Dual-Beam Light Guide for Compact Gesture Detection Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gesture detection systems in motor vehicles require a large number of light guides and light sources to accurately track hand movements, leading to increased size and production costs.
Innovation Solution
A light guide that generates two differently oriented light beams from a single unit, reducing the number of components needed and potentially lowering production costs while maintaining gesture detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of light guides and light sources are used to accurately track hand movements, then gesture detection precision is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single light guide is designed to generate multiple differently oriented light beams (at least two beams at different angles) for gesture detection. This multi-functional light guide replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate light guides, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to accurately track hand movements in three-dimensional space
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide utilizes angular dimension by emitting light beams at different angles (at least two different orientations) from a single device. This angular differentiation allows the system to create multiple detection planes and accurately determine hand position in 3D space without requiring multiple physically separate light guides, thus resolving the contradiction between detection precision and device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of light guides are used to perform detailed gesture analysis, then gesture detection capability is improved, but the footprint and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves multiple functions by generating at least two differently oriented light beams from a single component. This enables detailed gesture analysis and multiple detection planes without requiring multiple separate light guides, thereby reducing the footprint area while maintaining enhanced gesture detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple light guide functions are merged into a single light guide structure that emits light at different angles. This consolidation reduces the overall footprint of the interface module while preserving the capability to perform detailed gesture analysis through multiple beam orientations
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 allows for a compact and cost-effective gesture detection system that can be installed along the edge of a screen, effectively tracking hand movements for vehicle interface control.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide allows the generation, from the same light guide, of two differently oriented light beams for the detection of gesture or presence of a user
Implementation Method 2
the outer diopter is an output diopter which distributes, by virtue of its two transverse surfaces, the light from the source towards two cones elongated transversely around two inclined planes in the detection space
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
Figure 8a~10b
AI summary
The invention relates to a light guide (9) for an interface module, particularly for a vehicle interior, comprising a body consisting of a transparent or translucent material guiding light by reflection on the guiding walls (6) thereof, comprising: an internal diopter (δint) on one of the ends of the body consisting of a transparent or translucent material, which is to be oriented towards at least one light detector (11) or at least one light source (5); and an external diopter (δext) arranged on an end opposite the internal diopter (δint) of the body consisting of a transparent material. The external diopter comprises two separate transverse surfaces (S1, S2), with normals pointing in different directions for conjugating light between two separate portions (C1, C2) of the detection space on the one hand and the internal diopter (δint) on the other hand.