Pupillary Response Modulation for Compact Device Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in providing effective interaction and control due to size constraints, limited display space, and operational limitations, leading to cumbersome or uncomfortable user experiences, especially when hands are occupied or in specific operating conditions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of devices and systems that adjust visual characteristics, such as hue, saturation, size, and shape, associated with objects on a display to enhance pupillary responses. These systems use sensors to obtain physiological data, such as pupil dilation, to optimize visual characteristics and improve user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If device size and display space are reduced, then portability and compactness are improved, but user interaction capability and control precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiduser interaction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical interaction systems (physical buttons, switches) with a physiological sensing system that detects pupillary responses. The sensor captures pupil dilation data, and the processor interprets these physiological signals to determine user intent, eliminating the need for mechanical input components and enabling interaction in compact devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces pupillary response as an intermediary between the user and the device interface. Instead of direct mechanical interaction, the system uses the pupil's physiological response as a mediator to infer user intent, allowing for indirect but accurate control of device functions without requiring physical contact with interface elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If physical buttons and interface elements are minimized, then device compactness is improved, but interaction precision and user control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay spaceVSAvoidinteraction precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical interface elements with optical sensing. The sensor detects subtle physiological changes in pupil diameter, providing precise measurement of user intent without requiring large physical interface elements. The processor analyzes these precise physiological measurements to determine user actions with high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical position or touch pressure to physiological pupil diameter. By monitoring changes in pupil size as a parameter, the system achieves precise interaction detection without needing large physical buttons or interface elements, maintaining high precision in compact form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If hands are occupied or unavailable, then operational flexibility is improved, but traditional input mechanism effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidinput mechanism effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the user's own physiological system (pupillary response) to serve as the input mechanism. The sensor automatically captures pupil dilation data without requiring manual operation, and the processor interprets these self-generated physiological signals to execute commands, allowing operation when hands are occupied or unavailable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces hand-based mechanical input with automatic physiological sensing. The system continuously monitors pupillary responses and interprets them for control commands, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of physical or virtual controls and enabling operation in situations where hands are unavailable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

By enhancing pupillary responses, the system improves user interaction by allowing for more accurate prediction of user intentions, such as button selection, even when hands are occupied or in challenging conditions, thereby enhancing the overall user experience.

Implementation Method 1

obtains, with a sensor, physiological data (e.g., pupil dilation) associated with a response of the user to the visual characteristic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPupillary response:

Data Source

PatentUS20250028388A1Biofeedback method of modulating digital content to invoke greater pupil radius response

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 APPLE INC

AI summary

One exemplary implementation displays a visual characteristic associated with an object on a display of a device and utilizes a sensor of the device to obtain physiological data associated with a pupillary response of a user to the visual characteristic. The device adjusts the visual characteristic based on the obtained physiological data to enhance pupillary responses of the user to the object and displays the adjusted visual characteristic to the user. For example, the adjusted visual characteristic may be selected based on previously identified pupillary responses of the user to particular visual characteristics.