Vehicle Window Shading Control via Driver Gaze Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shading systems for vehicles are not user-friendly for automatic control, particularly when reversing, as they require manual operation and do not adapt to the driver's viewing direction, which can increase the risk of accidents.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize a camera system to capture the driver's head and body posture, determining their viewing direction, and a control unit to automatically control the shading system, lifting window shading when the driver looks towards the rear or side windows during reverse gear engagement, and adjusting headrests and interior lighting accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the shading system is activated to provide privacy and sun protection, then the privacy protection and sun reduction are improved, but the driver's view towards the rear and side windows is obstructed when reversing
Solution Approach 1:
The shading system transitions from a static state to a dynamic state based on real-time detection of the driver's gaze direction and vehicle operating conditions. The control unit automatically adjusts the shading elements between extended and retracted positions, enabling the system to adapt its properties according to operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a camera system that continuously monitors the driver's gaze direction and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables automatic control decisions regarding the shading system state, ensuring privacy protection is maintained only when the driver is not looking towards shaded windows.
2Device complexity
If manual operation of the shading system is required, then the system structure is simple, but the user-friendliness and automation level are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shading system performs automatic control functions without requiring manual intervention from the driver. The control unit autonomously decides when to extend or retract the shading elements based on gaze detection and vehicle state information, making the system serve itself rather than requiring continuous user input.
Solution Approach 2:
The device integrates multiple functions including gaze detection, vehicle state monitoring, and automatic shading control within a single integrated system. The control unit coordinates these diverse functions to achieve automatic adaptive shading, demonstrating multi-functionality that enhances user-friendliness without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shading system remains extended to maintain privacy, then privacy protection is improved, but the safety during reversing operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively retracts the shading elements before the driver needs to look towards the rear or side windows during reversing operations. By detecting the driver's gaze direction in advance and preemptively adjusting the shading state, the system prevents potential safety issues before they arise.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a shadowing system (101) for a vehicle, by means of which a rear window and/or one or more side windows of the vehicle are/is able to be shadowed/darkened. The proposed device comprises: a camera system (102) for capturing image data BD1 of the head of a driver of the vehicle, an evaluation apparatus (103) for evaluating the image data BD1 in order to ascertain a viewing direction BR(t) of the driver, either as a function F of a current pose POSEκ(t) of a head ascertained on the basis of the image data BD1, and/or of a posture of the driver: BR(t) = F(POSEκ(t)) and/or as a function F2 of eye positions AP(t) of the driver ascertained on the basis of the image data BD1: BR(t) = F2(AP(t)), and a control unit (104), which is configured and embodied to control the shadowing system (101) under the following conditions: – the ascertained current viewing direction BR(t) of the driver yields a gaze at an interior rearview mirror of the vehicle or a gaze in the direction of the rear window or a gaze in the direction of one of the side windows, – a reverse gear of the vehicle is engaged/activated, and – the vehicle is in operation/activated, in such a way that current shadowing/darkening of the rear window and/or current shadowing/darkening of the side window in the viewing direction BR(t) of the driver are/is lifted/deactivated.