Multimodal Interface Control Using Gesture, Voice, and Biopotential Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing human-computer interfaces lack the intuitive combination of gesture and voice control, failing to replicate the natural human communication methods of speech and gestures, which are essential for understanding context and providing feedback.
Innovation Solution
A device incorporating biopotential sensors and inertial measurement units to measure muscle and limb movements, along with processors to estimate forces and gestures, and integrate voice recognition for seamless control of electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gesture sensors and voice sensors are integrated into the interface device, then the ease of operation is improved by enabling natural human communication, but the device complexity increases due to multiple sensor types and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines gesture sensors, voice sensors, and processors into a single integrated interface device that can detect and process both gesture and voice inputs simultaneously. This merging of multiple sensing and processing functions into one device enables natural human communication while managing the complexity through integration rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface device is designed with multi-functionality to handle both gesture recognition and voice recognition tasks. The processor is configured to receive and process signals from both gesture sensors and voice sensors, making the device universal in its ability to interpret different modes of human communication without requiring separate specialized devices.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect gestures and voice commands, then the measurement precision is improved for accurate force and gesture estimation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing functions into distinct gesture sensors and voice sensors, each specialized for detecting specific types of input. This segmentation allows for optimized detection of particular modalities while the integrated processor combines these segmented signals into a unified control output, managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives raw signals from both gesture sensors and voice sensors, processes and interprets these signals, and generates appropriate control outputs. This intermediary processing layer manages the complexity by centralizing the integration logic and coordinating the multiple sensor inputs into coherent control commands.
3Productivity
If the device processes both gesture and voice signals simultaneously, then the productivity is improved by enabling comprehensive control options, but the use of energy increases due to dual signal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The processor can implement periodic or event-driven processing where it actively monitors sensor inputs but only performs full processing when gestures or voice commands are detected. This periodic action approach maintains readiness for comprehensive control while reducing continuous energy consumption compared to constant processing of both signal types.
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 precise and intuitive control of electronic devices through a combination of gesture and voice inputs, enhancing user interaction by simulating physical parameters and providing feedback.
Implementation Method 1
one or a plurality of biopotential sensors configured to be placed on a limb of a user and to measure one or more biopotential signals from one or more muscles or one or more nerves of the limb
Implementation Method 2
an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to measure one or more inertial properties of the limb
Data Source
AI summary
A gesture and voice-controlled interface device comprising one or a plurality of gesture sensors for sensing gestures of a user; one or a plurality of audio sensors for sensing sounds made by the user, and a processor configured to obtain one or a plurality of sensed gestures from said one or a plurality of gesture sensors and to obtain one or a plurality of sensed sounds from said one or a plurality of audio sensors, to analyze the sensed gesture and sensed sounds to identify an input from the user, and to generate an output signal corresponding to the input to a controlled device