Gesture Recognition System Using Active Illumination Depth Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to control older infrared (IR) enabled devices, such as televisions and VCR players, without requiring hardware or firmware upgrades, to achieve backward compatibility with natural user interfaces in home entertainment systems that eliminate the need for physical remote controls.
Innovation Solution
A gesture recognition system using an active illumination depth camera that projects coded IR pulses to control IR enabled devices, utilizing time-of-flight or structured light techniques to detect gestures and transmit corresponding device instructions, thereby mimicking IR remote control protocols without the need for hardware or firmware upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical remote controls with buttons are used to control consumer electronic devices, then device control functionality is achieved, but user interface complexity and the need for physical hardware increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system of traditional remote controls with a gesture-based optical recognition system. The active illumination depth camera captures hand gestures in three dimensions, and the processor translates these gestures into device control commands, eliminating the need for physical remote control hardware while maintaining control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of the active illumination depth camera and gesture recognition processor between the user and the consumer electronic device. This intermediary translates natural hand gestures into standardized remote control protocols (such as NEC or RC-5), allowing control without direct mechanical interaction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If natural user interfaces with gesture recognition are implemented, then physical remote controls can be eliminated, but compatibility with older infrared-enabled devices requires additional hardware components
Solution Approach 1:
The active illumination depth camera serves multiple functions: it captures depth information for gesture recognition, provides active illumination for low-light conditions, and enables the system to control both modern devices with various protocols and older infrared-enabled devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized hardware for different device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies the functionality of traditional infrared remote controls by generating standardized infrared protocols (such as NEC or RC-5 bitstreams) from recognized gestures. This allows the gesture recognition system to communicate with older infrared-enabled devices that expect traditional remote control signals, achieving backward compatibility without requiring the devices themselves to be upgraded.
3Ease of operation
If gesture recognition technology is used to control devices, then physical contact with remote controls is eliminated, but the system requires sophisticated image processing and pattern recognition algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining specific three-dimensional hand gesture patterns and their corresponding device control commands. The gesture recognition processor compares captured hand movements against these pre-defined patterns, enabling rapid and accurate gesture interpretation without requiring complex real-time analysis of every possible hand configuration.
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 control of IR enabled devices using natural user interfaces without upgrading the devices, ensuring backward compatibility and eliminating the need for physical remote controls in home entertainment systems.
Implementation Method 1
an active illumination depth camera such as a depth camera that utilizes time-of-flight (TOF) or structured light techniques for obtaining depth information
Implementation Method 2
a depth camera that utilizes time-of-flight (TOF) or structured light techniques for obtaining depth information
Implementation Method 3
transmit the set of device instructions to the particular electronic device utilizing coded IR pulses
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling infrared (IR) enabled devices by projecting coded IR pulses from an active illumination depth camera is described. In some embodiments, a gesture recognition system includes an active illumination depth camera such as a depth camera that utilizes time-of-flight (TOF) or structured light techniques for obtaining depth information. The gesture recognition system may detect the performance of a particular gesture associated with a particular electronic device, determine a set of device instructions in response to detecting the particular gesture, and transmit the set of device instructions to the particular electronic device utilizing coded IR pulses. The coded IR pulses may imitate the IR pulses associated with a remote control protocol. In some cases, the coded IR pulses transmitted may also be used by the active illumination depth camera for determining depth information.