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Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for gesture-based controls are disclosed. In one aspect, a method is disclosed that includes maintaining a correlation between a plurality of predetermined gestures, in combination with a plurality of predetermined regions of a vehicle, and a plurality of functions. The method further includes recording three-dimensional images of an interior portion of the vehicle and, based on the three-dimensional images, detecting a given gesture in a given region of the vehicle, where the given gesture corresponds to one of the plurality of predetermined gestures and the given region corresponds to one of the plurality of predetermined regions. The method still further includes selecting, based on the correlation, a function associated with the given gesture in combination with the given region and initiating the function in the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0001] In some cases, a driver of a vehicle may wish to perform a number of functions at once. For example, in addition to maneuvering the vehicle, the driver may wish to enter a navigation destination, change the temperature in the vehicle, or change the volume of music playing in the vehicle. Other functions are possible as well.SUMMARY
[0002] In one aspect, an example method is disclosed that includes maintaining a correlation between a plurality of predetermined gestures, in combination with a plurality of predetermined regions of a vehicle, and a plurality of functions, such that each gesture in the plurality of predetermined gestures, in combination with a particular region of the plurality of predetermined regions, is associated with a particular function in the plurality of functions. The example method further includes recording three-dimensional images of an interior portion of the vehicle and, based on the three-dimensional images, detecting a given gesture in a given region of the vehicle, where the given gesture corresponds to one of the plurality of predetermined gestures and the given region corresponds to one of the plurality of predetermined regions. The example method still further includes selecting, based on the correlation, a function associated with the given gesture in combination with the given region, and initiating the function in the vehicle. [0003] In another aspect, an example non-transitory computer-readable medium is disclosed having stored therein instructions executable by a computing device to cause the computing device to perform the functions of the example method described above. [0004] In yet another aspect, an example vehicle is disclosed that includes a camera configured to record three-dimensional images of an interior portion of the vehicle, at least one processor, and data storage. The data storage includes a correlation between a plurality of predetermined gestures, in combination with a plurality of predetermined regions of a vehicle, and a plurality of functions, such that each gesture in the plurality of predetermined gestures, in combination with a particular region of the plurality of predetermined regions, is associated with a particular function in the plurality of functions. The data storage further includes instructions executable by the at least one processor to record three-dimensional images of an interior portion of the vehicle, and, based on the three-dimensional images, detect a given gesture in a given region of the vehicle, where the given gesture corresponds to one of the plurality of predetermined gestures and the given region corresponds to one of the plurality of predetermined regions. The instructions are further executable by the at least one processor to select, based on the correlation, a function associated with the given gesture in combination with the given region, and initiate the function in the vehicle. [0005] These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings.
