Abstract:
A light warning system (20) and method (60) are provided for warning a driver (18) of a vehicle (10) of a sensed condition. The warning system (20) includes a lighting device (22) having first and second colored LEDs (26, 28) for generating a light beam (50) viewable on a windshield (14) in front of the driver (12) of the vehicle (10). The system (20) also includes a detection device (40) for detecting a condition desirable of a warning and generating a warning signal. The system (20) further includes a controller (30) processing the warning signal and determining whether to present a light beam warning displayed to the driver on the windshield. The controller (30) controls the lighting device (22) to generate a flashing light beam (50), wherein the light beam (50) flashes on and off for a time period less than one-half second.
Abstract:
In preferred embodiments, apparatus for and method of eye tracking, including, in sequence, the steps of: viewing an entire face of a person to obtain predetermined facial features of the person to identify or not the said person; if the person is identified, retrieving a previously stored ocular profile of the person based on said predetermined facial features; using said ocular profile to track movement of an eye of said person. If the person is not identified, an ocular profile is created.
Abstract:
The head pose of a motor vehicle driver (16) with respect to a vehicle frame of reference is assessed with a relative motion sensor (34) positioned rearward of the driver's head, such as in or on the headrest (12) of the driver's seat (10c). The relative motion sensor (34) detects changes in the position of the driver's head, and the detected changes are used to determine the driver's head pose, and specifically, whether the head pose is forward-looking (i.e., with the driver paying attention to the forward field-of-view) or non-forward-looking (52, 70, 72, 64, 74). The determined head pose is assumed to be initially forward-looking, and is thereafter biased toward forward-looking whenever driver behavior characteristic of a forward-looking head pose is recognized (60, 62, 66, 68).
Abstract:
A driver alert for mitigating driver distraction is issued (150) based on a proportion of off-road gaze time (130, 140) and the duration of a current off-road gaze (142-146). The driver alert is ordinarily issued when the proportion of off-road gaze exceeds a threshold (140), but is not issued if the driver's gaze has been off-road for at least a reference time (146). In vehicles equipped with forward-looking object detection (250), the driver alert is also not issued if the closing speed of an in-path object (11a) exceeds a calibrated closing rate (148).
Abstract:
A system (100) for measuring the awareness of a subject including an imaging device (102) adapted to acquire data representative of an image of the subject, and an awareness processor (104) connected to the imaging device (102), wherein the awareness processor (104) is adapted to classify the awareness of the subject according to the position of the subject.
Abstract:
In preferred embodiments, apparatus for and method of eye tracking, including, in sequence, the steps of: viewing an entire face of a person to obtain predetermined facial features of the person to identify or not the said person; if the person is identified, retrieving a previously stored ocular profile of the person based on said predetermined facial features; using said ocular profile to track movement of an eye of said person. If the person is not identified, an ocular profile is created.
Abstract:
An object awareness determination system and method of determining awareness of a driver (34) of a vehicle (10) to an object (16) is provided. The system includes an object monitor (18) including an object detection sensor (12A) for sensing an object (16) in a field of view and determining a position of the object (16). The system also includes an eye gaze monitor (38) including an imaging camera (30) oriented to capture images of the vehicle driver (34) including an eye (36) of the driver (34). The gaze monitor (38) determines an eye gaze vector (g). The system further has a controller (60) for determining driver awareness of the object (16) based on the detected object position and the eye gaze vector (g).
Abstract:
An awareness detection system (10) and method (100) that includes an imaging device (16) positioned to obtain a plurality of images of at least a portion of a subject's (18) head, and an awareness processor (28) in communication with the imaging device (16), wherein the awareness processor (28) receives the plurality of images from the imaging device (16). The awareness processor (28) performs the steps including classifying at least one image (106) of the plurality of images based upon at least a portion of the subject's (18) head, monitoring movement of at least one eye (112) of the subject (18) if the at least one image is classified as a predetermined classification, and determining an awareness state (114) of the subject (18) based upon the monitored movement of the at least one eye.