Smartwatch No-Handed Input via Motion and Voice Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smartwatch interaction methods require direct hand input, limiting usability in situations where users have limited mobility or are engaged in activities that prevent hand use, such as cooking or social interactions.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for interacting with a wearable device that processes sensor data to detect no-handed inputs, such as bumps, body movements, foot taps, or external object interactions, and maps these inputs to commands for executing smartwatch operations without requiring hand involvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional touchscreen interaction methods are used, then the smartwatch can be operated with precise hand control, but the user cannot interact with the device when hands are occupied or have limited mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual touchscreen interaction with alternative input methods including voice commands, head movements detected by gyroscopes, and foot taps detected by accelerometers. This substitution allows users to operate the smartwatch without hand involvement, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability to limited mobility scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary devices and methods such as voice recognition systems, motion sensors, and external objects that can trigger commands. These intermediaries enable communication between the user and the smartwatch without requiring direct hand contact, thus improving hands-free operation capability while maintaining versatility
2Productivity
If the user positions the wrist to make the touchscreen visible and uses the other hand to input gestures, then precise interactions can be performed, but the user cannot maintain attention on social interactions or other tasks requiring both hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hand-based mechanical touchscreen interaction with voice-based and motion-based input systems. This allows users to maintain productivity by engaging in social interactions or other hand-required tasks while still being able to operate the smartwatch through alternative modalities
Solution Approach 2:
The smartwatch system automatically detects and processes alternative inputs such as voice commands and motion patterns without requiring manual positioning or hand operation. This self-service capability enables multi-tasking by allowing the device to be operated passively while the user attends to other activities
3Adaptability or versatility
If touch gestures are used for smartwatch interaction, then the interface can be controlled with precision, but the user violates social taboos and appears rude when engaged in conversations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes manual touchscreen gestures with voice commands and motion-based inputs that do not require hand movement. This substitution maintains input precision through alternative modalities while improving adaptability to social interaction scenarios where hand usage would be inappropriate
Data Source
AI summary
Via no-handed inputs to a smartwatch, an end-user can initiate various smartwatch operations when either or both hands of the end-user are occupied. The smartwatch includes a suite of sensors for capturing inertial, acoustic, and optical data. The smartwatch also interfaces with a handheld mobile computing device and/or a shoe-mounted pedometry device to capture additional sensor data. A control engine executing on the smartwatch processes captured sensor data and identifies no-handed inputs performed by the end-user. The control engine maps these no-handed inputs to specific commands that can be executed on the smartwatch to initiate smartwatch operations.