Rotatable Gyroscopic HMI for Accurate Wearable Input

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wearable devices with confined touchscreens and user interfaces suffer from inaccurate, unfashionable, and unintegrated user experiences due to limited input states and complex, expensive gesture and voice controls.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a gyroscopic sensing system with rotatable components and a MEMS gyroscope chip to enhance the Human Machine Interface (HMI) by allowing users to input commands through rotational movements, enabling more accurate, user-friendly, and integrated interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a small touchscreen is used in wearable devices, then the device size is reduced, but the user interface accuracy and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiduser interface accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the user interface from a two-dimensional touchscreen to a three-dimensional rotational interface. The rotatable component allows users to navigate through menus and select options by rotating the device or a specific component, adding a dimensional aspect to the interaction that overcomes the limitations of a small flat touchscreen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the user interface into multiple functional zones on the rotatable component, with different regions corresponding to different applications or functions. This segmentation allows comprehensive functionality to be accessed through a compact rotational interface, maintaining ease of operation while preserving small device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If gesture controls and voice sensing are implemented, then user input capabilities are enhanced, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser input capabilitiesVSAvoidcomputing power and sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex computational gesture recognition and voice processing systems with a simpler mechanical rotational sensing system. The gyroscopic sensor detects physical rotation of the device or component, providing robust user input capability without requiring expensive accelerometers, microphones, and complex algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If hardware push buttons are used, then user input is reliable, but device appearance and integration deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser input reliabilityVSAvoiddevice appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the push button function with the rotatable component, combining tactile feedback and rotational input into a single integrated element. This unified design maintains the reliability of physical buttons while preserving the sleek appearance required for modern wearable devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The gyroscopic sensing system improves input functionality, ergonomics, reliability, and accuracy by allowing quick and precise navigation and application launching, enhancing the usability of wearable devices.

Implementation Method 1

Implementing a gyroscopic sensing system with rotatable components and a MEMS gyroscope chip to enhance the Human Machine Interface (HMI) by allowing users to input commands through rotational movements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscopic sensing: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentEP3779649B1Gyratory sensing system to enhance wearable device user experience via HMI extension
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 INTEL CORP
  • EP3779649B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP3779649B1 patent drawingFigure 1E~1H
  • EP3779649B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Methods and systems may provide for a gyratory sensing system (GSS) for extending the human machine interface (HMI) of an electronic device, particularly small form factor, wearable devices. The gyratory sensing system may include a gyratory sensor and a rotatable element to engage the gyratory sensor. The rotatable element may be sized and configured to be easily manipulated by hand to extend the HMI of the electronic device such that the functions of the HMI may be more accessible. The rotatable element may include one or more rotatable components, such as a body, edge or face of a smart watch, that each may be configured to perform a function upon rotation, such as resetting, selecting, and/or activating a menu item.