Ambient light-based gesture recognition

Abstract

Apparatus (314) for detecting a gesture from an object (99), comprising: a. one or more light sensors (304), each outputting a sensor signal (404) corresponding to ambient light (310) detected by the sensors (304); b. a processor (312) coupled to the light sensors (304), the processor (312) determining movement of the object (99) based on the ambient light (310) received by the sensors (304) when the object (99) moves near the light sensors (304); and c. a detector (316) coupled to the processor (312), wherein the detector (316) determines an ambient light value (410) based on the ambient light (310), wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) based on the ambient light (310) only if the ambient light value (410) exceeds an ambient light threshold, and wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) based on the ambient light (310) only if a distance value corresponding to the distance from the sensors (304) to the object (99) is within an object distance threshold.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] This invention relates to gesture recognition. More specifically, this invention relates to a device that detects and determines physical gestures. Background of the invention

[0002] A gesture sensor is an operator control device that enables the detection of physical movement without the user actually touching the device in which the gesture sensor is located. The detected movements can then be used as input commands for the device. In some applications, the device is programmed to detect certain non-contact hand movements, such as left-to-right, right-to-left, up-to-down, down-to-up, diagonally to the top left, diagonally to the top right, inside-out, and outside-in. Gesture sensors have found widespread use in handheld devices such as tablet computers and smartphones, as well as other portable devices such as laptops. Gesture sensors are also built into video game consoles, which detect the movement of a video game player.

[0003] Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional gesture detection system 100. As in Fig. 1, the system 100 includes an illumination source 102 for emitting light 106 and a light sensor 104 for receiving light. In operation, the illumination source 102 is sequentially turned on and off or flashed to provide the sensor 104 with spatial information about an object 99 in the vicinity of the light sensor 104. In particular, the light sensor 104 may receive a portion of the light 106 from the illumination source 102 that has been reflected from the object 99 and back to the light sensor 104. Based on this received reflected light 108, the movement or gesture of the object 99 may be determined. Fig. 2 shows a signal diagram 200 corresponding to the Fig. 1 shown gesture sensor system 100. More precisely, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, when the illumination source signal 202 is turned on (e.g., the illumination source 102 is blinking) from times t0 to t1 and times t2 to t3, the reflected light 108 received by the light sensor 104 causes the light sensor signal 204 to rise above the measured ambient light level 210, where the rise corresponds to the spatial characteristics of the object 99. Consequently, movement or gestures of the object 99 can be determined based on the measured rises over time.

[0004] Similar or alternative systems are disclosed, for example, in documents US 2008 / 0 303 783 A1 and WO 2011 / 085 420 A1. US 2008 / 0 303 783 A1 describes a non-contact detection display that detects the position of an object through changes in light, whether through shading of ambient light or reflection of internal light. Light control material filters non-perpendicularly incident light to improve detection. WO 2011 / 085420 A1 discloses a system for monitoring a building opening that uses a pattern on a closure element. A detection unit detects changes in this pattern by comparing it with a target pattern and triggers an alarm if necessary.

[0005] However, a disadvantage of these conventional systems 100 is the amount of interference caused by ambient light 110 to the system's sensor 104. In particular, as the ambient light level 210 increases, the minimum detectable signal increases, thereby reducing the resolution and effectiveness of the system 100. As a result, many of these systems are forced to employ expensive interference suppression elements to suppress the interference caused by ambient light.

[0006] As device sizes continue to shrink, additional components become undesirable. Summary of the invention

[0007] Embodiments of a gesture sensing device are disclosed, including one or more sensors and a processor for processing sensed voltages output by the sensors based on ambient light and / or reflected light received by the sensors. The processor determines an ambient light level and / or a distance between the object and the sensors such that, if the ambient light level exceeds an ambient light threshold and / or the distance is less than a distance threshold, the processor determines the movement of an object relative to the sensors based on the ambient light instead of the reflected light.

