Swivel Video Display Screen with Driver Distraction Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle video display systems do not effectively prevent driver distraction while allowing passengers in second-row seats to view rear-facing screens, as current systems fail to comply with state laws prohibiting video screens viewable by drivers in motion.
Innovation Solution
A dual-screen configuration with a controller and sensors that prevent video display on the rear screen when it faces forward unless the forward screen is open, and in a single-screen configuration, video is only allowed when the vehicle is not in motion, with an informative message displayed if the screen is prohibited from showing video.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rear video screen is allowed to display video when facing forward, then passengers can view the screen, but the driver may be distracted by viewing the video in the rearview mirror
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a forward video screen as an intermediary element that blocks the driver's view of the rear video screen when looking in the rearview mirror. This mediator screen allows the rear screen to display video content while preventing driver distraction by obstructing the line of sight from the driver's position through the rearview mirror to the rear screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The video display system is divided into two separate screens: a forward-facing screen for driver area and a rear-facing screen for passenger area. This segmentation allows independent control of each screen's video display functionality, enabling the rear screen to show video while the forward screen blocks driver access to that content through the rearview mirror.
2Ease of operation
If the forward video screen is closed to allow rear screen visibility, then passengers can view rear-facing screens, but driver distraction risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The forward video screen serves as a mediator that can be positioned in front of the rear video screen to block the driver's line of sight through the rearview mirror. This allows the rear screen to remain visible to passengers while preventing driver access to the video content, eliminating the need to close the forward screen.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If video display is prohibited when the screen faces forward during vehicle motion, then driver distraction is prevented, but passenger entertainment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments video display permissions by screen position and viewer location. The rear video screen can display video content while facing forward during vehicle motion because the forward video screen blocks driver access. This segmentation allows versatile passenger entertainment options while maintaining driver distraction prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The forward video screen acts as a mediator that enables the rear screen to display video during motion by blocking the driver's view. This intermediary screen provides the adaptability needed for passenger entertainment while complying with driver distraction prevention requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle having an overhead video display screen system includes a rear video screen that is swivelable between a rearward facing and a forward facing configuration. The vehicle further includes a second row of seats that can be swiveled to view the rear video screen when it is facing forward. The vehicle may further include a forward video screen configured to block a driver's rearview of the rear screen when in the forward facing configuration. A driver distraction interlock system is provided in communication with the rear screen and the forward screen to prevent video from being displayed on the rear screen if the rear screen is viewable by the driver in his or her rearview mirror. In a preferred method, video can be displayed on a front facing rear screen when the forward screen is deployed thereby obstructing the driver from being able to see the rear screen.