Jaw Muscle Sensor Voice Blanking for Hands-Free Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hands-free control systems for head-worn devices, such as headlamps and virtual reality headsets, rely on voice recognition or eye tracking, which are limited in noisy environments or require user gaze, and existing jaw-activated systems have latency issues and false command generation due to speech-related maxillofacial movements.
Innovation Solution
A switch or sensor positioned on or near the jaw to detect volitional muscle movements like clenching and lateral displacement, combined with voice/speech blanking techniques to differentiate intentional commands from speech-related movements, using Hall effect sensors or optical/proximity sensors, and a processor to decode and transmit control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice recognition technology is used for hands-free control, then user input capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates in noisy or sound-sensitive environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces voice-based acoustic control with a mechanically-based solution using EMG sensors to detect electrical signals from masseter muscle contractions. This substitution eliminates dependence on acoustic environments, allowing reliable hands-free operation in noisy or sound-sensitive settings where voice recognition fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces EMG sensors as an intermediary between the user's voluntary muscle action and the device control system. These sensors detect electrical signals from the masseter muscle, serving as a reliable mediator that translates physiological signals into control commands without being affected by environmental noise.
2Ease of operation
If eye tracking technology is used for hands-free control, then user input capability is improved, but input latency increases due to required dwell time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by continuously monitoring EMG signals from the masseter muscle in real-time, maintaining a ready state that can immediately translate voluntary clenching actions into control commands. This eliminates the dwell time requirement of eye tracking, as the system is continuously prepared to detect and respond to muscle signals without delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces eye-tracking optical systems with a mechanical/physiological sensing system using EMG sensors. This substitution enables direct detection of voluntary muscle contractions, providing immediate response to user intent without the latency inherent in gaze detection and dwell time requirements.
3Ease of operation
If jaw-activated switch elements are used for hands-free control, then ease of operation is improved, but false commands are generated due to speech-related maxillofacial movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning EMG sensors specifically over the masseter muscle region, targeting the precise location where voluntary control signals are generated. This localized sensing approach distinguishes intentional masseter contractions from other maxillofacial movements associated with speech, improving command accuracy while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that analyze the characteristics, timing, and patterns of EMG signals to differentiate between intentional control commands and involuntary speech-related movements. By providing real-time feedback analysis, the system can filter false commands while responding to genuine user intent, resolving the reliability issue.
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 accurate, hands-free operation of devices by distinguishing intentional muscle movements from speech-related actions, reducing false commands and improving latency, suitable for various environments and applications.
Implementation Method 1
using Hall effect sensors or optical/proximity sensors
Implementation Method 2
positions the switch or switch element near the wearer's face so that clenching, flexing, and/or lateral displacement of the wearer's jaw... can be observed, e.g., by optical or proximity sensors
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2F
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AI summary
Systems and methods for operating a controlled device via a wearable activation accessory that includes a sensor configured to detect relaxed and flexed conditions of muscles associated with clenching, flexing, and/or lateral displacement of a wearer's muscle, thereby allowing the wearer to generate control signals for a controlled element. The sensor is coupled to a controller, which has an output coupled to a control signal interface. The controller is programmed to receive and evaluate input signals from the sensor to determine whether or not they represent a command for the controlled device by assessing the input signals for a signal pattern indicative of a plurality of volitional muscle motion actions of a wearer of the wearable activation accessory. If/when the processor determines that the input signals represent a valid command, it decodes the command and transmits an associated control signal to the controlled device via the control signal interface.