Vehicle Gesture Interface for Seat-Specific Display Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user interface apparatuses in vehicles can distract drivers, increasing the risk of accidents, as they often require attention for input and output, and there is a need to differentiate inputs based on the user's seat to enhance safety and focus on driving.

Innovation Solution

A user interface apparatus that determines whether a gesture is applied from the driver seat or the front passenger seat and adjusts its output accordingly, allowing for autonomous driving mode activation if the driver is not focused, using a combination of gesture detection, biometric sensing, and vehicle state information to control display and input functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user applies touch input or stares at a display unit to see information, then the user can access information and operate the interface, but the user cannot focus on driving and may cause an accident

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser input capabilityVSAvoiddriving safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system (gesture recognition and biometric sensing) between the driver and the user interface. Instead of direct touch interaction, the driver uses gestures detected by sensors, and the system mediates by analyzing biometric data (gaze direction, heartbeat) to determine driver state. This intermediary layer allows information access without requiring direct visual or physical contact with the display, thereby maintaining safety while preserving usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical touch input system with a sensor-based gesture recognition system. Instead of requiring physical contact with the display surface, the system uses proximity sensors and image sensors to detect hand gestures in the air. This substitution eliminates the need for the driver to touch or closely approach the display, reducing distraction while maintaining input capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If the user interface apparatus provides comprehensive information output, then the user can access all necessary information, but the driver's attention is diverted from the road

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddriving focus
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the user interface based on real-time driver state monitoring. The system continuously analyzes biometric data (gaze direction, heartbeat rate) and adjusts the information output accordingly. When the driver is focused on the road, comprehensive information is provided. When distraction is detected, the system dynamically reduces or modifies the information display, creating a balanced state that adapts to the driver's attention level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system monitors driver biometric states (gaze direction, heartbeat) and uses this feedback to adjust information output. The closed-loop system continuously evaluates driver attention levels and modifies the interface behavior accordingly, ensuring information is provided only when safe, thereby preventing information overload while maintaining completeness when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the system monitors driver biometric data and gesture trajectories continuously, then driver state can be accurately determined, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver state detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functional sensors that perform multiple detection tasks simultaneously. For example, image sensors not only detect gestures but also analyze gaze direction; proximity sensors detect both hand position and movement trajectory. This universal approach allows the system to gather comprehensive driver state information using the same hardware components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through multi-parameter analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3415394B1User interface apparatus for vehicle, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3415394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3415394B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3415394B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a user interface apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus including a display unit, a gesture input unit configured to detect a gesture of a user, and a processor configured to, based on a motion trajectory of the gesture, determine a direction from which the gesture is applied, and, based on whether the gesture is applied from a driver seat or a front passenger seat, control the display unit to display a preset different screen.