Thermographic Camera Gesture Recognition in Low Light

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gesture recognition systems fail to accurately detect and interpret user commands in low light or no light conditions, leading to incomplete or incorrect command interpretations.

Innovation Solution

The use of thermographic cameras configured with computing systems to detect infrared radiation from user gestures, enabling gesture recognition in normal, low light, and no light conditions by communicating gesture image information for processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If light sensing cameras are used for gesture recognition, then the system can operate in normal light conditions, but the system fails to accurately detect gestures in low light or no light conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture detection accuracyVSAvoidlighting condition adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the detection parameter from visible light to infrared radiation. The thermographic camera detects infrared radiation emitted by the user's body and gestures, allowing gesture recognition to function independently of visible light conditions. This parameter change enables the system to operate reliably in normal light, low light, and no light conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If thermographic cameras detecting infrared radiation are used, then gesture recognition works in low light and no light conditions, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting condition adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermographic camera serves multiple functions: it detects infrared radiation for gesture recognition in all lighting conditions, and can potentially be used for other thermal detection applications. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by providing versatile operation across different environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution allows for reliable detection and interpretation of user gestures in various lighting conditions, improving upon the limitations of conventional systems by ensuring accurate command processing even in dark environments.

Implementation Method 1

a thermographic camera configured to detect infrared radiation from a gesture made by a user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9990043B2Gesture recognition systems and devices for low and no light conditions

Publication Date: 2018.06.05 WEST TEXAS TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC

AI summary

Gesture recognition systems for detecting gesture commands in light conditions and in dark conditions including a computing system having a processor and a thermographic camera configured to detect infrared radiation from a gesture made by a user and communicate gesture image information to the processor for carrying out a computer-readable gesture command are shown and described. In some examples, the computing system and the thermographic camera are supported on an eyewear article frame. In some other examples, the computing system and the thermographic camera are components of a mobile device. In even other examples, the computing system and the thermographic camera are components of a desk top computer or a laptop computer.