In-Vehicle Light Guidance for Forward Driver Attention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers may not be aware of or feel discomfort from notifications when a preceding vehicle starts while their own vehicle is stopped, despite notifications on the combination meter or sound alerts.
Innovation Solution
A driving assistance device using in-vehicle lights that move towards the driver's forward position when certain conditions are met, such as the preceding vehicle starting or a traffic signal changing, to prompt the driver to face forward, optionally accompanied by visual or auditory warnings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a notification sound is output to alert the driver of the preceding vehicle starting, then the driver can be alerted, but the driver may feel discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light field as an intermediary notification medium between the system and the driver. Instead of directly outputting sound that causes discomfort, the system uses a light field to indirectly guide the driver's attention to the forward direction, achieving notification without the harmful effect of uncomfortable sounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the acoustic notification system (sound output) with an optical notification system (light field). This substitution eliminates the discomfort associated with sound notifications while maintaining the effectiveness of alerting the driver to the preceding vehicle's movement.
2Loss of information
If the driver is not facing forward when the preceding vehicle starts, then the driver may miss important notifications, but forcing the driver to face forward may cause discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The light field serves as a mediator that passively guides the driver's attention without forcing physical movement. The light moves on the inner surface toward the position ahead of the driver, creating a natural visual attraction that encourages the driver to face forward without applying physical force or causing discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial parameters of the light field dynamically - the light moves from one position to another on the inner surface. This parameter change (light position) creates a visual guide that subtly influences the driver's orientation without requiring forceful intervention.
3Loss of information
If conventional notifications are displayed on the combination meter, then the driver can see the information, but the driver may not be aware of the notification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the notification from a two-dimensional display (combination meter) to a three-dimensional light field that moves through space on the inner surface. This dimensional change makes the notification more prominent and harder to miss, as the moving light captures the driver's attention more effectively than a static display.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification changes from static (display on combination meter) to dynamic (moving light field). The light moves on the inner surface toward the position ahead of the driver, creating motion that naturally attracts the driver's attention and improves awareness compared to static displays.
Data Source
AI summary
A driving assistance device for assisting driving of a driver of a vehicle includes: an in-vehicle light device for illuminating an inner surface of an interior of the vehicle; and a control device for controlling the in-vehicle light device. The control device includes: a condition determination unit for determining whether or not a forward facing condition in which the driver should face forward is satisfied; and a light control unit for controlling the in-vehicle light device so that light moves on an inner surface of the vehicle toward a position ahead of the driver when it is determined that the forward facing condition is satisfied.