METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING MOTION GESTURE COMMANDS
A computer capable of recognizing gesture commands is disclosed. Suppose that a user makes a gesture of swinging a hand from side to side in front of a camera associated with a computer. A camera module receives frames with shots of the gesture in order. The camera module calculates a gradation difference between corresponding pixels of each frame and a background image to generate a set of binarized differential images. The camera module then combines differential images to generate composite images. In response to a determination that any of the composite images matches a reference pattern, the camera module outputs a computer command. The computer command can be used to control the power state of the computer or start a specific application within the computer.
1 . A method comprising:
defining a reference pattern;
receiving a frame from an image sensor that has captured a blurred image of an object;
identifying a shape of said blurred image included in said received frame;
comparing said identified shape of said blurred image with said reference pattern to determine whether or not said identified shape represents a gesture command; and
in response to a determination that said identified shape represents a gesture command, generating a corresponding command for controlling an operation of a computer.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said receiving further includes receiving a plurality of consecutive frames of said object taken at a predetermined frame rate.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said identifying further includes
identifying shapes of blurred images in said plurality of consecutive frames;
combining said shapes of said blurred images respectively included in said plurality of consecutive frames to generate a composite image.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said identifying further includes comparing a background image with said images in said consecutive frames to determine a difference between gradation values of corresponding pixels in order to generate a binarized differential image.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said identifying further includes comparing said frames with each other to determine a difference between gradation values of corresponding pixels in order to generate a binarized differential image.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said comparing further includes determining a logical sum for said binarized differential image to generate said composite image.
7 . A method comprising:
defining a reference pattern with which a computer command is associated;
setting an exposure time of an image sensor to capture a blurred image of a motion gesture;
receiving, from said image sensor, a frame with said motion gesture shot therein;
identifying a shape of said blurred image from said frame;
determining whether or not said shape of said blurred image matches said reference pattern; and
in response to a determination that said shape of said blurred image matches said reference pattern, sending a corresponding computer command to a computer.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising changing a power state of said computer in response to said computer command.
9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising causing said computer to start executing an application program in response to said computer command.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein a shape of said reference pattern is a fan shape that forms a blurred image as a result of reciprocating motion of an arm using an elbow or a shoulder as a pivot point.
11 . A computer comprising:
a camera system;
a reference image registering block for storing a reference pattern with which a command is associated;
a blurred image processing block for identifying a shape of a blurred image of a moving object from a frame with the object shot therein; and
a pattern recognition block for
comparing said identified shape of said blurred image with said reference pattern;
determining whether or not said shape of said blurred image matches said reference pattern; and
generating, in response to a determination that said shape of said blurred image matches said reference pattern, a corresponding computer command.
12 . The computer of claim 11 , wherein said blurred image processing block includes
a differential image generating section for determining a gradation difference between corresponding pixels of frames to generate a binarized differential image; and
a composite image generating block for determining a logical sum for the differential image to generate a composite image.
13 . The computer of claim 11 , further comprising:
a background image generating section for generating a background image of said object;
a differential image generating section for calculating a gradation difference between corresponding pixels of said background image and each frame to generate a binarized differential image; and
a composite image generating section for calculating a logical sum for said differential image to generate a composite image.
14 . The computer of claim 13 , wherein when said computer detects an acceleration greater than or equal to a predetermined value, said background image generating block updates the background image.