[0008] A first aspect of the present application is directed to a device for detecting a gesture from an object. The device comprises one or more light sensors, each outputting a sensor signal corresponding to the ambient light detected by the sensors and a processor coupled to the light sensors, wherein the processor determines movement of the object based on the ambient light received by the sensors when the object moves near the light sensors. The device comprises a detector coupled to the processor, wherein the detector determines an ambient light value based on the ambient light. The processor determines movement of the object based on the ambient light only if the ambient light value exceeds an ambient light threshold.The processor determines the movement of the object based on the ambient light only if a distance value corresponding to the distance from the sensors to the object is within an object distance threshold.

[0009] In some embodiments, the processor is not coupled to a source of ambient light. In some embodiments, the detector consists of one or more of the light sensors, and the detector outputs one of the sensor signals. In some embodiments, the processor determines whether the object is present based on the ambient light if the distance value is not within the object distance threshold. In some embodiments, the device further comprises a light source coupled to the processor that outputs source light, wherein the distance value is determined by the processor based on source light reflected from the object and received by the sensors. In some embodiments, the processor causes the light source to only output light for a period of time sufficient to determine the distance value.In some embodiments, if the ambient light level does not exceed the ambient light threshold, the processor determines the object's movement based on the source light reflected from the object and received by the sensors. The processor determines the object's movement periodically, continuously, or selectively. In some embodiments, the processor determines the object's movement based on the ambient light by observing sudden drops in the sensor signal. In some embodiments, the processor determines the object's movement based on the source light reflected from the object by observing sudden increases in the sensor signal.

[0010] A second aspect of the present application is directed to a method for detecting a gesture from an object. The method includes receiving ambient light with one or more light sensors and outputting a sensor signal corresponding to the ambient light detected by the sensors, and determining movement of the object based on the ambient light received by the sensors when the object moves near the light sensors. The method includes determining an ambient light value with a detector based on the ambient light. The processor determines movement of the object based on the ambient light only if the ambient light value exceeds an ambient light threshold. Furthermore, the processor determines movement of the object based on the ambient light only if a distance value corresponding to the distance from the sensors to the object is within an object distance threshold.

[0011] In some embodiments, the processor is not coupled to a source of ambient light. In some embodiments, the detector consists of one or more of the light sensors, and the detector outputs one of the sensor signals. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining whether the object is present based on the ambient light if the distance value is not within the object distance threshold. In some embodiments, the method further comprises outputting source light with a light source, wherein the distance value is determined by the processor based on source light reflected from the object and received by the sensors. In some embodiments, the processor causes the light source to output light only for a period of time sufficient to determine the distance value.In some embodiments, the method includes determining the movement of the object based on the source light reflected from the object and received by the sensors if the ambient light level does not exceed the ambient light threshold. The processor determines the movement of the object periodically, continuously, or selectively. In some embodiments, the processor determines the movement of the object based on the ambient light by observing sudden drops in the sensor signal. In some embodiments, the processor determines the movement of the object based on the source light reflected from the object by observing sudden increases in the sensor signal.

[0012] Another aspect of the present application is directed to an apparatus for detecting a gesture from an object. The apparatus includes a first light source for generating a first light, one or more sensors for detecting the first light and a second light, and a processor coupled to the one or more sensors, the processor determining the movement of the object based on the second light received by the sensors if the ambient light received by the sensors is higher than an ambient light threshold, and otherwise determining the movement of the object based on the first light received by the sensors. The processor is not coupled to the source of the second light.The processor determines the movement of the object based on the second light only if the ambient light received by the sensors is higher than the ambient light threshold and the object is within a threshold distance from the sensors.

[0013] In some embodiments, the processor determines whether the object is present if the ambient light received by the sensors is higher than the ambient light threshold, but the object is not within the threshold distance from the sensors. In some embodiments, the first light is reflected by the object before being detected by the sensors, and the second light is not reflected by the object before being detected by the sensors. In some embodiments, the second light is part of the ambient light. In some embodiments, the device further comprises a detector coupled to the processor, the detector determining the ambient light value based on the ambient light. In some embodiments, the detector consists of one or more of the light sensors.In some embodiments, the distance between the sensors and the object is determined by the processor based on the first light reflected from the object and received by the sensors. In some embodiments, the processor causes the first light source to emit the first light only for a period of time sufficient to determine the distance between the object and the sensors. The processor determines the movement of the object periodically, continuously, or selectively. In some embodiments, the processor determines the movement of the object based on the second light by observing sudden drops in a sensor signal, where the sensor signal is output by the sensors based on the received first light and second light. In some embodiments, the processor determines the movement of the object based on the first light reflected from the object by observing sudden increases in the sensor signal.

