Vehicle Power Generator Control via Occupant Line of Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems fail to operate the power generator at a timing intended by the user, leading to inefficiencies and user anxiety regarding battery power levels.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes a power generator, storage battery, and a controller which determines the area of the vehicle occupant's line of vision to derive an anxiety index, operating the power generator when battery power is low or when the anxiety index is high, regardless of battery threshold, and adjusting output levels based on anxiety levels and battery state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the power generator is operated only when battery power is below a threshold, then energy efficiency is improved, but user anxiety is worsened when the user wants power generation at higher battery levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a feedback mechanism by detecting the user's line of vision direction toward the power indicator and using this information to adjust power generator operation. The controller monitors whether the user is looking at the power indicator and uses this feedback to determine when to operate the power generator, thereby satisfying user intent while managing energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual power management approaches with an optical detection system. By using a camera or sensor to detect the user's line of vision and process this visual information, the system substitutes physical interaction with optical-field-based control, enabling more nuanced response to user needs.
2Ease of operation
If the power generator is operated frequently to satisfy user intent, then user anxiety is reduced, but energy consumption is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from line of vision detection to control power generator operation. By continuously monitoring user attention toward the power indicator and adjusting operation accordingly, the system ensures power generation occurs only when genuinely needed, balancing user satisfaction with energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operational parameters of the power generator based on detected user intent. When the user's line of vision indicates interest in power status, the controller adjusts the power generation threshold or activates generation at higher battery levels, thereby adapting system behavior to user needs while managing overall energy consumption.
3Measurement precision
If the system monitors user line of vision continuously, then user intent detection is improved, but system complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex psychological or behavioral analysis systems with a simpler optical detection mechanism. By using a camera or sensor to directly detect the user's line of vision toward the power indicator, the system achieves accurate intent detection through physical observation rather than complex computational modeling of user state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary detection mechanism (line of vision detection device) that mediates between the user's internal intent and the control system. This intermediary translates the user's visual attention into actionable signals for the controller, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high detection precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system may include a power generator, a storage battery, a running electric motor, a determiner configured to determine an area toward which a vehicle occupant of the vehicle has a line of vision directed; a deriver configured to derive an index based on a frequency at which the vehicle occupant has the line of vision directed toward a specific area on the basis of a determination result; and a controller configured to operate the power generator in a case in which an amount of power of the storage battery is equal to or smaller than a threshold and operate the power generator regardless of the threshold of the amount of power of the storage battery in a case in which the index derived is equal to or higher than a predetermined degree.