UWB Gesture Control for Precise Contactless Device Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for interacting with and controlling electronic devices, such as televisions, often require physical touch or cumbersome input devices like remote controls, and camera-based gesture recognition raises privacy concerns and performs poorly in low light conditions.

Innovation Solution

The system uses wireless ranging and gesturing between devices, utilizing UWB signals for precise location detection and angle measurement to control electronic devices without physical touch, enabling actions based on the relative position and gestures of other devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If camera-based gesture recognition is used to control electronic devices, then gesture-based control capability is improved, but privacy concerns arise and performance deteriorates in low light conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegesture-based controlVSAvoidprivacy concerns and low light performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces camera-based optical detection with UWB (Ultra-Wideband) wireless signal-based detection. Instead of using cameras to capture visual gestures, the system uses UWB signals to detect device position, distance, and orientation through wireless communication, thereby eliminating privacy concerns and low light performance issues while maintaining gesture-based control capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from optical signal strength to UWB signal characteristics (time of flight, angle of arrival). By measuring parameters such as round-trip time and signal phase differences, the system achieves precise device localization and gesture recognition without relying on light conditions or camera-based visual tracking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If physical touch or input devices like remote controls are used to control electronic devices, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to physical contact requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidphysical contact requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based control (touch screens, remote controls) with contactless UWB signal-based control. The system detects device proximity, position, and movement through wireless signals, enabling users to control electronic devices without physical contact while maintaining high precision through accurate ranging and angle measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces UWB signals as an intermediary between the user and the electronic device. Instead of direct physical contact or line-of-sight camera tracking, the UWB signals serve as a mediator to transmit control information wirelessly, enabling contactless interaction with centimeter-level precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If UWB signals are used for device control, then ranging precision and angle detection accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentimeter-level ranging and angle detectionVSAvoidUWB transceiver integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by integrating UWB transceivers into existing mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, wearables) that already have wireless communication capabilities. The same UWB hardware is used for both data communication and precise ranging/gesture control, avoiding the need for separate dedicated sensors and reducing overall system complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the ranging and gesture control functions with the device's existing wireless communication system. By combining UWB transceiver, processor, and sensor data in a unified system, the patent achieves high-precision measurement without requiring separate complex hardware subsystems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables intuitive and precise control of electronic devices by detecting the presence and position of other devices, overcoming privacy issues and lighting limitations of camera-based systems, with accurate centimeter-level ranging and angle detection.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting signals, via a transceiver to an external electronic device... receiving signals, via the transceiver, from the external electronic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4172654B1Method and apparatus for controlling devices based on ranging and gesturing in wireless communication system, and corresponding non-transitory computer readable recording medium
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4172654B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4172654B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4172654B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method performed by a first electronic device in a wireless communication system is provided. The method may include generating location information of a second electronic device relative to the first electronic device, based on a plurality of differences between one or more first ultra-wide band (UWB) signals transmitted to the second electronic device and one or more second UWB signals received from the second electronic device. Additionally, the method includes determining an action to be performed based on the location information and identifying whether the action is associated with the first electronic device or the second electronic device. The method includes performing the action based on the identification.