Muscle-Impulse Gesture Control for Multi-User Home Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light control systems are inadequate in providing intuitive and efficient control, especially in larger spaces, as they often require users to navigate to a central control device, making it difficult for multiple users to control lights simultaneously and complicating the selection of specific lights.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing muscle impulse detection units that allow users to control lights through gestures, eliminating the need for central control devices and enabling wireless, intuitive control of lighting systems and other home automation components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control devices with more buttons and input fields are used to meet increasing adjustment options, then the control functionality is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical control elements (buttons, switches, touchscreens) with a physiological sensing system that detects muscle impulses. The control unit receives signals from muscle impulse detection units and translates them into control commands, eliminating the need for physical control interfaces while maintaining full control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The muscle impulse detection unit serves multiple functions: detecting various gestures, identifying different users, and controlling multiple consumers (lights, blinds, audio devices). This single device replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized control devices with different buttons and interfaces.
2Area of stationary object
If control devices are placed at a distance from users to cover larger rooms, then the coverage area is improved, but the ease of operation and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system attaches itself to the user via wearable muscle impulse detection units rather than requiring users to approach fixed control devices. The detection units move with the users, enabling control wherever the users go in the room or building, effectively providing unlimited coverage area while maintaining constant accessibility.
3Device complexity
If a single control device is used to operate multiple lights, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome selection
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate feedback by detecting which user performed which gesture and translating it directly into control actions for specific consumers. The control unit processes signals from multiple detection units, identifies the intended target based on gesture context, and executes the appropriate control command without requiring manual selection navigation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional control devices are used in the dark, then the control functionality is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to visibility requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical interaction (touchscreens, displays, visual feedback) with physiological sensing that detects muscle impulses independently of light conditions. The muscle impulse detection units measure electrical signals from muscle contractions, which occur regardless of ambient lighting, enabling full control functionality in complete darkness.
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 multiple users to control lights and other home automation devices simultaneously and intuitively, without the need for central control devices, allowing for flexible movement and operation in the dark, reducing complexity and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
at least one muscle impulse detection unit (70) for detecting electrical muscle impulses generated when performing one or more gestures in free space
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (50) for actuating loads (61, 62, 63, 64) of a domestic control apparatus, in particular lamps, by means of muscle impulses of at least one user. The system (50) has at least one muscle-impulse sensing unit (70) for sensing electrical muscle impulses. The muscle impulses are produced when one or more gestures produced in free space are performed, and the muscle impulses are sensed in the form of preferably digital signals uniquely associated with a gesture. The muscle-impulse sensing unit (70) also has a transmitting unit (75) for transmitting the signals uniquely associated with the gestures. The system also has at least one control unit (80). The control unit (80) has a receiving unit (81) for receiving the signals transmitted by the transmitting unit (75), an associating unit (82) for associating the received signals with control commands stored in the control unit (80), and an actuating unit (83) for actuating at least one of the loads (61, 62, 63, 64) of the domestic control apparatus on the basis of the control commands associated with the received signals. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for actuating loads (61, 62, 63, 64) of a domestic control apparatus, in particular lamps, by means of muscle impulses of at least one user.