Proximity Sensor Gesture Evaluation With Multi-Stage User Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices in vehicles often lack user-friendly and reliable feedback mechanisms, leading to uncertainty in user operation and potential malfunctions under unfavorable conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a control and evaluation unit that generates a first operating signal upon detecting the initiation of an operating gesture, followed by a second signal confirming successful operation, and an incorrect signal for unsuccessful attempts, providing transparent feedback to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sensor device uses proximity sensors to detect operating gestures, then contactless operation is enabled, but user uncertainty about correct operation and system feedback status increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control and evaluation unit provides continuous status information to the user through distinct signals. When a gesture is detected, the system outputs signals indicating detection status, validation progress, and final operation confirmation or rejection, making the system state transparent to the user throughout the operation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operation recognition process into distinct phases, each with its own signal output: initial gesture detection, validation evaluation, and final operation confirmation or rejection. This segmentation allows the system to provide targeted feedback at each stage, reducing user uncertainty about the current operation status.
2Reliability
If the sensor device performs complex pattern comparison to validate gestures, then operation reliability improves, but system complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary signal evaluation and segmentation before final pattern comparison. The control unit initially detects and segments gesture signals, pre-processing them to identify relevant features and time periods. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of subsequent pattern matching by focusing evaluation on pre-identified gesture characteristics rather than raw sensor data.
3Ease of operation
If the sensor device provides continuous feedback signals, then user acceptance improves, but risk of unintended activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides partial feedback through intermediate signals that indicate gesture detection and validation progress without triggering full operation. The system outputs detection signals and validation status signals that inform users of the current state, but only completes the operation after confirmed valid gesture recognition, providing sufficient feedback while maintaining activation safety.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for evaluating a sensor device, said sensor device comprising at least one proximity sensor (S2, S3). If the measured sensor values characterize a beginning of an actuation of the sensor device, a first timer (t1) is started. When the first timer has reached a first target value (tz1) and the measured sensor values consistently meet a first criterion since the first timer was started, a first operation signal is output. When the measured sensor values meet a second criterion during the further acquisition of the measured sensor values, a second operation signal is output at the signal output. If the measured sensor values do not meet the second criterion, an erroneous-actuation signal is output at the signal output.