Sight-line End Estimation Device Relative Position Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sight-line end estimation devices for vehicles face inaccuracies due to the mismatch between the driver's eye position and the detection reference point, leading to incorrect determination of the target object in the driver's sight-line direction.

Innovation Solution

A sight-line end estimation device that includes a sight-line direction detection portion, a target object detection portion, and a relative position acquisition portion to factor in the relative positional information between the driver and the target object, ensuring the driver's eye point and detection reference point coincide for accurate estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the driver's eye position and detection reference point are assumed to be the same for simplicity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of the sight-line end estimation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of sight-line end estimation deviceVSAvoidprecision of sight-line end estimation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a relative position acquisition portion as an intermediary component that measures the positional relationship between the driver's eye and the detection reference point. This intermediary measurement enables accurate sight-line end estimation by providing correction data, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple device architecture and achieving high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of positional reference by acquiring and utilizing the relative position information between the driver's eye and detection reference point. This parameter change allows the system to correct the sight-line direction and target object position, improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the relative positional information between driver and detection means is acquired and factored in, then the measurement precision of sight-line end estimation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of sight-line end estimationVSAvoidcomplexity of sight-line end estimation device
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the sight-line end estimation device multi-functional by integrating not only sight-line direction detection but also relative position acquisition and target object position correction functions. This universal approach allows a single integrated system to perform multiple functions, improving measurement precision while controlling overall device complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If simple comparison between sight-line direction and relative directions of target objects is performed, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of target object identification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of sight-line end determinationVSAvoidreliability of target object identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by acquiring the relative positional information between the driver's eye and the detection reference point before conducting the target object identification. This preliminary measurement enables subsequent accurate comparison and correction, improving the reliability of target object identification while maintaining ease of operation through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the acquired relative positional information to correct the sight-line direction and target object position. This feedback mechanism continuously refines the estimation accuracy, improving reliability of target object identification while keeping the operation simple through automated correction processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2061687B1Sight-line end estimation device and driving assist device
Publication Date: 2011.03.02 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2061687B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2061687B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2061687B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sight-line end estimation device (1) includes a sight-line direction detection portion (2) that detects a sight-line direction of a driver of a vehicle, a target object detection portion (4, 5) that detects the positions of target objects existing around the vehicle, a relative position acquisition portion (7) that acquires relative positional information between the driver and the target object detection portion, and a sight-line end estimation portion that estimates the driver's sight-line end by detecting a target object whose position detected by the target object detection portion lies substantially in the driver's sight-line direction detected by the sight-line direction detection portion, factoring in the relative positional information acquired by the relative position acquisition portion.