Gesture Control System for Mounting Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for terminal devices require multiple remote controllers, are often misplaced, and voice recognition technology is cumbersome and noisy, while integrated touchscreens increase costs and alter aesthetics, and are inaccessible for users with disabilities or physical constraints.
Innovation Solution
A control system that converts any independent mounting surface into a controller using a housing with a sensor to detect gestures as data signals, which are processed to generate commands for terminal devices like TVs or thermostats, eliminating the need for dedicated controllers and enhancing accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple dedicated remote controllers are used for different terminal devices, then each device can be controlled independently, but the number of controllers increases and they are often misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single controller to control multiple terminal devices. The controller is configured with device information for multiple terminal devices and can switch between them, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated controllers while maintaining independent control capability for each device.
2Ease of operation
If voice recognition technology is used for control, then hands-free operation is enabled, but training sessions are required and background noise interferes with recognition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces voice recognition technology with gesture-based control. Instead of using acoustic fields for control, the system uses motion sensors to detect physical gestures, substituting a mechanical motion-based system for an acoustic recognition system, thereby avoiding noise interference and training requirements.
3Ease of operation
If touchscreens are integrated into furniture, then remote control functionality is provided, but manufacturing costs increase and aesthetics are altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control functionality from the terminal device and places it in a separate, portable controller. This separates the control interface from the expensive touchscreen integration approach, allowing control functionality to be provided through a low-cost sensor-based controller that does not require modifying furniture or altering aesthetics.
4Ease of operation
If traditional remote controllers are used, then control functionality is provided, but they are inaccessible to users with disabilities or physical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using motion sensors to detect gestures in three-dimensional space. This dynamic gesture recognition system allows users with various physical constraints to control devices through natural movements that can be performed from a distance, making the system adaptable to different physical abilities and accessibility needs.
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 users to control terminal devices with simple gestures on a mounting surface, improving accessibility for all users and reducing the need for multiple controllers, while maintaining a clean and accessible environment.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor that detects contact interactions on the mounting surface as data signals
Data Source
AI summary
A control system includes a housing engaged to a mounting surface, a sensor contained within the housing, a server in communication with the sensor, and a terminal device in communication with the server. A gesture by a user associated with the mounting surface controls activity of the terminal device, such as a knock on a wall lowering a thermostat. The control system enables a mounting surface independent from the terminal device to become a controller for the terminal device. The sensor forms an interactive zone, and a contact interaction with the mounting surface within the interactive zone is detected by the sensor as data signals. The server receives the data signals, determines a data pattern corresponding to the data signals, and matches the data pattern with a gesture profile. The gesture profile is associated with a command transmitted to the terminal device to control activity of the terminal device.