Gesture-Based Feature Activation for Smart Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart devices, such as smart watches, face challenges in providing effective physical interfaces due to limited space, and touch-enabled displays can be difficult to interact with on small screens, especially in devices like optical head-mounted displays.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize positioning sensors and gesture detectors to enable device features through gesture input, allowing features like speech recognition and display activation based on predefined gestures, which can be calibrated and customized by users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical buttons and switches are used for interface components, then the device provides tactile feedback and reliable input, but the device space is reduced and buttons must be placed in awkward locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical buttons and physical switches with gesture-based input detection using motion sensors and accelerometers. Users interact with the device by performing gestures in space (e.g., waving hand, rotating wrist) rather than pressing physical buttons, eliminating the need for tactile feedback mechanisms while preserving input functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer of gesture recognition software and sensor processing between the user's physical movements and the device's response. This intermediary translates continuous motion data into discrete commands, enabling complex interactions without requiring physical interface components.
2Area of stationary object
If a touch-enabled display is used for interaction, then the device maximizes screen real estate, but interaction becomes difficult on devices with small screen sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to interaction by detecting gestures in three-dimensional space around the device. Instead of requiring precise finger movements on a two-dimensional small screen, users perform gestures in the air or with their wrist, utilizing the third dimension (depth/motion) to simplify interaction while preserving full screen real estate.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the device remains in a low-power state to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device cannot detect gestures that require higher power processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring basic motion parameters in low-power mode using simple accelerometers. When motion patterns suggest a potential gesture is occurring, the system pre-activates higher-power processing components to capture and analyze the complete gesture data, ensuring no gestures are missed while minimizing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The gesture detection system operates autonomously by self-adjusting its power state based on detected motion patterns. The low-power sensor continuously monitors for gesture initiation, and when a gesture is detected, the system automatically transitions to high-power mode to complete detection and processing, then returns to low-power state, eliminating the need for manual power management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and program product are disclosed for determining an initial position of an electronic device using a positioning sensor located on the electronic device, detecting, based on movement away from the initial position, a gesture using a gesture detector located on the electronic device, and enabling a feature of the electronic device in response to the detected gesture being a feature-enabling gesture.