Wearable Ocular Muscle Sensor for Driver Gaze Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver gaze monitoring systems are often expensive, cumbersome, and restrictive, failing to effectively detect driver distraction in a way that enhances safety without interfering with vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A wearable in-vehicle eye gaze detection system using a sensor array face mask with ocular muscle motion sensors that communicates with a vehicle computer to determine the driver's gaze direction and alert them to potential hazards, allowing for real-time adjustments to vehicle operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional driver gaze monitoring systems are used, then driver distraction can be detected, but the systems are expensive, bulky, and restrictive to driver movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/optical monitoring systems with a wearable sensor mask that uses electrical sensors (EMG electrodes) to detect ocular muscle activity. This substitution of mechanical systems with electrical/biological sensing achieves accurate gaze detection while dramatically reducing system bulk and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the driver's own ocular muscles as the sensing mechanism. By placing electrodes on the face to detect electrical signals from eye movement muscles, the system makes the driver themselves part of the detection mechanism, eliminating the need for external bulky monitoring equipment.
2Reliability
If traditional driver gaze monitoring systems are used, then driver distraction can be detected, but the systems interfere with vehicle operation and restrict driver freedom of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable mask system uses the driver's own physiological signals (ocular muscle electrical activity) for detection, requiring no external equipment that could interfere with vehicle operation. The driver maintains full freedom of movement while the system passively monitors through electrical sensors on the face.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the detection function from the driver's physical operations. The small wearable mask handles detection independently through electrical sensing, leaving the driver's hands, body, and vehicle controls completely unrestricted and accessible.
3Reliability
If traditional driver gaze monitoring systems are used, then driver distraction can be detected, but the systems are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical/optical monitoring equipment with relatively inexpensive electrical sensors (EMG electrodes) and signal processing electronics. This substitution dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining detection accuracy through biological signal measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable mask appears to be designed as a relatively simple, potentially disposable or easily replaceable unit with basic electrical sensors and wiring, rather than an expensive permanent installation. This approach reduces overall system cost and simplifies manufacturing.
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
The system provides a non-intrusive and effective means to monitor driver attention, alerting them to distractions and enabling automatic adjustments to prevent collisions, thereby enhancing road safety without the limitations of traditional monitoring systems.
Implementation Method 1
The wearable sensor array face mask 20 typically includes ocular muscle motion sensors or the like, which are placed about an eye to receive electric signals of the ocular muscles
Data Source
AI summary
A system, including: one or more sensors included in an apparatus wearable by a vehicle operator to measure ocular muscle movement; and a computer that includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the computer such that the computer is programmed to: receive data indicating ocular muscle movement from the wearable sensor; determine, using the measurement, a gaze direction of the operator; use the gaze direction to determine a level of operator attentiveness; and actuate a vehicle operation if the level of operator attentiveness is below a predetermined threshold.