Vehicle Surface Deformation Identification via Optical Pattern Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles require advanced Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) that can differentiate between various types of user inputs, such as compressive and rotational inputs, to effectively operate vehicle components, while minimizing the number of visible and static physical buttons, enhancing user experience and customization.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a projector to project icons onto a surface with an embedded invisible ink pattern, which deforms upon user input, and a camera to detect these changes, allowing the vehicle computer to identify and actuate components based on the specific input type, utilizing strain gauges and depth sensing to reduce false positives and improve input recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a touchscreen display is used to control vehicle components, then the number of physical buttons is reduced, but the ability to differentiate between various types of user inputs (compressive, rotational, etc.) is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical buttons with a touchscreen display that uses optical detection to identify user inputs. The system captures images of the touchscreen surface and analyzes deformation patterns to distinguish between different input types (compressive, rotational, etc.), thereby eliminating the need for multiple physical buttons while maintaining versatile input recognition capability.
2Device complexity
If a touchscreen display is used to minimize physical buttons, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of user input types is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical buttons with an optical detection system that captures images of the touchscreen surface. By analyzing deformation patterns, strain gauge readings, and depth sensing data, the system achieves precise measurement of user input types (compressive, rotational, etc.) without requiring physical buttons, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system consisting of a camera, strain gauges, and depth sensing technology. This intermediary layer captures and analyzes surface deformations caused by user inputs, enabling precise measurement of input types without direct mechanical contact, thereby resolving the contradiction between reduced device complexity and maintained measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If strain gauges and depth sensing are added to improve input recognition, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection technologies (camera-based image capture, strain gauge measurement, and depth sensing) into a unified input recognition system. By integrating these sensors to work together and analyzing their combined data through image processing and pattern recognition algorithms, the system achieves high measurement precision for user input types while managing device complexity through coordinated sensor operation rather than separate independent 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
Enables a customizable and intuitive interface that accurately interprets user intent, reducing the need for numerous physical buttons and enhancing the vehicle's ability to operate components in response to diverse user inputs, improving user experience and interface efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A camera detects the deformation to the pattern
Implementation Method 2
A camera detects the deformation to the pattern, and the computer can identify the user input based on the detected deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to project an icon onto a surface having a pattern, capture an image of the icon and the pattern, identify a change between the pattern in the image and a default pattern, identify a user input based on the change from the default pattern, and actuate a component based on the user input.