Vehicle Gesture Sensor ToF Pixel Array Energy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for detecting operating gestures in vehicles are energy-intensive, making continuous monitoring of access control challenging due to high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement using a pixel array with a temporal drive for distance detection via time-of-flight (ToF) method, where the light source and sensor are synchronized, and pixels are grouped for energy-efficient operation, switching between power-saving and active modes based on detection needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous monitoring is performed using optical detection systems, then gesture recognition accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by switching the pixel array between different operational states: fully active for accurate gesture recognition and inactive for energy saving. The system dynamically adjusts its monitoring intensity based on whether a user is present, allowing it to maintain reliability when needed while reducing energy consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by using a control circuit that periodically activates the pixel array only when user presence is detected or during specific time intervals, rather than maintaining continuous operation. This allows the system to balance between maintaining gesture recognition capability and reducing overall energy consumption.
2Measurement precision
If all pixels in the array are activated for detection, then detection precision is maximized, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the pixel array into multiple groups that can be independently controlled. Instead of activating all pixels simultaneously, the control circuit activates only the necessary subsets of pixels based on detection requirements, thereby maintaining detection precision while significantly reducing power consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality by applying different operational states to different regions of the pixel array. Some pixel groups remain in high-sensitivity mode for accurate detection, while others are placed in low-power mode, allowing the system to optimize the balance between detection precision and power consumption locally across different areas of the sensor.
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
This approach reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective gesture recognition, allowing for accurate detection of user intentions with reduced pixel activation, optimizing power usage without compromising detection precision.
Implementation Method 1
a pixel array with a temporal drive for distance detection via time-of-flight (ToF) method
Implementation Method 2
the transit time of the light reflected back from an object in the spatial area is recorded
Implementation Method 3
An array of light-sensitive pixels... record optical information
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor device (2) for a motor vehicle (1). The sensor device has a light source (10) and a detection device (20), said detection device being formed using an array of optical pixels. The light source (10) and the detection device (20) are coupled to a control and evaluation device (30) which activates the light source (10) to emit light pulses and activates the detection device to carry out the detection process. The control and evaluation device (30), the detection device (20) and the light source (10) together act as a time-of-flight camera (ToF camera), allowing spatial range data to be detected. The control and evaluation device (30) has multiple activation schemes for different groups of pixels of the detection device (20), a first activation scheme (idle mode) activating and evaluating a portion of pixels as a first pixel group and a second activation scheme (active scheme) activating and evaluating a larger portion of pixels as a second pixel group. Depending on the result of the evaluation according to the first activation scheme, the control and evaluation device switches to an activation according to the second activation scheme.