Wearable Face-Touch Detection Using Arm Orientation Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing face touching detection devices are bulky, obtrusive, complex, and expensive, lacking user-friendliness and accuracy, leading to reduced usage and effectiveness in preventing face touching and the spread of infectious diseases.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with sensors to detect arm position and orientation, using magnetometers and accelerometers to determine potential, imminent, and actual face touching, providing a user-friendly and accurate alert system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing face touching detection devices are used, then face touching can be detected, but the devices are bulky, obtrusive, complex, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnet is attached to the user's arm and a magnetometer sensor is integrated into the wearable device, eliminating the need for complex mechanical structures while achieving accurate face touching detection through magnetic field position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device integrates multiple functions including face touching detection, alert generation, and magnetic field sensing into a single compact unit. The device can detect various arm positions and orientations, providing universal monitoring capability for different face touching scenarios.
2Measurement precision
If existing face touching detection devices are used, then face touching can be detected, but the devices lack user-friendliness and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically detects arm position and orientation changes without requiring user intervention or calibration. The magnetometer continuously monitors magnetic field changes and the processor automatically determines face touching events, providing a hands-free, user-friendly experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides immediate feedback to the user through alerts when face touching is detected. This real-time feedback mechanism enhances user awareness and enables corrective action, improving both detection effectiveness and user interaction.
3Reliability
If existing face touching detection devices are used, then face touching detection is provided, but usage and effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical detection systems with a compact magnetic field-based system, improving reliability while reducing complexity. The magnetometer and processor provide accurate, consistent detection without the mechanical failures associated with complex physical systems.
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
The device effectively prevents face touching by accurately detecting and alerting users, enhancing user compliance and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.
Implementation Method 1
A first sensor may be configured to generate a first sensor signal indicative of an angle between the user's forearm and the user's upper arm
Implementation Method 2
A second sensor may be configured to generate a second sensor signal indicative of an orientation of the user's forearm with respect to a reference, for example a fixed reference such as gravity
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a wearable device and/or system for determining one or more of potential, imminent and actual touching of a user's face by the user's hand. The wearable device may comprise two sensors. The sensors may be configured to sense parameters indicative of the position and/or orientation of the user's arm, or part of the user's arm. A first sensor may be configured to sense an angle between the user's forearm and the user's upper arm. A second sensor may be configured to sense an orientation of the user's forearm with respect to gravity. The sensor signals may be sent to a processor for determining whether the user's arm position is indicative of face touching. The processor may be comprised as part of the wearable device, or the processor may comprised as part of the system separate to the wearable device, for example remote from the wearable device. The wearable device and/or system may comprise an output device for indicating that the user's arm position is indicative of face touching.