Non-Contact Gesture Control for Large Public Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information display systems in public spaces face challenges with mechanical input devices like keyboards and touch screens, which are vulnerable to environmental stress, dirt, and vandalism, and have limited size constraints, especially with the increasing size of flat-screen technologies.

Innovation Solution

An information display system using an active distance detecting sensor, such as a beam emitting and capturing device, to allow users to control displayed information by moving their hand within a sensing field, eliminating the need for direct contact with input devices and providing a user-friendly, intuitive interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a touch screen is used for input, then the user can interact with the display, but the screen becomes susceptible to dirt deposits and frequent maintenance is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoiddirt deposit on screen

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (such as a transparent panel with sensors or a projection system) between the user and the display screen. This intermediary detects user gestures or touches and translates them into control commands without requiring direct contact with the screen surface, thereby preventing dirt deposits while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical touch screen system with an optical or electromagnetic detection system. Instead of requiring physical contact with the screen, the system uses light fields, electromagnetic waves, or other non-contact sensing mechanisms to detect user input, eliminating the harmful effect of dirt accumulation on the screen surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a mechanical input device like a keyboard or mouse is used, then the user can control the display, but the device requires horizontal working space and is vulnerable to environmental stress and vandalism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidresistance to environmental stress and vandalism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the display function and the input function into a single integrated system. The display screen itself becomes the interaction surface through overlay technologies, gesture recognition above the screen, or projection systems, eliminating the need for separate mechanical input devices like keyboards or mice that are vulnerable to damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical input devices with non-contact sensing systems that use optical fields, electromagnetic waves, or acoustic fields to detect user gestures. This substitution eliminates the mechanical components that are susceptible to environmental stress and vandalism while maintaining full control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a touch screen is used, then user interaction is enabled, but the size of the display is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive controlVSAvoiddisplay screen size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary system that can project or overlay interactive elements across a large display area. This intermediary layer maintains touch or gesture sensitivity across the entire large screen surface without requiring a proportionally larger physical touch screen panel, thus enabling both large display size and interactive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the limitation of physical touch screen size with a non-contact sensing system that can detect gestures over a large area. The sensing field extends across the entire large display, allowing users to interact with any portion of the large screen without being constrained by the physical boundaries of a traditional touch panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The system enables robust, vandal-resistant, and hygienic interaction with large displays by allowing users to control information through hand gestures within a sensing field, enhancing user experience and reducing maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

an active distance detecting sensor, e.g., a beam emitting and capturing device, for detecting the position of a user controlled object in a sensing field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam emission and detection: Light

Data Source

PatentUS7489297B2Method for displaying information and information display system

Publication Date: 2009.02.10 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

An information display system has a display unit having a display screen, a control unit for controlling the displayed information, and an input devices for inputting a user's control command. The input devices may be a distance detecting sensor adapted to detect the position of a user controlled object in a sensing field arranged at a given distance in front of the screen. The control unit is adapted to determine a display control command based on the detected object position.