Multi-point television motion sensor system and method

• US 8,629,938 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2009
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Wong, Ling Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): Harold, Jefferey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rahman, Mustafizur
• Application Number:
  US12/573,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20110080529A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,562 Days
• Field of Search: 348/553, 348/730, 348/734, 348/818, 348/819, 348/158, 348/451, 348/452, 348/562, 348/563, 348/567, 345/158, 345/165, 340/686.6, 340/555, 340/552, 340/557, 340/540, 340/571
• US Class Current: 348/553
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4436 Power management, e.g. shutting down unused components of the receiver power management in computer systems G06F1/3203; hibernate or awake process in computer systems G06F9/4418
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/144 Movement detection for video coding H04N19/503; analysis of motion in general G06T7/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/63 Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers

Abstract

A system is disclosed for controlling operation of an electronic device, such as a TV. The system includes a first sensor located at or near the electronic device and a second sensor spaced apart from the first sensor, wherein the first and second sensors are configured to detect motion of a user within an operating zone associated with the electronic device. A processor is coupled to the electronic device and the first and second sensors, the processor being configured to input a signal from the first and second sensors. Memory is coupled to the processor, the memory comprising a sensing algorithm configured to process the input signal from the first and second sensors and determine the location of the user with respect to the operating zone. The processor is configured to send a control command to the electronic device based on an output of the sensing algorithm.

Claims

1. A system for controlling operation of an electronic device, comprising:

a first sensor located at or near the electronic device;

a second sensor spaced apart from the first sensor;

wherein the first and second sensors are configured to detect motion of a user within an operating zone associated with the electronic device;

a processor coupled to the electronic device and the first and second sensors, the processor being configured to input a signal from the first and second sensors; and

memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising a sensing algorithm executable by the processor to process the input signal from the first and second sensors and determine the location of the user with respect to the operating zone;

wherein the processor is configured to send a control command to the electronic device based on an output of the sensing algorithm;

wherein the control command is configured to turn the electronic device off based on an output of the sensing algorithm indicating that the user has departed the operating zone.

2. The system as recited in claim 1:

wherein the electronic device comprises a TV; and

wherein the control command is configured to turn the TV on based on the output of the sensing algorithm indicating that the user has entered the operating zone.

3. The system as recited in claim 2:

wherein the TV is coupled to one or more accessory devices; and

wherein the processor is configured to turn the accessory devices on or off based on the output of the sensing algorithm.

4. The system as recited in claim 3:

wherein the first sensor is located on a left side of the TV and the second sensor is located on the right side of the TV.

5. The system as recited in claim 1:

wherein the signal input from the first and second sensors varies according the proximity of the user to the first and second sensors; and

wherein the sensing algorithm is configured to determine the location of the user with respect to the operating zone by comparing the input between the first and second sensors.

6. The system as recited in claim 1:

wherein the memory further comprises a calibration algorithm;

wherein the calibration algorithm is configured to calibrate the sensors to the location of the electronic device.

7. The system as recited in claim 1:

wherein the memory further comprises user preferences;

wherein the sensing algorithm outputs as a function of the user preferences.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the system is integrated with the electronic device.

9. The system as recited in claim 1:

wherein the system is stand-alone with respect to the electronic device; and

wherein the system is coupled to the electronic device via an input for the electronic device.

10. A method for controlling operation of an electronic device, comprising:

locating a first sensor at or near the electronic device;

locating a second sensor at or near the electronic device at a location spaced apart from the first sensor;

wherein the first and second sensors are configured to detect motion of a user within an operating zone associated with the electronic device;

receiving a signal from the first and second sensors, the signal corresponding to motion of the user within the operating zone;

comparing the signal from the first sensor to the signal from the second sensor to determine a location of the user within the operating zone; and

sending a control command to the electronic device based on the location of the user;

wherein the control command is configured to turn the electronic device off based on an output of the sensing algorithm indicating that the user has departed the operating zone.

11. The method as recited in claim 10:

wherein the electronic device comprises a TV; and

wherein sending a control command comprises turning the TV on based on the output of the sensing algorithm indicating that the user has entered the operating zone.

12. The method as recited in claim 11:

wherein the TV is coupled to one or more accessory devices; and

wherein sending a control command comprises turning the one or more accessories on or off based on the location of the user.

13. The method as recited in claim 12:

wherein sending a control command comprises turning the electronic device on based on the location of the user being within the operating zone for a predetermined period of time.

14. The method as recited in claim 13:

wherein the signal from the first sensor and the signal from the second sensor are compared over a period of time to determine direction of the user with respect to the operating zone.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein sending a control command comprises turning the electronic device off based on the user leaving the operating zone for a predetermined period of time.

16. A monitor, comprising:

a first sensor located at or near a surface of the monitor;

a second sensor spaced apart from the first sensor;

wherein the first and second sensors are configured to detect motion of a user within an operating zone associated with the monitor;

a processor coupled the first and second sensors, the processor being configured to input a signal from the first and second sensors; and

memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising a sensing algorithm executable by the processor to process the input signal from the first and second sensors and determine the location of the user with respect to the operating zone;

wherein the processor is configured to send a control command to turn the monitor off based on an output of the sensing algorithm indicating that the user has departed the operating zone.

17. The monitor as recited in claim 16:

wherein the monitor is coupled to one or more accessory devices; and

wherein the processor is configured to turn the accessory devices on or off based on the output of the sensing algorithm.

18. The monitor as recited in claim 16:

wherein the signal input from the first and second sensors varies according the proximity of the user to the first and second sensors; and

wherein the sensing algorithm is configured to determine the location of the user with respect to the operating zone by comparing the input between the first and second sensors.

19. The monitor as recited in claim 16:

wherein the memory further comprises a calibration algorithm;

wherein the calibration algorithm is configured to calibrate the sensors to the location of the monitor.

20. The monitor as recited in claim 16:

wherein the memory further comprises user preferences;

wherein the sensing algorithm generates the output as a function of the user preferences.

21. The monitor as recited in claim 20:

wherein the user preferences designate the location of the operating zone.

22. The monitor as recited in claim 16, wherein sending a control command comprises turning the monitor on based on the output of the sensing algorithm indicating that the user has entered the operating zone.