AI Intent Detection for Contactless Actuator Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for triggering functions, such as buttons and handles, face challenges in installation and maintenance due to wiring requirements, which can be costly and impractical in various settings, and do not accommodate situations where direct contact is undesirable or impossible.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing an image capturing sensor, a computing device with a machine learning model, and a computer program product that detects a person's intent to operate an actuator through image analysis, allowing for the triggering of functions without physical interaction, including the use of dummy actuators and enabling easier installation and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional buttons and handles are used to trigger functions, then the operation can be reliably activated, but wiring requirements increase device complexity and installation cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction triggering reliabilityVSAvoidwiring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with an optical detection system using cameras and machine learning algorithms. Instead of requiring physical contact with actuators that need wiring, the system uses image capturing sensors to detect hand gestures and intentions, eliminating the need for complex wiring while maintaining reliable function triggering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection layer between the user and the function triggering. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the system uses image capturing sensors and AI algorithms as intermediaries to interpret user intentions and trigger functions accordingly, eliminating the need for physical actuators and their associated wiring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If physical actuators are installed in multiple locations, then function accessibility is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction accessibilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal detection system that can identify and respond to various hand gestures and intentions across different locations. Instead of installing separate physical actuators at each location, a single multi-functional detection system can trigger different functions based on the detected gesture type and location, reducing installation cost while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual copies of physical actions through image capture. Instead of requiring actual physical actuators at multiple locations, the system captures visual representations of user intentions through cameras and interprets these copies to trigger appropriate functions, eliminating the need for expensive physical infrastructure at each location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If direct contact with actuators is required, then the operation is simple and reliable, but hygiene is compromised and contactless operation is impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidhygiene contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based operation system with a non-contact optical detection system. Users can trigger functions through hand gestures and intentions detected by image capturing sensors without any physical contact with actuators, thereby maintaining operation simplicity while eliminating hygiene contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional actuators are used, then the system is easy to implement, but flexibility and adaptability to different scenarios are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem implementation easeVSAvoidscenario adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic detection system that can adapt to different scenarios, gestures, and intentions in real-time. Instead of fixed physical actuators designed for specific operations, the system uses machine learning algorithms that can recognize and respond to various types of hand gestures and user intentions, providing high flexibility and adaptability while remaining easy to implement through software-based processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11961330B2System to notify a request for help by detecting an intent to press a button, said system using artificial intelligence

Publication Date: 2024.04.16 KEPLER VISION TECH BV

AI summary

There is provided a system configured to trigger system configured to trigger a function, said system comprising:at least one actuator that is associated with said function;an image capturing sensor;a computing device comprising a data processor, anda computer program product comprising a machine learning model trained for detecting an intent of a person to operate said at least one actuator,wherein said computer program product when running on said data processor:receives at least one image from said image capturing sensor;analyzes said at least one image, the analyzing comprises:subjecting said at least one image to said machine learning model;detecting presence of said intent to operate said at least one actuator in said at least one image, andtriggers said function upon detecting said intent.