Wearable Warning Device for Vehicle Driver Alerting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current warning systems for vehicle drivers fail to promptly alert them to changes in traffic conditions, leading to delayed or missed detection of potentially dangerous situations, especially in high-concentration traffic or autonomous driving modes, as drivers must divert attention from the road to check dashboards, mirrors, and blind spots.

Innovation Solution

A wearable warning system connected to a detection system, which can be positioned externally or internally within the vehicle, using ultrasound sensors, Lidar, cameras, or infrastructure signals to transmit immediate alerts via light, sound, or vibrations directly to the driver, ensuring continuous awareness of changing traffic conditions without requiring them to look away from the road.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the driver uses traditional warning systems (dashboard, mirrors, direct vision), then the driver can access information about traffic conditions, but the driver must divert attention from the road and take time to shift gaze, leading to delayed response

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation delivery to driverVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary warning device (wearable device on the driver's body) that mediates between the detection system and the driver's awareness. This intermediary delivers warnings directly to the driver without requiring the driver to actively check traditional instruments, thus reducing the time loss while ensuring information delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual system of dashboard indicators and mirror checks with a more direct warning mechanism (such as haptic feedback, audio signals, or visual indicators on the wearable device) that can alert the driver immediately without requiring physical gaze shifts or manual checks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the driver focuses continuously on the road, then the driver maintains situational awareness and safety, but the driver cannot access warning information from traditional systems in time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver safetyVSAvoidwarning detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable warning device acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the detection system and the driver's focused attention on the road. It delivers critical warning information directly to the driver without requiring the driver to break concentration, thus maintaining both safety and information delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The warning system operates autonomously by detecting traffic conditions and automatically delivering warnings to the driver through the wearable device, eliminating the need for the driver to actively monitor or access warning systems, thus allowing continuous focus on the road while ensuring warning detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the driver checks mirrors and blind spots frequently, then the driver can detect vehicles in blind spots, but the driver increases response time and reduces driving efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblind spot detectionVSAvoiddriving efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical action of manually checking mirrors and blind spots with an automated detection system that uses sensors and processing to continuously monitor blind spots, delivering warnings only when necessary. This substitution maintains precise blind spot detection while eliminating the time-consuming manual checking actions, thus preserving driving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system operates continuously to monitor blind spots without requiring intermittent manual checks by the driver. This continuous automated monitoring maintains precise detection capability while allowing the driver to maintain continuous focus on the road, thereby preserving driving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 significantly reduces response time to changing traffic conditions by providing timely and localized warnings, enhancing driver safety and adaptability, even in autonomous driving scenarios, by maintaining the driver's focus on the road while providing critical information.

Implementation Method 1

the warning device comprises a light source arranged to transmit said warning signal in the form of a light signal visible to the driver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3501873B1Luminous system for a lighting and/or signalling device of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP3501873B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP3501873B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~4b
  • EP3501873B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A warning system for a driver of a vehicle (30) of an event in the environment of the vehicle, comprising: a detection system (31; 32; 33) capable of detecting an event occurring in the environment of the vehicle (30); a warning device (40; 50) intended to be worn by the driver and connected to the detection system (31; 32; 33); characterized in that the warning device (40; 50) is arranged to transmit a warning signal to the driver when an event is detected by the detection system (31; 32; 33).