Ambient Noise Gesture Detection Circuitry

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in detecting user input without increasing the size and complexity of input-output circuitry, particularly in differentiating various types of user gestures and inputs in noisy environments.

Innovation Solution

The use of microphones to detect ambient noise changes, processing these changes to determine user gestures, and associating them with specific functions, with resonant cavities and acoustic steering elements to enhance sound wave modulation and detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional touch sensors or buttons are used for user input detection, then the device can detect user input, but the size and complexity of the input-output circuitry increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser input detectionVSAvoidinput-output circuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical touch sensors and buttons with acoustic field-based detection. Microphones capture sound waves generated by user gestures (clapping, snapping, stomping), and processing circuitry translates these acoustic signals into control commands, eliminating the need for physical contact interfaces and reducing circuitry complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sound waves as an intermediary medium between the user and the device. Instead of direct mechanical contact, user gestures modulate ambient noise which serves as a carrier signal for input information, allowing indirect but contactless communication with the device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the device detects changes in ambient noise to identify gestures, then user interaction becomes more intuitive, but the ability to differentiate gestures in noisy environments becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture detectionVSAvoidgesture differentiation in noisy environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary characterization of ambient noise patterns during calibration or initial operation. The system learns and stores baseline acoustic profiles of the environment, enabling later comparison and differentiation of gestures from background noise through pattern recognition and statistical analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the device continuously monitors ambient noise characteristics and adjusts its detection thresholds and processing algorithms in real-time. This adaptive feedback allows the system to compensate for changing environmental conditions and maintain gesture recognition accuracy despite varying noise levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the detection of user gestures and inputs in noisy environments without increasing device complexity, allowing for intuitive user interaction and efficient operation of electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

The openings may include resonant cavities that help to transmit the ambient noise to the microphones with emphasis on particular frequencies or bands of frequencies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The electronic device may include interior walls having acoustic steering elements that modulate sound waves that enter the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic steering: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9858948B2Electronic equipment with ambient noise sensing input circuitry

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device may include one or more microphones that monitor ambient noise and generate ambient noise data. The electronic device may include processing circuitry that receives the ambient noise data and compares the ambient noise data to a baseline ambient noise profile to detect changes in the ambient noise. Changes in the ambient noise may be caused by user gestures. The electronic device may compare the changes in the ambient noise to characteristic changes in ambient noise that are associated with user gestures to determine the user gesture made by a user. The processing circuitry may modify the operation of the electronic device based on the user gesture. An ambient noise input device may include surface features or movable components that cause the characteristic changes in the ambient noise. Ambient noise input devices may provide feedback to guide a user to provide input using ambient noise sensing.