In-Vehicle Gesture Control via Steering Wheel Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-vehicle devices face challenges in safely and conveniently operating equipment while driving, as constant HUD menu displays interfere with driving, require dedicated devices with increased costs and installation restrictions, and voice-only interfaces suffer from processing delays and impaired operability.

Innovation Solution

An in-vehicle device that uses a sensing unit to detect hand gestures and positions, allowing for gesture-based operations on a HUD without requiring hand movement away from the steering wheel, integrating voice recognition and switch operations for enhanced safety and convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operation menu is constantly displayed on the HUD, then the driver can view the menu while driving, but the display interferes with the driving operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemenu accessibilityVSAvoiddriving distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The HUD menu display is activated periodically only when a gesture is detected, rather than being constantly displayed. The control unit controls the display unit to display the menu screen in response to detecting a specific gesture (e.g., double tapping the steering wheel), thereby reducing continuous visual distraction while maintaining menu accessibility when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated operation device is installed within the vehicle, then operation functionality is provided, but costs increase and mounting restrictions are imposed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The steering wheel is given multiple functions: it serves both as a driving control device and as a gesture detection device for menu operations. The sensing unit integrated into the steering wheel detects gestures (such as tapping, rotating, or pressing patterns) to control the HUD menu, eliminating the need for separate dedicated operation devices while reducing system complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If voice-only interface is used, then hands-free operation is achieved, but processing time and listening time are required which impairs operability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces voice recognition (acoustic field) with gesture recognition based on mechanical input detection. The sensing unit detects mechanical gestures such as tapping, rotating, or pressing the steering wheel, which are processed instantaneously without the delays inherent in voice recognition processing and listening time, thereby maintaining hands-free operation while reducing time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3395600B1In-vehicle device

Publication Date: 2022.05.04 FAURECIA CLARION ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An in-vehicle device comprises a gesture detection unit which recognizes a user's hand position located within a predetermined range, a driving state recognition unit which detects a driving state of a vehicle, and a gesture control unit which controls a state of a gesture operation based on a recognition result of the hand position by the gesture detection unit, wherein the gesture control unit disables the gesture operation when the driving state of the vehicle detected by the driving state recognition unit is in a predetermined disabling state.