Object Motion Classification for Human-Triggered Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems struggle to differentiate between human and non-human motion accurately, leading to unnecessary device activation and resource waste.

Innovation Solution

A computing system processes sensor data using object-motion attributes such as repetitiveness, speed, acceleration, and path changes to classify motion as human or non-human, determining whether to trigger device actions accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If more sophisticated sensors and/or a greater number of sensors are implemented to distinguish between human and non-human motion, then the accuracy of motion classification is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion classification accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of motion detection by analyzing multiple attributes of motion (speed, acceleration, path changes, repetitiveness) rather than relying solely on additional sensors. This allows the system to distinguish between human and non-human motion using existing sensor data processed through enhanced algorithms that evaluate temporal and spatial motion characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of adding more physical sensors with an information-processing approach. Instead of expanding the hardware sensor array, the system uses computational analysis of motion attributes (velocity, acceleration patterns, path geometry) to achieve better classification accuracy, substituting mechanical complexity with algorithmic complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the computing system responds to all detected object motion by causing device action, then the responsiveness to human motion is improved, but unnecessary activation occurs due to non-human motion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice activation responsivenessVSAvoidenergy waste from unnecessary activation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by analyzing motion attributes before triggering device activation. The system pre-evaluates detected motion against learned patterns and motion attributes (speed thresholds, acceleration characteristics, path repetitiveness) to predict whether the motion is human before actually activating the device, preventing unnecessary activation from non-human motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from analyzing motion patterns and comparing them against stored learned patterns to determine appropriate device activation. By continuously monitoring motion attributes and comparing them against historical data and threshold criteria, the system adjusts its activation decisions to reduce unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining responsiveness to genuine human presence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260099196A1Machine-Based Classification of Object Motion as Human or Non-Human as Basis to Facilitate Controlling Whether to Trigger Device Action
Publication Date: 2026.04.09 ROKU INC
  • US20260099196A1 patent drawing
  • US20260099196A1 patent drawing
  • US20260099196A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and system for evaluation of object motion repetitiveness as a basis to distinguish between human motion and non-human motion, in order to facilitate control of device operation. An example method includes (i) a computing system receiving sensor data representing object motion detected by at least one sensor, the object motion defining motion of an object, (ii) the computing system making a determination, based at least on an evaluation of the received sensor data, of whether the detected object motion is repetitive, and (iii) based at least on the determination being that the detected object motion is not repetitive, the computing system responding to the detected object motion by causing a device to take an action corresponding with a prediction that the object is a human being.