Wearable Gesture Wake System Using Low-Power Sensor Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices face reduced battery life due to extensive use of sensors for gesture-based input, as increasing sensor sensitivity leads to false positives and power depletion, and placing sensors in a low power state can result in missed gesture recognition.
Innovation Solution
A gesture-based waking and control system that utilizes a 'nudge' gesture detectable by low-power sensors to wake the device, enabling additional sensors and logic for advanced command recognition, thereby improving power management and reducing false positives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor sensitivity is increased to avoid missed gestures, then gesture recognition accuracy is improved, but false positives increase and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into multiple tiers with different sensitivity levels and power consumption characteristics. Low-power sensors operate at baseline sensitivity for continuous monitoring, while high-power sensors with high sensitivity are activated only when needed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain accurate gesture recognition when required while minimizing power consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor sensitivity is made dynamic rather than static. The system adjusts sensor sensitivity and power consumption levels in real-time based on operational context. Sensors transition between different sensitivity states and power modes to balance gesture recognition accuracy with battery life, preventing both missed gestures and false positives through adaptive threshold adjustment.
2Loss of energy
If sensors are placed in low power state to reduce power draw, then battery life is extended, but gesture recognition capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by keeping low-power sensors in a partially active state capable of detecting simple gestures, while maintaining the ability to quickly activate high-power sensors when complex gestures are detected. This preliminary readiness ensures gesture recognition capability is preserved without requiring continuous high-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors operate in periodic cycles, alternating between low-power and active states. During low-power states, sensors perform minimal monitoring functions, then periodically wake to check for gestures. This periodic operation reduces average power draw while maintaining reliable gesture recognition capability through timely wake-ups.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional sensors are activated for advanced command recognition, then functionality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into segments with different functionality and power requirements. Basic sensors handle simple gestures with low power consumption, while advanced sensors enable complex command recognition only when needed. This segmentation allows the system to provide versatile command recognition capability while minimizing overall power consumption by keeping advanced sensors dormant during simple operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A gesture-based waking and control system to wake a smartwatch device from a low-power state is described. In one embodiment, the system utilizes a pressure or proximity based wake gesture that is interpretable by low-power sensors. An embodiment of the system can be integrated within a wearable device, such as a smartwatch accessory that can be paired with a mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone. In one embodiment, the wearable device includes a set of low-power sensors that are to detect the wake gesture. In one embodiment, the wake gesture causes the device to enable an additional set of sensors and sensor processing logic to detect more advanced commands or gestures. In one embodiment, the wake gesture enables a display of the wearable device.