Capacitive Control Module for Gesture Recognition Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle control modules with gesture recognition technologies are expensive due to the need for multiple sensors, compromising ergonomics and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A control module with a display screen and a rotary control button coupled to capacitive sensors, which detect hand movements to select graphic elements, using at least two capacitive sensors to process hand movements and adapt displayed content, while maintaining a low sensor count to reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gesture recognition technologies with multiple sensors are used, then ergonomics and motion detection capability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive sensing area is segmented into multiple zones (first capacitive sensing area and second capacitive sensing area) around the control button. Each zone independently detects hand presence, allowing the system to determine movement direction by comparing signals from different segments rather than using multiple expensive sensors throughout the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The control button serves multiple functions: it acts as a physical pressing button for selection, a rotary dial for navigation, and a reference point for capacitive sensing. The same button structure provides both mechanical input and a reference for detecting hand movement direction through capacitive changes, eliminating the need for separate sensors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple capacitive sensors are distributed across the surface, then hand movement detection precision is improved, but device complexity and sensor count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive sensing surface is divided into distinct zones (first and second capacitive sensing areas) positioned at specific locations relative to the control button. This segmentation allows the system to detect hand movement direction by comparing the timing and magnitude of capacitive changes in different zones, achieving directional precision with minimal sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures the capacitive sensing zones and establishes reference levels for hand presence detection before operation. By preparing the sensing zones in advance and knowing their spatial relationships to the control button, the system can immediately determine movement direction upon detecting capacitive changes without requiring complex real-time calculations or additional sensors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides ergonomic control with motion detection, preserving the vehicle's aesthetics and reducing costs by limiting visible components and sensor count, effectively controlling vehicle equipment through intuitive hand movements.
Implementation Method 1
a device for detecting a movement of a user's hand, said device having at least two capacitive sensors associated with the control button
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control module (1) to be installed in a motor vehicle and used to control equipment of said motor vehicle, wherein the control module (1) comprises a display screen (7) and a control button (5) coupled to the display screen (7), said control button (5) being designed so as to be able to select graphic elements of the display screen (7), associated with the controls of the equipment of the motor vehicle, the control module (1) also comprising a device for detecting a movement of a hand of a user, said device comprising at least two capacitive sensors (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e) associated with the control button (5), and processing means (11) designed to be able to detect a movement of a hand of a user according to measurements of capacitive sensors (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e).