Trainable Transceiver Image Recognition Hands-Free Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trainable transceivers face challenges in providing a seamless user experience for automatically transmitting wireless control signals to remote electronic devices without the need for additional markers or modifications, such as infrared markers, and struggle to accurately control devices based on proximity and context.

Innovation Solution

A trainable transceiver that uses image recognition techniques to identify geographic features, such as buildings or garage doors, and matches them against stored reference images to automatically transmit activation signals, allowing for hands-free operation without modifying the remote electronic system or its components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If image recognition techniques are used to automatically transmit activation signals, then hands-free operation is enabled, but the risk of unintentional activations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidunintentional activations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images before transmission and verifying matches against stored reference images. The transceiver captures images at different times and locations, then validates that multiple images match the same reference image before activating the remote device, preventing premature or accidental activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring image capture success, match validation results, and transmission status. The transceiver verifies that captured images match stored reference images with high confidence before transmitting activation signals, and can adjust capture parameters based on feedback from previous attempts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If multiple images are captured and validated before transmission, then accuracy of device control is improved, but time required for operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice control accuracyVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by capturing a predetermined number of images (e.g., 3-5 images) rather than requiring exhaustive verification. This provides sufficient accuracy for reliable device control while avoiding excessive time consumption. The system balances the number of images captured to achieve adequate verification without unnecessary delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Reference images are stored in advance during a training phase, so that during operation only comparison is needed rather than full analysis. The system pre-processes and stores reference images from various angles and conditions, enabling rapid matching during actual operation and reducing real-time processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the transceiver is integrated into a vehicle, then mobility and versatility are improved, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemobilityVSAvoidsystem integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transceiver is designed with multi-functionality to justify its integration into the vehicle. It can control multiple types of remote devices (garage doors, gates, lights, security systems) using the same image recognition and transmission mechanism. The system serves multiple purposes including device control, location tracking, and verification, reducing the need for separate specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The transceiver combines multiple functions into a single integrated unit: image capture, image processing, reference image storage, activation signal generation, and transmission. By merging these functions into one device rather than separate components, the system reduces overall complexity while maintaining versatility and mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3289575B1Trainable transceiver with hands free image based operation
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 GENTEX CORP
  • EP3289575B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3289575B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3289575B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A method for automatically transmitting an activation signal from a trainable transceiver to a remote electronic system, includes receiving, at a control circuit of the trainable transceiver, image data from an image data source; determining, using the control circuit, if the received image data matches one or more reference images stored in memory and associated with the remote electronic system; and determining, in response to a match between the received image data and the one or more reference images, if the trainable transceiver is approaching the remote electronic system. The method includes, in response to determining that the trainable transceiver is approaching the remote electronic system, formatting an activation signal to control the remote electronic system and transmitting, using a transceiver circuit, the activation signal formatted to control the remote electronic system.