Spectacle Frame Input Device for Reliable Jaw Movement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye-tracking devices for individuals with severe congenital limb defects often malfunction due to involuntary movements, requiring users to limit their blinks and leading to user fatigue.
Innovation Solution
An information input device integrated into a spectacle frame, featuring a distortion detection unit, a measurement electrode, and determination units to differentiate between voluntary face and jaw movements, allowing for natural input operations without malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If eye-tracking is used to detect user intent, then information input capability is provided, but involuntary movements cause malfunctions and increase user burden
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the detection of user intent into multiple independent channels: eye movement detection, facial muscle detection (via electrodes), and jaw movement detection (via acceleration sensor). Each channel operates independently to detect different aspects of user intent, and the system integrates these segments to make a comprehensive determination, thereby reducing false activations from involuntary movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediate verification mechanisms between the detection of involuntary movement and the execution of click operations. The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives signals from multiple sensors (eye tracker, electrodes, acceleration sensor) and applies logical conditions to verify whether a detected movement represents true user intent before triggering an operation, thus preventing false positives.
2Reliability
If users limit blinks to avoid malfunctions, then operation reliability improves, but user burden and fatigue increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-verification by using multiple independent detection channels to cross-validate each other. The eye tracker, facial electrodes, and acceleration sensor independently monitor different physiological signals, and the control unit synthesizes these signals to determine true user intent, eliminating the need for users to consciously control or limit their natural behaviors like blinking.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameters from relying solely on eye movement (which is prone to involuntary activation) to a multi-parameter approach including facial muscle electrical signals and jaw acceleration patterns. By monitoring multiple parameters simultaneously and requiring consistent signals across channels, the system achieves reliable operation without constraining user behavior.
3Reliability
If multiple detection methods are combined, then reliability against involuntary movements improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spectacle frame serves multiple functions: it supports the eye tracker for gaze detection, contains electrodes for facial muscle detection, and houses an acceleration sensor for jaw movement detection. By integrating these diverse detection capabilities into a single universal device (the spectacles), the invention reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate devices for each detection method.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple detection functions (eye tracking, facial electromyography, jaw acceleration sensing) into a single integrated system within the spectacle frame. The control unit consolidates signals from all sensors and applies unified processing logic, reducing the complexity that would arise from coordinating multiple separate devices and simplifying the user experience.
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 users to input information naturally with reduced user burden, preventing malfunctions caused by involuntary movements and minimizing fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement electrode provided in a temple tip of the spectacle frame and configured to measure an electric signal caused by a movement of a jaw of the wearer
Implementation Method 2
an acceleration sensor provided in the spectacle frame and configured to measure vibration occurred on the spectacle frame
Data Source
AI summary
A first determination unit determines that a movement of a face of a wearer has occurred, when a distortion detection unit detects distortion of the spectacle frame. The second determination unit determines whether a movement of a jaw of the wearer has occurred, based on an electric signal measured by a first temple tip electrode and a second temple tip electrode with a common electrode as a ground potential. An output unit outputs a command due to operation of the spectacle frame by the wearer when the first determination unit determines that the movement of the face of the wearer has occurred and at the same time the second determination unit determines that the movement of the jaw of the wearer has occurred.