Remote Control Apparatus Using Projected Interface and Distance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote operation systems for household equipment require the operator to make specific movements to be photographed, which reduces operability and is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A remote operation controlling apparatus that uses a combination of a projector, distance detector, and system controller to project control item images on a surface, allowing operators to select and execute control commands by moving their hands within defined regions without the need for direct photography.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If photographing means is used to detect operator movement for remote control, then remote operation capability is improved, but operability deteriorates because operator must make specific movements to be photographed
Solution Approach 1:
A projector is introduced as an intermediary device that projects control item images onto a reference surface (such as a wall or table). The operator interacts with these projected images by making simple hand movements within defined regions, rather than requiring complex movements to be photographed. This intermediary projection system mediates between the operator's simple gestures and the control system, improving operability while maintaining remote operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control item images are copied and projected onto a reference surface in the operator's vicinity. Instead of directly capturing the operator's movements with photographing means, the system creates visual copies of control interfaces that the operator can interact with through simple hand movements. This copying approach allows the operator to see and interact with control options without requiring complex photographic capture of their actions.
2Extent of automation
If photographing means is required for remote control, then remote operation is enabled, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The photographing means is extracted and removed from the system. Instead of using cameras or image sensors to capture operator movements, the invention uses a projector to display control items and a distance detector to sense operator presence. This extraction eliminates the complexity associated with photographing components while maintaining remote operation functionality through a simpler projection-based interaction model.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical photographing system is replaced with a projection-based visual interface system combined with distance detection. Instead of using optical cameras to capture and interpret operator movements, the system uses a projector to present control options and a distance detector to sense when the operator is ready to interact. This substitution reduces device complexity by replacing complex optical capture systems with simpler projection and sensing components.
3Extent of automation
If operator must make specific movements to be photographed, then remote control function is achieved, but time is lost due to learning and executing complex movements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of capturing the operator's complex movements and interpreting them for control, the system inverts the approach by projecting control items directly onto a surface and detecting when the operator's hand enters defined interaction regions. The control system responds to the presence and position of the operator's hand within projected zones rather than requiring specific photographed movements. This inversion simplifies the interaction to basic hand presence detection, reducing the time needed to learn and execute control actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The projected control item images serve themselves by automatically displaying available controls and their interaction regions. When the operator's hand enters a defined region, the system automatically detects this through the distance detector and executes the corresponding control function without requiring the operator to perform complex photographed movements or the system to interpret complex gesture data. This self-service approach reduces operational time by eliminating complex interaction sequences.
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 high operability for controlling multiple household devices with simple hand movements, improving usability and eliminating the need for direct photography, thus enhancing remote operation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a distance detector 106 for detecting a distance to the operator's hand
Implementation Method 2
a projector 105 for projecting a picture image corresponding to the control item determined by the system controller 108
Data Source
AI summary
Operation controlling apparatus executing equipment operation controlling, including: an equipment management portion configured to manage control commands corresponding to plural number of control items; a video producing portion configured to produce videos corresponding to the plural number of control items; a video display portion configured to display video produced by the video producing portion laying on a control surface; a distance detector portion configured to detect distance from the video producing portion to the control surface; and a controller portion configured to control the video display portion, so that a size of the video to be displayed by the video display portion is within a size of the control surface, depending on the distance detected by the distance detector portion, and to make equipment of a control target execute the control command, which is managed by the equipment management portion, when execution of the control item is determined.