Patent attributes
A hand pattern switch device recognizes a hand pattern from an image of a hand in an image pickup zone and detects a hand motion. One of controlled objects is selected based on the recognized hand pattern and/or hand motion. In accordance with the selected object, a mode of detection of operation information based on hand motion is changed. In a moved distance detecting mode, a moved distance of the hand in the zone is detected as operation information, and in a stop time detecting mode, a stop time of the hand at a stop position to which the hand has been moved in the zone is detected as operation information. The image pickup zone is at a location which is located laterally to a steering wheel and to which a driver can extend his/her arm without changing a driving posture.