[0014] Yet another aspect of the present application is directed to a method for detecting a gesture from an object. The method includes detecting a first light generated by a first light source and a second light with one or more sensors, and determining movement of the object with a processor based on the second light received by the sensors if ambient light received by the sensors is higher than an ambient light threshold, and otherwise determining movement of the object based on the first light received by the sensors. The processor is not coupled to the source of the second light. The method includes determining movement of the object with the processor based on the second light if the ambient light received by the sensors is higher than the ambient light threshold and the object is within a threshold distance from the sensors.

[0015] In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining with the processor whether the object is present if the ambient light received by the sensors is higher than the ambient light threshold, but the object is not within the threshold distance from the sensors. In some embodiments, the first light is reflected from the object before being detected by the sensors, and the second light is not reflected from the object before being detected by the sensors. In some embodiments, the second light is part of the ambient light.

[0016] In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining the ambient light value with a detector based on the ambient light. In some embodiments, the detector consists of one or more of the light sensors. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining the distance between the sensors and the object with the processor based on the first light reflected from the object and received by the sensors. In some embodiments, the method further comprises emitting the first light with the first light source only for a period of time sufficient to determine the distance between the object and the sensors. The processor determines the movement of the object periodically, continuously, or selectively.In some embodiments, the processor determines the movement of the object based on the second light by observing sudden drops in a sensor signal, the sensor signal being output by the sensors based on the received first light and second light. In some embodiments, the processor determines the movement of the object based on the first light reflected from the object by observing sudden increases in the sensor signal. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 represents a conventional gesture detection system. Fig. 2 shows a signal diagram corresponding to the Fig. 1 shown conventional gesture detection system. Fig. 3 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a gesture detection system according to some embodiments. Fig. 4 shows a signal diagram corresponding to the ambient light mode of the Fig. 3 according to some embodiments. Fig. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method for using a gesture capture system according to some embodiments. Detailed description of the embodiments

[0017] Embodiments of the present application are directed to a gesture sensing device for sensing gestures. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the following detailed description of the device is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the device that incorporate the benefits of this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0018] Reference will now be made in more detail to embodiments of the apparatus as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or similar parts. In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the embodiments described herein have been shown and described. For example, the apparatus described below may include one or more additional components, such as memory, as are well known in the art, but which have been omitted here for the sake of brevity.It is, of course, understood that in developing any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions are likely to be made to achieve the particular goals of the developer, such as meeting application and business constraints, and that these particular goals may vary from one embodiment to another and from one developer to another. Furthermore, it is understood that such a development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but would nonetheless be a routine engineering effort for those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0019] Embodiments of a gesture detection device and method are described herein. The gesture detection device includes one or more sensors and a processor for processing sensed voltages output by the sensors based on ambient light and / or reflected light received by the sensors. In operation, the processor determines an ambient light level and / or a distance between the object and the sensors such that, if the ambient light level exceeds an ambient light threshold and / or the distance is less than a distance threshold, the processor determines the movement of an object relative to the sensors based on the ambient light rather than the reflected light. Thus, the gesture detection device and method provide the advantage that, in areas with high ambient light levels, the ambient light generates the signal rather than interference.Consequently, the device and method provide accurate operation at a lower cost in areas with high ambient light levels because they do not require expensive ambient light suppression elements and / or other interference. Furthermore, the gesture sensing device and method provide the advantage of increased power savings due to their ability to utilize existing ambient light rather than powering a light source. Finally, the gesture sensing device and method provide the advantage of enabling switching between two or more gesture sensing modes, as well as presence sensing, based on the ambient light levels and / or the distance of the object, thereby adapting the sensing mode to the environment.As used herein, a gesture of the object may include speed, acceleration, rotation, and / or other spatial properties of the object, and ambient light may include light whose source is not controlled or powered by the device and / or light that is controlled or powered by the device but not reflected from the object.

