Wearable Gesture Control with Biopotential Sensors and Logical States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical user interfaces for machines, particularly in environments with small displays or no displays, are difficult to use and may not provide intuitive, convenient, or safe interaction due to the lack of input devices or the need to manipulate graphical objects on a display.
Innovation Solution
A human-machine interface system utilizing wearable biopotential and location sensors on a user's wrist to determine geographic locations based on muscle activity and hand poses, enabling interaction through gestures and geographic pointing, allowing interaction without requiring direct manipulation of display-based input devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional graphical user interfaces with input devices and displays are used, then interaction can be performed with visual feedback, but the system becomes difficult to use in environments with small displays or no displays, and users cannot interact when grasping or holding another object
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical input devices (keyboard, mouse, touchscreen) with a gesture recognition system that uses sensors to detect body movements. The sensor package detects gestures through acceleration, orientation, and position data, eliminating the need for physical input devices and displays while enabling interaction in diverse environments including those where users are holding objects or wearing the device on non-dominant hands.
2Measurement precision
If gesture recognition without logical states is used, then the system can detect gestures, but it cannot reliably determine user intent when multiple gestures overlap or when gestures are performed in sequence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a hierarchical state machine with predefined logical states (idle, selecting, manipulating, etc.) that are determined before gesture execution. Each state has specific gesture interpretations, allowing the system to correctly identify user intent even when multiple gestures could physically occur. The state context is established in advance and guides gesture recognition, preventing ambiguity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the current logical state and uses this feedback to interpret subsequent gestures. The state machine transitions between states based on detected gestures, creating a closed-loop system where the interpretation of each gesture depends on the current state, which itself was determined by previous gestures. This feedback mechanism preserves user intent information through the sequence of interactions.
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 intuitive, convenient, and safe interaction with machines in various environments, including those where traditional input devices are not feasible, by allowing users to interact through geographic pointing and gestures, enhancing usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor package including a biopotential sensor configured to detect muscle activity
Implementation Method 2
determine a geographic location based on the sensor data, which may be determined through GPS satellite positioning or wireless triangulation
Implementation Method 3
determine a geographic location based on the sensor data, which may be determined through GPS satellite positioning or wireless triangulation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for gesture-based control are provided. In some embodiments, a system may include a wearable device configured to be worn on a person's wrist. The wearable device may include a plurality of biopotential channels, a location sensor, and a processor. The system may be configured to generate a data stream based on the outputs from the biopotential channels and/or the location sensor. The system may be configured to enter a first state in which the output from the location sensor is processed according to a first set of logical rules. The system may be configured to classify a gesture, and, based on the gesture classification, transition to a second state in which the output from the location sensor is processed according to a second set of logical rules that is different than the first set of logical rules.