Vehicle Notification Coordination for Driver Mental Load Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems do not effectively coordinate the delivery of notifications from various devices, leading to driver distraction and increased risk of accidents, especially when multiple notifications occur simultaneously or during critical driving situations.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that determines the mental load on the driver using sensor data, assesses the impact of incoming notifications, and prioritizes their delivery to avoid exceeding a maximum mental load threshold, using techniques such as suppression, delay, and transcoding of notifications across different sensory modalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple devices generate notifications simultaneously, then information delivery to the driver is improved, but driver distraction and safety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification deliveryVSAvoiddriving safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of driver mental load using sensor data before delivering notifications. By evaluating the driver's current cognitive state in advance, the system determines whether the driver can safely process additional information, preventing notifications from being delivered during critical driving situations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The notification control system acts as an intermediary between multiple notification sources and the driver. It coordinates and manages notification delivery by filtering, prioritizing, and scheduling notifications based on driver mental load assessment, thereby preventing information overload while ensuring important information reaches the driver

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If notifications are delivered without coordination, then device functionality is maintained, but driver cognitive load exceeds safe thresholds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice notification capabilityVSAvoidexcessive mental load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors driver mental load through sensor data and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust notification delivery. The feedback loop allows the system to adapt notification behavior in real-time based on the driver's cognitive state, preventing excessive mental load while preserving device functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The notification delivery system transitions from a static, uncoordinated approach to a dynamic, adaptive approach. The system continuously adjusts notification parameters such as timing, modality, and priority based on real-time assessment of driver mental load, enabling flexible coordination that responds to changing driving conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4032736B1Coordinating delivery of notifications to the driver of a vehicle to reduce distractions
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP4032736B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4032736B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4032736B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for transmitting notifications to a driver of a vehicle comprises determining a first mental load on the driver based on sensor data, determining a second mental load on the driver associated with a first notification, determining, based on the first mental load and the second mental load, that a mental load threshold will be exceeded, determining a priority level associated with the first notification, and transmitting, based on the priority level, either the first notification or a modified version of the first notification to one or more output devices to be output within the vehicle, thereby causing a third mental load on the driver that does not exceed a maximum load threshold.