Vehicle HMD Gaze Control for Unobstructed Windshield View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-worn computing systems for vehicles lack effective safety features that prevent distractions while driving, such as preventing displayed content from obstructing the view of the windshield and failing to alert drivers of critical safety information in a timely manner.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the user's gaze direction to prevent displayed content from obstructing the windshield view and provides alerts through haptic indicators when critical safety information is detected, ensuring an unencumbered view of the surroundings and timely notification of impending collisions or driver attention issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If displayed content is provided within the display field of view of the head-mounted display, then the user can access navigational and operating information, but the user's view of the windshield and surrounding environment is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the display field of view based on the vehicle's operating state and driver's gaze direction. When the driver is actively driving, the display FOV is restricted or eliminated to prevent obstruction. When the vehicle is stationary or the driver looks away from the road, the display FOV is activated to provide information. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the display presence conditional rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses gaze detection technology to preliminarily assess the driver's attention state before displaying content. By detecting whether the driver is looking at the road or inside the vehicle interior, the system proactively determines the appropriate display state. This preliminary action prevents obstruction before it occurs by anticipating the driver's needs and road safety requirements.
2Loss of information
If the head-mounted display provides continuous displayed content, then the user has constant access to information, but the user may miss critical safety information due to distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops through gaze detection and attention monitoring. The head-mounted display constantly monitors the driver's gaze direction and attention state, and adjusts information presentation in real-time based on this feedback. When the driver shows signs of distraction or misses critical information, the system provides immediate feedback through alerts and attention-drawing mechanisms, ensuring safety information is not missed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic attention checks and safety information presentations rather than continuous display. Critical safety information is presented at periodic intervals or triggered by specific events (collisions, near-misses, driver inattention detection). This periodic action ensures that safety-critical information reaches the driver without creating continuous distraction from constant display content.
3Loss of information
If the head-mounted display provides detailed operating information, then the user can monitor vehicle status, but the display complexity increases and may distract the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing different levels of information detail in different spatial and temporal contexts. Rather than uniformly displaying all information at all times, the system selectively presents detailed operating information only in specific locations within the display FOV and only when the driver's attention state permits. Critical safety information receives higher visual priority and detail, while routine status information is minimized or omitted during active driving phases.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing assisted safety to an operator of a vehicle using a head-mounted display that provides displayed content and a see-through view of a surrounding environment, includes determining whether the operator is looking through the windshield of the vehicle or is not looking through the windshield, if the user is looking through the windshield, preventing displayed content from being provided within a display field of view of the head-mounted display, thereby providing an unencumbered see-through view of the surrounding environment, if the user is not looking through the windshield, providing displayed content for viewing by the user within the display field of view, and if important information relating to the safety of the vehicle is detected by a system associated with the vehicle while the user is looking not looking through the windshield, interrupting the displayed content and providing an alert to the operator.