Dual Sensing Layer Input Device for Non-Contact Gesture Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional input devices for non-contact operations on operation screens face errors in determining specific gestures due to unintentional body parts passing through detection areas, leading to erroneous operation recognition.

Innovation Solution

The input device employs dual sensing layers with scan sensors and light emitting/receiving units to detect the number and position of object passages, allowing precise determination of intentional non-contact operations by distinguishing between intentional and unintentional gestures based on passage places and sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single detection area is used to detect non-contact operations, then the device can recognize basic gestures, but unintentional body part passages cause erroneous operation recognition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation recognition accuracyVSAvoiddetection system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection area is divided into multiple sensing layers (first sensing layer and second sensing layer) with different detection depths. Each layer independently detects object passages, and the determination unit analyzes the combination of detection results to distinguish intentional gestures from unintentional body part passages, thereby improving operation recognition accuracy without excessive complexity increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a depth dimension by creating multiple sensing layers at different distances from the display surface. This multi-layer spatial structure enables the system to detect not just whether an object passed through, but also at what depth, providing additional information dimensions for accurate gesture recognition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensing layers are added to improve detection accuracy, then intentional gestures can be distinguished from unintentional passages, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegesture detection precisionVSAvoidnumber of sensing layers
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensing layers, each with its own scan sensor and light emitting/receiving units. This segmentation allows each layer to function independently while collectively providing enhanced detection precision through their combined results

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses two sensing layers, which may be considered a minimal excessive action beyond a single layer. This partial multiplication of detection layers provides sufficient precision improvement for distinguishing gestures without the full complexity of numerous layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This approach enables accurate recognition of specific non-contact operations, reducing erroneous device interactions and enhancing user interface reliability.

Implementation Method 1

each comprising a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that receives the light from the light emitting unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3719614B1Input device
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 FUNAI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3719614B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3719614B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3719614B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An input device capable of precisely determining presence or absence of a specific non-contact operation on an operation screen is provided. An input device (2) includes a display control unit (40) that displays an operation screen (10) on a display surface (12), a first detection unit (6) that detects a passing state of an object (18) in a first sensing layer (16) in air formed to face the display surface (12), a second detection unit 8 that detects a passing state of the object (18) in a second sensing layer (24) in air formed between the display surface (12) and the first sensing layer (16), and a determination unit (36) that determines presence or absence of the specific non-contact operation performed by the object (18) based on respective detection results of the first detection unit (6) and the second detection unit (8).