Infrared Gesture Detection for Hands-Free Device Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gesture sensors require physical contact or visible light sources for activation, which can be inconvenient and unsafe, especially for portable digital devices like smartphones when used in hazardous conditions.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with an infrared (IR) transmissive window and an IR gesture detection sensor that allows activation through a sequence of gestures without physical contact, using a processor and digital memory to manage a timer for gesture recognition, enabling activation from an inactive mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional gesture sensors use visible light sources and require physical contact or visible light for activation, then the device can be activated, but it creates inconvenience and safety issues when used in hazardous conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free activationVSAvoidsafety risks in hazardous conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visible light-based optical sensors with infrared sensors that detect hand gestures through infrared light transmission. This substitution allows gesture recognition without visible light, enabling hands-free activation while improving safety in hazardous conditions where visible light may be problematic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the sensor system by using infrared light instead of visible light. The infrared sensor detects gestures through infrared light transmission through the device housing, allowing activation without physical contact and eliminating safety concerns associated with visible light in hazardous environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the device requires physical contact for activation, then activation is straightforward, but it reduces safety and convenience in hazardous conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidphysical contact requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based activation with optical gesture recognition using infrared light. Users can activate the device by performing gestures in the air that are detected by the infrared sensor, eliminating the need for physical contact while maintaining reliable activation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces infrared light as an intermediary medium between the user and the device activation mechanism. The infrared sensor detects gestures through this intermediary, allowing non-contact activation while improving safety by removing the need for physical contact with the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If visible light sources are used for gesture detection, then the sensor can detect gestures, but it creates safety issues in hazardous conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture detection capabilityVSAvoidsafety concerns with visible light

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the light wavelength parameter from visible light to infrared light. The infrared sensor detects gestures using infrared light transmission, maintaining gesture detection capability while eliminating safety concerns associated with visible light in hazardous conditions such as explosions or radioactive environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the visible light-based optical detection system with an infrared-based system. This replacement maintains the ability to detect hand gestures while removing the safety hazards associated with visible light sources in hazardous environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 hands-free activation of electronic devices, extending battery life and enhancing safety by allowing device use without physical interaction, particularly beneficial for portable devices in situations like driving.

Implementation Method 1

An electronic device with an infrared (IR) transmissive window and an IR gesture detection sensor aligned with the transmissive window

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9342159B2Method and apparatus for activating electronic devices with gestures

Publication Date: 2016.05.17 MAXIM INTEGRATED PROD INC

AI summary

An electronic device with gesture activation includes a body having at least one infrared (IR) transmissive window, an IR gesture detection sensor aligned with the transmissive window, a processor coupled to the gesture detection sensor and digital memory coupled to the processor. The digital memory includes code segments executable on the processor for starting a timer if a first gesture of an activation gesture sequence including an ordered plurality of gestures is received while at least one process of the electronic device is in an inactive mode, and for activating the at least one process of the electronic device if the remainder of ordered plurality of gestures is received before the timer has elapsed.