Coordinating Motion and Proximity Sensors for Gesture Recognition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile devices experience high false positive rates in gesture recognition and prolonged response times due to the lack of coordination between motion and proximity sensors, leading to unnecessary activation of functions.

Innovation Solution

A method that coordinates motion and proximity sensors to confirm gestures by using motion sensor readings to calibrate the proximity sensor before reaching a target object, thereby reducing false positives and shortening response times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile device uses motion sensor readings alone to recognize gestures, then the gesture recognition process is simple and fast, but the false positive rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegesture recognition accuracyVSAvoidsensor coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration of the proximity sensor using motion sensor data before the actual proximity detection is needed. When a gesture is detected, the system pre-adjusts the proximity sensor baseline, so that when the device actually reaches the target object, the proximity sensor is already calibrated and ready to respond instantly, eliminating the need for lengthy calibration at the moment of detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The motion sensor serves as an intermediary that triggers and guides the proximity sensor calibration process. The motion sensor detects the gesture and initiates the proximity sensor adjustment, acting as a mediator that coordinates between user intent and the proximity detection system to reduce false positives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If the proximity sensor is calibrated before reaching the target object, then the response time is shortened, but the calibration process requires additional time and resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidcalibration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs proximity sensor calibration in advance when motion is detected, rather than waiting until the device reaches the target object. This preliminary calibration action, triggered by gesture detection, ensures the proximity sensor is ready immediately when needed, reducing the perceived response time from the user's perspective

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration process is integrated into the natural motion sequence, making it appear continuous to the user. As the user moves the device toward the target, the calibration happens seamlessly in the background during the motion transition, maintaining the illusion of instant response while actually performing necessary calibration steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If the mobile device activates functions based on motion gestures alone, then the activation speed is fast, but the false positive activation rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction activation speedVSAvoidactivation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by checking proximity sensor data before activating functions. When a gesture is detected, the system pre-checks whether the device is actually near the target object using the proximity sensor, confirming the gesture's validity before triggering the associated function, thus preventing false activations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses proximity sensor feedback to verify gesture detection results. The proximity sensor provides real-time feedback about whether the device is actually near the target object, allowing the system to confirm or reject the detected gesture and prevent false positive function activations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2716018B1Motion-based device operations
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 APPLE INC
  • EP2716018B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2716018B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2716018B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, program products, and systems of motion based device operations are described. A mobile device can coordinate operations of a motion sensor and a proximity sensor. The mobile device can determine a gesture event using the motion sensor. The mobile device can determine a proximity event using the proximity sensor. The mobile device can use the gesture event and proximity event to confirm one another, and determine that the mobile device has moved in proximity to a target object following a specified gesture. Upon confirmation, the mobile device can perform a specified task.