Linear Image Sensor Gesture Detection for Hover and Click

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical gesture control systems face challenges in detecting click events and are affected by ambient light interference, limiting their functionality and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A gesture detection device employing at least two image sensors and a processing unit, which calculates differential images to identify click events and eliminate ambient light interference, using a linear image sensor array and infrared light sources to enhance detection accuracy and reduce manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a touch panel is used for touch control, then slide control and click control functions can be provided, but the manufacturing cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating functionsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses image sensors to capture images of the hand gesture and creates a virtual representation of the touch interaction without requiring a physical touch panel. The processing unit analyzes the captured images to determine touch events, effectively copying the functionality of a touch panel through optical means rather than physical contact detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical touch panel system with an optical gesture recognition system. Instead of detecting physical contact through electrical or mechanical means, the system uses image sensors to capture optical images and processes them to identify touch gestures, substituting the mechanical detection mechanism with an optical one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If an image sensor is used for hover control, then hover gesture can be detected, but click event detection is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehover controlVSAvoidclick event detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the processing unit continuously analyzes the captured images to detect changes in the hand gesture pattern. When specific patterns indicating a click gesture are detected (such as changes in contact area or pressure distribution), the system provides feedback by generating a click event signal, enabling reliable click detection through iterative image analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent detects click events by monitoring parameter changes in the captured images, specifically changes in the size, shape, or position of the detected hand gesture region. By analyzing the temporal variation of these parameters, the system can distinguish between hover and click gestures, as click gestures produce characteristic parameter changes that differ from pure hover movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If ambient light is present during image capture, then the image sensor can capture images, but ambient light interference affects detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage capture capabilityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using image processing techniques to compensate for ambient light interference before the detection process. The processing unit analyzes the captured images to identify and subtract ambient light components, effectively pre-neutralizing the harmful effect of ambient light on detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful ambient light interference into a beneficial feature by using the ambient light information to enhance the detection algorithm. The processing unit utilizes the captured image data, including ambient light components, to train or adjust the gesture recognition model, thereby improving the system's ability to distinguish between different gestures even in varying lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The solution enables accurate detection of both hovering and click operations, improving the system's functionality and reducing manufacturing costs by increasing the number of detectable images per second while minimizing ambient light interference.

Implementation Method 1

The first image sensor is disposed on the detection surface and captures a first image along the normal direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9423893B2Gesture detection device for detecting hovering and click

Publication Date: 2016.08.23 PIXART IMAGING INC

AI summary

There is provided a gesture detection device including two linear image sensor arrays and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to compare sizes of pointer images in the image frames captured by the two linear image sensor arrays in the same period or different periods so as to identify a click event.