Gesture-Controlled Rear View Unit for Motor Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rear view mirror and camera arrangements in vehicles suffer from restricted views of certain areas, known as blind spots, and require complex adjustments that can distract drivers and impair road safety due to the need for numerous switches and controls.
Innovation Solution
An interior rear view unit with a gesture recognition device that detects translational and rotational movements of a driver's body parts to generate control signals for adjusting the rear view unit and other electrical components, allowing for intuitive operation and reduced distraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional switches and controls are used for adjusting rear view units, then the adjustment function can be achieved, but driver distraction increases and road safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches and controls with a gesture recognition system that uses optical sensors and image processing to detect driver gestures. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact with controls, reducing driver distraction while maintaining adjustment functionality through wireless gesture-based operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary gesture recognition system between the driver and the rear view unit adjustment mechanism. This intermediary layer translates driver gestures into control signals, allowing indirect but distraction-free operation of the adjustment functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple switches and controls are provided for adjustment, then comprehensive adjustment functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal gesture recognition system that can perform multiple adjustment functions (mirror angle adjustment, camera positioning, display configuration) through a single integrated interface. Different gestures control different functions, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated switches and controls while maintaining comprehensive adjustment capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple adjustment controls into a single gesture recognition system. The system combines optical sensors, image processing algorithms, and control signal generation into one integrated unit that replaces numerous separate controls, reducing device complexity while preserving versatility.
3Ease of operation
If adjustment controls are placed within reach of the driver, then ease of operation improves, but driver distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control interface from the physical domain and places it in the spatial domain through gesture recognition. By taking out the need for physical controls and replacing them with air-based gesture detection, the system maintains ease of operation (gestures can be made from any position) while eliminating driver distraction (no need to look at or touch controls).
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The internal retrospection unit (01) comprises a foot (02) and a projection surface (04), which is arranged on a head portion (03). A detection unit (05) is provided for detecting the gestures by capturing different positions and orientations of a body portion of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle interior section (06) for performing an individual adjustment of the internal retrospection unit by the gesture.