Method and apparatus for supporting accelerometer based controls in a mobile environment
AssigneePanasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
InventorJohn Avery
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of processing signals from an accelerometer/gyroscopic-based input device includes providing the input device within a vehicle. An accelerometer/gyroscopic-based second device is also provided within the vehicle. The input device is manually actuated while the vehicle is in motion. First signals are transmitted from the input device in response to the manually actuating step. Second signals are transmitted from the second device in response to the motion of the vehicle. The first signals are adjusted dependent upon the second signals.
Claims20
A method of processing signals from a gyroscopic-based input device, comprising the steps of:
- providing the input device within a vehicle;
- providing a gyroscopic-based second device within the vehicle;
- sensing manual actuation of the input device while the vehicle is in motion;
- transmitting first signals from the input device in response to the sensing of the manual actuation;
- transmitting second signals from the second device in response to the motion of the vehicle;
- adjusting the first signals dependent upon the second signals;
- and
- calculating an orientation of the input device, the adjusting step being dependent upon the calculated orientation, the calculating step including:
- providing two infra-red emitters;
- emitting infra-red energy from the emitters into a passenger compartment of the vehicle;
- providing an infra-red sensor associated with the input device;
- and
- using the infra-red sensor to sense the emitted infra-red energy.
An arrangement for receiving manual inputs, the arrangement comprising:
- an accelerometer-based input device disposed within a vehicle;
- an accelerometer-based second device fixedly attached to the vehicle;
- a processor in communication with each of the input device and the second device, the processor being configured to:
- receive first signals from the input device in response to the input device being manually actuated during a time period in which the vehicle is in motion;
- receive second signals from the second device during the time period;
- and
- calculate an acceleration of the input device with respect to the second device, the acceleration being during the time period, the calculating being dependent upon the first signals and the second signals;
- and
- means for determining an orientation of the input device, the calculating being dependent upon an output of the determining means, the determining means comprising:
- two infra-red emitters configured to emit infra-red energy into a passenger compartment of the vehicle;
- and
- an infra-red sensor associated with the input device and configured to sense the emitted infra-red energy.
A method of calibrating a gyroscopic-based input device, comprising the steps of:
- placing the input device within a vehicle;
- fixedly installing an accelerometer-based or gyroscopic-based second device within the vehicle;
- sensing manual actuation of the input device while the vehicle is in motion;
- determining acceleration and orientation of the input device while the input device is being manually actuated, the step of determining the orientation including:
- providing two infra-red emitters;
- emitting infra-red energy from the emitters into a passenger compartment of the vehicle;
- providing an infra-red sensor associated with the input device;
- and
- using the infra-red sensor to sense the emitted infra-red energy;
- ascertaining acceleration and orientation of the second device while the input device is being manually actuated;
- and
- calculating acceleration of the input device with respect to the second device while the input device is being manually actuated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.