Photosensor Array Gesture Detection via Capacitive Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for above-surface gesture recognition, such as camera-based visual tracking, are impractical and costly for small devices, consuming significant processing, memory, and power resources, and may interfere with content presentation, while traditional touch gestures are limited and insufficient in certain contexts.
Innovation Solution
A computing device equipped with a photosensor array that measures changes in light to detect user hand position and movement in three dimensions, allowing for the recognition of various gestures without the need for external devices or complex camera systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If camera-based visual tracking is used for gesture recognition, then gesture detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical camera system with an electrical field-based capacitive sensor array. Instead of using cameras to capture images and process visual data, the system uses a grid of capacitive sensors to directly detect hand position and gestures through changes in electrical field capacitance, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining gesture recognition capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential sensing function from the complex camera system, using a simplified capacitive sensor array that directly measures hand position and gestures without requiring image processing, depth calculation, or complex optical components, thus reducing device complexity while preserving gesture detection functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If camera-based visual tracking is used for gesture recognition, then gesture detection capability is improved, but processing resources and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive camera-based visual tracking system with a low-power capacitive sensor array that directly measures hand position through electrical field changes. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous image capture, processing, and analysis, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining gesture detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensor array passively detects hand gestures through natural changes in electrical field capacitance caused by hand proximity and movement, eliminating the need for active illumination, image capture, or complex processing operations, thereby reducing power consumption while preserving gesture recognition functionality
3Device complexity
If traditional touch gestures are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but functionality and user interaction capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends gesture interaction from the two-dimensional touchscreen surface to the three-dimensional space above the display by using a capacitive sensor array that detects hand position, orientation, and movement in 3D space, enabling gestures such as hand waves, finger points, and hand shapes that can be performed without physical contact with the screen, thereby enhancing functionality while maintaining system simplicity
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 natural, hands-free gesture recognition with reduced complexity and cost, enhancing user interaction on devices of all sizes by defining gestures based on light changes and sequences, thereby improving functionality and minimizing interference with content presentation.
Implementation Method 1
an array of photosensors... measure changes in the amount of light that occur based upon a user's hand position above the photosensor array
Implementation Method 2
capacitance associated with the photosensors is charged and data regarding discharge rates for the sensors is collected that is indicative of the amount of incident light
Data Source
AI summary
Photosensor array gesture detection techniques are described. In one or more embodiments, a computing device includes an array of photosensors. The photosensor array can be configured in various ways to measure changes in the amount of light that occur based upon a user's hand position above the photosensor array. In at least some embodiments, capacitance associated with the photosensors is charged and data regarding discharge rates for the sensors is collected that is indicative of the amount of incident light. Sequential changes in the amount of light that is measured across the array of photosensors can be used to determine positioning and/or movement of the user's hand in three dimensions (e.g., track position/motion in three-dimensional (3D) space relative to the computing device.) Accordingly, various gestures can be defined in terms of input obtained via the photosensor array and recognized to trigger corresponding operations by the computing device.