Radar-Based Hand Tracking with Neural Network Position Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radar systems struggle to provide a robust and accurate estimate of the 3-D position of movable targets, such as hands or handheld objects, for applications like human-machine interfaces, due to measurement noise and clutter, which affects the precision of gesture recognition and control.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing a neural network algorithm to process radar measurement datasets, such as 3-D point clouds or 2-D maps, to obtain position estimates of targets relative to a predefined reference coordinate system, which can include techniques like convolutional neural networks, graph neural networks, and recurrent neural networks to enhance accuracy and adapt to different radar units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional radar processing methods are used, then the system complexity is low, but the measurement precision and position estimation accuracy deteriorate due to noise and clutter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a neural network algorithm as an intermediary component between the radar sensor and the position estimation output. This neural network processes the raw radar measurement data, filtering out noise and clutter while extracting relevant position information. The neural network acts as a mediator that transforms noisy radar returns into accurate position estimates, resolving the contradiction between maintaining low system complexity and achieving high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical signal processing methods with a neural network-based computational approach. Instead of using conventional filtering and tracking algorithms, the system employs machine learning models that have been trained to recognize and estimate target positions from radar data. This substitution enables superior noise rejection and position estimation accuracy while maintaining computational efficiency through optimized neural network architectures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If neural network algorithms are used to reduce noise and clutter, then the measurement precision improves, but the computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition estimation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by training the neural network algorithms offline before actual position estimation tasks. During the training phase, the neural networks learn to recognize patterns and estimate positions from large datasets of radar measurements with known ground truth. Once trained, the networks can perform rapid inference on new data without requiring complex real-time computations, thus reducing processing time while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the neural network parameters and architecture to balance computational complexity and processing speed. By carefully selecting network depth, width, and activation functions, the system achieves high accuracy while minimizing computational load. The training process also optimizes parameters like learning rate and batch size to enable efficient convergence, reducing the time required for both training and inference operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If advanced neural network algorithms are implemented, then the position estimation accuracy improves, but the ease of operation and implementation difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition estimation accuracyVSAvoidimplementation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops universal neural network architectures that can handle multiple radar processing tasks simultaneously. The same neural network framework is used for noise filtering, position estimation, and potentially other functions like velocity estimation or gesture recognition. This multi-functionality reduces implementation complexity by reusing the same computational infrastructure across different applications, making the system easier to operate while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the neural networks automatically adapt to different radar configurations and environmental conditions. The training process enables the networks to learn optimal parameters and features specific to each application scenario without requiring manual tuning or configuration. This self-adaptation reduces the operational burden on users while maintaining high estimation accuracy across diverse conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4050460B1Radar-based object tracking using a neural network
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP4050460B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4050460B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4050460B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer-implemented method includes obtaining (5001) a radar measurement dataset (752) indicative of depth positions of data points of a scene (100) observed by a radar unit (70), the scene (100) comprising a target (80), the target (80) being selected from the group consisting of a hand, a part of a hand, and a handheld object. The method also includes processing (5020) the radar measurement dataset (752) using at least one neural network algorithm (500, 500-1, 500-2, 500-3) to obtain an output dataset (753), the output dataset (753) comprising one or more position estimates (788) of the target (80) defined with respect to a predefined reference coordinate system (99) associated with the scene (100).