Dual Touch and Sound Control for Vehicle Driver Distraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems face challenges in minimizing driver distraction due to the need for multiple buttons and complex voice commands, which are slow and prone to errors in noisy environments, especially when controlling multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines touch and voice commands to control devices, using a controller device communicating with a touch device and a sound receiving device to identify gestures and audio instructions, allowing for faster and more accurate interactions by associating inputs with specific control functions, thereby reducing driver distraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple buttons and dials are used to control each feature separately, then each function can be controlled precisely, but the device complexity increases and driver distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single integrated control system that processes both touch inputs and voice commands. The control unit merges these different input modalities to execute control operations, reducing the number of separate buttons and dials while maintaining precise control over various vehicle features.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to handle multiple types of inputs (touch and voice) through a single interface. The control unit can interpret different input types and route them to appropriate control functions, making the system universal and multi-functional rather than requiring dedicated controls for each feature.
2Ease of operation
If voice commands are used to control systems, then the number of physical controls can be reduced, but the system becomes slow to operate and unreliable in noisy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives both voice commands and touch inputs, processes them through a unified interpretation mechanism, and executes the appropriate control operations. This mediator can clarify ambiguous inputs by offering multiple interpretation options to the user, thereby improving reliability in noisy environments where voice recognition alone may fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit can present multiple interpretations of a voice command to the user and allow selection or correction. This feedback loop ensures that even if initial voice recognition is uncertain due to noise, the user can confirm or correct the interpretation, improving overall reliability.
3Measurement precision
If touch sensitive screens are used for navigation control, then control precision can be improved, but the driver must stop the vehicle to avoid distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous control operations by allowing voice commands to be processed while the vehicle is in motion. The control unit can interpret and execute control operations based on voice inputs without requiring the driver to stop the vehicle or divert full attention to the screen, maintaining the continuity of driving while enabling precise control inputs.
4Measurement precision
If detailed voice commands with multiple instructions are required, then system control accuracy can be improved, but the interaction time increases and driver distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to execute control operations based on partial voice inputs rather than requiring complete detailed instructions. The control unit can interpret abbreviated commands and execute appropriate operations, reducing the number of instructions needed while maintaining adequate control accuracy for common functions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present teachings relate to solving a problem of quickly and accurately controlling devices, such as in a vehicle. The teachings herein solve the problems by employing both touch and sound inputs for controlling one or more functions of a user-controlled device, and to methods of controlling a device using both a touch command and a verbal command. The touch commands are preferably entered on a touch device capable of identifying multiple simultaneous contacts, such as from the simultaneous contact of multiple fingers on the touch device.