In-Air Gesture Navigation Control Based on Driver Hand Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle navigation systems pose safety risks when users attempt to input commands while driving, as they require manual touch inputs, diverting attention from the road and increasing the risk of accidents.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device equipped with a proximity sensor and controller that allows users to perform input operations using gestures, enabling hands-free control of navigation systems while driving by detecting hand movements without physical contact with the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual touch input is used for navigation control, then input accuracy is improved, but driving safety deteriorates due to diverted attention and hand movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput accuracyVSAvoiddriving safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical touch input system with an optical sensing system that detects hand gestures in the air. The proximity sensor detects changes in reflected light intensity to determine hand movement direction, substituting physical contact with optical field interaction. This allows input operations without mechanical contact, maintaining input accuracy while eliminating the safety risks of manual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces air space as an intermediary medium between the user's hand and the navigation device. Hand gestures are performed in the air rather than directly touching the screen, creating a buffer zone that allows input operations without compromising driving safety. The proximity sensor acts as a mediator to translate these air-based gestures into control commands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If gesture recognition is implemented, then driving safety is improved, but input precision may deteriorate due to difficulty in detecting accurate gesture directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving safetyVSAvoidgesture detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional screen touch coordinates to three-dimensional spatial gesture detection. By detecting hand position and movement in 3D space using the proximity sensor's light reflection measurements, the system captures directional information that was previously unavailable. This dimensional expansion enables accurate gesture direction detection while maintaining driving safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors hand gesture direction and provides feedback by executing corresponding navigation operations. The proximity sensor repeatedly measures hand position and movement, allowing real-time adjustment and verification of gesture recognition accuracy. This continuous feedback loop ensures that even subtle gestures are accurately detected and translated into precise control commands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances driving safety by allowing users to interact with navigation systems without taking their hands off the wheel or diverting their gaze, reducing the likelihood of accidents and improving user safety.

Implementation Method 1

the proximity sensor 18 has one infrared light emitting diode (LED) for light source and four infrared photodiodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3754460B1Electronic device, moving body, program, and control method
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP3754460B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3754460B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3754460B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an electronic device comprising a sensor configured to detect a gesture without touching an own device and a controller configured to determine a hand of a user used for operation according to a driver's seat position and determine, according to the hand of the user used for operation, a direction of the gesture based on an output from the sensor.