Vehicle Gesture Interface Using Camera-Based Driver Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current human/machine interfaces in vehicles divert the driver's attention and are difficult to expand to control new functions, with voice command systems failing in noisy environments and being limited to the user who recorded the commands.
Innovation Solution
A man/machine interface that analyzes image data to detect head movements and facial expressions, comparing them to predefined movements and expressions to activate vehicle functions, allowing any driver to control the vehicle without diverting attention and enabling easy addition of new control functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control elements such as buttons, dials, and touchscreens are used, then vehicle functions can be controlled, but driver attention is diverted and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical control elements (buttons, dials, touchscreens) with a gesture recognition system using cameras and image processing algorithms. The camera captures driver gestures, and software algorithms detect and interpret hand movements, facial expressions, or body movements to control vehicle functions, eliminating the need for physical contact with control elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary gesture recognition system between the driver and vehicle functions. Instead of direct interaction with control elements, the driver performs gestures that are captured by cameras and processed through recognition algorithms, which then translate these gestures into control commands, serving as a non-contact intermediary layer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control elements are added to control new functions, then functionality is expanded, but device complexity increases and the interface becomes harder to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal gesture recognition interface that can control multiple vehicle functions through a single system. The same camera-based gesture recognition technology handles various functions (audio, climate, navigation, etc.) by interpreting different gestures, eliminating the need for separate control elements for each function and reducing overall interface complexity.
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
Minimizes driver attention diversion, allows any driver to control vehicle functions, and facilitates the addition of new control functions without the need for additional hardware, improving usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
generating a sequence of images of a user's hand using an electronic device by a camera, and detecting the hand's position based on the sequence
Implementation Method 2
analysis means arranged to analyze image data representative of a part of a vehicle driver to detect at least one head movement of that driver and/or one facial expression of that driver
Data Source
AI summary
A human machine interface (IC) controls functions provided by at least one device (E1, E2) of a vehicle (V). To achieve this, the interface comprises an analysis means (MAN) arranged to analyse image data representative of a part of the driver in order to detect at least one movement of a part of the body, and/or an expression of the face, of the driver, comparison means (MCP) arranged to compare the detected movement and/or the detected expression with data representative of predefined movement or movements of a part or parts of the body and/or predefined expression or expressions of the face and stored in correspondence with the functions, and control means (MCT) arranged, in case of successful comparison with a predefined movement and/or predefined expression, to start an activation of a corresponding function.