Vehicle Input Device Camera-Based Operator Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices for vehicle operation panels lack efficient operability and safety, as they rely on key inputs to invalidate operations, leading to potential safety concerns and unsatisfactory user experience, especially when distinguishing between driver and passenger inputs.
Innovation Solution
An input device with an imaging element and control unit that predicts the action of an operating part based on image information, providing operation assistance by highlighting predicted action positions on the operation panel, reducing the need for key inputs and enhancing safety by differentiating operator types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If key input is used as a trigger to determine operator identity, then operation invalidation can be performed, but operability becomes slow and unnecessary actions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of the operator's identity and intent by analyzing the arm region shape and movement trajectory before the actual input operation occurs. This allows the system to pre-determine whether to allow or invalidate the operation, eliminating the need for subsequent key inputs and achieving both safety and fast operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical key input trigger system with an optical recognition system using a camera to capture and analyze the operator's arm region. This substitution enables automatic, contactless identification of operator identity and intent, improving both the speed and convenience of operation while maintaining safety through accurate driver/passenger differentiation.
2Reliability
If operation is invalidated when driver is detected, then safety is improved, but determination timing is delayed and safety may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors and analyzes the arm region shape and movement trajectory in advance, so that when an input operation is initiated, the operator's identity has already been determined. This preliminary analysis eliminates determination delay and ensures immediate safety response without compromising timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera-based arm region analysis operates continuously rather than being triggered by discrete events. This continuous monitoring ensures that the system maintains up-to-date information about the operator's identity and intent, enabling immediate and accurate operation validation or invalidation without timing delays.
3Measurement precision
If arm region shape analysis is used to identify operator, then driver/passenger differentiation is achieved, but operability remains unsatisfactory and fast input is not obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual input methods with an optical recognition system that analyzes the arm region shape and movement trajectory. This substitution enables automatic identification of operator identity and prediction of input intent, achieving both high identification accuracy and satisfactory operability by eliminating manual triggering steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by analyzing the arm region movement trajectory and predicting the intended input position before the actual input occurs. This feedback mechanism allows the system to prepare and validate operations in advance, improving both identification accuracy and operational satisfaction by reducing the interaction steps required from the user.
Data Source
AI summary
An input device includes an operation panel that is installed inside a vehicle and is operated by an operating part; a CCD camera that is disposed inside the vehicle to image at least a front side of the operation panel; and a control unit that predicts an action of the operating part based on image information of the CCD camera and performs operation assistance on the operation panel.