[0020] Fig. 3 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a gesture detection system 300 according to some embodiments. As in Fig. 3, the gesture capture system 300 includes an object 99 and a gesture capture device 314. In some embodiments, the object 99 is a finger or a hand. Alternatively, the object 99 may be any tangible object as are well known in the art. In some embodiments, the gesture capture device 314 is a mobile computing device, including, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a PDA, a gaming device, a game controller, a laptop computer, or a desktop computer. Alternatively, the gesture capture device 314 may be one or more other electronic devices as are well known in the art.The gesture detection device 314 includes one or more light sources 302 for emitting light 306, one or more light sensors 304 for receiving light, an ambient light detector 316, and at least one processor 312 coupled to the ambient light detector 316, the light sources 302, and the light sensors 304. Alternatively, one or more of the above components may be separate from the device 314. In some embodiments, the processor 312 is electrically coupled to the ambient light detector 316, the light sources 302, and / or the light sensors 304. Alternatively, the processor 312 may be wirelessly or otherwise coupled to the ambient light detector 316, the light sources 302, and / or the light sensors 304 such that the processor 312 may receive output signals from the ambient light detector 316 and the light sensors 304 and send control signals to the light sources 302.In some embodiments, the light sources 302 comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Alternatively, one or more of the light sources 302 may comprise other types of light-emitting devices or elements, as are well known in the art. In some embodiments, the light sensors 304 comprise photodetectors. Alternatively, one or more of the light sensors 304 may comprise other types of light-sensing devices or elements, as are well known in the art. In some embodiments, the ambient light detector 316 consists of one or more of the light sensors 304. Alternatively, the ambient light detector 316 is distinct from the light sensors 304.

[0021] In operation, the ambient light detector 316 detects ambient light 310 in the system 300 and outputs an ambient light signal or value based on the received ambient light 310 to the processor 312. The processor 312 compares the received ambient light signal or value to a preselected ambient light threshold stored in the processor memory or other memory (not shown) in the device 314. If the ambient light value / signal is not higher than the ambient light threshold, the processor 312 switches to determining the gestures of the object 99 based on the source light 306, 308 or continues to determine this form of determination. More specifically, if the value / signal is not higher, the gesture information is obtained by blinking or sequentially turning the light source 302 on and off with the processor 312.In particular, the light sensors 304 may receive a reflected portion 308 of the source light 306 from the blinking light source 302 that has been reflected by the object 99 and back to the light sensors 304. Based on this received reflected light 308, the gesture of the object 99 may be determined by observing sudden increases or "bumps" in the detected light 308 over time. These "bumps" correspond to changes in the amount of light 308 reflected from the object 99 due to movement or gestures of the object 99. As a result, the "bumps" allow the processor 312 to determine the gestures of the object 99. In this "source light mode," the source light 306, 308 is considered the signal, and the ambient light 310 is considered interference, so that as the ambient light levels increase, the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates.

[0022] However, if the ambient light value / signal is higher than the ambient light threshold, the processor 312 switches to determining either the gestures or the presence of the object 99 based on the ambient light 310, or continues with this form of determination. More specifically, if the ambient light value / signal is higher, the gesture or presence of the object 99 is determined by turning off the light source 302 with the processor 312 so that only the ambient light 310 (no reflected source light 308) is received by the sensors 304. In particular, the light sensors 304 may receive a portion of the ambient light 310 that has not been blocked or covered by the object 99. Based on this received ambient light 310, the presence or gesture of the object 99 may be determined by observing sudden dips or "drops" (see Fig. 4) in the detected ambient light 310 over time. These "dips" 414 correspond to changes in the amount of light obscured by the object 99 due to the presence or gestures of the object 99. As a result, these "dips" 414 enable the processor 312 to determine the presence or gestures of the object 99. In this "ambient light mode," the ambient light 310 itself is considered the signal, so that as the ambient light levels increase, the signal-to-noise ratio improves. Thus, the device 314 can provide the advantage of efficient operation in low ambient light areas, as well as in high ambient light areas with improved signal-to-noise ratio and without the need for ambient light interference suppression components.

