Wearable Muscle Interface for Hands-Free Head-Mounted Display Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable head-mounted displays require users to manually interact with content, limiting hands-free operation and inconspicuous interaction with electronic displays.

Innovation Solution

A wearable muscle interface device with EMG or MMG sensors on the forearm that detects muscle activity and transmits signals wirelessly to a head-mounted display, allowing users to control content with gestures without manual input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual interaction with head-mounted display is required, then device functionality is accessible, but user hands are encumbered and interaction is not hands-free

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of EMG sensors worn on the user's arm and a processing device that translates muscle signals into control commands for the head-mounted display. This intermediary enables hands-free operation by mediating between the user's muscular intent and the display control functions, eliminating the need for direct manual interaction with the display device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical interaction system (buttons, touchscreens, or physical controls on the head-mounted display) with a bioelectrical signal-based control system. EMG sensors detect electrical potentials generated by muscle activity, and these signals are processed to control display functions, substituting mechanical input methods with physiological signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual interaction is used, then content control is achievable, but interaction is conspicuous and lacks privacy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinconspicuous interactionVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conspicuous mechanical interaction (pressing buttons, touching screens, or gesturing with hands visible to others) with subtle muscular signal detection. The EMG sensors capture electrical potentials from muscle activity, enabling control without visible hand movements or physical contact with the display, thus providing inconspicuous interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Extent of automation

If EMG sensors are used to detect muscle activity, then hands-free control is enabled, but signal detection precision must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegesture recognition automationVSAvoidmuscle signal detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the processing device receives EMG signals, interprets muscle activity patterns, and provides control responses to the head-mounted display. The system can incorporate feedback loops that adjust signal processing parameters based on detected muscle activity levels, ensuring accurate gesture recognition while maintaining measurement precision through continuous optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes in signal processing to enhance detection precision. By adjusting filtering parameters, amplification gains, and threshold values based on the detected muscle signal characteristics, the system optimizes the detection accuracy of EMG signals while maintaining automated gesture recognition functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 hands-free, inconspicuous interaction with wearable head-mounted displays by interpreting muscle activity as control inputs, enhancing user experience and convenience in various environments.

Implementation Method 1

A wearable muscle interface device with EMG or MMG sensors on the forearm that detects muscle activity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromyography (EMG):

Implementation Method 2

A wearable muscle interface device with EMG or MMG sensors on the forearm that detects muscle activity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanomyography (MMG):

Data Source

PatentUS11009951B2Wearable muscle interface systems, devices and methods that interact with content displayed on an electronic display

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Systems, devices and methods that enable a user to access and interact with content displayed on a portable electronic display in an inconspicuous, hands-free manner are described. There is disclosed a completely wearable system comprising a wearable muscle interface device and a wearable head-mounted display, as well as methods for using the wearable system to effect interactions between the user and content displayed on the wearable head-mounted display. The wearable muscle interface device includes muscle activity sensors worn on an arm of the user to detect muscle activity generated when the user performs a physical gesture. The wearable system is adapted to recognize a plurality of gestures made by the user and, in response to each recognized gesture, to effect one or more interaction(s) with content displayed on the wearable head-mounted display.