Device Detection Without Computer Vision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch screen displays rely on computer vision to detect and interact with devices, which increases costs and reduces portability due to the need for large surfaces.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that detect the presence of a device by associating a signal received from the device with a touch input on the display, using orientation and proximity components without computer vision, allowing interaction and content transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If computer vision techniques are used to detect devices on the display, then device detection capability is improved, but display surface area increases and portability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice detection capabilityVSAvoiddisplay surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces computer vision systems (optical/mechanical) with electromagnetic signal detection. The apparatus uses receivers to detect electromagnetic signals transmitted by devices, eliminating the need for cameras and complex image processing hardware, thereby reducing display surface area while maintaining device detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electromagnetic signals as an intermediary between the device and the display apparatus. Instead of directly visualizing the device through computer vision, the system uses transmitted signals as a mediator to convey device presence and identity information, enabling detection without large display surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If computer vision systems are implemented, then device interaction capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice interaction capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes complex computer vision processing with simpler electromagnetic signal reception and analysis. The system receives signals containing device identifiers and characteristics, processes this data through straightforward comparison algorithms, and executes interactions based on signal association, significantly reducing computational and hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential interaction-critical information from device signals (identifiers, orientation data) rather than processing complete visual images. This selective extraction approach simplifies the system architecture by removing unnecessary image processing components while preserving core interaction functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If signal association with touch input is used, then detection accuracy is improved, but measurement requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoidsignal-touch association measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by comparing detected signal characteristics (orientation, proximity) with corresponding touch input data. The system uses this feedback loop to verify associations between devices and touch events, improving identification accuracy through iterative validation while managing measurement complexity through structured data correlation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2769289B1Method and apparatus for determining the presence of a device for executing operations
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2769289B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2769289B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2769289B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus, method, and computer program product are described that can detect the presence of a tangible object without using computer vision. The apparatus receives a signal from a device proximate the apparatus, where the signal includes at least one of a proximity component and an orientation component, and also receives a touch input from the associated display. The apparatus then determines whether there is an association between the signal and the touch input based on the proximity component and/or the orientation component. If the signal and the touch input are associated, it is an indication that the device is disposed on the display,operations may be executed, such as to facilitate interaction between the apparatus and the device. As a result, any object capable of providing a signal having a proximity component or an orientation component can be detected (e.g., without the use of cameras or fiducial markers).