[0023] To distinguish between presence determination and gesture determination during the "ambient light mode," the device 314 performs an object proximity check. More specifically, if the object 99 is detected to be near the sensors 304, the ambient light 310 can be used to determine the gestures of the object 99. More specifically, if the object 99 is detected to be far from the sensors 304, the ambient light 310 can be used to determine the presence of the object 99. In some embodiments, the object proximity check is performed after comparing the ambient light threshold but before monitoring the signal or signals output by the sensors 304 for dips or "dip." Alternatively, the object proximity check can be performed at any time during operation. During the proximity check, the processor 312 turns on the light source 302 for a proximity period 406 (see Fig. 4) to determine whether the object 99 is near the sensors 304. This process is similar to gesture recognition using the reflected light 306 in the "source light mode" described above, except that the proximity period 406 is only long enough for the processor 312 to determine that the reflected light 308 received by the sensors 304 indicates the proximity or lack of proximity of the object 99. Alternatively, the proximity period 406 may be longer than the time required to determine the proximity of the object 99 using the reflected light 308.

[0024] In some embodiments, this proximity determination / test is performed by the processor 312 detecting the rise or “hump” 408 (see Fig. 4) in the sensor signal or signals during the proximity period 406 with a proximity threshold. Alternatively, the proximity determination is performed by comparing the maximum or average value of the sensor signal or signals during the proximity period 406 with the proximity threshold. In both cases, if the change or value of the sensor signal is higher than the proximity threshold, it is determined that the object 99 is near the sensors 304, and if not, it is determined that the object 99 is far from the sensors 304. In some embodiments, the proximity threshold is dynamic and is determined based on the received ambient light 310 such that the proximity threshold is adjusted to always represent a predetermined delta value that is higher than the current ambient light value 310.In these embodiments, the delta value may be selected based on the effect of the distance of the object 99 from the sensors 304 on the sensor signal(s) such that the delta value corresponds to a desired distance between the object 99 and the sensors 304. Alternatively, the proximity threshold may be a predetermined static value. Thus, the gesture detection device 314 may switch between ambient light presence detection and ambient light gesture detection based on the proximity of the object 99. This allows the gesture detection device 314 to ensure the accuracy of gesture detection by minimizing the possibility of shadowing effects causing false gesture detection when the object 99 is far from the sensors 304.In some embodiments, other forms of proximity sensing of object 99 may be used instead of or in conjunction with light source 302, as are well known in the art. Alternatively, the use of light source 302 for proximity sensing and / or other proximity sensing may be omitted, so that device 314 selectively operates in presence detection mode or gesture detection mode.

[0025] It should be understood that each of the operations described above may be performed by device 314 continuously, periodically, and / or on demand. For example, processor 312 may continuously, periodically, and / or upon user request check the ambient light levels received by ambient light detector 316 to determine whether device 314 should switch between using ambient light 130 or source light 306, 308 to determine gestures of object 99. Furthermore, although operation of gesture detection device 314 is described as beginning with detection of ambient light 310, operation may begin at other points described above.

