Wearable Human-Machine Interface for Skin Deformation Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing human-machine interfaces are not intuitive and require invasive methods for effective operation and control of electronic devices, lacking flexibility and precision in detecting skin deformations for seamless interaction.
Innovation Solution
A wearable, non-invasive human-machine interface with a flexible magnetic layer and potential-measuring surface electrodes that measure magnetic and electric signatures to detect skin deformations, using a detection device and processing unit to map these signatures to configurations, movements, and intensities, with optional additional magnetic and insulating layers for enhanced precision and interference protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a flexible magnetic layer with magnetizable elements is used to detect skin deformations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible magnetic layer comprising a flexible substrate with magnetizable elements embedded therein. This flexible layer can conform to skin contours and deformations, enabling precise measurement of skin surface changes while maintaining a relatively simple wearable structure. The flexible nature allows the layer to follow skin deformations without requiring complex rigid mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based sensors with a magnetic field-based detection system. Magnetic or magnetizable elements are used to detect skin deformations through magnetic field changes, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact and complex mechanical sensor structures. This substitution simplifies the device while improving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor layers (magnetic and electric) are integrated to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines magnetic sensing elements and electric sensing elements (electrodes) into a single integrated flexible layer structure. This merging allows simultaneous detection of magnetic signatures from skin deformations and electric signatures from muscle activity, improving overall measurement accuracy while reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the interface design.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible layer serves multiple functions: it acts as a substrate for magnetic elements, provides electrical contact through embedded electrodes, and conforms to skin deformations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each sensing modality, thereby improving measurement capabilities without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the flexible layer closely follows skin deformations to improve measurement precision, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-conductive, non-magnetic flexible substrate as an intermediary between the magnetizable elements and the skin surface. This intermediary layer allows the magnetic elements to closely follow skin deformations for precise measurement while electrically isolating the elements to prevent signal interference and improve measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the magnetic sensing function from electrical interference by using non-conductive flexible materials for the substrate and spacing structures. This extraction of electrical properties from the magnetic sensing elements eliminates parasitic electrical signals while maintaining mechanical coupling to skin deformations, thereby improving both precision and reliability.
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 and precise control of electronic devices by mapping skin deformations to configurations and movements, improving interaction without invasiveness and enhancing measurement accuracy through flexible layers and interference compensation.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible, first magnetic layer which is configured to come into contact with a surface of the skin area and which includes or carries a first plurality of magnetic or magnetizable elements, the magnetic fields of which together form a magnetic signature
Implementation Method 2
a second plurality of potential-measuring surface electrodes which are arranged in or on the flexible layer so as to come into direct contact with the surface of the skin area, wherein the totality of the measurement signals generated at a specific point in time by the potential-measuring surface electrodes forms an electric signature which changes in dependence on muscle activity
Data Source
AI summary
A human-machine interface is configured for application to a skin area of an extremity, and may include a flexible layer to contact a surface of the skin area and includes magnetic or magnetizable elements, magnetic fields of which form a magnetic signature changing in response to deformation of the surface of the skin area, a detection device for measuring the magnetic signature, potential-measuring surface electrodes arranged in or on the flexible layer to directly contact the surface of the skin area, wherein measurement signals generated by the electrodes form an electric signature changing in dependence on muscle activity causing deformation of the surface of the skin area, and an integrated or external processing unit configured to map a magnetic signature and an associated electric signature to at least one of a configuration of the extremity, a temporal change in the configuration and a force of the temporal change.