Head-Mounted Click Detector Using Facial Muscle Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems that control computer cursors or external units using eye movements and blinking face challenges in distinguishing intentional from unintentional blinks, leading to unconscious drift and loss of focus on the task at hand.
Innovation Solution
A portable head-mounted device equipped with a click command detector that senses tension changes in facial muscles to generate click commands, allowing users to control external units without hands, and an eye tracker for eye movement control, enabling point-and-shoot input on graphical interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If eye blinking is used to detect click commands, then hands-free control is achieved, but unintentional blinks cannot be distinguished from intentional ones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control mechanism into two independent parts: eye movement control for cursor navigation and facial muscle tension detection for click commands. This separation allows each function to be optimized independently, solving the problem of distinguishing intentional from unintentional blinks by using a different physiological signal (muscle tension) for click detection rather than relying solely on blink patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces facial muscles as an intermediary medium between the user's intent and the click command execution. By detecting tension changes in facial muscles (particularly around the eye region), the system obtains a reliable signal that indicates intentional user intent, thereby distinguishing intentional clicks from unintentional blinks while maintaining hands-free operation.
2Measurement precision
If the eye is closed for a longer duration to distinguish intentional blinking, then click command detection accuracy improves, but unconscious drift of focus occurs and task focus is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of prolonged eye closure with a different physiological detection method - facial muscle tension sensing. This substitution allows click command detection to occur rapidly without requiring the user to maintain eye closure for extended periods, thereby preventing unconscious drift of focus and maintaining task engagement while achieving accurate intentional click detection.
3Ease of operation
If facial muscle tension detection is used for click commands, then hands-free control with focus maintenance is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional system where the head-mounted device integrates eye movement tracking and facial muscle tension detection into a single unified platform. This universal device serves multiple purposes: cursor control through eye movements and click command detection through muscle tension sensing, thereby managing complexity through integration rather than separate systems while enhancing ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the user's own physiological signals (eye movements and facial muscle tensions) as the control interface, eliminating the need for manual hand operations. This self-service approach allows users with hand disabilities or those needing hands-free operation to interact with the device using their natural physiological functions, achieving hands-free control without requiring additional external equipment.
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 users to control external units, such as computers or mobile phones, by straining specific facial muscles for click commands and using eye movements, improving focus and allowing remote operation without needing to look at the device, thus overcoming the limitations of unintentional blinks and maintaining task focus.
Implementation Method 1
a click command detector mounted on the head mounted frame and adapted to sense tension changes of at least one muscle in the face of the user
Implementation Method 2
an eye tracker unit mounted on the head mounted frame and adapted to monitor eye movements of a user
Implementation Method 3
The low-power infrared light shines on the user's eyes and creates reflections that are picked up by the infrared camera
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device for controlling a click command controlled external unit comprising a portable head mounted frame (24), a click command detector (30a-b) mounted on said head mounted frame and adapted to sense tension changes of at least one muscle in the face of the user in order to detect when the user provide a click command, and a click command transmitter adapted to transmit information about detected click commands to the external unit.