Wearable Synchronization Using Body-Conducted Clock Signals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices face challenges in synchronizing multiple devices efficiently due to complexity and energy inefficiency in RF communication, which can degrade other functions and embed protocols arbitrarily.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device that uses body conductivity to synchronize multiple devices through a clock generator, signal generator, electrode, and processor, adjusting frequency or phase of synchronization signals to determine operation modes and control communication, enabling synchronization without complex RF circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RF communication technology is used for synchronization, then synchronization capability is achieved, but circuit complexity increases and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic field-based RF communication system with a body-conduction-based electrical signal transmission system. The synchronization signal is transmitted through the human body as an electrical conductor rather than through radio waves, eliminating the need for complex RF transceivers, antennas, and protocol stacks while maintaining synchronization capability between wearable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The human body serves as an intermediary medium for signal transmission. Instead of direct device-to-device RF communication, the synchronization signal passes through the user's body tissues, which act as a conductive pathway. This intermediary approach simplifies the communication hardware while enabling reliable signal transfer between devices worn on the same user.
2Reliability
If RF communication is used for synchronization, then synchronization is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes energy-intensive RF transmission with low-power electrical signal transmission through the body. The body conduction method requires minimal power for signal generation and detection compared to RF systems, which need continuous high-power transmission for reliable communication. This dramatically reduces the energy consumption of wearable devices while maintaining synchronization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The human body's natural electrical conductivity is utilized as a free resource for signal transmission. The body itself provides the conductive medium without requiring additional energy input, effectively using the user's physiology as a passive infrastructure. This eliminates the need for active RF transmission and reception, minimizing energy consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If RF communication is used for other functions, then communication capability is achieved, but synchronization function deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the synchronization function from other communication functions by implementing a dedicated body-conduction-based synchronization channel. This segmentation allows RF communication to handle data transmission, voice, and other versatile communication needs, while the separate body conduction path handles synchronization exclusively, ensuring neither function interferes with the other and both operate at optimal performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If RF communication protocol is embedded arbitrarily, then communication flexibility is achieved, but synchronization precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces protocol-based software synchronization with direct hardware-level electrical signal transmission through the body. This physical-layer approach provides deterministic signal delivery with minimal jitter and latency, achieving high synchronization precision without relying on complex protocol timing mechanisms or arbitrary embedding strategies.
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
This solution allows for efficient synchronization of wearable devices without the need for RF communication, enhancing functionality and reducing energy consumption while maintaining diverse operations.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode configured to transmit and receive an electrical signal through a body while contacting the body
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device capable of synchronizing a plurality of wearable devices using body conductivity is provided. The wearable device includes a clock generator configured to generate a clock signal, a signal generator configured to generate a first synchronization signal based on the clock signal, an electrode configured to transmit and receive an electrical signal through a body while contacting the body, a switch configured to connect the signal generator and the electrode or block a connection between the signal generator and the electrode, and at least one processor configured to control the switch to connect the signal generator and the electrode for transmitting the first synchronization signal generated in the signal generator to the electrode in a master mode, and control the switch to block the connection between the signal generator and the electrode in a slave mode.