Remote Light Triggering for Operator Vigilance During Takeover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated driving assistance systems face challenges in ensuring vehicle operator vigilance during takeovers, as operators may not be fully mentally ready or engaged due to factors like sleep, distractions, or lack of attention, which can lead to unsafe driving conditions.

Innovation Solution

A vigilance evaluator system that uses light activation requests to assess operator vigilance by detecting responses to brake light activations, determining a measure of operator vigilance, and potentially alerting or invalidating takeovers if criteria are not met.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automated driving assistance systems implement takeover requests, then automation capability is improved, but operator vigilance and safety are worsened due to operator distraction or sleep

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation capabilityVSAvoidoperator vigilance

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by sending light activation requests to surrounding vehicles before the actual takeover is needed. This creates a readiness test that assesses operator vigilance in advance, ensuring the operator is mentally prepared for takeover without disrupting the automated driving flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring operator responses to light activation requests from surrounding vehicles. The response time and reaction patterns are fed back to assess operator vigilance levels, allowing the system to determine when the operator is ready for takeover based on real-time behavioral data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the system monitors operator response to light activations, then operator vigilance measurement is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator vigilance measurementVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system leverages naturally occurring light activation events from surrounding vehicles' brake lights or signal lights as self-service test stimuli. Instead of requiring a dedicated complex testing apparatus, the system uses existing vehicle lighting infrastructure to automatically generate vigilance assessment opportunities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves multi-functionality by using the same light detection infrastructure for both normal automated driving operations and operator vigilance assessment. The camera system and light detection algorithms serve dual purposes: monitoring the driving environment and evaluating operator response to light stimuli.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12122391B2Systems and methods for triggering lights remotely to measure operator vigilance

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 WOVEN BY TOYOTA INC

AI summary

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to implementing operator vigilance tests. In one embodiment, a method includes sending from a first vehicle a light activation request to a second vehicle; detecting a light activation by the second vehicle via the first vehicle; and determining a measure of operator vigilance in the first vehicle based on a vehicle operator response to the light activation.