Gaze-Based Object Identification for IoT Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies lack an efficient method to identify and interact with multiple objects within a user's field of view based on their location and orientation, limiting seamless integration of IoT devices for direct user interaction and control.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a processor, memory, and transceiver that identifies a target object within a user's field of view by determining their location and orientation relative to predefined object locations, generating a command signal to trigger corresponding actions, and allowing interaction through gaze or user input, enhancing IoT device usability and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional object identification methods are used, then system complexity is reduced, but interaction efficiency with multiple objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual object selection mechanisms with gaze-based detection. The system uses eye tracking technology to automatically identify which object the user is looking at, eliminating the need for manual selection interfaces and significantly improving interaction efficiency with multiple objects.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic object identification and selection based on user gaze direction without requiring explicit user input. The apparatus autonomously determines which object the user intends to interact with by analyzing eye position and gaze direction, reducing the interaction burden on the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual object selection is used, then measurement precision is sufficient, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of interactionVSAvoidobject identification precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual object selection with automated gaze-based detection. Eye tracking technology automatically identifies the target object based on user gaze direction, making interaction intuitive and easy while maintaining high precision through sophisticated algorithms that analyze eye position, gaze direction, and object spatial relationships.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses multiple parameters including eye position coordinates, gaze direction angles, object distance, and field of view boundaries to precisely determine which object the user is looking at. By analyzing these multiple parameters together, the system achieves high identification precision while keeping the user interface simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If gaze-based identification is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of interactionVSAvoidapparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that bridges the eye tracking hardware and the object control system. The processor executes algorithms that interpret gaze data, determine object selection, and generate control signals, effectively mediating between the simple user action of looking and the complex system responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus is designed to work with multiple types of objects and interaction scenarios using the same gaze-based identification mechanism. The system can identify and control various objects in different environments, making the increased complexity worthwhile by providing a universal, intuitive interaction method across diverse applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3502838B1Apparatus, method and system for identifying a target object from a plurality of objects
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3502838B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3502838B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3502838B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

An apparatus comprising a processor and memory including computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, enable the apparatus at least to: identify a target object, from a plurality of objects, which is within a field of view of a first user based on a determined location and orientation of the first user relative to respective predefined locations of the plurality of objects; and generate a command signal configured to trigger a corresponding action associated with the target object.