Continuous Circle Gesture Detection Using Velocity Vector Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in reliably detecting continuous circle gestures without a fixed reference position, particularly in non-circular touchpads and 2D/3D free-air gestures using near-field capacitive sensor systems or mid/far field sensor systems, as determining the direction of a circle movement is complex without knowing the center of the circle.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the calculation of velocity vectors from a sequence of position vectors, estimating the angle between subsequent velocity vectors, and determining the rotation direction using normalized vector operations and low-pass filtering to update a circle counter, which can be applied to various sensor systems including capacitive non-touching sensor systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a generic non-circular touchpad or free-air gesture system is used without a fixed reference position, then the system provides greater versatility and adaptability, but determining the direction of circle movement becomes unreliable and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous circle gesture into discrete angular measurements relative to the velocity vector direction. By dividing the circle into angular segments and measuring rotation relative to the velocity vector, the system can detect rotation direction without requiring a fixed reference position, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of determining absolute orientation from a fixed reference position, the patent inverts the approach by measuring relative orientation changes with respect to the velocity vector. This inversion allows the system to detect rotation direction dynamically without a fixed reference, maintaining reliability while enabling versatile gesture detection on non-circular touchpads and in free-air gestures.
2Speed
If velocity vectors and angular measurements are calculated for every data point, then real-time detection responsiveness is improved, but computational complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by calculating velocity vectors and angular measurements only when necessary - specifically when gesture parameters exceed predefined thresholds. Instead of processing every data point, the system selectively computes these values only when they contribute meaningfully to gesture detection, thus maintaining real-time responsiveness while reducing unnecessary computational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the system waits for complete circle gesture data before determining rotation direction, then measurement accuracy improves, but real-time application responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of velocity vectors and initial angular measurements as the gesture is being formed, rather than waiting for completion. By preparing these computations in advance and using threshold-based early detection, the system can determine rotation direction during the gesture execution, reducing detection delay while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for real-time applications.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and device for detecting a continuous circle gesture, comprising: receiving vectors representative of an object movement by a object detection unit; determining from the received sequence velocity vectors a sequence of velocity vectors or an approximation thereof; estimating an angle between subsequent velocity vectors; and determining a rotation direction.