Wearable Motion Sensor for Accurate User Presence Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining audience exposure to content, such as streaming audio or video, often fail to accurately indicate user presence, especially when using wearable devices like headphones or virtual reality headsets, and can be costly and require specialized equipment.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring device is coupled to a wearable device, equipped with a sensor to detect motion and transmit data to a content device, allowing for accurate determination of user presence without significant modifications to the wearable device or addition of specialized hardware, using low-energy Bluetooth for wireless transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing methods are used to determine audience exposure, then content delivery can be achieved, but user presence detection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser presence detection accuracyVSAvoidaudience exposure determination reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex specialized detection equipment with motion sensors that detect mechanical movement patterns. The sensor captures motion data from the wearable device, and processor circuitry analyzes this data to determine user presence, substituting mechanical detection with electronic sensing and computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces motion sensors as intermediary devices between the user and the content delivery system. These sensors detect motion indirectly and transmit data to the processor, which then determines presence, serving as a mediator that bridges physical user state and digital detection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If specialized equipment is added to detect user presence, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser presence detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the wearable device multi-functional by integrating motion detection capabilities into an existing device. The same wearable device that delivers content also detects user presence through integrated motion sensors, eliminating the need for separate specialized detection equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines content delivery functionality with presence detection functionality in a single integrated system. The wearable device, content device, and motion sensors are merged into one system that simultaneously performs both functions, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If specialized hardware is added to wearable devices, then detection capability improves, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable device serves itself by using its own motion sensors to detect user presence. The device's existing sensors and processing capabilities are leveraged to perform presence detection without requiring external specialized hardware, making the device self-sufficient and reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If existing content devices are modified significantly, then presence detection accuracy improves, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepresence detection accuracyVSAvoidease of implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial modification to content devices by adding only the necessary motion sensors and processing capabilities rather than completely redesigning the device. This partial action approach maintains ease of operation while achieving sufficient detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This solution provides accurate, cost-effective, and energy-efficient user presence detection, enhancing exposure data by indicating whether a user is present during content consumption, and can be implemented on existing content devices, reducing inaccuracies and equipment costs.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor to detect motion of the wearable device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

using low-energy Bluetooth for wireless transmission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11860704B2Methods and apparatus to determine user presence

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 THE NIELSEN CO (US) LLC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus to determine user presence are disclosed. A disclosed example monitoring device to determine of a presence of a user in a metering environment includes a mount to couple the monitoring device to a wearable device to be worn by the user, the wearable device to receive content from a content device, a sensor to detect motion of the user, and a transmitter to transmit motion data pertaining to the detected motion of the user for the determination of the presence of the user.