Vehicle Gesture Control Activation and Direction Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for operating vehicle functions using gestures in three-dimensional space often incorrectly determine unintended movements as functional gestures, leading to unintentional function execution.

Innovation Solution

A method that requires a specific first predetermined gesture to activate function control, followed by a second predetermined gesture to lock the operation direction, and an optional third gesture to unlock, using infrared detection devices with multiple sensors to differentiate between static and dynamic gestures in defined regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If gesture detection is immediately performed without activation gesture, then gesture control response is fast, but unintended movements are erroneously determined as functional gestures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegesture control response speedVSAvoidgesture control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary activation gesture (first predetermined gesture held for first predetermined time period) before enabling gesture control functionality. This preliminary action ensures that the system is intentionally activated by the user, preventing unintended movements from triggering functions while maintaining fast response for subsequent control gestures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple gesture recognition steps are required, then gesture control reliability is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegesture control accuracyVSAvoidgesture operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gesture control process is segmented into distinct phases: activation phase (first predetermined gesture), control phase (second predetermined gesture with direction locking), and unlocking phase (third predetermined gesture). Each phase has clearly defined gesture requirements, making the system reliable while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive gesture sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its gesture recognition behavior based on the current operational state. When activated, it locks onto the direction of the second predetermined gesture and maintains this locking state for subsequent control operations, providing adaptive response that simplifies operation while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2802477B1Method and device for operating functions displayed on a display unit of a vehicle using gestures which are carried out in a three-dimensional space, and corresponding computer program product
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
  • EP2802477B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2802477B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2802477B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating functions displayed on a display unit of a vehicle using gestures which are carried out in a three-dimensional space. The method has the steps of detecting (S100) a first gesture carried out in the three-dimensional space, determining (S200) whether or not the detected first gesture is a gesture which is assigned to an activation of a control of a function, activating (S300) the function if a determination is made that the detected first gesture is the gesture assigned to the activation of the control of the function, detecting (S500) a second gesture which is carried out in the three-dimensional space, determining (S600) whether or not the detected second gesture is a gesture which is assigned to the control of the function, and controlling (S900) the function if the determination was made that the detected first gesture is the gesture assigned to the activation of the control of the function and if a determination is made that the detected second gesture is the gesture assigned to the control of the function. The invention further relates to a corresponding device and a corresponding computer program product.