IP Library Granted Patent US 12,420,822
Granted Patent B2
US 12,420,822 · App. 18/420,864 · Granted Sep 23, 2025

Data transmitter and method for data transmission

Inventor: Takuhiro Omi (Anjo, JP)
Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA; AISIN CORPORATION
B60W50/14B60W40/08B60W60/0059G06V20/597G06V40/161B60W2040/0827B60W2050/146B60W2420/403B60W2540/229B60W2556/45
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,420,822
App. No.
18/420,864
Granted
Sep 23, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A data transmitter to be mounted on a vehicle detects the driver's state from output data of a camera mounted on the vehicle. The data transmitter determines whether the driver's state is suitable for continuing the control by the level of autonomous driving; transmits, when it is determined that the state is suitable for continuing the control, the face image to a terminal communicably connected via a communication network, together with a first setting for displaying the face image on the terminal in first mode; and transmits, when it is determined that the state is unsuitable for continuing the control, the face image to the terminal, together with a second setting for displaying the face image on the terminal in second mode that draws more attention of a user of the terminal than the first mode.

Claims (19)

1. A data transmitter to be mounted on a vehicle under travel control by a level of autonomous driving in which a driver need not be alert, the data transmitter comprising a processor configured to:

detect the driver's state from output data of an interior sensor mounted on the vehicle, the interior sensor including a camera that outputs a face image representing the driver's face;

determine whether the driver's state is suitable for continuing the control by the level of autonomous driving;

transmit, when it is determined that the state is suitable for continuing the control, the face image to a terminal communicably connected via a communication network, together with a first setting for displaying the face image on the terminal in first mode; and

transmit, when it is determined that the state is unsuitable for continuing the control, the face image to the terminal, together with a second setting for displaying the face image on the terminal in second mode that draws more attention of a user of the terminal than the first mode.

2. The data transmitter according to claim 1 , wherein the processor

further outputs a suitability level indicating how much the state is suitable for continuing the control, in the determination, and

further transmits, to the terminal, level data for displaying the suitability level on the terminal, in the transmission.

3. The data transmitter according to claim 1 , wherein in the detection, the processor detects a looking direction or a face orientation of the driver from the face image, determines a waking level of the driver, based on the looking direction or the face orientation, and detects the state, depending on the waking level.

4. A method for data transmission executed by a data transmitter mounted on a vehicle under travel control by a level of autonomous driving in which a driver need not be alert, the method comprising:

detecting the driver's state from output data of an interior sensor mounted on the vehicle, the interior sensor including a camera that outputs a face image representing the driver's face;

determining whether the driver's state is suitable for continuing the control by the level of autonomous driving;

transmitting, when it is determined that the state is suitable for continuing the control, the face image to a terminal communicably connected via a communication network, together with a first setting for displaying the face image on the terminal in first mode; and

transmitting, when it is determined that the state is unsuitable for continuing the control, the face image to the terminal, together with a second setting for displaying the face image on the terminal in second mode that draws more attention of a user of the terminal than the first mode.

5. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program for data transmission causing a computer mounted on a vehicle to execute a process, the vehicle being under travel control by a level of autonomous driving in which a driver need not be alert, the process comprising:

detecting the driver's state from output data of an interior sensor mounted on the vehicle, the interior sensor including a camera that outputs a face image representing the driver's face;

determining whether the driver's state is suitable for continuing the control by the level of autonomous driving;

transmitting, when it is determined that the state is suitable for continuing the control, the face image to a terminal communicably connected via a communication network, together with a first setting for displaying the face image on the terminal in first mode; and

transmitting, when it is determined that the state is unsuitable for continuing the control, the face image to the terminal, together with a second setting for displaying the face image on the terminal in second mode that draws more attention of a user of the terminal than the first mode.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 25, 2024
From: OMI, TAKUHIRO
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA; AISIN CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 066241/0055 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2023-034566 · Mar 7, 2023 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240300508A1 · Sep 12, 2024
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