Facial Gasket Physiological Sensor Signal Combination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users wearing head-mounted devices for online interactions, such as gaming and virtual reality, lack non-verbal cues like facial expressions, leading to potential misinterpretation of messages due to the absence of visible facial images.

Innovation Solution

A facial gasket device equipped with physiological sensors that measure and process signals to detect facial expressions, emotional states, and cognitive conditions, allowing for the interpretation of non-verbal cues even in virtual environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If head-mounted devices are used for online interactions, then connectivity and immersion are improved, but non-verbal communication is lost leading to misinterpretation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveonline interaction capabilityVSAvoidnon-verbal cues

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces physiological sensors as an intermediary device that captures facial expression data and converts it into transmittable signals. These sensors act as a mediator between the user's facial expressions and the remote communication partner, enabling non-verbal cue transmission through the head-mounted device without requiring direct visual contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual system of direct facial observation with an electronic sensing and signal processing system. Physiological sensors detect facial muscle movements and electrical signals, which are then processed and transmitted digitally, substituting the need for direct visual observation of facial expressions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of energy

If facial images are not transmitted in online sessions, then bandwidth and privacy are improved, but communication accuracy deteriorates due to lack of non-verbal cues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth consumptionVSAvoidmessage interpretation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential non-verbal information (facial expression data) from the complete facial image, transmitting only this processed data rather than full visual feeds. This extraction approach maintains communication accuracy while significantly reducing bandwidth requirements compared to transmitting actual facial images

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms facial expression information from visual spatial parameters (images) into physiological signal parameters (electrical signals, muscle movement data). This parameter transformation enables efficient digital transmission while preserving the essential communicative content of facial expressions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If physiological sensors are added to detect facial expressions, then non-verbal cue detection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefacial expression detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the head-mounted device to serve multiple functions: the physiological sensors not only detect facial expressions for communication but also potentially monitor user health, stress levels, and cognitive states. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing additional value beyond basic communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11550392B2Signal combination of physiological sensor signals

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

In some examples, a facial gasket device includes a plurality of physiological sensors to detect physiological signals, and a signal processor to receive output signals based on measurements of the plurality of physiological sensors, the signal processor programmable to selectively combine a collection of the output signals to detect a target physiological activity of the user.