Wearable Device Control via Eye Gaze and Blink Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable computing devices require physical effort from users to control and interact with devices, which can be inconvenient in environments where physical actions are not feasible or practical.
Innovation Solution
A method using a wearable computing device to classify and control a user-selected device by querying its state information and configuring a transition between operating states, allowing users to control devices like home appliances without physical interaction through gaze, blinking, or other minimal actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical actions (clicking, swiping, speaking) are required to control wearable devices, then device control functionality is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates in environments where physical actions are not feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical input methods (clicking, swiping, hand gestures) with ocular-based control mechanisms. The wearable device detects eye gaze direction and blink patterns to interpret user intent, substituting physical hand movements with eye movements and blinks, thereby enabling control in environments where hand movements are constrained
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that translates ocular signals (gaze direction, blink detection) into device control commands. This intermediary system bridges the gap between passive eye movements and active device control, enabling indirect control without requiring direct physical interaction with device controls
2Ease of operation
If speech commands are used for device control, then hands-free operation is achieved, but usability deteriorates in environments where speaking aloud is not an option
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes acoustic-based control (speech recognition) with optical-based control (eye tracking and blink detection). This replacement eliminates the need for vocal output, enabling hands-free operation in environments where speech is inappropriate or impossible, such as quiet libraries, during phone calls, or when discretion is required
3Loss of information
If detailed device state information is retrieved and displayed, then user awareness of device status is improved, but system resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial information retrieval by querying only the specific device state parameters currently relevant to the user's gaze-targeted device, rather than retrieving comprehensive state information. The system displays only the subset of state information that is immediately useful, reducing processing and communication overhead while maintaining sufficient user awareness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary device classification and state querying based on predicted user interest (indicated by prolonged gaze). By pre-fetching state information for devices that the user is likely to interact with next, the system reduces latency when the user actually needs the information, while avoiding unnecessary queries for devices currently outside the user's field of interest
Data Source
AI summary
A user selects an appliance or other device to control using a wearable computing device, such as an augmented eyewear device, for example. Based on the selection, data regarding a current operating state and one or more subsequent operating states are provided for display to the user. Using the wearable computing device, the user selects one of the subsequent states and controls the appliance to transition from its current state to the selected subsequent state. The commands for controlling the transition may be proxied for the wearable computing device by a mobile device or a network server, for example, via one or more established communication links.