Driver Monitoring Pupil Detection Light Intensity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional driver monitoring systems face challenges in efficiently adjusting light intensity based on ambient light levels, leading to increased power consumption and potential inaccuracies in determining the driver's state, especially under varying lighting conditions.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates an image processing apparatus that uses an illumination apparatus and imaging apparatus to capture images of the driver's pupil, determining the ambient light level by analyzing brightness patterns and adjusting the light intensity accordingly, thereby reducing power consumption and improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If light intensity is increased to improve image capture quality, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepupil size detection accuracyVSAvoidlight source power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The light intensity is made dynamically adjustable based on ambient light conditions. The system switches between high intensity (when ambient light is low) and low intensity (when ambient light is high), optimizing both measurement precision and power consumption according to real-time conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the light intensity parameter based on ambient light level detection. By adjusting this physical parameter according to environmental conditions, the system achieves accurate pupil measurement while minimizing unnecessary power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If light intensity is increased to ensure accurate driver state monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but harmful factors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver state detection accuracyVSAvoiddriver eye burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination intensity is dynamically adapted to ambient conditions, providing high intensity only when necessary (low ambient light) and reducing intensity when ambient light is sufficient, thereby minimizing eye burden while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses ambient light conditions to its advantage, leveraging natural light availability to reduce the need for artificial illumination, thereby protecting the driver's eyes while maintaining monitoring effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If fixed high light intensity is used for all conditions, then measurement precision is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepupil size measurement accuracyVSAvoidlight source energy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the light intensity parameter based on ambient light level detection, switching between high and low intensity modes to match environmental conditions, thereby eliminating energy waste while preserving measurement accuracy when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback from ambient light detection to control light intensity output, creating a closed-loop system that adjusts illumination based on actual conditions, preventing energy waste while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This approach allows for dynamic adjustment of light intensity based on the driver's pupil size, reducing power consumption, extending the life of the light source, and enhancing the system's ability to accurately determine the driver's state by minimizing the burden on the driver's eyes and reducing noise from high ambient light.

Implementation Method 1

an imaging apparatus 12 configured to capture an image of the pupil illuminated by the light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3331235B1Image processing device, image capture device, driver monitoring system, mobile body, and image processing method
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP3331235B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3331235B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3331235B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5B

AI summary

An image processing apparatus 13 includes an image acquiring unit 29 and a controller 31. The image acquiring unit 29 acquires a captured image capturing a subject 18 illuminated by light from at least one light source 19. The controller 31 generates adjustment information for adjusting an intensity of the light from the at least one light source 19 on the basis of a size of a pupil of the subject 18 determined from the captured image.