Perimeter IR LED Gesture Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices with near-infrared transceivers are limited in detecting the three-dimensional location of human beings or physical objects and often require complex, expensive setups that are not user-friendly, lacking versatility in applications such as gesture detection, hand approach, eye tracking, and facial illumination.
Innovation Solution
An infrared light emitting diode (IR LED) gesture detection system is implemented, with LEDs distributed around the device perimeter and a sensor to detect IR light reflections, enabling enhanced hand approach detection, eye movement tracking, facial illumination, and proximity functionality, allowing for adaptive adjustment of IR light projection for uniform illumination and dynamic gesture detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If near-infrared transceivers are used to detect presence and location of human beings, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into multiple distributed IR LEDs positioned at different locations around the device. Each LED independently projects IR light and the sensor detects reflections, allowing the system to determine three-dimensional location information through triangulation without requiring a single complex transceiver assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed IR LED system is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: gesture detection, hand approach detection, eye tracking, facial illumination, and data transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining detection capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If distributed IR LEDs are used for gesture detection, then versatility of applications is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The same distributed IR LED array and sensor combination is used across multiple application domains including gesture detection, hand approach detection, eye tracking, facial illumination, and IR data transmission. The system adapts to different functions by varying the activation patterns and detection algorithms rather than requiring separate hardware subsystems for each application
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which IR LEDs are activated and how the sensor processes reflected light based on the detected function. For example, different LED combinations are used for eye tracking versus gesture detection, and the sensor integration time and sensitivity are adjusted dynamically to optimize performance for the current application while minimizing power consumption and processing complexity
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
The IR LED system provides a user-friendly, cost-effective solution for detecting gestures and tracking human presence and movement, enhancing device interaction by enabling versatile functionalities like gesture recognition, hand approach detection, and adaptive facial illumination, while reducing component complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
An electronic device includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed proximate to a perimeter of the device and a sensor disposed in the device. The LEDs project IR light.
Implementation Method 2
The sensor detects IR light originating from at least one of the LEDs reflected from off of a person. The sensor may detect a gesture using at least two of the LEDs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in an electronic device, the method includes projecting infrared (“IR”) light from a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) disposed proximate to the perimeter of the electronic device, detecting, by a sensor, IR light originating from at least two of the plurality of LEDs reflected from off of a person, and carrying out a function based on the relative strength of the detected IR light from the LEDs.