Microphone Array Gesture Control for Sleep Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices, such as smartphones and laptops, lack effective methods for user control when in sleep or screensaver mode, as traditional peripherals like touch screens and physical buttons are not activated in these states.
Innovation Solution
A sound identification device equipped with a microphone array and processing unit that converts acoustic signals from gestures on the device's surface into digital signals, allowing for the control of application programs without the need for physical input methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional peripherals (touch screen, physical buttons) are used for control, then user control capability is available when device is active, but these peripherals cannot be activated when the device is in sleep mode or screensaver mode
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone module is assigned multiple functions: it serves as both an acoustic signal receiver for voice commands and a gesture detection sensor by detecting acoustic signals generated from surface gestures. This allows the same component to provide control capability across different device states (active and sleep modes), resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic signals as an intermediary medium for control. Instead of directly using touch screen or physical buttons, the system uses acoustic signals generated by gestures on the microphone module surface as a mediator to trigger control actions. This intermediary approach enables control in sleep mode where traditional peripherals are inactive.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a microphone array is used to detect gestures on the microphone module surface, then control capability is enabled during sleep mode, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone array, originally designed for acoustic signal reception, is made multi-functional by enabling it to detect both voice commands and gesture-generated acoustic signals. This eliminates the need for separate gesture sensing hardware, thereby enabling sleep mode control without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The microphone module serves itself by using its existing acoustic sensing capability to detect gestures on its own surface. The acoustic signals generated by gestures on the microphone module surface are captured by the same microphones, allowing the component to perform dual functions without requiring additional dedicated gesture sensing elements.
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 user control of electronic devices through gesture recognition, improving user experience by allowing control of applications like screen scrolling, volume adjustment, and unlocking, even when traditional peripherals are inactive.
Implementation Method 1
Each microphone receives an acoustic signal caused by a gesture performed on a surface of the microphone module and converts the received acoustic signal to a digital acoustic signal
Data Source
AI summary
A sound identification device is provided. The sound identification device includes a microphone array and a processing unit. The microphone array includes a plurality of microphones disposed within a microphone module mounted on a housing of the sound identification device. Each microphone receives an acoustic signal caused by a gesture performed on a surface of the microphone module and converts the received acoustic signal to a digital acoustic signal. The processing unit is configured to receive the digital acoustic signal from each microphone, and perform a sound identification process on the digital acoustic signal from each microphone to generate a sound identification result conveying information of the gesture. The processing unit controls at least one application program executed by the processing unit according to the sound identification result.