Gesture Access Control Using Mobile IMU Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current access control systems using smartphones for access management are time-consuming and require users to manually interact with their devices, which can be frustrating and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A gesture-based access control system that utilizes a mobile device with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor system to detect user gestures, such as waving the device, and compares these motions to preprogrammed gestures to control a local access assembly, allowing for hands-free access without the need for manual device interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional badge-based access control is used, then access can be controlled, but the process is time-consuming as each user must manually swipe their badge
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service access by automatically detecting user intent through smartphone gestures and autonomously triggering the access mechanism, eliminating the need for manual badge swiping operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical badge swiping action with a gesture-based detection system that uses image processing and machine learning to recognize user intent, substituting physical contactless interaction
2Ease of operation
If NFC-based smartphone access control is used, then access can be controlled without physical contact, but the user must still retrieve and manually interact with the smartphone
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service access by automatically detecting user intent through smartphone gestures and autonomously triggering the access mechanism, eliminating the need for manual badge swiping operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining gesture patterns and access conditions, allowing the access control system to automatically respond when predefined gestures are detected without requiring manual intervention
3Ease of operation
If gesture-based access control is implemented, then hands-free access is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to IMU sensors and gesture recognition algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the multi-functionality of smartphones, which already contain IMU sensors for purposes like fitness tracking and gaming, to enable gesture-based access control without requiring dedicated hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary processing layer that combines data from multiple sensor sources (IMU sensors, camera, RFID readers) and applies machine learning algorithms to accurately detect gestures and determine user intent
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 efficient and hands-free access control by recognizing intentional user gestures, reducing the time and effort required for access management while minimizing the need for device interaction.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor system configured to measure a motion of the mobile device
Implementation Method 2
an RSSI module configured to detect periodic variations of signal strength of a beacon signal
Data Source
AI summary
A gesture access system includes a local access assembly, a mobile device, an electronic storage medium, and a processor. The local access assembly is adapted to operate between an access state and a no-access state, and includes a controller to effect actuation between the states and a signal receiver. The mobile device includes an Inertial Measurement Unit sensor system configured to measure a motion of the mobile device to conditionally detect a device gesture indicative of an intent of a user to gain access. The storage medium is configured to store an application and a preprogrammed device gesture. The processor is configured to receive the measured motion from the sensor system, and execute the application to compare the measured motion to the preprogrammed device gesture, and depending upon the comparison, output a command signal to the controller of the local access assembly via the receiver to effect actuation between states.