Touch Input Gesture Recognition for Vehicle Control Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input devices in vehicles require high attention and precision to operate multiple buttons, which can be distracting for drivers and inefficient for users.

Innovation Solution

A method and input device that utilize marking and selection gestures to enable the detection of multiple switching elements with a single operator action, using a touch-sensitive surface to assign gestures to switching elements, allowing for easy and reliable input detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple buttons are used to control different functions, then the device functionality is improved, but the operating complexity and driver distraction increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidoperating complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple switching elements are merged into a single continuous touch-sensitive surface, allowing multiple functions to be controlled through a unified interface. The surface detects different touch positions and gestures to activate various functions without requiring separate physical buttons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface transitions from discrete one-dimensional button presses to a two-dimensional touch surface where position, duration, and gesture type provide additional control dimensions. This allows multiple functions to be accessed through spatial variation rather than requiring multiple separate controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple buttons are pressed to achieve a specific configuration, then the control precision is improved, but the time required and driver distraction increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidtime required
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The touch-sensitive surface pre-defines multiple switching elements at specific positions, allowing the system to anticipate and prepare for different control options. When a user touches the surface, the system can detect the intended control element in advance through position detection, reducing the time needed for precise control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables continuous touch gestures where users can slide their finger across the surface to select multiple functions in sequence without lifting their finger. This maintains continuous contact and reduces the time required compared to repeated discrete button presses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If a single operating action is used to select multiple switching elements, then the productivity is improved, but the selection precision may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput speedVSAvoidselection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback by highlighting or indicating which switching elements are currently selected during a gesture. This allows users to monitor their selection in real-time and make adjustments, maintaining precision even when selecting multiple elements through a single continuous gesture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3545399B1Method for capturing a user input for an input apparatus having a plurality of switching elements, and input apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3545399B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3545399B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3545399B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for capturing a user input for an input apparatus having a plurality of switching elements (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4), in which an operating action having a marking gesture (8) and a selection gesture (9) is captured. In this case, at least one first switching element and one further switching element (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) are marked in succession in a particular order on the basis of the marking gesture (8), wherein the first switching element (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) is marked first and then the at least one further switching element (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4). The marked switching elements (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) are selected in succession in the reverse order on the basis of the selection gesture (9). Control signals are generated and output on the basis of the selected switching elements (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4). The invention also relates to an input apparatus having a plurality of switching elements (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4), a control unit (3) and a capture unit (2) which can be used to capture an operating action having a marking gesture (8) and a selection gesture (9). In this case, at least one first switching element (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) and one further switching element (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) can be marked in succession in a particular order on the basis of the marking gesture (8), wherein the first switching element (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) can be marked first and then the at least one further switching element (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4). The marked switching elements (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) can be selected in succession in the reverse order on the basis of the selection gesture (9), and control signals can be generated and output on the basis of the selected switching elements (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4).