Virtual keypad for vehicle entry control
View Patent ↗Method and apparatus are provided for vehicle entry control using an imaged keypad. The apparatus includes a virtual interface for entry control of a vehicle having an imaging surface that defines a field of view. The interface includes a projected keypad image on the imaging surface having at least one image of a reconfigurable key within the field of view and a gesture detector and translator having a scope of operation within the field of view. The image of the reconfigurable key may have a configuration based on a user preference.
1. An entry control system for providing a passenger with access to a vehicle having an imaging surface, said entry control system comprising:
an image generator located within the vehicle and configured to produce a keypad image on the imaging surface;
a camera configured to detect a gesture made by the passenger proximate to the keypad image; and
a processor configured to interpret the gesture and to thereby grant or deny access to the vehicle.
2. An entry control system according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging surface is selected from a windscreen, a windshield, and a window.
3. An entry control system according to claim 1 , wherein said image generator comprises a transmissive optical element.
4. An entry control system according to claim 3 , wherein said image generator further comprises a holographic combiner; and, wherein said transmissive optical element is a holographic optical element.
5. An entry control system according to claim 1 , wherein the keypad image includes reconfigurable images of keys arranged in a passenger-selectable configuration.
6. An entry control system according to claim 5 , wherein the images of keys are selected from alphanumeric characters, graphical characters, and language-based text.
7. An entry control system according to claim 5 , wherein the configuration of the images of keys is selected from a two-dimension matrix, an in-line configuration, and an amorphous spatial configuration.
8. An entry control system according to claim 5 , wherein the images of keys vary in size based on a passenger selection.
9. An entry control system according to claim 1 , wherein said processor operates a gesture recognition algorithm.
10. An entry control system according to claim 1 , wherein said camera comprises at least one infrared detector array; and wherein said processor operates a gesture recognition algorithm.
11. An entry control system according to claim 1 further comprising a door-lock interface electrically connected with said processor, wherein said door-lock interface is activated by said processor.
12. A virtual interface for entry control of a vehicle having an imaging surface, the imaging surface defining a field of view, said interface comprising:
a projected keypad image on the imaging surface having at least one image of a reconfigurable key within the field of view, said at least one image of a reconfigurable key having a configuration based on a user preference; and
a gesture detector configured to:
recognize a gesture corresponding to the projected keypad image; and
generate a vehicle entry sequence based at least in part on the gesture.
13. A virtual interface according to claim 12 , wherein said at least one image of a reconfigurable key is selected from alphanumeric characters, graphical characters, and language-based text.
14. A virtual interface according to claim 12 , wherein said configuration of said at least one image of a reconfigurable key is selected from a two-dimension matrix, an in-line configuration, and an amorphous spatial configuration.
15. A virtual interface according to claim 12 , wherein said at least one image of a reconfigurable key varies in size based on a user selection.
16. A virtual interface according to claim 12 , wherein said keypad image is a holographic image.
17. A method of controlling entry to a vehicle having an image projection surface, said method comprising the steps of:
projecting a keypad image onto the image projection surface;
detecting a keypad gesture within a vicinity of the keypad image;
interpreting the keypad gesture;
determining an authorized keypad sequence; and
permitting entry into the vehicle upon receipt of the authorized keypad sequence.
18. A method according to claim 17 further comprising selecting a keypad configuration for the keypad image.
19. A method according to claim 17 , wherein said interpreting step comprises:
comparing the detected keypad gesture with stored gestures; and
matching the detected keypad gesture with at least one of the stored gestures.
20. A method according to claim 17 , wherein said determining step comprises comparing the interpreted gesture with the authorized keypad sequence.