the car's electronic systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drowsiness detection functionality from the car's core electronic systems. By using standalone photo-sensors that monitor light intensity changes near the driver's head, the system can be implemented as an independent module without requiring deep integration into the vehicle's existing electronic architecture, thereby reducing integration complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate and reliable drowsiness detection without high resource demands, enabling easy installation in existing vehicles and improved sensitivity for detecting slight movements, ensuring effective operation during nighttime driving.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of photo-sensors (16) arranged on the control device (100)... determine movements of the plurality of photo-sensors (16) relative to at least one light source based on the change of light intensity information received from the plurality of photo-sensors (16) with respect to time
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to system for determining a movement of a control device and a system for detecting drowsiness of a driver of a vehicle, as well as an according processing unit used for this purpose and an according method. The system (12) for determining a movement comprises a plurality of light sensors (16), a processing unit (14) and an interface (18), wherein the light sensors (44-58) are able to transmit light intensity information to the processing unit (14) and the latter is able to provide information to a user. Further, the processing unit (14) is able to determine the movement of the control device based on the light intensity information submitted by the light sensors (44-58).