Infrared Feature Detection via Thermal Pattern Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional systems for detecting and tracking user features require extra hardware, waste computing resources, and lack pressure detection, making them inefficient for detecting touch events and controlling devices.
Innovation Solution
A system that processes reflected infrared radiation using an image device with an emitter and capturer to generate and filter IR patterns, allowing for the detection and tracking of user features without the need for additional hardware, by differentiating between user features and objects based on IR patterns and shadow concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional image-processing techniques (RGB color spectrum, high resolution) are used to detect and track user features, then detail quality is improved, but computing resource consumption increases and detection speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection task by separating user feature detection from general image processing. It uses infrared imaging to specifically target skin-tone features, dividing the complex RGB image processing into a simpler infrared channel that only needs to detect specific thermal patterns, thereby reducing computational load while maintaining detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from visible light (RGB) to infrared radiation. This parameter change allows detection based on thermal emission characteristics of skin, which provides sufficient detail for user feature identification without requiring high-resolution color processing, thus improving detection speed while maintaining measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If depth cameras with stereo matching are used to measure 3D points, then three-dimensional spatial accuracy is improved, but processing time increases due to entire stereo image processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary infrared radiation patterns from the scene that correspond to user features, rather than processing entire stereo images. By isolating and processing only the relevant thermal emission data from skin surfaces, it achieves 3D spatial information without the computational overhead of complete stereo matching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional visible light imaging to three-dimensional infrared thermal imaging. This dimensionality change enables direct depth perception through thermal gradient analysis, providing 3D spatial accuracy without requiring complex stereo matching algorithms and reducing processing time
3Adaptability or versatility
If capacitive or mechanical sensing devices are used to detect touch and pressure, then touch event detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to extra hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the infrared imaging system multi-functional by enabling it to perform not only user feature detection and tracking but also touch event detection and pressure measurement. The same infrared sensor that detects skin patterns can also detect thermal changes caused by touch and pressure, eliminating the need for separate capacitive or mechanical sensors and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges touch detection and pressure sensing capabilities into the infrared imaging system. By combining these functions into a single thermal imaging sensor, it reduces hardware complexity while maintaining versatile touch event detection capability through analysis of thermal emission patterns and their changes during interaction
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 efficient detection and tracking of user features, touch events, and pressure detection without extra hardware, providing high-quality 3D proximity data and reducing resource consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an image device including an emitter to emit uniform infrared (IR) radiation that is to be converted to non-uniform IR radiation having an IR pattern
Implementation Method 2
a capturer to capture reflected non-uniform IR radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and/or methods to characterize a user feature. For example, and apparatus may include a pattern receiver to receive a feature infrared (IR) pattern corresponding to non-uniform IR radiation reflected by skin of the user feature and an object IR pattern corresponding to IR radiation reflected by an object. The apparatus may further include a filter to generate a modified IR pattern from the object IR pattern and to remove at least a part of the modified IR pattern from feature IR pattern. In addition, the apparatus may include a feature characterizer to characterize the user feature based on the feature IR pattern. In one example, a computing platform may be controlled based on the characterization of the user feature.