Steering Wheel TDR Touch Sensing for Hand Gesture Sequences
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hand gesture recognition systems for steering wheels, particularly those using capacitive sensors, are limited in detecting sequences of hand touch positionings and require complex setups, making them inefficient for recognizing complex gestures.
Innovation Solution
A sensing system employing time-domain reflectometry (TDR) with an electrically conducting signal line on the steering wheel rim, utilizing a control and evaluation unit to generate and analyze time-dependent measurement signals for high-resolution position detection and gesture recognition, allowing for the comparison of detected positions with predefined patterns to identify hand gestures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If capacitive sensors are used for hand gesture recognition on steering wheels, then hand touch positionings can be detected, but the system complexity increases and detection of sequences of hand gestures becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex capacitive sensor systems with a simplified TDR-based measurement system. Instead of using multiple capacitive sensors to detect hand gestures, the invention uses a single signal line with TDR technology to detect impedance changes caused by hand touches, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The signal line serves multiple functions: it is part of the steering wheel structure, provides electrical connection, and acts as the sensing element for hand gesture detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensor components, thereby reducing overall system complexity
2Measurement precision
If capacitive sensor systems are used for hand gesture recognition, then hand touch positionings can be detected, but the ability to detect sequences of hand gestures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The TDR system continuously monitors impedance changes along the signal line and provides real-time feedback about hand touch positions. By analyzing sequences of impedance changes over time, the system can recognize complex hand gesture patterns, thereby improving gesture detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The signal line is pre-configured with known electrical characteristics and impedance profiles corresponding to different hand touch positions. This preliminary setup allows the system to quickly identify hand gestures by comparing measured impedance values against pre-stored reference data, enhancing detection accuracy
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 reliable detection and recognition of complex hand gestures with low system complexity, capable of distinguishing various sequences of hand touch positionings, and can be used for both safety and comfort functions like multimedia control, with software parameter settings enabling or disabling gesture recognition.
Implementation Method 1
A time-dependent measurement signal is provided to a signal line, in particular to the entire signal line, by operating a signal voltage source
Implementation Method 2
A reflection of the measurement signal is received after being generated by at least one hand touch positioning on the steering wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing system and method of recognizing a hand gesture established by a sequence of hand touch positionings on an object. The method includes at least steps of: providing to a signal line a time-dependent measurement signal; receiving the measurement signal after being at least partially reflected by at least one portion of the signal line; determining positions on the object of the portions of the signal line that have reflected the measurement signal; comparing an obtained plurality of stored successively determined positions on the object with at least one predefined pattern of successive positions to derive a measure of similarity; and providing an output signal that is indicative of the predefined pattern of successive positions if the derived measure of similarity is lower than a predefined threshold value.