Mobile Device Gesture Detection Using Horizontal Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices face challenges in accurately distinguishing between intended gesture-based user inputs and unintended movements, particularly when the device is being carried or subjected to environmental vibrations, making it difficult to determine when the device is in a gesture command input ready state.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a mobile device to determine if it is in a gesture command input ready state by ensuring the display remains in a horizontal viewable position for a threshold period, using inertial sensors to detect movements, and processing unit to assess whether the movement represents a gesture command input, thereby affecting user perceivable outputs accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile device uses inertial sensors to detect movements for gesture-based user inputs, then the device can receive gesture commands, but it may also detect unintended movements such as when carried or subjected to environmental vibrations, leading to false activations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture command input capabilityVSAvoidfalse activation rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by requiring the device to remain in a horizontal viewable position for a threshold period of time before entering the gesture command input ready state. This preliminary stabilization period filters out transient movements such as when the device is being carried or subjected to environmental vibrations, ensuring that only intentional, sustained gestures are detected as valid inputs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its sensitivity by transitioning between different operational states (inactive, ready, active) based on real-time movement analysis. The processing unit continuously monitors inertial sensor data and adapts the detection threshold by requiring sustained horizontal positioning before enabling gesture recognition, thereby dynamically filtering out false movements while remaining responsive to intentional gestures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the mobile device requires the display to remain in a horizontal viewable position for a threshold period of time to enter gesture ready state, then false activations are reduced, but the response time to legitimate gestures may be delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture detection accuracyVSAvoidgesture response time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by requiring only a threshold period of horizontal positioning (not an excessively long duration) before entering the ready state. This threshold is calibrated to be sufficient to filter out false movements from carrying or vibrations, yet short enough to maintain responsive interaction, thereby achieving the optimal balance between reliability and response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If the mobile device continuously monitors movement to distinguish gesture inputs from unintended movements, then detection accuracy improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor processing energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by continuously monitoring inertial sensor data only during specific periods when the device is in the ready state or transitioning to it, rather than maintaining high-level processing at all times. The processing unit periodically evaluates movement patterns against the horizontal positioning criterion, enabling accurate distinction between intentional gestures and unintended movements while conserving energy during inactive periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 the mobile device to selectively receive and respond to gesture-based user inputs while minimizing false activations from unintended movements, improving user interaction by ensuring accurate detection of intended gestures amidst environmental influences.

Implementation Method 1

one or more inertial sensors; determine whether a movement of the mobile device represents a gesture command input, the movement being based, at least in part, on at least one signal associated with at least one of the one or more inertial sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS9513714B2Methods and apparatuses for gesture-based user input detection in a mobile device

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses are provided that may be implemented in a mobile device to: determine whether the mobile device is in a gesture command input ready state based, at least in part, on a display portion of the mobile device remaining in a horizontal viewable position for a threshold period of time; with the mobile device in a gesture command input ready state, determine whether a detected movement of the mobile device represents a gesture command input; and in response to the determined gesture command input, affect a user perceivable output.