[0026] Fig. 4 shows a signal diagram 400 corresponding to the ambient light mode of the Fig. 3 according to some embodiments. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, during the proximity period 406, the light source signal 402 changes from "Low" to "High" when the light source 302 is switched on or flashed by the processor 312. As a result, if the object 99 is in the proximity of the sensors 304, as shown in Fig. 3, a sudden rise or "bump" 408 above the ambient light level 410 due to the reflected light 308 received from the light source 302, as described above. Accordingly, once the proximity period 406 has ended and the light source 302 has been turned off, the processor 312 may monitor the sensor signal 404 for sudden decreases or "dips" 414 during a gesture or presence detection period 412 and use this data to calculate the presence or gestures of the object 99. In particular, the device 314 may determine the presence of the object 99 if the object 99 was determined to be away from the sensors 304, and may determine the gestures of the object 99 if the object 99 was determined to be nearby. In some embodiments, the presence or gesture detection period 412 lasts from the end of one proximity period 406 to the beginning of the next proximity period 406.Alternatively, the presence or gesture detection period 412 may be shorter or longer than the time between proximity periods 406. These proximity detection operations and ambient light mode monitoring operations may be repeated over time to monitor the "dips" 414 caused by objects and allow the processor 312 to determine the presence and / or gestures of the objects 99.

[0027] Fig. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using a gesture detection system 300 of Fig.3 according to some embodiments. In step 502, the ambient light detector 316 and the light sensors 304 receive ambient light 310 and output a detector signal to the processor 312 corresponding to an ambient light value detected by the detector 316. In some embodiments, the detector 316 consists of one or more of the light sensors 304. In step 504, the processor 312 determines whether the ambient light value exceeds an ambient light threshold. In step 506, if the ambient light level does not exceed the ambient light threshold, the light source 302 outputs source light 306, and the processor 312 determines the gesture of the object 99 based on the source light 308 reflected from the object 99 to the sensors 304. In some embodiments, the processor 312 determines the gestures of the object 99 based on the source light 308 reflected from the object 99 by observing sudden increases in the sensor signal 404.In step 508, if the ambient light level exceeds the ambient light threshold, the light source 302 outputs source light 306, and the processor 312 determines whether the object 99 is near the light sensors 304 based on the source light 308 reflected from the object 99 to the sensors 304. In some embodiments, the processor 312 determines whether the object 99 is near the sensors 304 by comparing a distance value corresponding to the distance between the sensors 304 and the object 99 to an object distance threshold, and if the distance value is within the threshold, the object 99 is determined to be near. In some embodiments, the processor 312 determines the distance value by outputting source light 306 with the light source 302, where the distance value is based on the source light 308 reflected from the object 99 to the sensors 304.In some embodiments, the processor 312 causes the light source 302 to emit source light 306 only for a proximity period 406 sufficient to determine the distance value. Alternatively, step 508 may be omitted. In step 510, if the object 99 is near the light sensors 304, the processor 312 determines the gesture of the object 99 based on the ambient light 310 received by the sensors 304. In some embodiments, the processor 312 determines the gesture of the object 99 based on the ambient light 310 by observing sudden drops 414 in the sensor signal 404. In step 512, if the object 99 is not near the light sensors 304, the processor 312 determines whether the object 99 is present based on the ambient light 310 received by the sensors 304. In some embodiments, the processor 312 determines the gestures and / or the presence of the object 99 periodically, continuously, or selectively.

[0028] The ambient light-based gesture recognition apparatus and method described herein have numerous advantages. Specifically, the apparatus and method can operate efficiently at both high and low ambient light levels without the increased cost of ambient light suppression components or signal enhancement components such as lenses. Indeed, unlike other methods and apparatuses, the signal-to-noise ratio of the apparatus and method actually improves with increased ambient light levels. Furthermore, the apparatus and method can consume less power by minimizing the need to power a light source to provide reflected light for detecting gestures.Furthermore, the device and method provide the advantage of using proximity sensing to switch between presence detection and gesture recognition, thereby minimizing the possibility of misinterpretation of gestures due to shadowing effects. Accordingly, it is clear that the ambient light-based gesture recognition device and method described herein have many useful benefits.

[0029] The present application has been described with respect to particular embodiments containing details to facilitate understanding of the construction and operating principles of the gesture detection device and method for recognizing gestures. Many of the components shown and described in the various figures may be interchanged to achieve the necessary results, and this description should be read to include such interchanges. Therefore, references made herein to particular embodiments and details are not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the application.

