Interactive Seat Gesture Control Using Proximity Antennae in Armrests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized seats with push buttons or remote controls for adjusting movable parts face issues such as aesthetic disruption, ergonomic accessibility, safety concerns due to accidental activation, and usability challenges, particularly for elderly or disabled users.
Innovation Solution
An interactive seat with external proximity sensors (antennae) on each arm that detect hand gestures to control the seat's mechanisms, eliminating the need for buttons or remote controls, and allowing intuitive operation through hand placement on specific arm locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If push buttons are integrated into the seat or armrest, then the seat can be controlled, but the aesthetic line is broken and buttons may be accidentally pressed by children
Solution Approach 1:
The control function is extracted from the physical buttons and transferred to a wireless remote control device. The buttons are completely removed from the seat structure, eliminating the aesthetic disruption while preserving the control functionality through a separate handheld device.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless remote control acts as an intermediary between the user and the seat's motorized mechanisms. This mediator transmits control signals without requiring physical contact with the seat, thus preserving the seat's aesthetic appearance while enabling full control functionality.
2Ease of operation
If optical sensors are used for gesture control, then button accessibility is improved, but the system requires frequent maintenance and specific gestures to avoid accidental activations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical sensor systems with a simpler wireless communication system using radio frequency signals. This substitution eliminates the maintenance issues associated with optical sensors (dirt accumulation, degradation) while providing reliable gesture-based control through the remote device.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control uses conventional, readily available wireless communication technology rather than expensive or fragile optical sensing components. This approach prioritizes reliability and ease of replacement over advanced sensing capabilities, aligning with the principle of using simpler, more maintainable components.
3Shape
If buttons are hidden inside the chair, then aesthetics are improved, but users have difficulty finding and distinguishing button functions
Solution Approach 1:
All control buttons are extracted from the seat structure and consolidated into a portable remote control device. This extraction eliminates the problem of hidden buttons entirely, as all controls are now accessible on the external remote device with clear labeling and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control serves as a universal control interface for all seat functions. By consolidating all controls into one external device with standardized button layout and labeling, it provides a consistent and easily identifiable interface regardless of the seat's aesthetic design.
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
Enhances user comfort and safety by providing intuitive gesture control, ensuring ergonomic accessibility and preventing accidental activations, especially beneficial for elderly or disabled users.
Implementation Method 1
An interactive seat with external proximity sensors (antennae) on each arm that detect hand gestures
Data Source
AI summary
Interactive seat (1) with gesture control comprising a plurality of moving parts (6,7,8); wherein said movable parts (6,7,8) are actuated by means of at least one electrical actuating device (5) according to a user's rest preferences; and wherein the interactive seat (1) also comprises: a means for detecting a user's gesture (2,3) located in the arms (9(i), 9(d)) of the seat (1); and consisting of at least two antennae (2,3) one for each arm (9(i), 9(d)) such that a first antenna (2) is located in the left arm (9i), while the second antenna (3) is located in the right arm (9d).