Vehicle Foot Movement Detection for Reliable Hands-Free Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hands-free access systems for vehicle trunks using foot movement detection are unreliable in noisy environments due to interference effects from atmospheric phenomena and electromagnetic interference, leading to false detection and spurious opening requests.

Innovation Solution

A method employing a remote access system with at least two detection means that analyzes signal variations for form and behavior over time, applying double verification criteria for identification and simultaneity of signal forms, including filtering to eliminate noise, and using specific thresholds for validation, ensuring reliable foot movement detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If foot movement detection is used for hands-free access, then user convenience is improved, but false detection from interference effects increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehands-free access convenienceVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple detection means (at least two sensors) into a single detection system. Each sensor independently detects foot movement, and their signals are processed together through double verification steps that compare signal forms and timing, thereby improving reliability while maintaining hands-free operation convenience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through double verification of detection signals. The control unit analyzes signal variations from multiple sensors, compares them against expected movement patterns, and only triggers access when both verification steps confirm valid foot movement, eliminating false detections from interference effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple detection means are used to improve reliability, then detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection system into distinct functional components: multiple independent detection means (sensors), a control unit for signal processing, and a trunk release mechanism. This modular segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, improving reliability through redundancy while managing overall system complexity through clear functional separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If signal filtering and double verification are applied, then false detection is reduced, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefalse detection reductionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary signal filtering and form analysis before final verification. By pre-processing signals to identify characteristic movement patterns and filter out noise early in the detection process, the system reduces false detections while minimizing processing time for valid access requests

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method effectively discriminates useful signals from noise, providing reliable and secure activation of access systems by eliminating noise effects, simplifying implementation, and reducing memory requirements while maintaining high-speed calculations.

Implementation Method 1

detection of a movement of a lower member of a user by a remote access system... The detection means each emit a signal whose variations are analyzed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive detection: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS9344083B2Method for opening/closing of a secure hands-free access by detection of movement of a lower member of a user
Publication Date: 2016.05.17 VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH

AI summary

A reliable and secure activation of an access based on a detection of movement in a remote access system by providing a secure method for opening/closing of an access in hands-free access mode. The detection of movement relates to the displacement of a lower member of a user by a remote access system, this access system including at least two elements of detection which each emit a signal whose variations (31, 33, 35) are analyzed. The detection of a movement of a lower member is validated by the application of a double verification step according to parameters (dAsA, dAsB) of a criterion for identification (tA, tB; dAsA, dAsB) of a form of variation (F2; A, B) of each signal (31, 33, 35) with a model form of the movement, and according to a criterion for simultaneity of detection of the forms of variation (F2) identified on the two signals.