Multi-Segment Wearable Accessory Gesture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users carry multiple mobile terminals to access various functionalities, which is cumbersome and distracting, as they need to manage and safeguard each device from damage, and existing solutions do not efficiently utilize context-dependent functionality.

Innovation Solution

A multi-segment wearable accessory that uses inertial measurement unit sensors to determine changes in angle via touch inputs, allowing execution of operations based on gestures such as fold-in, fold-out, pinch-in, and pinch-out, enabling context-dependent functionality without the need for multiple devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users carry multiple mobile terminals to access various functionalities, then functionality coverage is improved, but device management complexity and user distraction increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality coverageVSAvoiddevice management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple mobile terminal functionalities into a single wearable accessory with multiple segments. Each segment can be independently manipulated to access different functions, merging what would traditionally require multiple separate devices into one integrated wearable system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable accessory is designed to provide multiple functionalities through a single device. Different segments of the wearable can perform different operations (messaging, media control, notifications, etc.), making one device universal enough to replace multiple specialized terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users carry multiple mobile terminals, then functionality coverage is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to needing to manage and safeguard each device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality coverageVSAvoidease of device management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple terminal functionalities into one wearable accessory, the user only needs to manage and safeguard a single device instead of multiple separate terminals, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive functionality coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If existing solutions do not efficiently utilize context-dependent functionality, then device simplicity is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidfunctionality utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable accessory dynamically adapts its functionality based on context. Different gestures (fold-in, fold-out, pinch-in, pinch-out) and segment manipulations trigger different operations, allowing the device to respond dynamically to user context and intentions rather than requiring complex menus or settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters based on detected gestures and segment configurations. By monitoring physical manipulations of the wearable segments and translating them into different functional modes, the system efficiently utilizes context-dependent functionality while maintaining relative device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2837166B1Operation control on a multi-segment wearable accessory based on segment orientation change
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2837166B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2837166B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2837166B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to facilitate the use of a multi-segment wearable accessory. In this regard, methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for controlling and, in some instances, interacting with a multi-segment wearable accessory. In particular, a method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided that provide for a determination of an initial angle defined between first and second segments in response to receipt of an initial contact component of a touch input via the first and second segments. A change in the initial angle can then be determined in response to movement of the segments with respect to each other, and an operation may be executed at least partially based upon the change in the initial angle determined. Thus, a continuous input parameter may be supplied by a user so as to provide another dimension of input to the wearable accessory.