Vehicle Mounting Module With 3D Optical User Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle environmental monitoring systems require active triggering and are not sufficiently sensitive, leading to a risk of incorrect signal triggering and misinterpretation of user gestures.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor system is used to monitor a detection area outside the vehicle, performing distance measurements to determine user proximity and triggering a signal only when the user is within a predefined actuation area, reducing false triggering through three-dimensional monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing sensor systems (capacitive, optical) are used for environmental monitoring, then user proximity can be detected, but the risk of incorrect signal triggering increases due to insufficient sensitivity and lack of three-dimensional positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional detection areas to three-dimensional detection volumes by incorporating distance measurement capabilities. The optical sensor system now measures not only the position in the detection area but also the distance to the user, creating a volumetric detection space. This dimensional enhancement allows precise differentiation between objects at different distances, eliminating false triggering caused by objects on the floor or at incorrect positions. The actuation area is defined as a specific volume in space rather than a flat surface, enabling accurate three-dimensional user positioning and significantly improving both measurement precision and signal triggering reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the detection area is monitored continuously for user presence, then user approach can be detected, but false triggering occurs when objects below or above the actuation area are detected
Solution Approach 1:
By adding the distance measurement dimension, the system transforms the actuation area from a two-dimensional zone into a three-dimensional volume. This allows the continuous monitoring function to operate reliably by checking not only whether an object is present in the detection area but also whether it is at the correct distance. Objects below the actuation area (on the floor) or above it are automatically excluded from triggering signals because they fall outside the defined volumetric actuation space, thereby maintaining ease of automatic operation while eliminating false triggering.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance measurement function acts as an intermediary filter between the continuous monitoring system and the signal triggering mechanism. Before a detection event can trigger an action, the distance measurement verifies that the detected object is at the appropriate distance within the actuation volume. This intermediary check prevents false triggering while maintaining the convenience of continuous automatic detection, as the system remains fully automated but with an additional validation layer.
3Device complexity
If simple two-dimensional monitoring is used, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to differentiate between intended and unintended user positioning is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the distance measurement dimension to the monitoring system, transforming it from a simple two-dimensional detection setup to a three-dimensional volumetric monitoring system. This additional dimension provides crucial information for differentiating user intent: objects at the correct distance within the actuation volume indicate intentional interaction, while objects at incorrect distances (too close to the vehicle or too far) are identified as unintentional. The increased measurement precision achieved through this dimensional enhancement far outweighs the moderate increase in system complexity, as the distance measurement can be integrated into existing optical sensor systems.
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 significantly reduces the risk of incorrect signal triggering, enhancing user acceptance and avoiding undesirable actions on the vehicle by differentiating between intended and unintended user positioning.
Implementation Method 1
A particularly preferred solution for distance measurement is the use of the so-called 'time-of-flight' determination, which involves emitting one or more pulsed laser light flashes and receiving the reflection of this or these laser light flashes
Implementation Method 2
emitting one or more pulsed laser light flashes and receiving the reflection of this or these laser light flashes
Implementation Method 3
receiving the reflection of this or these laser light flashes
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mounting module (20) for a motor vehicle (1), with an optical sensor system (30) which is suitable to a) monitor a detection area (150) located outside the motor vehicle (1) in order to determine the proximity of a user (10), b) perform a distance measurement to the user (10) within the detection area (150) and c) trigger a signal to perform an action on the motor vehicle (1) in the event of the user (10) being detected in a predefined activation area (160) within the detection area (150).