In-Vehicle Sleep Care Control for Personalized Rest and Wake-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Occupants in a moving vehicle experience short sleep durations due to distractions and discomfort, and individual sleep preferences are not adequately addressed in existing systems, leading to potential tiredness and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A system that monitors occupant sleep states using biosensors and receives input information to control vehicle lighting, seating, sound, and climate settings to provide personalized sleep environments and wake-up modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If autonomous driving technology is implemented to allow occupants to sleep in the vehicle, then occupant convenience and relaxation are improved, but sleep quality deteriorates due to vehicle vibrations and external noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupant convenienceVSAvoidsleep quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system comprising sensors (vibration sensors, noise sensors), a controller, and actuators that mediate between the autonomous driving system and the sleep environment. This intermediary system actively monitors and adjusts vehicle operations to minimize vibrations and noise during occupant sleep periods, thereby resolving the contradiction between autonomous driving convenience and sleep quality maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects sleep states of occupants in advance and proactively adjusts vehicle parameters before disturbances occur. The controller receives sleep state information from sensors and preemptively modifies driving patterns, suspends autonomous driving operations, or activates vibration isolation mechanisms to cushion against upcoming disturbances, thus preventing sleep quality degradation while maintaining autonomous driving benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the vehicle allows long-duration sleep, then occupant relaxation is improved, but the risk of deep sleep and subsequent tiredness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesleep durationVSAvoidoccupant alertness
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor sleep state parameters (brain wave activity, eye movement, muscle tone) and provide real-time information to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts autonomous driving operations, modifies vehicle environment parameters, or activates wake-up protocols when deep sleep is detected, thereby enabling long-duration sleep while preventing excessive sleep-induced tiredness through continuous state monitoring and adaptive response

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic monitoring of sleep states at predetermined intervals and implements periodic adjustments to autonomous driving operations or wake-up stimuli. This periodic action allows the occupant to enjoy extended sleep periods while ensuring regular check-ins on sleep depth and duration, preventing dangerous levels of deep sleep accumulation that would lead to severe tiredness upon waking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Quantity of substance

If multiple occupants are accommodated in the vehicle, then passenger capacity is improved, but the ability to provide personalized sleep environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger capacityVSAvoidpersonalized sleep environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the vehicle interior into multiple independent monitoring and control zones, each equipped with dedicated sensors and actuators. The controller processes sleep state information from each occupant separately and applies individualized adjustments to their respective zones (lighting, temperature, vibration isolation, autonomous driving suspension), thereby maintaining personalized sleep environments even when multiple occupants are present in the vehicle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs universal multi-functional components that can serve multiple occupants simultaneously. For example, a single autonomous driving control system can suspend operations for all occupants sleeping in the vehicle, while individualized sensor arrays and actuators provide personalized environmental adjustments. This multi-functionality allows the system to accommodate variable numbers of occupants with customized sleep environments without requiring separate dedicated systems for each passenger

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances sleep quality and safety by ensuring occupants wake up refreshed, even during long journeys, through customized environmental adjustments based on individual preferences and travel conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor part may include a biosensor of a wearable type wearable by the occupant, wherein the biosensor may monitor a vital sign of one or more of brain waves, heart rate, electrocardiogram, or pulse of the occupant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiosensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

controlling a lighting device installed in the vehicle based on the received sleep information or the monitored sleep state, wherein the controlling of the lighting device may include switching the lighting device to a sleep mode to care for a sleep of the occupant, and switching the lighting device to a wake-up mode to induce the occupant to wake up

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission and modulation: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4578379A1Method and system for providing sleep care
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD
  • EP4578379A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4578379A1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4578379A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and system for providing sleep care for an occupant in a vehicle by controlling devices in the vehicle based on sleep information received through an input unit or a sleep state monitored through a sensor part.