Claims

[1] Device (314) for detecting a gesture from an object (99), comprising: a. one or more light sensors (304) each outputting a sensor signal (404) corresponding to ambient light (310) detected by the sensors (304); b. a processor (312) coupled to the light sensors (304), wherein the processor (312) determines a movement of the object (99) based on the ambient light (310) received by the sensors (304) when the object (99) moves near the light sensors (304); and c. a detector (316) coupled to the processor (312), wherein the detector (316) determines an ambient light value (410) based on the ambient light (310), wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) based on the ambient light (310) only if the ambient light value (410) exceeds an ambient light threshold, and wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) based on the ambient light (310) only if a distance value corresponding to the distance from the sensors (304) to the object (99) is within an object distance threshold. [2] Device (314) according to claim 1, wherein the processor (312) is not coupled to a source (302) of ambient light (310). [3] Device (314) according to claim 1, wherein the detector (316) consists of one or more of the light sensors (304) and the detector (316) outputs one of the sensor signals (404). [4] Device (314) according to claim 1, wherein the processor (312) determines, on the basis of the ambient light (310), whether the object (99) is present if the distance value is not within the object distance threshold. [5] Device (314) according to claim 1, further comprising a light source (302) coupled to the processor (312) which emits source light (306), wherein the distance value is determined by the processor (312) on the basis of source light (308) reflected from the object (99) and received by the sensors (304). [6] Device (314) according to claim 5, wherein the processor (312) causes the light source (302) to emit light only for a period of time sufficient to determine the distance value. [7] Device (314) according to claim 5, wherein, if the ambient light value (410) does not exceed the ambient light threshold, the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) on the basis of the source light (306) reflected by the object (99) and received by the sensors (304). [8] Device (314) according to claim 7, wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) periodically, continuously or selectively. [9] Device (314) according to claim 8, wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) on the basis of the ambient light (310) by observing sudden drops in the sensor signal (404). [10] Device (314) according to claim 9, wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) on the basis of the source light (308) reflected by the object (99) by observing sudden increases in the sensor signal (404). [11] Method for capturing a gesture from an object (99), comprising: a. receiving ambient light (310) with one or more light sensors (304) and outputting a sensor signal (404) corresponding to ambient light (310) detected by the sensors (304); b. Determining the movement of the object (99) based on the ambient light (310) received by the sensors (304) when the object (99) moves near the light sensors (304); and c. Determining an ambient light value (410) based on the ambient light (310) with a detector (316), wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) based on the ambient light (310) only if the ambient light value (410) exceeds an ambient light threshold and wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) based on the ambient light (310) only if a distance value corresponding to the distance from the sensors (304) to the object (99) is within an object distance threshold. [12] Method according to claim 11, wherein the processor (312) is not coupled to a source (302) of ambient light (310). [13] Method according to claim 11, wherein the detector (316) consists of one or more of the light sensors (304) and the detector (316) outputs one of the sensor signals (404). [14] Method according to claim 11, further comprising determining whether the object (99) is present, based on the ambient light (310), if the distance value is not within the object distance threshold. [15] Method according to claim 11, further comprising outputting source light (306) with a light source (302), wherein the distance value is determined by the processor (312) on the basis of source light (308) reflected by the object (99) and received by the sensors (304). [16] Method according to claim 15, wherein the processor (312) causes the light source (302) to emit light only for a period of time sufficient to determine the distance value. [17] Method according to claim 15, further comprising determining the movement of the object (99) on the basis of the source light (308) reflected by the object (99) and received by the sensors (304), if the ambient light value (410) does not exceed the ambient light threshold. [18] Method according to claim 17, wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) periodically, continuously or selectively. [19] Method according to claim 18, wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) on the basis of the ambient light (310) by observing sudden drops in the sensor signal (404). [20] Method according to claim 19, wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) on the basis of the source light (308) reflected by the object (99) by observing sudden increases in the sensor signal (404). [21] Device (314) for detecting a gesture from an object (99), comprising: a. a first light source (302) for producing a first light; b. an arrangement of sensors (304) for detecting the first light and a second light; and c. a processor (312) coupled to the