Multi-UWB Vehicle Gesture Control Without Blind Spots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling vehicles from outside require additional devices, are time-consuming, and suffer from inaccurate micro-gesture recognition due to the blind areas of single ultra-wideband (UWB) antennas.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control method using multiple UWB antennas to emit pulse signals, determine time-of-flight and signal strength of reflected signals, and recognize hand gestures to output operation commands for controlling vehicle functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single UWB antenna is used to recognize gestures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of micro-gestures deteriorates due to blind areas in detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of UWB antennasVSAvoidgesture recognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection system into multiple UWB antennas (at least three) arranged in specific spatial configurations. Each antenna covers different detection zones, and by segmenting the detection space into multiple coverage areas, the blind spots of individual antennas are eliminated, achieving comprehensive 360-degree gesture recognition without increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-point detection to multi-dimensional spatial detection by arranging multiple antennas in three-dimensional space. The system uses time-of-flight measurements from multiple antenna positions to calculate the spatial coordinates of hand gestures, adding dimensional information to eliminate blind areas and improve recognition accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional portable electronic apparatuses are used for vehicle control from outside, then control functionality is enabled, but device complexity and user burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle control capabilityVSAvoidadditional control devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the vehicle to detect and recognize hand gestures directly using its own UWB antenna system, eliminating the need for users to carry or operate additional portable electronic devices. The vehicle's built-in system performs self-service gesture recognition and control execution, allowing users to control vehicle functions with simple hand movements alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the UWB antenna system serve multiple functions: it performs both vehicle-to-vehicle communication and gesture recognition/control. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware infrastructure to enable both standard vehicle operations and advanced gesture-based control without requiring separate dedicated devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional portable electronic apparatuses are used for vehicle control from outside, then control functionality is enabled, but operation time and labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal vehicle controlVSAvoidcontrol operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical button pressing or complex device operations with contactless hand gesture recognition. Users control vehicle functions by making simple hand movements in the detection zone, which are captured and interpreted by the UWB system, dramatically reducing the time and physical effort required for vehicle control operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables precise and convenient control of vehicle operations from outside without additional devices, improving user experience by overcoming the limitations of single UWB antenna systems.

Implementation Method 1

determining time-of-flight (TOF) and signal strength of each of the received reflected signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime-of-flight (TOF): Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of pulse signals are reflected by an obstacle during outward propagation to generate a plurality of reflected signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12282114B2Vehicle and vehicle control method

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 SHANGHAI PATEO ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle control method includes emitting a plurality of pulse signals through a plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB) antennas. The plurality of pulse signals are reflected by an obstacle during outward propagation to generate a plurality of reflected signals. The method further includes receiving the reflected signals and determining time-of-flight (TOF) and signal strength of each of the received reflected signals, determining whether the obstacle is a hand according to the TOF and the signal strength of each of the reflected signals, in response to determining that the obstacle is the hand, recognizing a gesture of the hand, and outputting an operation command corresponding to the gesture to control a vehicle to perform a corresponding operation.