Touchless Vehicle Control via Projected Icons and Gesture Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems require multiple components and interfaces for various functions, making them distracting and complex for drivers and passengers, with a need for a simplified, touch-free activation system that can control multiple vehicle functions from a single device.
Innovation Solution
An interactive activation system using a display module that projects icons through a case with apertures to a reflective output screen, combined with sensors allowing users to send command signals for interacting with vehicle systems without physical buttons or levers, utilizing touchless sensors like Kinect or Leap Motion for gesture recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual components and interfaces are used for different vehicle functions, then each function can be controlled independently, but the device complexity and number of interfaces increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal remote control device with a single interface that can control multiple vehicle functions including radio, media center, hood release, lights, signals, wipers, and parking brakes. This consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate components into one multi-functional device, directly resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single integrated remote control unit. By combining radio control, media center control, hood release, lighting control, and other vehicle functions into one device with a unified interface, the patent reduces the overall number of components and interfaces while maintaining full control capability across all vehicle systems.
2Ease of operation
If traditional buttons and levers are used for vehicle control, then direct mechanical control is provided, but driver distraction and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical buttons and levers with an electronic remote control system that uses electronic signals to actuate vehicle functions. This substitution eliminates the need for physical manipulation of multiple mechanical components, reducing driver distraction while maintaining ease of operation through a simplified electronic interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the control functions from their traditional mechanical locations and consolidates them into a single removable remote control device. This allows the driver to control multiple vehicle functions from one centralized interface rather than reaching for scattered buttons and levers throughout the vehicle interior, thereby reducing distraction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and interfaces are added for each vehicle function, then complete control capability is achieved, but the number of components and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control device incorporates a universal control mechanism that can interface with multiple vehicle systems through a single unified control architecture. Rather than adding separate sensors and interfaces for each function, the patent uses one multi-functional control unit that communicates with various vehicle systems, thereby maintaining complete control coverage while minimizing component quantity.
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
Simplifies vehicle operations by providing a touch-free interface for controlling multiple functions from a single device, reducing interface complexity and enhancing user interaction with vehicle systems through intuitive icon-based command and action signals.
Implementation Method 1
The output screen is connected to the case and has at least one reflective surface that is positioned relative to the one or more apertures of the case and allows the two or more icons projected by the display output module to be reflected by the reflective surface of the output screen toward a viewing zone
Data Source
AI summary
An interactive activation system having a base with a display module that projects two or more icons. The display module is connected to the base. A case is connected to the base and covers the display output module. The case has one or more apertures that aligned with the display output module in a manner that allows the two or more icons to be projected through the one or more apertures. An output screen is connected to the case and has at least one reflective surface that is positioned relative to the one or more apertures of the case. This allows the two or more icons projected by the display output module to be reflected by the reflective surface of the output screen toward a viewing zone.