Touch-Surface Control Device Trajectory Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch-surface control devices for motor vehicles require significant memory capacity and calculation time to detect and interpret finger trajectories, making them incompatible with the cost and bulkiness constraints of the automobile industry, particularly when controlling multiple electronic systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that samples the control trajectory on a touch surface to determine sampled angles, compares these angles with thresholds to assign predefined trajectory shapes, and uses a processing unit to recognize circular, rectilinear, or stationary trajectories, allowing for efficient control of electronic systems using small-capacity microcontrollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If shape recognition algorithms with high memory capacity are used to detect finger trajectories, then trajectory detection accuracy is improved, but device cost and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the trajectory recognition process into two distinct phases: an offline training phase where shape templates are pre-computed and stored, and an online recognition phase where only simple template matching is performed. This segmentation allows complex algorithms to be used for template generation while keeping the runtime memory requirements minimal, as only pre-computed templates need to be stored in memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary computation of shape templates during an offline training phase before the actual control operation. By pre-computing and storing reference templates for different gesture patterns, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations during trajectory detection, thereby reducing memory capacity requirements and device complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If complex calculation algorithms are used for trajectory recognition, then control precision is improved, but calculation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs complex shape template computations in advance during an offline training phase. The pre-computed templates capture the essential characteristics of different gesture patterns, allowing the online recognition phase to use simple and fast template matching algorithms. This preliminary action transfers the computational burden from real-time operation to offline preparation, significantly reducing calculation time during actual use while maintaining high control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the recognition system into a training module that performs complex computations offline and a recognition module that performs simple template matching online. This segmentation separates the computationally intensive tasks from the time-critical tasks, allowing high precision recognition with minimal real-time calculation overhead.
3Ease of operation
If a touch surface with shape guidance is provided to guide finger movement, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical shape guidance mechanisms with a software-based approach. Instead of mechanically guiding the finger along predefined paths through physical constraints or markings, the system uses a touch surface with pressure-sensitive resistors to detect finger position and trajectory, then applies computational algorithms to recognize gesture patterns. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical guidance structures while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive touch interactions.
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 the control of multiple electronic systems and functions in motor vehicles using low-cost, low-capacity microcontrollers, reducing memory requirements and calculation times while maintaining ergonomic and easy-to-use controls.
Implementation Method 1
These sensors comprise semi-conducting layers sandwiched between for example a conducting layer and a resistive layer. By exerting a pressure on the FSR layer, its ohmic resistance decreases, thus making it possible, by applying a suitable voltage, to measure the pressure applied and/or the location of the place where the pressure is exerted.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of controlling a touch-surface control device characterized in that it comprises a step of shape recognition of a control trajectory on a touch surface from among at least two predefined shapes of trajectory, in which in the course of a predetermined duration (dT): the control trajectory is sampled in order to determine a sampled angle (dθ) of the control trajectory for each sampling period (Te), a parameter representative of the evolution of at least two sampled angles (dθ) is compared with a predetermined threshold, and a predefined trajectory shape is assigned to the control trajectory as a function of the result of the comparison. The invention also relates to a control device comprising a tough surface characterized in that it comprises a processing unit for implementing a control method as described above.