Vehicle Central Control via Image-Based Remote Panel Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The interaction with central control systems in vehicles, typically through mechanical buttons or touch screens, can cause driver distraction and limit flexibility and convenience for passengers, affecting driving safety and usability.

Innovation Solution

A method using a user terminal to acquire and identify control components on a central control panel via image recognition, enabling operation information transmission to the central control system for remote control without physical contact, utilizing computer vision models and authorization requests for enhanced safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mechanical buttons or touch screens are used for central control panel interaction, then control functionality is provided, but driver distraction occurs and driving safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoiddriving safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an image processing system as an intermediary between the user and the central control panel. The system captures images of the control panel, processes them to identify control components, and translates user gestures into control signals. This intermediary layer eliminates the need for direct physical contact with buttons or touch screens, thereby preventing driver distraction while maintaining full control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If control components are installed at fixed positions on the central control panel, then control functionality is provided, but flexibility and convenience for passengers are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidflexibility and convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a spatial dimension to control interaction by allowing users to point at control components from any seating position in the vehicle. Instead of requiring users to physically reach fixed control components, the system accepts gestures from any location in the vehicle's interior space. This transforms the control interaction from a location-constrained physical operation to a location-flexible visual-gesture operation, greatly enhancing adaptability and convenience for all passengers.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If remote control via image recognition is implemented, then flexibility and convenience for passengers are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility and convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service control system where the central control panel automatically captures images, processes them to identify control components, and matches user gestures with the corresponding components. The system performs image processing, component identification, and gesture recognition automatically without requiring external intervention or complex manual configuration. This self-service approach manages system complexity internally while providing simple, flexible control interfaces to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4640469A1Method for controlling central control system of a vehicle, device, vehicle, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 CARIAD (CHINA) CO LTD
  • EP4640469A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4640469A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4640469A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a central control system of a vehicle, a control method applied to a central control system of a vehicle, a computer device, a vehicle, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product, relating to the technical field of central control of a vehicle. The method for controlling a central control system of a vehicle comprises: acquiring an image comprising a central control panel of the central control system of the vehicle; identifying at least one control component on the central control panel in the image; determining, in response to detection of a first interaction operation for a first target control component among the at least one control component in the image, operation information associated with the first target control component; and transmitting the operation information to the central control system of the vehicle, so as to enable the central control system of the vehicle to determine a control instruction to be executed on the basis of the operation information.