Camera-Based Gesture Recognition for Automotive Touchless Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch screen technology in automotive environments can be inconvenient for users confined by seatbelts, as it requires physical contact and is expensive, limiting input options.

Innovation Solution

A camera-based system that analyzes hand gestures to provide input, using high-resolution cameras to distinguish finger positions and orientations, allowing users to interact without physical contact, and utilizing fingerprint recognition for security features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If touch screen technology is used, then user interface functionality is improved, but physical contact is required which is inconvenient for users confined by seatbelts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser input convenienceVSAvoidinput method flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical touch interface with an optical gesture recognition system. Cameras capture hand movements and the controller interprets gestures without requiring physical contact with the device, allowing users to interact while confined by seatbelts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces cameras and gesture recognition algorithms as intermediaries between the user and the vehicle control system. The camera captures hand gestures in the air, and the controller translates these gestures into commands, eliminating the need for direct physical contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If touch screen technology is used, then user interaction is enabled, but the device becomes expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses camera images (optical copies) of hand gestures instead of requiring a physical touch screen. The controller analyzes the captured images to recognize gestures and translate them into commands, providing a lower-cost alternative to touch screen technology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive touch screen hardware with more affordable camera systems and software-based gesture recognition. The camera captures transient hand gestures and the controller processes these temporary visual inputs to execute commands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If camera resolution is increased to distinguish fingerprints, then security check capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity check accuracyVSAvoidcamera system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the camera system multi-functional by using it for both gesture recognition (standard resolution operation) and fingerprint capture (high-resolution operation). The same camera hardware performs multiple functions depending on the operational mode and resolution requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10025388B2Touchless human machine interface

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A system and method for receiving input from a user is provided. The system includes at least one camera configured to receive an image of a hand of the user and a controller configured to analyze the image and issue a command based on the analysis of the image.