Method and apparatus for detecting the head pose of a vehicle occupant
US7675296B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 2006 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60W2040/0881
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Driver distraction in a motor vehicle is assessed by capacitively detecting the driver's head pose relative to the forward direction of vehicle motion. A symmetrical array of sensor electrodes is disposed in the cockpit ceiling above the driver's head, and pairs of electrodes disposed along varying axes of rotation with respect to the forward direction are successively activated for capacitance measurement. The capacitance measurements are combined to form a signal whose strength depends on the degree of alignment between the driver's head (i.e., the head pose) and the respective axes of rotation, and the driver's head pose is calculated to assess driver distraction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.