University of Texas System

Sangki Yun

Lili Qiu

A method, system and computer program product for controlling a device (e.g., smartphone) by tracking a movement of a target (e.g., finger). A channel impulse response which characterizes signal traversal paths with different delays is estimated. Channel tap(s) corresponding to the target are then selected. The phase change of the selected channel taps is tracked based on the estimated channel impulse response to estimate a distance change of the target from the device. An estimate of an absolute distance between the device and the target is estimated based on the estimated channel impulse response. A more accurate absolute distance between the device and the target is calculated by combining the estimated absolute distance and the estimated distance change. The position of the target is then tracked based on a distance to different landmarks (e.g., microphones) on the device using the more accurate absolute distance and the estimated distance change.

Controlling a device by tracking the movement of a finger

A method, system and computer program product for tracking movement of an object, such as a hand. Speakers of a device to be controlled transmit frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) audio signals. These signals are reflected by the object and received by the microphones at the controlled device. The received and transmitted audio signals are mixed. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) is then performed on the mixed audio signals. One or more peak frequencies in the frequency domain of the FFT mixed audio signals are selected and used to estimate the distance between the object and the speakers of the controlled device. Furthermore, the velocity of the object is estimated. The coordinates of the object are then computed using the estimated distance between the object and the speakers and microphones of the controlled device and the estimated velocity of the object.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Sangki Yun