# How Devices Predict Your Next Move Using Gestures and History > A patent for a smart interface that tracks your physical gestures and past habits to predict what you want to do next, showing custom options on a screen to save you time. - **Patent:** US RE46310 - **Original title:** USRE46310E1 - Ergonomic man-machine interface incorporating adaptive pattern recognition based control system - **Owner:** Blanding Hovenweep LLC - **Granted:** 2017 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 34 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, software, automotive, ai_ml ## What it does The patent describes a control system that combines two types of user data to predict actions. First, it tracks path-dependent inputs, which are physical motion gestures that change over time, such as a swipe or hand wave. Second, it tracks path-independent inputs, which are static choices or settings. A controller processes these inputs alongside stored historical data of the user's past activities. It then calculates the most likely action the user wants to perform and displays a tailored sequence of programming options on a screen. For example, if a user performs a specific hand gesture while a certain TV show is broadcasting, the system recognizes the gesture, recalls the user's past viewing habits at that hour, and automatically displays a prompt to record the show. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover systems that respond to physical gestures with fixed, hardcoded actions instead of predicting the user's intent based on past behavior history. - Does not cover interfaces that rely solely on static button presses or text inputs without tracking any time-dependent motion gestures. - Does not cover predictive systems that execute actions silently in the background without presenting a sequence of selectable programming options on a display. ## The clever bit Instead of treating gestures as simple, static commands, the system analyzes the path and timing of a motion gesture in tandem with the user's historical context to guess their intent before they finish the action. ## Real-world examples 1. Smart TV interfaces that suggest channels or apps based on viewing history and remote control movements 2. Automotive infotainment systems that predict navigation destinations or media choices based on gesture controls and daily driving habits 3. Smart home hubs that adjust lighting or temperature when detecting specific user movement patterns at certain times of day ## Why it matters This patent is a foundational document in the evolution of smart user interfaces, bridging the gap between physical remotes and modern gesture-controlled smart homes. Its broad claims on combining gesture recognition with predictive user history have made it a significant point of reference in patent litigation and licensing discussions involving smart TVs, streaming devices, and automotive infotainment systems. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How Devices Predict Your Next Move Using Gestures and History cover? A patent for a smart interface that tracks your physical gestures and past habits to predict what you want to do next, showing custom options on a screen to save you time. ### Who owns patent US RE46310? Blanding Hovenweep LLC owns this patent, granted in 2017. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on February 14, 2037, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US RE46310 cited by? This patent has been cited by 34 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This patent is a foundational document in the evolution of smart user interfaces, bridging the gap between physical remotes and modern gesture-controlled smart homes. Its broad claims on combining gesture recognition with predictive user history have made it a significant point of reference in patent litigation and licensing discussions involving smart TVs, streaming devices, and automotive infotainment systems. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover systems that respond to physical gestures with fixed, hardcoded actions instead of predicting the user's intent based on past behavior history. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE46310/google-drive **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/USRE46310 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Computers Understand Hand Movements in the Air](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737050/user-interfaces-for-gesture-detection) — This patent describes a computer system that recognizes hand movements in the air, called air gestures, to control different operations without needing to touch a screen or device. - [How Screens Change What They Show Based on Your Hand Distance](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10303266/apple-pencil) — A method for changing the menu options shown on a screen depending on how close or far away your hand is hovering above it. - [How Devices Personalize Their Screens Using Your Data and Smart Connections](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10977311/dynamically-modifying-elements-of-user-interface-based-on-knowledge-graph) — This patent describes how an electronic device can gather information about how you use it, understand what that information means, and then automatically change its screen to be more helpful or relevant to you. - [System for Controlling a Computer Using Hand Images](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9317130/visual-feedback-by-identifying-anatomical-features-of-a-hand) — This 2016 patent describes a system that uses a camera under a transparent surface to track a user's hand and display corresponding cursors on a screen, allowing hand gestures to control a computer interface. - [How Devices React to Different Kinds of Presses and Swipes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737107/user-interfaces-responsive-to-an-input-directed-to-an-input-device) — This patent describes user interfaces that respond in various ways to how you interact with physical controls, like pressing harder or longer, or swiping near them, to perform different actions.