Traveling Support Device Two-Stage Awakening Stimulus Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to maintain the awakening degree of an occupant in a mobile entity by effectively addressing decreases in alertness through targeted stimuli.
Innovation Solution
A traveling support device comprising an awakening degree detecting device, a stimulus providing device, and a control device that outputs control signals to provide vibration and apparent motion stimuli, with a second stimulus being applied after an initial stimulus to enhance recovery of the occupant's alertness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single stimulus is provided to notify the occupant of decreased awakening degree, then the occupant is prompted to recover awakening degree, but the recovery may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control device provides stimuli periodically in two stages: first determining whether to provide a stimulus based on awakening degree threshold, then after a predetermined time period, providing a second stimulus regardless of current awakening degree. This periodic two-stage approach ensures reliable awakening recovery while maintaining simple control logic.
2Reliability
If multiple stimuli are provided sequentially to ensure sufficient awakening recovery, then the awakening degree recovery is enhanced, but the control process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control process is segmented into two distinct stages: a first determination stage that checks awakening degree against a threshold to decide on stimulus provision, and a second stage that provides an additional stimulus after a predetermined time period. This segmentation ensures reliable awakening recovery while keeping each stage's control logic simple and manageable.
3Speed
If stimulus is provided immediately when awakening degree drops, then the decrease in awakening degree is addressed promptly, but the stimulus may not be sufficient for severe cases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs a preliminary determination of whether to provide a stimulus based on the current awakening degree threshold before the actual stimulus is delivered. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare an appropriate stimulus in advance, ensuring both prompt response to awakening decrease and adequate stimulus intensity, with a second stimulus following after a predetermined time period for severe cases.
Data Source
AI summary
An awakening degree detecting device outputs awakening degree information corresponding to an awakening degree of a driver of a vehicle. A stimulus providing device provides the driver with a stimulus including at least one of a vibration stimulus imparting vibration and an apparent motion stimulus giving an illusion of motion presence. A control device outputs, based on the awakening degree information, a first control signal causing the stimulus providing device to provide the stimulus in a case where the awakening degree is less than a first threshold, and to output a second control signal causing the stimulus providing device to provide the stimulus after the first control signal is outputted.