EMG Sensor Neuromuscular Signal Prediction for Low Latency Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for controlling devices rely on waiting for user actions to be completed, leading to delays in response times, especially in applications requiring fast reactions, such as gaming or virtual reality interactions.

Innovation Solution

The use of EMG sensors to record neuromuscular signals and analyze them with a trained statistical model to predict the onset of motor tasks, allowing for early detection and control of device operations with short latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If conventional techniques wait for user actions to be completed before controlling devices, then device control reliability is maintained, but response time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidcontrol reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of neuromuscular signals to predict user intent before the motor task is executed. EMG sensors detect electrical activity in muscles, and a statistical model analyzes these signals to predict the onset of motor tasks, enabling device control to begin before the user actually completes the action, thus reducing response time while maintaining reliability through predictive accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If EMG sensors are used to predict motor task onset, then response time is reduced and productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces traditional mechanical control interfaces (buttons, switches, joysticks) with a physiological sensing system. EMG sensors detect electrical signals from muscles, and a statistical model processes these signals to predict motor task onset, substituting the mechanical interaction paradigm with a physiological one that enables faster, more intuitive control without requiring physical contact with control devices

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

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 improved control of devices with reduced latency, enhancing performance in applications that require swift reactions by predicting user intentions before they are executed.

Implementation Method 1

Electromyography (EMG) sensors placed on the surface of the human body record electrical activity produced by skeletal muscle cells upon their activation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromyography (EMG):

Data Source

PatentEP3487402B1Methods and apparatus for inferring user intent based on neuromuscular signals
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3487402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3487402B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3487402B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and system for predicting the onset of a motor action using neuromuscular signals. The system comprises a plurality of sensors configured to continuously record a plurality of neuromuscular signals from a user and at least one computer processor programmed to provide as input to a trained statistical model, the plurality of neuromuscular signals or information based on the plurality of neuromuscular signals, predict, based on an output of the trained statistical model, whether an onset of a motor action will occur within a threshold amount of time; and send a control signal to at least one device based, at least in part, on the output probability, wherein the control signal is sent to the at least one device prior to completion of the motor action by the user.