Occluded Gesture Recognition via Radar Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques fail to provide seamless and near-constant control of mobile devices, especially when hands are occupied or when devices are occluded by materials like purses, bags, or other rooms, leading to ineffective audio interfaces and limited control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of occluded gesture recognition systems using microwave radio elements, antennas, and signal processors that emit radar fields capable of penetrating certain materials while reflecting from human tissue, allowing users to control devices with gestures made in the air, even when the device is not directly accessible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional audio interfaces are used to control devices when hands are occupied, then device control is enabled, but the system fails to understand user commands and cannot control devices in occluded situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces audio-based control (acoustic field) with radar-based gesture recognition (electromagnetic radiation). The radar system detects hand gestures through electromagnetic waves that penetrate occluding materials, substituting the unreliable audio interface with a more robust sensing mechanism that can reliably detect gesture patterns even when hands are occupied or devices are occluded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radar technology as an intermediary between the user and the device control system. Instead of directly capturing audio commands or requiring direct device interaction, the radar system serves as a mediator that detects gestures through occluding materials and translates them into control commands, bridging the gap between user intent and device response in situations where conventional methods fail.
2Measurement precision
If conventional touch interfaces require direct device access, then precise control is achieved, but users cannot control devices when occluded by purses, bags, or other rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of gesture detection from optical/tactile sensing (requiring direct contact or line of sight) to radar sensing using electromagnetic radiation. This parameter change allows the system to detect gestures through occluding materials like purses and bags, maintaining gesture recognition accuracy while dramatically increasing adaptability to occluded situations where conventional touch interfaces cannot operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional touch surface interaction to three-dimensional spatial gesture detection. The radar system captures gesture information in three-dimensional space, allowing users to perform gestures in the air without needing to physically contact the device. This dimensional expansion enables control in occluded situations while maintaining precision through sophisticated gesture pattern recognition.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radar fields are used to detect gestures through occlusions, then control in occluded situations is enabled, but the system complexity increases with microwave radio elements and signal processors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a unified radar-based system. The microwave radio elements, antennas, and signal processors work together as a cohesive multi-functional unit that can detect various gesture types, penetrate different occluding materials, and control multiple device functions. This universal approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized systems, managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
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 users to control mobile devices effectively in situations where conventional methods fail, such as when the device is in a purse or pocket, by recognizing gestures through occluded surfaces and mapping them to control inputs, providing precise and single-gesture control for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
microwave radio elements, antennas, and signal processors that emit radar fields capable of penetrating certain materials while reflecting from human tissue
Implementation Method 2
radar fields capable of penetrating certain materials while reflecting from human tissue
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes techniques and devices for occluded gesture recognition. Through use of the techniques and devices described herein, users may control their devices even when a user's gesture is occluded by some material between the user's hands and the device itself. Thus, the techniques enable users to control their mobile devices in many situations in which control is desired but conventional techniques do permit effective control, such as when a user's mobile computing device is occluded by being in a purse, bag, pocket, or even in another room.