Head Movement Prediction for IoT Energy Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IoT devices often waste energy by continuously monitoring head movements with sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes for limited purposes, such as detecting earbud insertion, without utilizing this data for predictive user actions.

Innovation Solution

A system that collects and analyzes head movement data from sensors to predict user actions, storing associations in a knowledgebase using machine learning techniques, and executes or suggests these actions, with feedback loops to refine predictions over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors continuously monitor head movements for multiple purposes, then user action prediction accuracy improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser action prediction accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling sensors to serve multiple purposes: their original function (e.g., earbud insertion detection) plus a second function (head movement-based action prediction). The system repurposes existing sensor data collected for one purpose to enable predictive actions, eliminating the need for dedicated sensors and reducing overall energy consumption while improving prediction accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by continuously collecting and storing sensor data in advance, building a knowledge base of head movement patterns over time. This pre-collected data is then used to predict user actions before they explicitly initiate them, improving response time and accuracy without requiring continuous active processing that would consume additional energy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If sensor data is collected and analyzed for predictive actions, then device automation improves, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice automationVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by automatically analyzing sensor data and executing predicted actions without requiring user intervention or complex external processing. The device serves itself by autonomously interpreting head movement patterns from existing sensor data and directly translating them into actionable commands, reducing computational overhead while improving automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors sensor data, compares actual user actions against predicted actions, and refines its prediction model over time. This feedback loop enables the system to improve automation accuracy through iterative learning from collected data, managing computational complexity through progressive refinement rather than complex initial processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If existing sensor data is repurposed for action prediction, then data utilization efficiency improves, but prediction reliability may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata utilization efficiencyVSAvoidprediction reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by adapting its prediction model based on accumulated sensor data and observed user behavior patterns. Rather than relying on static thresholds, the system dynamically adjusts its understanding of head movement meanings over time, improving prediction reliability while efficiently utilizing existing sensor data for multiple purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11762456B2Head-movement-based user interface and control
Publication Date: 2023.09.19 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US11762456B2 patent drawing
  • US11762456B2 patent drawing
  • US11762456B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Head movements can be detected by various sensors. The head movements are tracked over time, and the data is stored in a knowledgebase. User actions are also detected and tracked in the knowledgebase. Therefore, associations between head movements and user actions can be learned and predicted. Upon detecting a head movement associated with a user action, the user action can be executed.