Bluetooth Direction Finding Head Pose Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless communication systems are unable to effectively detect or predict user behavior, such as interest in displayed content or direction of gaze, which complicates targeted advertising and navigation services.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing Bluetooth direction finding to calculate rotation angle information between devices, generating head pose direction estimates to determine user behavior and send targeted content or navigation signals based on user orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional wireless communication systems are used to obtain location information, then basic positioning is achieved, but user behavior detection and prediction capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser behavior detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that receives raw signal data from conventional wireless communication systems and extracts behavior-related features. This intermediary layer processes RF signal characteristics (strength, phase, timing) to infer user behavior without requiring direct complex sensing, thus improving behavior detection accuracy while avoiding the need for overly complex hardware systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms conventional location parameters (coordinates, distance) into behavior-indicative parameters by analyzing changes in signal characteristics over time. By monitoring parameter variations such as signal strength fluctuations, phase shifts, and timing changes, the system infers user behaviors like head pose, interest in content, and attention direction, thereby improving measurement precision without adding complex devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If eye identification technology is used to determine user interest in displayed content, then behavior detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity and operation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interest detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or optical eye-tracking systems with a wireless signal-based detection method. Instead of using cameras, infrared sensors, or mechanical eye-tracking hardware, the system uses RF signal characteristics already present in the wireless communication environment to infer user interest and attention, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while dramatically simplifying system operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the wireless communication system to serve dual purposes: maintaining its primary communication function while simultaneously detecting user behavior through analysis of its own transmitted and received signals. The system uses its existing RF signals as the detection medium, eliminating the need for separate eye-tracking hardware and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If conventional systems are used for targeted advertising and navigation, then basic service delivery is achieved, but personalized content delivery accuracy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent delivery accuracyVSAvoiduser behavior information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors wireless signal characteristics to detect user behavior changes in real-time. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts content delivery, advertising selection, and navigation information provision to match current user interest and attention state, thereby improving content delivery accuracy without losing behavioral information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of user behavior patterns by continuously monitoring signal characteristics before delivering targeted content. The system pre-processes behavioral data to identify user interest trends and attention patterns, enabling proactive and personalized content delivery rather than reactive generic delivery, thus improving accuracy while preserving behavioral information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables effective estimation of user behavior for personalized advertising and navigation, reducing the need for user interaction and improving the accuracy of content delivery and route guidance.

Implementation Method 1

detecting the angle information (angle of arrival and/or angle of departure) of the signal transmitted between a first electronic device and a second electronic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAngle of Arrival (AOA):

Implementation Method 2

a method utilizing Bluetooth direction finding to calculate rotation angle information between devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal Transmission:

Data Source

PatentUS11979738B2Schemes for effectively estimating user behavior to achieve a variety of automatic applications by detecting the angle of the transmitted signal to generate head pose direction estimation
Publication Date: 2024.05.07 PIXART IMAGING INC
  • US11979738B2 patent drawing
  • US11979738B2 patent drawing
  • US11979738B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of wireless communication locator station to be disposed at specific location includes: detecting rotation angle information of client-based portable device, carried or worn by user, according to specific wireless communication standard between wireless communication locator station and client-based portable device when client-based portable device is within signal range of wireless communication locator station; generating head pose direction estimation according to calculated rotation angle information; and when head pose direction estimation indicates that a user turns face towards wireless communication locator station, sending packet signal from wireless communication locator station to server-based portable device, successfully paired with and security-connected with client-based portable device, so that server-based portable device can transfer packet signal to client-based portable device after receiving packet signal.