Top-Down Gaze Detection for Safer Crosswalk Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pedestrians and drivers are unsure if the other is paying attention, leading to potential accidents at crosswalks due to unclear communication.
Innovation Solution
A gaze direction determination apparatus using cameras to capture nose angles from above to determine if drivers and pedestrians are looking at each other, with a controller to allow crossing when both are looking at each other and the vehicle is stopped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cameras are installed to capture gaze direction, then safety at crosswalks is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures nose images from a top-down vertical dimension rather than traditional side-view horizontal cameras. This dimensional change simplifies gaze direction determination by capturing the nose angle directly in the image, eliminating the need for complex 3D reconstruction or multiple camera angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential feature (nose angle) needed for gaze determination from the entire face, rather than analyzing complex facial expressions or eye positions. This extraction simplifies the image processing algorithm while maintaining accuracy in determining whether the driver is looking at the pedestrian.
2Measurement precision
If gaze direction is determined using traditional eye-tracking methods, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or optical eye-tracking systems with a simple top-down camera capturing nose angle. The gaze direction is determined by calculating the angle of the nose relative to the driver's forward direction, substituting sophisticated eye-tracking hardware with a straightforward geometric calculation based on nose position.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect head position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts head position and orientation information directly from the nose image captured by a single top-down camera, rather than using multiple sensors. The nose angle in the captured image provides direct measurement of head orientation, eliminating the need for separate gyroscopes, accelerometers, or multiple cameras.
Data Source
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AI summary
A gaze direction determination apparatus (10), including at least one camera for determining gaze direction of at least one person, the apparatus characterized by including: a first camera (12A) for being installed above a first person (28A), for capturing the nose (20) thereof from above the nose; at least a second camera (12B) installed above at least a second person (28B) for capturing at least one nose (20) of at least a second person from above the nose; and a controller(59) for processing captures of the first (12A) and the at least second cameras (12B), for determining human communication in case the nose (20) of the first person (28A) as captured from above, and the nose (20) of the at least second person (28B) as captured from above, are horizontally directed (54A,54B) one (54A) towards the other (54B).