Infrared Gesture Detection False Trigger Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable communication devices often experience false trigger inputs due to infrared sensors reflecting off nearby objects, particularly during user activities like walking, eating, driving, or exercising, which existing technologies fail to adequately prevent.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes a combination of sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and imaging sensors to provide relative positioning data to a controller, enabling or disabling the infrared transceiver based on the device's angular position and motion relative to a directional trigger beam, as well as adapting the IR range and power according to environmental conditions and user context.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the infrared transceiver is continuously active to detect gesture inputs, then the responsiveness to user gestures is improved, but false trigger inputs occur due to reflections from nearby objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness to gesture inputsVSAvoidaccuracy of gesture detection

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The infrared transceiver's operational state is dynamically adjusted based on real-time sensor data. The system transitions between active and inactive states according to the device's angular position and motion characteristics, optimizing both responsiveness and reliability by being active only when genuine gesture detection is likely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from accelerometers, gyroscopes, and imaging sensors to continuously monitor device orientation and motion. This feedback loop enables the controller to determine whether detected infrared signals represent intentional user gestures or false triggers from environmental reflections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Length of stationary object

If the infrared transceiver range and power are increased to improve detection distance, then the gesture detection range is extended, but false triggers from distant reflections increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture detection rangeVSAvoidfalse trigger inputs from reflections

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the infrared transceiver's power output and detection range parameters based on environmental conditions and device context. By modifying these parameters in real-time, the system extends detection range when needed while minimizing false triggers from distant reflections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The transceiver operates with dynamically adjusted parameters rather than fixed settings. The detection range and power level adapt to the situation, being increased when the user is in a controlled environment and decreased when environmental reflections are likely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple sensors are added to detect device position and prevent false triggers, then the accuracy of gesture detection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of gesture detectionVSAvoidnumber of sensors and processing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Existing sensors in the wearable device (accelerometers, gyroscopes, imaging sensors) are repurposed for gesture detection context determination. Rather than adding dedicated sensors solely for this function, the system makes multi-use of existing components to reduce overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines data from multiple sensor types into a unified gesture detection algorithm. By merging accelerometer, gyroscope, and imaging sensor data with infrared transceiver signals, the system achieves high detection accuracy through integrated processing rather than separate systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Effectively prevents false gesture trigger inputs by ensuring the infrared transceiver is only active when the user is directly interacting with the device and not influenced by nearby objects, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of input signal reception.

Implementation Method 1

infrared (IR) systems have been developed for off device gesturing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

IR sensors can false trigger by reflecting off nearby objects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

providing a relative positioning sensor output to a controller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

providing a relative positioning sensor output to a controller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngular momentum: Angular Momentum

Data Source

PatentUS8933877B2Method for prevention of false gesture trigger inputs on a mobile communication device

Publication Date: 2015.01.13 GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A method for prevention of false gesture trigger inputs on a mobile communication device is disclosed herein. The method includes providing a relative positioning sensor output to a controller for enabling/disabling or adaptively adjusting detection of gesture inputs on the mobile communication device based on an angular position or motion of the mobile communication device relative to a directional trigger beam or alternatively relative to environmental conditions impacting the mobile communication device.