Shared Activity Tracking With Biometric User Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to efficiently track physical activity of multiple users sharing a single device, particularly when possession of the device changes hands, leading to inaccurate logging of activities.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device system that detects changes in biometric attributes to identify different users and accurately logs physical activity for each user, allowing concurrent or sequential tracking based on possession and proximity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single device tracks physical activity for multiple users, then device sharing and versatility are improved, but measurement precision and reliability of activity logging deteriorate when possession changes hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual user identification methods with biometric sensing technology. Sensors detect physiological signals (heart rate, galvanic skin response, temperature) to automatically identify which user is possessing the device, eliminating the need for manual selection and ensuring accurate activity attribution without compromising measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces biometric sensors as an intermediary between the device and users. These sensors act as a mediator that automatically detects user possession and triggers the appropriate user profile, resolving the contradiction by providing both multi-user support and accurate activity tracking through automated identification
2Measurement precision
If the system automatically detects user possession changes, then activity tracking accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional sensors in modern devices that can serve both traditional functions (display brightness adjustment, motion detection) and biometric identification purposes. By finding additional utility in existing sensor capabilities, the system achieves automatic user detection without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the device to automatically identify users through self-service biometric detection without requiring external equipment or complex additional hardware. The existing sensor suite performs multiple functions including user identification, reducing the need for specialized additional components
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 efficient and accurate tracking of physical activities for multiple users by attributing activity logs to individual users, even when device possession changes, ensuring comprehensive activity monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a change in biometric attributes from the first user to the second user
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for activity tracking for multiple users on a device are described. For instance, the described techniques can be implemented to detect that a first user is in possession of a client device and to track physical activity of the first user as part of an activity log of the first user. The techniques can detect, via sensor data, that possession of the client device switches from the first user to a second user, and track physical activity of the second user as part of an activity log of the second user. In implementations the techniques can track physical activity of multiple users via a single device.