Apparatus and method for recognizing hand shape using finger pattern

• US 9,443,138 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2013
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kwon, Mu-Sik, Kim, Moo-Rim
• Primary Examiner(s): AHMED, SAMIR ANWAR
• Application Number:
  US13/851,619
• Publication Number:
  US 20130259384A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/107 Static hand or arm

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for recognizing a hand shape by using a finger pattern are disclosed. The throughput of data used to recognize a hand shape is reduced and the hand shape can be quickly recognized by setting in advance a finger pattern in accordance with one or more hand shapes, calculating edges for each pixel line of an input image, detecting finger feature data by using a preset feature reference value, detecting a finger candidate pattern by using the detected finger feature data, and recognizing a hand shape corresponding to a finger pattern that matches the detected finger candidate pattern.

Claims

1. An apparatus for recognizing a hand shape by using a finger pattern, the apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store one or more preset finger patterns according to one or more hand shapes;

a camera configured to receive an optical signal and output an image;

a controller configured to calculate edges for each pixel line within the output image, detect finger feature data according to a preset feature reference value by using the calculated edges, determine a first pixel line where no edge is detected within an area having a preset size based on the detected finger feature data, generate a second pixel line extending in a vertical direction from the determined first pixel line to the finger feature data, detect a candidate finger pattern by using the detected finger feature data and the second pixel line, and detect a preset finger pattern that matches the candidate finger pattern from the stored one or more preset finger patterns; and

a display configured to display a hand shape corresponding to the preset finger pattern.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the preset feature reference value includes at least one of a length of a pixel group between the calculated edges, an average pixel value of the pixel group, a ratio of lengths between adjacent pixel groups, and a direction of the calculated edges.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller detects pixel groups having similar lengths and similar average pixel values among pixel groups between the calculated edges as the finger feature data.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller detects the adjacent pixel groups having a ratio of lengths equal to a preset threshold ratio.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller determines pixel groups having similar lengths, similar average pixel values, and the same direction of the calculated edges among the pixel groups between the calculated edges as the finger feature data.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when there is a slope difference between a direction of the detected finger feature data and a vertical direction of the image by comparing the direction of the detected finger feature data with the vertical direction of the image, the controller determines that a hand shape is rotated.

7. A method of recognizing a hand shape by using a finger pattern in a hand shape recognition apparatus, the method comprising:

storing one or more preset finger patterns according to one or more hand shapes;

receiving, by a camera, an optical signal;

outputting, by the camera, an image;

calculating, by a controller, edges for respective pixel lines within the output image;

detecting, by the controller, finger feature data according to a preset feature reference value by using the calculated edges;

determining, by the controller, a first pixel line where no edge is detected within an area having a preset size based on the detected finger feature data;

generating, by the controller, a second pixel line extending in a vertical direction from the first determined pixel line to the finger feature data;

detecting, by the controller, a candidate finger pattern by using the detected finger feature data and the second pixel line;

detecting a preset finger pattern that matches the candidate finger pattern from the stored one or more preset finger patterns; and

displaying, by a display, a hand shape corresponding to the preset finger pattern.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the preset feature reference value includes at least one of a length of a pixel group between the calculated edges, an average pixel value of the pixel group, a ratio of lengths between adjacent pixel groups, and a direction of the calculated edges.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting the finger feature data comprises detecting pixel groups having similar lengths and similar average pixel values among pixel groups between the calculated edges as the finger feature data.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting the finger feature data comprises detecting the adjacent pixel groups having a ratio of lengths equal to a preset threshold ratio.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting the finger feature data comprises determining pixel groups having similar lengths, similar average pixel values, and an equal direction of the calculated edges among the pixel groups between the calculated edges as the finger feature data.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

comparing a direction of the detected finger feature data with a vertical direction of the image; and

when there is a slope difference between the direction of the detected finger feature data and the vertical direction of the image, determining that a hand shape is rotated.