Taillamp Gesture Control for Contactless Trunk Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for opening a motor vehicle trunk from outside are inconvenient, requiring users to touch potentially dirty areas, use a key fob or smartphone, or rely on foot movement sensors, which can be uncomfortable and require additional electrical cables and electronics.
Innovation Solution
A contactless hand movement gesture recognition system integrated into the taillamps using semiconductor light sources, gesture sensors, and existing taillamp electronics to control trunk opening and closing, eliminating the need for additional cables and allowing visual communication through animated light effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical switch on the trunk lock is used, then the trunk can be opened, but the user must touch a potentially dirty area and have a free hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical switch system with an optoelectronic gesture recognition system. The control unit detects hand gestures optically (e.g., via cameras or sensors) and translates them into electronic control signals, eliminating the need for physical contact with the trunk lock area while maintaining trunk opening functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary gesture recognition system between the user and the trunk lock. Instead of direct mechanical interaction, the user performs hand gestures in the air, and the system mediates by detecting these gestures and triggering the trunk opening sequence, thus avoiding direct contact with dirty surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If a foot movement sensor is used, then the trunk can be opened hands-free, but the user may touch a potentially dirty area with foot or leg and the system requires additional electrical cables and electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the gesture recognition system into existing multi-functional components of the vehicle (e.g., rearview mirrors, taillamps, or infotainment displays) that already contain electronic sensors and processing capabilities. This allows the system to serve multiple functions (gesture control, ambient lighting, display information) without requiring dedicated separate cable runs and electronics solely for trunk opening.
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 user-friendly, hands-free operation of vehicle functions like trunk opening and closing, door locking, and light control without touching dirty areas, using existing taillamp components for gesture recognition and communication, enhancing user interaction and reducing installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a gesture sensor system (20) configured to recognize the hand movement
Implementation Method 2
using semiconductor light sources, gesture sensors, and existing taillamp electronics
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the contactless triggering of at least one function of a motor vehicle comprising a sensor system which is configured to recognize gestures of a user and which is configured to monitor at least a sub-area of an environment of the motor vehicle for a predetermined gesture being performed by a user of the motor vehicle and, if the sensor system recognizes a performance of the gesture, to trigger a performance of a function of the motor vehicle to be performed. The gesture may include a hand movement.