Steering Wheel Gesture Recognition for Distraction-Reduced Onboard Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles require drivers to use fixed, distant function keys on the steering wheel and center console for various operations, leading to driver distraction and increased risk of traffic accidents due to the complexity and distance of these controls.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using sensors mounted in the steering wheel to identify specific gestures made by the driver, allowing corresponding operations to be performed on the onboard system, such as adjusting volume or navigating, without the need to remove hands from the wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If function keys are disposed on steering wheel and center console, then various functions can be implemented, but driver distraction and traffic accident risk increase due to fixed positions and large quantity of keys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with an ultrasonic gesture recognition system. Ultrasonic sensors detect hand gestures through air vibration, converting mechanical hand movements into control signals without requiring physical contact with buttons. This substitution eliminates the need for drivers to move hands from the steering wheel while maintaining full functional control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasonic waves as an intermediary between the driver's hand gestures and the vehicle's control system. The ultrasonic sensors act as mediators that detect gesture movements and translate them into corresponding control commands, enabling indirect control that maintains safety while achieving operational versatility.
2Device complexity
If function keys are placed at fixed positions, then device structure is simplified, but some function keys are relatively distant from steering wheel requiring driver distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the steering wheel universal by integrating multiple control functions into a single location. The ultrasonic sensors mounted on the steering wheel enable various functions (volume control, navigation, phone calls, etc.) to be accessed through gestures performed on or near the steering wheel, eliminating the need for separate control panels and distant buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to control interaction by detecting three-dimensional hand gesture trajectories in the space around the steering wheel. Instead of requiring horizontal movement to distant buttons, the system detects vertical and radial gesture movements in the air space, bringing all controls to the driver's immediate reach.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple function keys are distributed across steering wheel and center console, then different functions can be accessed, but quantity of keys increases and operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single integrated system. Instead of having separate physical buttons for each function, the ultrasonic gesture recognition system combines all control capabilities into one unified interface that interprets various hand gestures to execute different commands, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining function coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from physical button positions to gesture movement parameters. By detecting the position, velocity, and trajectory of hand movements in three-dimensional space, the system can distinguish between different gestures (swipe up, swipe down, circular motion, etc.) and map them to different functions, replacing the need for multiple discrete controls.
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 enables safer and more straightforward operation of vehicle systems by allowing drivers to perform functions using intuitive gestures, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing human-machine interaction during driving.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining ultrasonic signals collected by the plurality of ultrasonic sensors within a period of time; selecting a reflected signal from the collected ultrasonic signals
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for controlling an onboard system includes determining, using a sensor mounted in a steering wheel, a track of a current gesture of a driver in a process of holding, by the driver, the steering wheel; determining a type of the current gesture from preset gesture types based on the track of the current gesture; and controlling the onboard system to perform an operation corresponding to the type of the current gesture.