Steering Wheel Gesture Interface for Eyes-Free Autonomous Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering wheel user interfaces require drivers to be aware of the absolute position on the wheel for function activation, limiting hands-free and eyes-free operation.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel with a circular gripping element and an array of light-based proximity sensors that detect gestures without the need for absolute positioning, allowing for relative positioning-based user interactions independent of wheel rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional steering wheel user interfaces are used, then drivers can operate vehicle functions, but drivers must be aware of absolute position on the wheel and cannot perform hands-free or eyes-free operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical button presses and physical switches with optical sensing technology. Light-based proximity sensors detect the position and movement of the driver's hand or finger on the steering wheel, converting physical gestures into electronic signals without requiring mechanical contact. This enables hands-free operation while maintaining precise gesture detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light beams as an intermediary between the driver's gestures and the vehicle's control system. The light-based proximity sensors emit light that reflects off the driver's hand or finger, and the reflected light carries information about gesture position and movement. This optical intermediary enables eyes-free operation by providing tactile feedback through light patterns on the steering wheel surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light-based proximity sensors are implemented, then relative positioning-based gestures are enabled independent of wheel rotation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the steering wheel universally responsive to multiple types of gestures (tap, swipe, circle, press) at multiple locations, all interpreted through the same light-based sensor system. The system handles both absolute position detection and relative movement detection, accommodating various vehicle functions and driver preferences without requiring separate control mechanisms for each gesture type.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-based proximity sensor system automatically compensates for steering wheel rotation and adjusts gesture recognition accordingly. The system self-calibrates by continuously monitoring light reflection patterns and adapting the gesture detection algorithm to maintain accurate relative positioning recognition regardless of wheel orientation, eliminating the need for manual calibration or complex mechanical reference systems.
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 robust, hands-free, and eyes-free operation of vehicle systems by allowing drivers to perform gestures confidently without looking at the wheel, enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
an array of light-based proximity sensors that projects light beams through the notch radially outward from the gripping element, and detects light beams reflected back into the gripping element by a moving object
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle autonomous drive system including a steering wheel, a sensor operable to identify each gesture component within a set of gesture components performed on the steering wheel by a driver of the vehicle, the set of gesture components including thumb-tap, thumb touch-and-hold, thumb-glide, hand-grab and hand-tap, a processor for an autonomous drive system in the vehicle, receiving from the sensor, a series of time-stamped, contact coordinates for the gesture components identified by the sensor, and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to construct compound gestures based on the series of time-stamped, contact coordinates, and to activate features of the autonomous drive system in response to the compound gestures.