Interactive Water Fountain Control Using Human Motion Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water fountains lack real-time interaction capabilities, as they are preprogrammed and do not allow observers to dynamically influence the water display, limiting the engagement and creativity of the interaction between the observer and the fountain.
Innovation Solution
A camera system and sensor network analyze human movements, interpreting and classifying them to control water fountain actuators, creating dynamic spray patterns and integrating additional effects like music, lights, and projected video to enhance the visual presentation based on real-time human interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If water fountains use preprogrammed sequences with servo motors to create dynamic patterns, then the visual display complexity is improved, but the real-time interaction capability with observers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates cameras and sensors that continuously monitor observer presence and movements, feeding this information back to the control system. The control system then adjusts water fountain patterns in real-time based on observer behavior, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that enables dynamic interaction while maintaining visual complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The fountain system transitions from static preprogrammed sequences to dynamic real-time patterns. Servo motors and water pressure controls are dynamically adjusted based on live observer data, allowing the fountain to change its behavior patterns continuously rather than following fixed sequences
2Adaptability or versatility
If water fountains use multiple spouts and servo motors to create dynamic patterns, then the entertainment value is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it manages preprogrammed sequences, processes real-time observer data from cameras and sensors, classifies movements, and dynamically adjusts water patterns. This multi-functional control architecture consolidates complexity into a single system that can handle both entertainment modes
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the physical fountain components (spouts, servo motors, water pressure) and the observer interaction elements (cameras, sensors). This intermediary layer processes information and coordinates control signals, managing system complexity while enabling sophisticated entertainment capabilities
3Reliability
If water fountains are controlled by preprogrammed sequences, then the operational reliability is improved, but the observer engagement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains operational reliability through feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor observer presence and system state. The control system reliably processes sensor data and adjusts fountain patterns accordingly, ensuring consistent and dependable interactive performance while enhancing observer engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The fountain system performs self-adjustment based on observer behavior. Sensors and cameras automatically detect observer presence and movements, and the control system autonomously modifies water patterns without requiring manual intervention, maintaining reliability while improving engagement
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a water fountain control system that utilizes cameras to analyze movements of a human subject, and actuates one or more water fountain controllers in response to the movements to create a display incorporating spray patterns of the flowing water. The camera system records video in real time and generates optical signals that are sent to a processor running software that assesses the dimension, position, stance, and/or motion of the human subject and converts the data into recognized classes of movements and/or poses. Once the processor identifies the type of movements and/or poses, it sends signals to the actuators of the water fountains to control the fountains in a manner that implements stored predetermined visual effects generated by the fountain to create a visual presentation to an audience.