Wearable Gesture Control for Vehicle Functions Without In-Vehicle Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle convenience functions require expensive sensor integration and hardware installation, leading to increased costs and environmental impact, with retrofitting being costly and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device captures motion and optical data to control vehicle functions via a computing unit that processes the data to determine predefined gestures or movements, associating them with specific vehicle functions, allowing for agile and intuitive control without the need for additional sensors or control elements in the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If built-in sensor systems and operator control elements are integrated in the vehicle to enable added-convenience functions, then vehicle function control capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile computing device (smartphone, tablet, or wearable) as an intermediary between the user and the vehicle system. This external device captures sensor data (motion, optical, voice) and communicates with the vehicle's control unit via wireless communication, eliminating the need for complex built-in sensor systems while maintaining full vehicle control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical operator control elements (buttons, switches, sensors) with gesture-based, voice-based, or motion-based control methods. The mobile device's sensors and processing capabilities substitute for traditional mechanical and electronic control systems in the vehicle, reducing device complexity while improving adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If expensive sensors and operator control elements are integrated in the vehicle for added-convenience functions, then vehicle function control capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile computing device serves as an external intermediary that provides all necessary sensing and processing capabilities. This approach transfers the cost burden from vehicle manufacturing to the user's existing personal device, significantly reducing vehicle manufacturing costs while maintaining full control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the universal nature of mobile computing devices that users already possess. These multi-functional devices can control various vehicle functions (locking, unlocking, starting, tailgate operation) without requiring vehicle-specific hardware, thereby reducing manufacturing costs through standardized, existing technology.
3Adaptability or versatility
If built-in sensor systems are installed in the vehicle for added-convenience functions, then vehicle function control capability is improved, but retrofitting cost and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile computing device acts as an external intermediary that requires no physical installation in the vehicle. It communicates wirelessly with the vehicle's control unit, enabling retrofitted added-convenience functions without any sensor installation, wiring modifications, or resource-intensive integration work.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sensing and processing functions from the vehicle system and places them in the user's mobile device. This extraction eliminates the need for retrofitting sensors and control elements into the vehicle, reducing resource consumption and installation complexity while maintaining full functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional hardware (sensors, control units, computing units) is installed in the vehicle for added-convenience functions, then vehicle function control capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile computing device serves as an external intermediary that handles all sensor data capture, processing, and gesture recognition. By relocating these energy-consuming functions to the user's personal device, the vehicle's energy consumption is minimized while maintaining full control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The user's mobile device serves itself by utilizing its existing sensors, processors, and power supply to control the vehicle. This self-service approach eliminates the need for dedicated vehicle-mounted hardware, thereby reducing the vehicle's energy consumption while maintaining adaptability and control functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for agile, intuitive control of vehicle functions of a vehicle, include a wearable device which is configured to acquire sensor data. The sensor data comprise movement data and optical data relating to a user of the wearable device. The system has a computing unit which is configured to process the acquired sensor data; to determine a functional relationship between the processed sensor data and the vehicle; and to determine an assignment to a predefinable vehicle function taking the determined functional relationship into account. The vehicle has a control unit which is configured to control or adjust the predefinable vehicle function according to the determined assignment.