RETRACTABLE HANDWHEEL GESTURE CONTROL

• US 20160362117A1
• Filed: 06/14/2016
• Published: 12/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kaufmann, Timothy W., Lubischer, Frank P., Ryne, Patrik M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,442,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/00 Input parameters relating to occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/10 Interpretation of driver requests or demands
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/04 Hand wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/183 adjustable between in-use and out-of-use positions, e.g. to improve access
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0285 Parking performed automatically
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/021 specially adapted to land vehicles

Abstract

An embodiment of a control system includes a sensing element configured to detect a gesture from at least one user in a vehicle including a handwheel, and a gesture control module configured to receive gesture information from the sensing element and control at least one of the handwheel and the vehicle based on the gesture information.

Claims

1. A control system comprising:

a sensing element configured to detect a gesture from at least one user in a vehicle including a handwheel; and

a gesture control module configured to receive gesture information from the sensing element and control at least one of the handwheel and the vehicle based on the gesture information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the gesture is performed to cause the gesture control module to move the handwheel between a driving position and a retracted or stowed position.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the gesture is performed to cause the gesture control module to steer the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an interface configured to display information related to control of at least one of the handwheel and the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the interface is configured to generate a holographic image, the holographic image configured to be interacted with by the user to control at least one of the handwheel and the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the holographic image is an image of the handwheel.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensing element is configured to detect the gesture in relation to the holographic image and steer the vehicle based on the gesture.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing element includes a camera configured to record the gesture.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein the interface is disposed at a center hub of the handwheel.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein the interface is disposed at a location in the vehicle that is available to the user upon stowing the handwheel.

11. A method of controlling an aspect of a vehicle, comprising:

detecting, by a sensing element, a gesture from at least one user in a vehicle including a handwheel;

receiving gesture information from the sensing element by a gesture control module; and

controlling at least one of the handwheel and the vehicle based on the gesture information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the gesture is performed to cause the gesture control module to move the handwheel between a driving position and a retracted or stowed position.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the gesture is performed to cause the gesture control module to steer the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the sensing element is connected to an interface configured to display information related to control of at least one of the handwheel and the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the interface is configured to generate a holographic image, the holographic image configured to be interacted with by the user to control at least one of the handwheel and the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the holographic image is configured to be displayed when the handwheel is in a stowed position and interacted with by the user to steer the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the sensing element is configured to detect the gesture in relation to the holographic image and steer the vehicle based on the gesture.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the sensing element includes a camera configured to record the gesture.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the interface is disposed at a center hub of the handwheel.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the interface is disposed at a location in the vehicle that is available to the user upon stowing the handwheel.