Portable Device Bead Counting with Angular Velocity and Acceleration Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices, such as those with gravity sensors or accelerometers, struggle to accurately detect the rotation state and counting information of beads when rotated horizontally or subjected to unexpected movements, leading to inaccurate counting due to small gravity changes and susceptibility to sloshing.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device with a processor, communication circuit, and two sensors (angular velocity and acceleration sensors) connected in a sphere, which generates signals to estimate counting information by combining angular velocity and acceleration data, enabling accurate counting even during horizontal rotations and unexpected movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gravity sensors or accelerometers are used for counting, then the device can detect movement, but the counting accuracy deteriorates when rotated horizontally or subjected to unexpected sloshing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (gravity sensor, accelerometer, and angular velocity sensor) into an integrated sensing system. The gravity sensor and accelerometer detect vertical movements, while the angular velocity sensor detects rotational movements. By merging their outputs, the system achieves reliable counting across both vertical and horizontal orientations without being affected by sloshing or unexpected movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular velocity sensing as an additional dimension of detection beyond the traditional three-axis gravity and acceleration sensing. This fourth dimension (angular velocity) enables the system to accurately detect horizontal rotations that are invisible to gravity-based sensors, thereby solving the orientation-dependent accuracy problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device is rotated horizontally, then the user can operate the device in different orientations, but the gravity change detected becomes too small for accurate counting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds angular velocity sensing perpendicular to the gravity-based detection plane. When the device is rotated horizontally, the angular velocity sensor detects the rotational motion in this new dimension, providing accurate counting signals independent of gravity changes. This enables the device to maintain counting accuracy across all orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection function into two independent parts: gravity-based detection for vertical movements and angular velocity-based detection for rotational movements. This segmentation allows each sensor type to specialize in detecting specific motion patterns, enabling the device to operate accurately in any orientation without interference between detection modes.
3Ease of operation
If the device is subjected to unexpected sloshing, then the device experiences unexpected movements, but the gravity sensor or accelerometer misjudges the counting information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback-based counting verification by comparing data from multiple sensors. The system continuously monitors gravity sensor, accelerometer, and angular velocity sensor outputs, and only registers a count when the motion patterns from all sensors are consistent with intentional bead movement. This feedback mechanism filters out false counts from sloshing while preserving legitimate user operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of motion patterns before registering counts. By analyzing the characteristics of detected movements (direction, magnitude, duration, and sensor correlation) before finalizing counting decisions, the system can distinguish between intentional bead manipulation and accidental sloshing, thereby maintaining counting accuracy under various operating conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively improves the accuracy of counting information by using angular velocity signals to assist acceleration signals, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies in detecting horizontal rotations and minimizing errors from sloshing or tilting.
Implementation Method 1
the first sensor generates an angular velocity signal
Implementation Method 2
the second sensor generates an acceleration signal
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention provides a counting information updating method for a portable electronic device having a plurality of spheres connected with each other. The method includes: generating an angular velocity signal by a first sensor of the portable electronic device and generating an acceleration signal by a second sensor of the portable electronic device in response to a sphere moving operation; and estimating counting information corresponding to the sphere moving operation by using the angular velocity signal with an assistance of the acceleration signal.