Voice Activated Vehicle Closure Panel Control System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems require manual input, such as remote controllers or gestures, to activate automatic movement of closure panels, which can be inconvenient, especially when users are carrying loads or in specific situations.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows activation of closure panels using voice commands, utilizing sound and proximity sensors to verify the user's location and intent, and actuators to move the panels accordingly, ensuring compliance with vehicle usage parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual input devices such as remote controllers or gesture recognition are used to activate closure panel movement, then the system maintains reliability through verified user intent, but the ease of operation deteriorates when users are carrying loads or in specific situations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical input devices (remote controllers, physical switches) and gesture-based interfaces with a voice recognition system. The voice command interface allows users to activate closure panel movement without physical contact or complex gestures, significantly improving ease of operation when hands are occupied or in situations where manual input is difficult.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces voice recognition technology as an intermediary between the user and the closure panel control system. This intermediary translates spoken commands into control signals, providing a new interaction modality that maintains reliability through voice pattern recognition and confirmation protocols while eliminating the need for manual input devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If voice command recognition is implemented for activating closure panel movement, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the voice recognition system into the existing vehicle control architecture, allowing the same processor and sensor network to serve multiple functions including voice command recognition, proximity detection, and closure panel control. This multi-functionality approach minimizes additional hardware complexity while enabling voice-activated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the vehicle's existing audio processing capabilities and sensor infrastructure to support voice command recognition. By leveraging already-present components for their secondary function of voice processing, the patent avoids the need for entirely separate dedicated hardware systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If proximity sensors and sound sensors are integrated to verify user location and intent, then the reliability and safety improve, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines proximity sensing and sound detection capabilities into a unified control system that processes multiple sensor inputs through a single decision-making algorithm. By merging these verification functions into the existing closure panel control architecture rather than implementing them as separate systems, the patent achieves enhanced reliability through multi-parameter verification while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 convenient and safe automatic movement of closure panels using voice commands, improving user experience by eliminating the need for manual input and ensuring safe operation by verifying user presence and surroundings.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sound sensor for generating one or more sound signals indicating sound in an area surrounding the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound detection: Sound

Implementation Method 2

at least one proximity sensor for generating one or more proximity signals indicating objects in the area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity detection:

Data Source

PatentUS9243439B2System for speech activated movement of a vehicle backdoor

Publication Date: 2016.01.26 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle includes a moveable closure panel and a system for activating movement of the closure panel. The system is configured to receive a voice command to move the closure panel, identify the location of an object in an area surrounding the vehicle, and if the object is within a predetermined zone of the area for permitting movement of the closure panel in accordance with the voice command, generate an instruction to move the closure panel in accordance with the voice command. The vehicle further includes at least one actuator responsive to the instruction to move the closure panel in accordance with the voice command.