SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROXIMITY-BASED POSITION, MOVEMENT AND GESTURE DETECTION USING CAPACITIVE SENSOR ARRAYS

• US 20150199045A1
• Filed: 10/24/2014
• Published: 07/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Maryland Baltimore County (University of Maryland)
• Original Assignee: Nilanjan Banerjee
• Inventors: ROBUCCI, Ryan, BANERJEE, Nilanjan
• Granted Patent: US 10,228,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0381 Multimodal input, i.e. interface arrangements enabling the user to issue commands by simultaneous use of input devices of different nature, e.g. voice plus gesture on digitizer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9622 using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard

Abstract

Systems and methods for proximity-based position, movement and gesture detection are provided that utilize capacitive sensor arrays. In one embodiment, the system utilizes textile-based capacitive sensor arrays that can be integrated into other textiles, such as clothing, bed linens, etc., or that can be integrated into the environment (e.g., furniture, wheelchairs, car seats, etc.). The system recognizes gestures from detected movement by utilizing hierarchical signal processing techniques.

Claims

1. A detection system for detecting the position and motion of an object, said object characterized by a conductivity and/or permittivity that will alter the capacitance of a capacitor when the object is in sufficiently close proximity to the capacitor, comprising:

a capacitive sensor array comprising at least two flexible conductive plates and a ground layer spaced apart from the at least two flexible conductive plates; and

a controller in communication with the at least two flexible conductive plates so as to received signals from the at least two flexible conductive plates;

wherein the at least two flexible conductive plates are sized and shaped so as to generate signals when the object is within a predetermined distance range from the at least two flexible conductive plates, and wherein the controller determines if the conductive object is moving based on the signals generated by the at least two flexible conductive plates.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the object comprises a human body.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least two flexible conductive plates are formed with conductive textile.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the ground layer is formed with conductive textile.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller processes the signals from the at least two flexible conductive plates using hierarchical signal processing.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the object comprises a human body, and the controller identifies gestures based on the signals from the at least two flexible conductive plates.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller determines a velocity and position of the conductive object based on the signals from the at least two flexible conductive plates.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the capacitive sensor array is integrated into clothing.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is in communication with the at least two flexible conductive plates via a wireless connection.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is in communication with the at least two flexible conductive plates via a wired connection.