Wearable Device Automatic State Switching via Body Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices require users to manually switch between connected and disconnected states, which can be inconvenient, as they need to determine whether they are being worn or not, affecting their operational functionality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sensors and attachment members that detect the user's body part to automatically switch between connected and disconnected states, using conductance, proximity, magnetic, or capacitive sensors to determine the attachment member's configuration and the presence of the user's body, allowing the wearable device to operate accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wearable device requires manual user input to switch between connected and disconnected states, then the device can reliably determine its operational state, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the burden on the user
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device automatically detects whether it is being worn using sensors (accelerometer, proximity sensor, optical sensor) and transitions between connected and disconnected states without requiring manual user input. The device serves itself by monitoring its own operational context and autonomously adjusting its state, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable state determination and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the wearable device uses sensors to automatically detect wearing state, then the ease of operation improves by eliminating manual input, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages sensors that serve multiple functions: the accelerometer detects both motion patterns indicative of wearing status and fall events; the proximity sensor detects both presence of a body part and potential contact events; the optical sensor serves both heart rate monitoring and wearing detection. By making these sensors multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for dedicated wearing-detection sensors, thereby mitigating the increase in device complexity while maintaining automatic state switching capability.
3Measurement precision
If the wearable device uses multiple sensors for combined detection, then the measurement precision of wearing state detection improves, but the use of energy increases due to multiple active sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device employs periodic sampling of sensor data rather than continuous monitoring. The processor evaluates sensor readings at predetermined intervals to determine wearing state, transitioning sensors between active and low-power states. This periodic action maintains measurement precision by capturing sufficient data points while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous sensor operation.
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 seamless switching between operational states without frequent user input, ensuring the wearable device functions correctly based on whether it is worn or not, enhancing user convenience and reducing manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
determination that the attachment member has transitioned between the connected and disconnected configurations may be performed based on measured conductance between two or more contacts located in the wearable device and/or the attachment member
Implementation Method 2
the wearable device or the attachment member may include a proximity sensor which may be utilized to determine when the device and the attachment member have transitioned between connected and disconnected configurations
Implementation Method 3
the attachment member may include multiple portions that are coupleable to each other utilizing two or more magnetic elements and a hall effect sensor may be utilized to determine when the magnetic elements are attracting each other
Implementation Method 4
the attachment member may include a single portion that may be stretched in response to applied force and multiple capacitive elements that are relatively closer to each other when the attachment member is unstretched and further from each other when the attachment member is stretched, thus altering the capacitance between the capacitive elements
Data Source
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AI summary
A wearable device that attaches to a body part of a user via an attachment member operates in at least a connected and a disconnected state. One or more sensors located in the wearable device and/or the attachment member detect the user's body part when present. Such detection may only be performed when the attachment member is in a connected configuration and may be used to switch the wearable device between the connected and disconnected states. In this way, the wearable device operates in the connected state when worn by a user and in the disconnected state when not worn by the user.