Headlamp Tap Gesture Interface for Temporary Brightness Boost

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing headlamps with dynamic lighting technology lack flexibility and ergonomics in their user interfaces, despite advancements in automatic profile identification and lighting adaptation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an accelerometer and control unit to create a highly intuitive user interface that allows for immediate and temporary brightness increases on demand through the detection of specific finger taps, utilizing digital filtering and mapping of accelerometer data to execute user commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If automatic profile identification and lighting adaptation are implemented, then lighting performance and battery efficiency are improved, but user interface flexibility and ergonomics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting performanceVSAvoiduser interface flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The headlamp automatically identifies activity profiles and adjusts lighting parameters without user intervention, making the system serve itself by using accelerometer data to autonomously optimize lighting performance and battery efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts lighting parameters based on detected activity profiles, enabling flexible response to different usage scenarios while maintaining automatic operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If manual adjustments are added to switch between beam power levels, then user interface flexibility is improved, but hands-free operation and focus on activity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interface flexibilityVSAvoidhands-free operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with accelerometer-based gesture detection, where finger taps on the headlamp housing trigger lighting changes without requiring manual dials or switches

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

Solution Approach 2:

The accelerometer serves as an intermediary between user intent and lighting control, translating physical gestures into lighting commands while maintaining hands-free operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ergonomics and ease of use by enabling temporary brightness boosts with simple finger gestures, improving the flexibility and intuitiveness of the headlamp's operation.

Implementation Method 1

an accelerometer which is configured to provide at regular intervals data representative of an acceleration of the headlamp

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

The control module is configured to digitally store and process data representative of acceleration by means of digital filtering, including high-pass filtering allowing detection of a double peak exceeding a predetermined threshold during a defined period

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDigital filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 3

a light sensor for capturing light from the environment of the lamp wearer, the control module being configured to generate the information or control signal according to the information generated by the light sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 4

a light source comprising one or more LED diodes; a power module for generating a current supply to said light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4657991A1Headlamp with improved user interface
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 ZEDEL CORP
  • EP4657991A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4657991A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4657991A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

- a light source (231); - a power module (230) to generate a current supply for said light source (231); - a control module (220) for adjusting the light intensity generated by said light source; a light sensor (120) to capture light from the environment of the lamp wearer, said control module (220) controlling the brightness of the lamp according to the information generated by the light sensor (120); - an accelerometer (110) configured to provide at regular intervals data representative of an acceleration of the headlamp transmitted to the control module configured to process this data along at least one horizontal axis, with high-pass filtering in order to detect a double peak occurring within a predefined time, allowing the triggering of a temporary increase in brightness.