Control apparatus, control system, control method, and storage medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for air conditioners and similar devices can be inadvertently controlled by gestures made by individuals who are not authorized or intended to operate the device, leading to uncomfortable atmospheric environments and reduced user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus and system that includes a detection unit to process image information and detect a predetermined first gesture, and a control unit to control a device only when an input condition, such as matching image feature values of the gesturer and an authorized person, is satisfied.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If gesture-based control is implemented without authorization verification, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintentional control by unauthorized persons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture-based controlVSAvoidunauthorized control prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an authorization verification mechanism as an intermediary between gesture detection and device control. The control apparatus includes a determination unit that verifies whether the person making the gesture is authorized to control the device, thereby preventing unauthorized control while maintaining ease of gesture-based operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary authorization verification before executing the control action. The determination unit checks whether the gesturer is authorized in advance of the actual device control, ensuring that only authorized persons can trigger control operations while maintaining the simplicity of gesture-based interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple persons can control the device through gestures, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to conflicting control inputs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-user controlVSAvoidcontrol stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different control permissions to different users (local quality). Each user can be assigned specific authorization levels or permitted control operations, allowing multiple persons to control the device adaptively while preventing conflicting inputs through role-based access control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If gesture control is restricted to authorized persons only, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthorized controlVSAvoidcontrol process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic authorization verification without requiring explicit user actions. The determination unit automatically checks authorization status based on the detected gesture and stored authorization information, making the verification process transparent and maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250129958A1Control apparatus, control system, control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 NEC CORP

AI summary

A control apparatus (103) includes a detection unit (104), and a control unit (105). The detection unit (104) detects a predetermined first gesture by processing image information. When an input condition being a condition for allowing control of a device (102) using the first gesture is satisfied, the control unit (105) controls the device (102) according to the first gesture.