Adaptive Engagement Support via Sensor Timing Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for continuous action engagement, such as sleep recording, face challenges when the action timing is not predetermined, as individuals' sleep patterns vary greatly, making it difficult to generate effective event notifications.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that utilize sensors on portable terminals to collect and analyze performance data, detecting optimal action timing based on past sensor data and user habits, and providing notifications when the action is not performed within a predetermined period.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If predetermined time and action criteria are used to generate event notifications, then the notification system is simple and easy to implement, but it cannot adapt to user-specific variations in action timing such as sleep patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAdaptability to user-specific timing variationsVSAvoidComplexity of timing detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically learns and adapts to user-specific timing patterns by analyzing sensor data without requiring manual configuration. The portable terminal autonomously detects when the user is likely to perform the target action based on historical sensor data, eliminating the need for users to manually set predetermined times while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors sensor data and uses this feedback to refine its timing predictions. By analyzing the relationship between sensor data patterns and actual user actions, the system dynamically adjusts its understanding of user-specific timing variations, improving adaptability over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If event notifications are sent at fixed predetermined times, then the notification method is simple, but it fails when user action timing varies significantly such as in sleep recording

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAdaptability to varying user schedulesVSAvoidTime loss from missed or mistimed notifications

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The notification timing transitions from static predetermined values to dynamic user-specific predictions. The system continuously updates its understanding of when the user is likely to perform the target action based on evolving sensor data patterns, allowing notifications to adapt to changing user schedules and reduce time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of sensor data to predict future user behavior patterns before sending notifications. By proactively learning from historical data, the system prepares accurate timing predictions in advance, ensuring notifications are sent at optimal moments rather than relying on fixed predetermined times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the system waits for user to spontaneously perform actions, then no active support is needed, but continuous performance of target actions cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveContinuous performance rate of target actionVSAvoidEase of maintaining recording habit

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides timely feedback through notifications that prompt users to perform target actions at optimal moments. By analyzing sensor data to determine when users are most likely to comply, the system sends reminders that significantly improve continuous performance rates while maintaining ease of operation through simple, context-aware notifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces reliance on user willpower and spontaneous action with an automated support mechanism. The notification system acts as an external scaffold that compensates for human inconsistency, enabling continuous action performance without requiring users to actively maintain discipline or manually track their habits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11373507B2Continual engagement support device, portable terminal, continual engagement support method, and program

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 NEC SOLUTION INNOVATORS LTD

AI summary

The continual engagement support device 600 includes: the performance data storage means 601 that stores performance data including time data indicating the time of performance and sensor data of the time of performance or the surrounding time obtained from the sensors mounted on the portable terminal when the target action is performed via the portable terminal possessed by the target user; the timing detection means 602 that detects the performance timing, which is the timing at which the target user is likely to perform the target action during the predetermined cycle, on the basis of the performance data; and the notification means 603 provides a notification to prompt the performance of the target action at the detected performance timing when the target action is not performed for a predetermined period of time or longer.