one or more sensors (304), wherein the processor (312) determines the motion of the object (99) based on the second light received by the sensors (304) if the ambient light (310) received by the sensors (304) is stronger than an ambient light threshold, and otherwise determines the motion of the object (99) based on the first light received by the sensors (304), wherein the processor (312) is not coupled to the source (302) of the second light and wherein the processor (312) determines the motion of the object (99) based on the second light only if the ambient light (310) received by the sensors (304) is stronger than the ambient light threshold and the object (99) is within a threshold distance from the sensors (304). [22] Device (314) according to claim 21, wherein the processor (312) determines whether the object (99) is present if the ambient light (310) received by the sensors (304) is stronger than the ambient light threshold, but the object (99) is not within the threshold distance from the sensors (304). [23] Device (314) according to claim 22, wherein the first light is reflected from the object (99) before it is detected by the sensors (304), and the second light is not reflected from the object (99) before it is detected by the sensors (304). [24] Device (314) according to claim 23, wherein the second light is part of the ambient light (310). [25] Device (314) according to claim 24, further comprising a detector (316) coupled to the processor (312), wherein the detector (316) determines the ambient light value (410) based on the ambient light (310). [26] Device (314) according to claim 25, wherein the detector (316) consists of one or more of the light sensors (304). [27] Device (314) according to claim 25, wherein the distance between the sensors (304) and the object (99) is determined by the processor (312) on the basis of the first light reflected by the object (99) and received by the sensors (304). [28] Device (314) according to claim 27, wherein the processor (312) causes the first light source (302) to emit the first light only for a period of time sufficient to determine the distance between the object (99) and the sensors (304). [29] Device (314) according to claim 28, wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) periodically, continuously or selectively. [30] Device (314) according to claim 29, wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) on the basis of the second light by observing sudden drops in a sensor signal (404), wherein the sensor signal (404) is output by the sensors (304) on the basis of the received first light and second light. [31] Device (314) according to claim 30, wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) on the basis of the first light reflected from the object (99) by observing sudden increases in the sensor signal (404). [32] Method for detecting a gesture from an object (99), comprising: a. Detecting a first light produced by a first light source (302) and a second light with one or more sensors (304); b. Determining the motion of the object (99) with a processor (312) based on the second light received by the sensors (304) if the ambient light (310) received by the sensors (304) is stronger than an ambient light threshold, and otherwise determining the motion of the object (99) based on the first light received by the sensors (304), wherein the processor (312) is not coupled to the source (302) of the second light; and c. Determining the movement of the object (99) with the processor (312) based on the second light, if ambient light (310) received by the sensors (304) is stronger than an ambient light threshold and the object (99) is within a threshold distance from the sensors. [33] Method according to claim 32, further comprising determining with the processor whether the object is present if the ambient light received by the sensors is stronger than the ambient light threshold, but the object is not within the threshold distance from the sensors. [34] Method according to claim 33, wherein the first light is reflected from the object (99) before it is detected by the sensors (304), and the second light is not reflected from the object (99) before it is detected by the sensors (304). [35] Method according to claim 34, wherein the second light is a part of the ambient light (310). [36] Method according to claim 35, further comprising determining the ambient light value (410) with a detector (316) based on the ambient light (310). [37] Method according to claim 36, wherein the detector (316) consists of one or more of the light sensors (304). [38] Method according to claim 35, further comprising determining the distance between the sensors (304) and the object (99) with the processor (312) on the basis of the first light reflected by the object (99) and received by the sensors (304). [39] Method according to claim 38, further comprising emitting the first light with the first light source (302) only for a period of time sufficient to determine the distance between the object (99) and the sensors (304). [40] Method according to claim 39, wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) periodically, continuously or selectively. [41] Method according to claim 40, wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) on the basis of the second light by observing sudden drops in the sensor signal (404), wherein the sensor signal (404) is output by the sensors (304) on the basis of the received first light and the received second light. [42] Method according to claim 41, wherein the processor (312) determines the movement of the object (99) on the basis of the first light reflected from the object (99) by observing sudden increases in the sensor signal (404).

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