Remote Controller Distance Gestures for Intuitive Z-Axis Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote control systems struggle to provide intuitive z-axis direction instructions, as users find it difficult to understand the relationship between foreground/background directions using existing buttons or levers, and existing solutions either limit instructions to either foreground or background or require complex combinations of buttons.
Innovation Solution
A remote control system that includes a remote controller and an information processing apparatus, where the remote controller transmits a start notification to begin measuring the inter-device distance, and the information processing apparatus uses a conversion table to associate time-dependent changes in this distance with specific operations, allowing the execution of operations based on both distance and time conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a button is used to give an instruction in the z-axis direction, then the device structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users find it difficult to understand the relationship between foreground/background directions and the button
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button system with an acoustic field-based detection system. The information processing apparatus uses a microphone to detect acoustic waves generated by the user's mouth movements when pronouncing vowels, substituting mechanical input with acoustic field analysis to determine z-axis direction instructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical button press states to acoustic wave characteristics (frequency, amplitude, waveform patterns). By analyzing the acoustic parameters generated during vowel pronunciation, the system can distinguish between foreground and background direction instructions without requiring physical buttons.
2Ease of operation
If a lever is used to give an instruction in the z-axis direction, then the ease of operation improves because users can associate foreground/background directions with lever tilting directions, but the device complexity worsens and the lever only allows instruction in one direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the acoustic input system universal by designing it to recognize multiple vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u) and map them to different z-axis direction instructions. The same microphone-based system can handle both foreground and background directions, as well as integrate with x-y axis button operations, eliminating the need for separate levers for different directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic wave analysis as an intermediary between the user and the control system. Instead of direct mechanical interaction with levers or buttons, the user's vocalizations serve as an intermediary signal that the system translates into control commands, enabling intuitive multi-directional control without complex mechanical structures.
3Device complexity
If existing remote control systems are used, then the device complexity remains low, but the adaptability worsens because they cannot provide intuitive z-axis direction instructions or support multiple operations based on distance and time conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities by analyzing the temporal characteristics of acoustic inputs. The system distinguishes between different operations based on the duration, timing, and sequence of vowel pronunciations relative to button presses, enabling adaptive responses to user intentions without requiring complex mechanical switches or modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the information processing apparatus analyzes the acoustic input in real-time and provides responsive control. The system continuously monitors the acoustic field during button press operations, dynamically adjusting the interpretation of z-axis instructions based on the detected vowel sounds and their temporal relationship to the button events.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote control system includes an information processing apparatus and a remote controller. The remote controller includes a start notification transmitter that transmits a notification for causing the information processing apparatus to start recording an inter-device distance. The information processing apparatus includes a conversion table showing an association between amounts of change in the inter-device distance within predetermined time lengths and operations corresponding to the amounts of change; a start notification receiver; a distance measurement unit that periodically measures the inter-device distance; a measured distance storage unit that stores a measured inter-device distance in association with a measurement sequence; a determination unit that determines whether the amount of change in distance and the time length during which the change has occurred match any of the amounts of change in the conversion table; and an operation executor that executes the associated operation when the match is obtained.