Vehicle Reading Light Control That Follows Hand Gestures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling interior vehicle lighting systems via gestures lack intuitive and comfortable control mechanisms, particularly in shifting and positioning light spots, and often require additional hands or complex interactions for precise timing.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a gesture-controlled light controller that allows users to activate, move, and deactivate light spots or cones using hand gestures, with optional button, touch-sensitive, or speech controls, providing visual, acoustic, or haptic feedback for intuitive operation and precise timing determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gesture control is used to activate lighting, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a gesture camera to detect hand movements and provides visual feedback by making the light spot follow the hand trajectory. This feedback loop simplifies the control interface while managing system complexity through integrated sensor-actuator coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system automatically tracks and follows the user's hand movements without requiring explicit commands. The light controller autonomously adjusts the light spot position based on gesture detection, reducing the cognitive load on the user while the system self-regulates its complexity.
2Ease of operation
If light spot follows hand movement continuously, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time for activation and deactivation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates the light follower mode in advance when a hand gesture is detected, so the light is already positioned and ready when the user needs it. This eliminates delays between detection and lighting activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The light controller operates in periodic cycles of activation and deactivation based on gesture detection. The system monitors for gestures continuously and activates the follower mode only when needed, reducing unnecessary operation time while maintaining readiness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control methods (button, touch, speech) are provided, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple input methods (gesture camera, buttons, touch-sensitive surfaces, speech recognition) into a single universal controller. This allows the system to adapt to different user preferences and situations while managing complexity through a unified control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The light controller acts as an intermediary that receives inputs from various sources (gestures, buttons, touch surfaces, speech) and translates them into unified lighting control commands. This mediator approach allows multiple control methods without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a lighting system in an interior chamber of a vehicle having controllable light sources that generate at least one reading light with a defined light cone and a light spot is provided. A gesture camera recognizes gestures of a person located in the interior chamber and the lighting system is controlled by the recognized gestures. A light controller is active between a starting point in time and an end point in time. When the light controller is active and in the event of a gripping or pointing gesture of a hand in the region of the light cone or light spot, the light cone or light spot is guided along with the hand carrying out the gesture.