Speaker Case Gesture Detection Using Vibration Reference Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detecting physical contact, such as finger taps, on a tabletop speaker system is challenging, especially in the presence of loud music, due to vibrations from the speakers, which interfere with the accuracy of gesture detection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a proximity detector and accelerometer to account for music vibrations and utilize the audio program material to improve the detection of intentional user inputs, allowing for gesture-based control of volume and other functions through hand movements above the speaker, including single and double taps, waves, and combinations thereof.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If speaker vibrations from loud music are present, then audio output is enhanced, but gesture detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the speaker vibrations themselves as a reference signal to subtract from the accelerometer data. By treating the harmful vibration noise as a useful reference, the system can identify and remove it, thereby improving gesture detection accuracy while maintaining full audio output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step where the accelerometer signal is filtered by removing the speaker vibration component. This intermediary filtering process acts as a mediator between the raw vibration-filled signal and the final gesture detection, allowing accurate gesture recognition even during loud music playback.
2Ease of operation
If accelerometer and proximity detector are added to enable gesture control, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the accelerometer serve multiple functions: it detects both speaker vibrations for audio feedback and user gestures for control. By making this single component multi-functional, the system achieves gesture control capability without adding dedicated gesture sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing components (accelerometer, speaker, audio processor) to enable gesture control without requiring entirely new dedicated systems. The accelerometer serves itself by providing both vibration reference and gesture detection, and the audio processing infrastructure serves dual purposes of music playback and gesture signal filtering.
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
Enhances the reliability and usability of gesture-based controls by reducing noise interference from speaker vibrations, enabling precise detection of user inputs and complex gestures for volume control and other functions.
Implementation Method 1
including a proximity detector and accelerometer to account for music vibrations
Implementation Method 2
including a proximity detector and accelerometer to account for music vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A speaker system includes a case, an audio input, speakers, an accelerometer, and a computer processor. The audio input is structured to receive a program audio signal from an audio device. The speakers are configured to play an audio output based on the program audio signal, the audio output causing a vibration of the case. The accelerometer is configured to detect the vibration of the case as well as a user tap on the case. The computer processor is configured to identify a user gesture that includes the tap on the case, to identify the tap apart from the case vibration by processing the detected vibration of the case and the detected user tap on the case based on information from the program audio signal to separate the detected user tap from the detected vibration, and to commence a particular function associated with the user gesture.