Orientation-Independent Air Gesture Detection in Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air gesture detection systems face challenges in determining the proper reference frame for user orientation in vehicle environments, requiring devices to be in a specific orientation or undergoing calibration before each session to accurately interpret gestures.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating vehicle sensors for heading angle, seating zone orientation sensors, and a processor that adjusts gesture input using vehicle heading and seating zone orientation relative to magnetic North, allowing for orientation-independent air gesture detection by normalizing acceleration data to a user-specific reference frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air gesture detection is implemented without calibration, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration once during device pairing with the vehicle, establishing a reference frame that is then reused for all subsequent gesture detections. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated calibrations while maintaining measurement precision across multiple usage sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the reference frame established during calibration and applies it to transform gesture data from the device coordinate system to the vehicle coordinate system. This copying approach allows consistent gesture interpretation without requiring recalibration each time the device is used.
2Measurement precision
If device orientation is constrained for accurate gesture detection, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transforms gesture data from the device's coordinate system to the vehicle's coordinate system using real-time orientation information from sensors. This dynamic transformation allows the device to be held in any orientation while maintaining accurate gesture detection relative to the vehicle's reference frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary coordinate transformation process that converts gestures from the device coordinate system through the vehicle coordinate system. This intermediary transformation eliminates the need for the device to maintain a specific orientation, as the transformation mathematically bridges any orientation difference.
3Measurement precision
If calibration is performed before each session, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the calibration action preliminarily during the initial device pairing process, storing the resulting reference frame for future use. This eliminates the need to repeat calibration before each gesture detection session, reducing time loss while maintaining precision through the stored reference frame.
4Measurement precision
If reference frame is fixed to vehicle orientation, then adaptability deteriorates, but measurement precision is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the reference frame transformation based on real-time vehicle orientation data from sensors. While the vehicle coordinate system itself remains fixed for measurement precision, the transformation process dynamically adjusts to account for changes in vehicle heading and seating zone orientation, maintaining both precision and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle sensor may indicate heading angle. A plurality of seating zones may each include an orientation sensor indicating seating angle. A component within one of the seating zones may provide interface information descriptive of commands and associated air gestures oriented to the one seating zone, and perform one of the commands responsive to a personal device detecting the corresponding air gesture, accounting for the heading angle and seating angle. Gesture input from a personal device may be adjusted to create acceleration data in a reference frame of an in-vehicle component in a seating zone using orientation of the device, vehicle heading relative to magnetic North, and orientation angle for the seating zone including the device. When the acceleration data matches an air gesture in a library of air gestures, a command may be sent to the component corresponding to the matching air gesture.