IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,157,114
Granted Patent B1
US 11,157,114 · App. 17/023,882 · Granted Oct 26, 2021

Vehicle surface deformation identification

Inventors: David Michael Herman (Oak Park, MI); Nicholas Alexander Scheufler (Flat Rock, MI); Nunzio DeCia (Northville, MI)
Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
G06F3/0425G06F3/016G06F3/0484
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,157,114
App. No.
17/023,882
Granted
Oct 26, 2021
Kind
B1
Abstract

A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to project an icon onto a surface having a pattern, capture an image of the icon and the pattern, identify a change between the pattern in the image and a default pattern, identify a user input based on the change from the default pattern, and actuate a component based on the user input.

Claims (30)

1. A system, comprising a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:

project an icon onto a surface having a pattern;

capture an image of the icon and the pattern;

identify a deformation of the surface;

identify a change between the pattern in the image and a default pattern deformed by the identified deformation of the surface;

identify a user input based on the change from the default pattern; and

actuate a component based on the user input.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further include instructions to classify the user input to a classification based on the deformation of the surface, the classification being one of a compressive input, a shear input, or a rotation input.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the instructions further include instructions to actuate the component based on the classification.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further include instructions to identify the deformation of the surface based on at least one of an elastic stiffness of the surface or a temperature of the surface.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pattern is invisible in a visible light range.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the pattern includes at least one of a piezochromic ink, a luminescent mechanochromism ink, a color alteration mechanochromism ink, or an encryption mechanochromism ink.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the change from the default pattern is at least one of a change in color, a change in shape, a change in luminance, or a revealing of a second pattern.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further include instructions to identify a finger providing the user input.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the instructions further include instructions to collect near-infrared electromagnetic wave data and to identify the finger providing the user input based on the near-infrared electromagnetic wave data.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further include instructions to adjust the icon based on the change in the pattern.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further include instructions to provide a haptic output based on the change in the pattern.

12. A method, comprising:

projecting an icon onto a surface having a pattern;

capturing an image of the icon and the pattern;

identifying a deformation of the surface;

identifying a change between the pattern in the image and a default pattern deformed by the identified deformation of the surface;

identifying a user input based on the change from the default pattern; and

actuating a component based on the user input.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising classifying the user input to a classification based on the deformation of the surface, the classification being one of a compressive input, a shear input, or a rotation input.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising actuating the component based on the classification.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising identifying the deformation of the surface based on at least one of an elastic stiffness of the surface or a temperature of the surface.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the pattern is invisible in a visible light range.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the change from the default pattern is at least one of a change in color, a change in shape, a change in luminance, or a revealing of a second pattern.

18. The method of claim 12 , further comprising adjusting the icon based on the change in the pattern.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 17, 2020
From: HERMAN, DAVID MICHAEL; SCHEUFLER, NICHOLAS ALEXANDER; DECIA, NUNZIO
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 053803/0360 →
Cited By (3)
US 12,240,327 US 12,296,683 US 12,730,312