RF Tag Reader Detecting Human-Object Interactions via Phase Shift

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for tracking human-object interactions using wireless technology face challenges in accurately detecting motion and touch events due to interference from multipath effects and frequency hopping, which complicates the interpretation of RF phase and RSSI data.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising wireless tags and readers that utilize tag processing software to analyze communication channel parameters like RSSI, RF phase, and Doppler shift to infer object states and human interactions, enabling detection of motion, rotation, swipe-touch, and cover-touch events by recalculating these parameters over time and using unique tag IDs for object identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless technology is used to track objects, then object location and interaction tracking becomes possible, but multipath effects and frequency hopping interfere with accurate detection of motion and touch events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidmultipath effects and frequency hopping interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that receives raw RF signal data (affected by multipath and frequency hopping) and transforms it into processed interaction data. The system uses a processor to analyze changes in RF phase and RSSI over time, filtering out interference effects and extracting meaningful motion and touch event information, thereby resolving the contradiction between signal availability and detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If RF phase and RSSI data are used to detect interactions, then motion and touch events can be detected, but the complexity of interpreting signal data increases due to multipath effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction detection capabilityVSAvoidsignal interpretation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex signal interpretation task into distinct analytical components. It separately processes RF phase changes, RSSI variations, and temporal patterns, analyzing each parameter independently and then combining the results. This segmentation reduces the overall complexity by breaking down the difficult signal interpretation into manageable analysis steps, each targeting a specific aspect of interaction detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis by continuously monitoring and storing baseline RF phase and RSSI values before interaction events occur. It pre-processes the signal data to establish normal operating conditions, then compares subsequent measurements against these baselines to detect deviations caused by human interactions. This preliminary preparation simplifies real-time detection by having reference data ready for comparison.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If continuous monitoring of communication channel parameters is performed, then accurate tracking of object states is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject state tracking precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring of RF phase and RSSI parameters at defined intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The system analyzes signal changes over specific time periods and only triggers detailed interaction detection when changes exceed predetermined thresholds. This periodic approach maintains measurement precision for detecting significant interactions while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 system effectively tracks human-object interactions, enabling applications such as interactive media control, retail behavior analysis, and environmental adjustments by accurately interpreting changes in RF signals, minimizing interference and providing reliable data for various interaction scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

communication channel parameters like RSSI, RF phase, and Doppler shift to infer object states and human interactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoppler shift: Doppler Effect

Implementation Method 2

analyze communication channel parameters such as received signal strength indicator (RSSI), RF phase, and Doppler shift

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF signal propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9805232B2Systems and methods for detecting human-object interactions

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

There are provided systems and methods for a user interaction with an object having a wireless tag with an antenna. An example system includes a memory storing a tag processing software, and a hardware processor executing the tag processing software to receive a signal from the wireless tag of the object via the antenna, the signal including a wireless tag identification (ID) uniquely identifying the wireless tag, identify the object using the wireless tag ID, extract one or more communication channel parameters from the signal, determine the user interaction with the object based on the one or more communication channel parameters extracted from the signal.