18122326. STEERING INTERACTION DETECTION simplified abstract (Ford Global Technologies, LLC)
Contents
STEERING INTERACTION DETECTION
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
John Robert Van Wiemeersch of Novi MI (US)
Ryan Joseph Gorski of Grosse Pointe Farms MI (US)
Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam of Canton MI (US)
STEERING INTERACTION DETECTION - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18122326 titled 'STEERING INTERACTION DETECTION
The patent application describes a method for detecting user interaction with a steering wheel in a vehicle using a time-of-flight sensor to generate a point cloud representing the vehicle compartment.
- Time-of-flight sensor used to generate a point cloud with three-dimensional positional information.
- Processing circuitry identifies the steering wheel in the compartment based on the point cloud.
- Comparison of the point cloud to target data helps determine the presence or absence of objects on the steering wheel.
- Alert conditions are determined based on the presence or absence of objects on the steering wheel.
Potential Applications: - Automotive safety systems - Driver monitoring systems - Vehicle security systems
Problems Solved: - Enhancing driver safety by detecting objects on the steering wheel - Improving vehicle security by alerting to unauthorized objects on the steering wheel
Benefits: - Increased safety for drivers and passengers - Enhanced security for vehicles - Potential for reducing accidents caused by distractions
Commercial Applications: Title: "Advanced Driver Monitoring System for Enhanced Safety" This technology can be utilized by automotive manufacturers to integrate advanced driver monitoring systems into vehicles, improving safety features and attracting safety-conscious consumers.
Questions about the technology: 1. How does the time-of-flight sensor contribute to detecting user interaction with the steering wheel? 2. What are the potential implications of this technology for the automotive industry?
Original Abstract Submitted
A method for detecting interaction of a user with a steering wheel for a vehicle includes generating, via a time-of-flight sensor, a point cloud representing a compartment of the vehicle. The point cloud includes three-dimensional positional information about the compartment. The method further includes identifying, via processing circuitry in communication with the time-of-flight sensor, the steering wheel in the compartment based on the point cloud. The method further includes comparing, via the processing circuitry, the point cloud to target point cloud data representative of the steering wheel clear of attachments. The method further includes determining one of a presence and an absence of an object on the steering wheel based on the comparison. The method further includes determining an alert condition based on the determination of one of the presence and the absence of the object.
