Vehicle Camera Gaze Calibration via Natural User Actions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calibrating cameras to detect gaze direction in vehicles require complex procedures or user interaction, such as end-of-line calibration or marker tracking, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes a fixed spatial-geometric relationship between a camera and another element in a vehicle, where the user's natural gaze direction changes during routine actions (like operating a radio or navigating) are detected and used for both calibration and action, synchronizing video timestamps with element interactions to ascertain relative and absolute gaze directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If end-of-line calibration or marker tracking is used for camera calibration, then absolute gaze direction detection is achieved, but the calibration procedure becomes complex and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the user's own natural actions and gaze movements during normal vehicle operation to perform calibration. The calibration process serves itself by utilizing the user's routine interactions with vehicle elements (radio, navigation, air conditioning) rather than requiring separate calibration sessions with external markers or complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration system integrates multiple functions: it detects gaze direction changes, identifies user actions on vehicle elements, correlates temporal data, and performs calibration all within a single unified process. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate calibration tools or procedures.
2Measurement precision
If traditional calibration methods are used, then gaze direction can be detected, but user interaction becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The user inadvertently performs calibration through their natural actions during normal vehicle operation. By simply interacting with vehicle elements (adjusting radio, checking navigation, modifying air conditioning), the user's gaze movements are captured and used for calibration without requiring any special effort or awareness of the calibration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs calibration in advance during normal vehicle operation before actual gaze direction detection is needed. By utilizing the user's routine actions early in the operation sequence, the system prepares the calibration data structure beforehand, making subsequent gaze detection immediate and effortless.
3Measurement precision
If multiple absolute gaze directions are ascertained for stable calibration, then calibration accuracy improves, but the process requires multiple user actions and increases time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process continues continuously throughout normal vehicle operation by capturing multiple gaze direction changes as the user interacts with various vehicle elements. Rather than requiring discrete calibration steps, the system continuously accumulates calibration data from ongoing user actions, making the calibration process seamless and time-efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system simultaneously performs multiple calibration measurements through a single integrated process that captures gaze directions across different vehicle elements and time points. This multi-functional calibration approach achieves stable calibration results without requiring separate calibration sessions for each measurement.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for calibrating a camera for a gaze direction detection in a vehicle, to a device for a motor vehicle having a camera and at least one further element, and to a computer program product. The at least one further element is situated in a fixed geometric relationship with the camera the calibration takes place by detecting, in images of the camera, at least one relative change in the gaze direction in which a user changes his gaze in the direction of the further element. The method is characterized in that it is detected by at least one action of the user that the gaze change of the user has taken place or will take place. For the gaze direction then offers an advantage as a result of a dual benefit: it is used both for the calibration and for the action of the user.