Steering Wheel Gesture Control via Finger Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems require drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel, leading to distraction and increased risk of accidents, as they need to operate switches or touch-sensitive screens to adjust vehicle settings, which demands a high level of concentration and can limit steering wheel operation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a first sensor device on the steering wheel rim to detect and evaluate finger movements, allowing control commands for vehicle systems to be generated and transmitted only when the driver's hand is securely on the wheel, using a second sensor to ensure hand presence, enabling simple finger gestures for system control without hand removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drivers operate switches or touch-sensitive screens to adjust vehicle settings, then vehicle system control is achieved, but driver distraction increases and safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches and touch-sensitive screens with a gesture recognition system using optical sensors and image processing. The control unit recognizes hand gestures captured by sensors and translates them into control commands, eliminating the need for physical contact with dashboard controls while maintaining full vehicle system control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary gesture recognition system between the driver and vehicle controls. Instead of directly operating switches or screens, the driver performs hand gestures in the air that are detected by sensors and translated into control commands, providing indirect control that maintains safety while enabling operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drivers remove hands from the steering wheel to operate controls, then vehicle system adjustment is enabled, but steering control is limited and distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes physical contact with the steering wheel and dashboard controls with air gestures detected by optical sensors. Drivers can adjust vehicle settings by performing hand movements in the air without touching any controls, maintaining continuous steering wheel contact and full steering control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the control interface from the two-dimensional dashboard surface to the three-dimensional space around the driver. Gestures are recognized in 3D space using optical sensors, allowing drivers to operate vehicle systems without moving their hands from the steering wheel position.
3Measurement precision
If multiple gesture commands are required for system control, then control precision is improved, but concentration requirements increase and distraction risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gesture recognition process into distinct phases: hand presence detection, gesture identification, and command execution. The control unit first detects hand presence near the steering wheel, then identifies specific gesture patterns, and finally executes corresponding control commands, providing precise control while reducing cognitive load through automatic phase progression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control unit provides confirmation to the driver that gestures have been recognized and commands executed. This feedback loop ensures accurate control while reducing driver concentration requirements by providing system status information without requiring continuous driver attention.
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
This solution reduces driver distraction by allowing vehicle system control through minimal finger movements while keeping hands on the wheel, enhancing safety by preventing unintended reactions and maintaining steering control during operation.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor device is designed in such a way that it can detect the position and movement of fingers on the steering wheel rim
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for controlling at least one vehicle system by way of gestures performed by a driver, wherein the system comprises at least one first sensor device (1), the detection range of which is configured such that the extension of at least one finger (2, 2') of at least one hand (4, 4') of a driver, the hand being located on the steering wheel rim (3) of a steering wheel, can be detected by means of same. The system further comprises at least one evaluation unit, by means of which the movement(s) of the at least one finger (2, 2') can be evaluated, and at least one control device, by means of which a control command for at least one vehicle system based on the evaluation by the evaluation device can be generated and can be transferred to at least one vehicle system. The invention further relates to a corresponding method.