Gesture-Based Vehicle Control for Precise Direction and Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems using GPS and sensing technologies lack intuitive user interfaces and experiences, particularly in translating user gestures into control inputs for precise vehicle navigation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that incorporates a gesture sensing device (GSD) capable of translating user motion and directional inputs into control parameters, using sensors like gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers, and communicating with an electronic control system to control thrusters and steer actuators, allowing for intuitive control via pointing, inclination, and voice commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional button-based or menu-based control interfaces are used, then the system provides reliable control input methods, but the user experience becomes complex and less intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical button presses and menu navigation with gesture-based control using a gesture sensing device. The GSD captures hand movements, gestures, and pointing actions to translate them into control inputs, eliminating the need for complex button sequences and menu systems while providing more intuitive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The gesture sensing device serves as an intermediary between the user and the vehicle control system. It captures natural hand gestures and translates them into control commands, acting as a mediator that simplifies the interaction while maintaining system reliability through structured gesture recognition and validation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gesture sensing devices are added to the vehicle control system, then the user experience is enhanced with more intuitive control, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gesture sensing device is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing hand movements, recognizing gestures, determining pointing directions, and translating these into various control inputs. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices or systems into a single versatile component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital representation of the user's physical gestures by capturing hand movements and gestures with the GSD, processing this copied motion data, and translating it into control commands. This copying approach allows natural physical gestures to be replicated and interpreted as precise control inputs without requiring direct mechanical connection.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated in the gesture sensing device, then measurement precision of gestures is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and other sensors) into a single integrated gesture sensing device. These sensors work together synergistically to capture three-dimensional hand movements, gestures, and orientation data, achieving high measurement precision while consolidating components into one device rather than using separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gesture sensing device employs a composite sensing system that integrates multiple sensor technologies and processing algorithms into a unified structure. This composite approach combines the strengths of different sensor types to achieve accurate gesture recognition and measurement while managing the complexity through integrated design and coordinated sensor operation.
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 user experience by enabling precise and intuitive control of vehicle direction and speed through gesture-based inputs, improving navigation accuracy and ease of use, especially in marine vessels and similar applications.
Implementation Method 1
using sensors like gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers
Implementation Method 2
using sensors like gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers
Implementation Method 3
using sensors like gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for providing input to a vehicle control system to navigate, position and direct a vehicle, by use of a gesture sensing device. The gesture sensing device may be in the form of: a remote, a mobile computing device such as a smartphone, a tablet or smart-watch, or a direction/motion sensor. The vehicle control system with gesture sensing device is useful for the control of radio controlled vehicles, drones and driver and driverless vehicles. In preferred embodiments, the vehicle control system with gesture sensing device is used to control GNSS/GPS enabled electric steer trolling motors, such as motors utilizing the ProNav® Angler, Rhodan® HD GPS® Anchor, Minn-Kota® IPilot, and the MotorGuide® Pinpoint.