Gesture recognition via an ad-hoc proximity sensor mesh for remotely controlling objects

• US 8,831,794 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2011
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Persaud, Anthony G., Storch, Mark R., Prentice, Adrian J., Joseph, George
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEUNG, CALVIN K
• Application Number:
  US13/274,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20120283896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 340/12.22, 340/12.23, 340/12.24, 701/2, 701/49, 701/50
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/40 Applications of devices for transmitting control pulses; Applications of remote control devices control in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/205 Remotely operated machines, e.g. unmanned vehicles E02F3/8866 takes precedence
• 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: G08C 2201/32 Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device

Abstract

Apparatuses for remote operation of a first object by a second object is disclosed that one or more sensors configured to be placed on the second object and to obtain ranging information; and a processing system configured to determine one or more movements of the second object from the ranging information; and generate one or more control signals related to the one or more movements for manipulating the first object.

Claims

1. An apparatus for remote operation of a first object by a second object comprising:

a first plurality of sensors configured to obtain first ranging information;

a second plurality of sensors in communication with the first plurality of sensors, the second plurality of sensors being configured to be placed on the second object and to obtain second ranging information; and

a processing system configured to;

determine one or more movements of the second object from the second ranging information; and

generate one or more control signals related to the one or more movements for manipulating the first object.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of sensors are located on a flat surface and the second plurality of sensors form part of a body area network, and wherein the processing system is further configured to determine the one or more movements from the first ranging information and the second ranging information.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more control signals generated by the processing system are configured to cause at least one movement of the first object that mimics the one or more movements of the second object.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more movements comprise one or more gestures.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit the one or more control signals to the first object.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second object comprises a part of a human body.

7. An apparatus for remote operation of a first object by a second object comprising:

a first plurality of means for sensing and configured to obtain first ranging information;

a second plurality of means for sensing in communication with the first plurality of means for sensing, wherein the second plurality of means for sensing being configured to be placed on the second object and to obtain second ranging information;

means for determining one or more movements of the second object from the second ranging information; and

means for generating one or more control signals related to the one or more movements for manipulating the first object.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising means for determining the one or more movements from the first ranging information and the second ranging information;

and wherein the first plurality of means for sensing are located on a flat surface and the second plurality of means for sensing form part of a body area network.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for generating the one or more control signals is configured to cause at least one movement of the first object that mimics the one or more movements of the second object.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more movements comprises one or more gestures.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a transmitter means configured to transmit the one or more control signals to the first object.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second object comprises a part of a human body.

13. A method for remote operation of a first object by a second object comprising:

obtaining first ranging information via a first plurality of sensors;

obtaining second ranging information via a second plurality of sensors configured to be placed on the second object, the second plurality of sensors further configured to be in communication with the first plurality of sensors;

determining one or more movements of the second object from the second ranging information; and

generating one or more control signals related to the one or more movements for manipulating the first object.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first plurality of sensors is located on a flat surface and the second plurality of sensors forms part of a body area network, and wherein determining the one or more movements of the second object from the second ranging information comprises determining the one or more movements from the first ranging information and the second ranging information.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising causing at least one movement of the first object that mimics the one or more movements of the second object via the one or more control signals generated by the processing system.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more movements comprises one or more gestures.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising transmitting the one or more control signals to the first object via a transmitter.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the second object comprises a part of a human body.

19. A computer program product for remote operation of a first object by a second object comprising:

a non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable for;

obtaining first ranging information via a first plurality of sensors;

obtaining second ranging information via a second plurality of sensors configured to be placed on the second object, the second plurality of sensors being in communication with the first plurality of sensors;

determining one or more movements of the second object from the second ranging information; and

generating one or more control signals related to the one or more movements for manipulating the first object.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the first plurality of sensors is located on a flat surface and the second plurality of sensors forms part of a body area network, and wherein determining the one or more movements of the second object from the second ranging information comprises determining the one or more movements from the first ranging information and the second ranging information.

21. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the non-transitory machine-readable medium further comprising instructions executable for causing at least one movement of the first object that mimics the one or more movements of the second object via the one or more control signals generated by the processing system.

22. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the one or more movements comprises one or more gestures.

23. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the non-transitory machine-readable medium further comprising instructions executable for transmitting the one or more control signals to the first object via a transmitter.

24. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the second object comprises a part of a human body.

25. A remote control system for remote operation of a first object by a second object comprising:

a first plurality of sensors configured to obtain first ranging information;

a second plurality of sensors in communication with the first plurality of sensors, the second plurality of sensors being configured to be placed on the second object and to obtain second ranging information;

at least one antenna; and

a processing system configured to;

determine one or more movements of the second object from the second ranging information;

generate one or more control signals related to the one or more movements for manipulating the first object; and

transmit the one or more control signals to the first object via the at least one antenna.