User Location Discrimination in Car Touch Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user interface devices lack the ability to differentiate between users at different locations, preventing tailored interactions, such as restricting the driver from accessing navigation functions while the car is in motion while allowing the passenger to do so.
Innovation Solution
A user location discriminating method and apparatus that generates unique signals for each user location, using drive circuits and coils to apply frequencies to users' bodies, allowing the processing device to distinguish between interactions at different locations, enabling differentiated user interactions on shared user interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional user interface devices are used, then the device can be operated by any user, but the device cannot differentiate between users at different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface system is segmented by assigning unique identification signals to different user locations (e.g., driver seat, passenger seat). Each location has its own drive circuit that generates location-specific signals, allowing the system to differentiate between users based on which location's signal is detected during interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different locations in the vehicle are assigned different signal characteristics (frequencies, modulation patterns) to create local quality differences. The driver's seat might use a 1kHz signal while the passenger's seat uses a 2kHz signal, enabling the processing device to identify which user is interacting with the interface based on the detected signal characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If location-based user discrimination is implemented, then user-specific control is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface device maintains a universal control panel that can serve multiple users, while the drive circuits and signal processing components provide the multi-functionality needed to identify and differentiate between users. The same physical buttons and display are used by all users, but the system adapts its response based on the detected user location.
Solution Approach 2:
Electrical signals serve as an intermediary between the user's physical presence and the user interface system. The drive circuits generate location-specific signals that are applied to users (e.g., through seat contacts), and the processing device detects these signals to mediate between the user's actions and the system's responses, enabling location-based access control without requiring separate physical interfaces for each user.
3Measurement precision
If signal frequencies are applied to users' bodies, then user location can be distinguished, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive circuits generate periodic signal frequencies rather than continuous signals. The signals are applied in periodic cycles, allowing the system to maintain accurate location detection capability while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous signal application. The periodic nature allows for duty cycling and energy management.
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 safe and user-specific interaction control by preventing the driver from accessing certain functions during car motion while allowing passengers to use the same controls, enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
One type of touch pad operates by way of capacitance sensing utilizing capacitive sensors. The capacitance detected by a capacitive sensor changes as a function of the proximity of a conductive object to the sensor.
Implementation Method 2
A drive circuit is configured to generate a first signal with a first frequency, and to apply the first signal to a body of a first user at a first location
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a car entertainment and navigation system that includes a user interface controller, a detecting circuit, and a selection circuit. The detecting circuit includes a selection circuit, capacitance-sensing circuitry to determine a location of a touch proximate to one or more electrodes of the touch screen display based on capacitance measurements of a plurality of electrodes of the touch screen made during a first mode of operation of the detecting circuit, and user-detecting circuitry to determine a location of a user corresponding to the touch based on signal measurements of a capacitively-coupled signal at the one or more electrodes made during a second mode of operation of the detecting circuit. The selection circuit is configurable to selectively couple the capacitance-sensing circuitry to the plurality of electrodes during the first mode and selectively coupling the user-detecting circuitry to the one or more electrodes during the second mode.