Sensor Control System for Wearable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable terminals face challenges in efficiently managing the operation of multiple sensors to adapt to various user actions and environments, leading to inefficient power consumption and inaccurate data collection.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device and sensor control system that includes a sensor unit, an action pattern storage unit, and a control unit, which adapts the operation state of the sensors based on stored action patterns to match the user's actions, optimizing sensor activation timing, type, and interval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are continuously operated to measure user conditions and environment, then measurement precision and data accuracy are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor control unit dynamically adjusts the operation state of sensors based on detected user actions. When a specific action pattern is detected, the control unit activates only the sensors necessary for measuring parameters related to that action, rather than continuously operating all sensors. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision for relevant parameters while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of sensors based on detected action patterns. Different action patterns trigger different sensor configurations - for example, during exercise activities, sensors related to motion and physiological parameters are activated while environmental sensors may be reduced in frequency. This parameter adjustment maintains data accuracy for action-relevant measurements while reducing power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If sensors operate at high frequency to capture detailed user actions, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by activating only the necessary subset of sensors at high frequency based on the detected action pattern, rather than running all sensors at maximum frequency. For example, during a running action, the system activates motion sensors and heart rate sensors at high frequency while reducing or suspending environmental temperature sensing. This maintains action detection accuracy while reducing energy loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor operation is continuously adjusted to adapt to user actions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system stores multiple pre-defined action patterns in advance, each associated with a specific sensor configuration. When user actions match one of these pre-defined patterns, the corresponding sensor configuration is automatically applied. This preliminary preparation of action patterns simplifies the control logic compared to real-time analysis, improving adaptability while managing device complexity through pre-computed configurations.
4Productivity
If all sensors are activated simultaneously to collect comprehensive data, then productivity is improved, but loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and activates only the specific sensors needed for the currently detected action pattern, rather than simultaneously activating all sensors. For example, during a walking action, only motion sensors and basic environmental sensors are activated, while advanced physiological sensors remain inactive. This extraction approach improves productivity by collecting relevant data efficiently while reducing data processing time since fewer sensor streams need to be processed.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device includes: a sensor unit configured to measure a condition of a user and/or an environment where the user is located; an action pattern storage unit configured to store therein an action pattern; and a control unit configured to control the sensor unit, wherein the control unit controls, with reference to the action pattern storage unit, an operation state of the sensor unit such that the operation state is adapted to an action state of the user.