Method and apparatus for assessing head pose of a vehicle driver
First Claim
1. Apparatus for assessing a head pose of a driver of a vehicle, comprising:
- a relative motion sensor positioned to sense a posterior portion of the driver'"'"'s head and to produce a signal measuring at least lateral movements of the driver'"'"'s head; and
a signal processor responsive to the signal produced by the relative motion sensor for assessing whether the driver'"'"'s head pose is forward or non-forward relative to a forward field of view of the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The head pose of a motor vehicle driver with respect to a vehicle frame of reference is assessed with a relative motion sensor positioned rearward of the driver'"'"'s head, such as in or on the headrest of the driver'"'"'s seat. The relative motion sensor 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. 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.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. Apparatus for assessing a head pose of a driver of a vehicle, comprising:
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a relative motion sensor positioned to sense a posterior portion of the driver'"'"'s head and to produce a signal measuring at least lateral movements of the driver'"'"'s head; and a signal processor responsive to the signal produced by the relative motion sensor for assessing whether the driver'"'"'s head pose is forward or non-forward relative to a forward field of view of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of assessing a head pose of a vehicle driver, comprising the steps of:
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measuring relative lateral movements of a head of the vehicle driver by sensing a posterior portion of the head; and processing the measured lateral movements of the head to assess whether the driver'"'"'s head pose is forward or non-forward with respect to a vehicle frame of reference. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification