Wearable Optical Sensor Gesture Detection via Orientation Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wearable electronic devices lack an efficient and intuitive method for detecting hand movements and gestures to interact with virtual or augmented reality environments without the need for direct touch or complex hardware configurations.

Innovation Solution

A wearable apparatus equipped with an optical sensor, memory, and a processor that determines the orientation of the device, detects hand movements, and recognizes gestures based on the movement of objects held by the user, allowing for intuitive interaction with virtual or augmented reality systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an optical sensor is used to detect hand movements and gestures, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegesture detectionVSAvoidsensor integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical sensor serves multiple functions: detecting hand presence, tracking hand movements, identifying gestures, and determining orientation. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve complex gesture recognition capabilities while using a single sensor component, thereby improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical touch interfaces and physical buttons with optical sensing technology. The optical sensor detects hand movements and gestures through light reflection and movement analysis, eliminating the need for mechanical contact and complex physical switching mechanisms, thus simplifying the user interaction model while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the wearable apparatus detects hand movements using an optical sensor, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehand movement detectionVSAvoidorientation alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary orientation detection and calibration before gesture recognition begins. The processor determines the wearable apparatus orientation relative to the user's hand and pre-adjusts the coordinate systems and detection parameters accordingly. This preliminary action ensures measurement precision is maintained while simplifying the manufacturing process, as the system adapts to different wear configurations through software rather than requiring precise mechanical alignment during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device operates in various orientations, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability of gesture detection worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice orientationVSAvoidgesture detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gesture detection system dynamically adjusts its reference frame and detection parameters based on the real-time orientation of the wearable apparatus. The processor continuously monitors device orientation and transforms the optical sensor data accordingly, allowing the system to maintain reliable gesture detection accuracy across various wear positions and orientations without sacrificing adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 users to seamlessly interact with virtual or augmented reality environments through natural hand movements and gestures, enhancing user experience and simplifying the interaction process without the need for direct touch or complex hardware configurations.

Implementation Method 1

detect, through the optical sensor movement of at least a portion of a hand of a user; detect, at least in part by the optical sensor, an object held by the hand of the user; detect, at least in part by the optical sensor, a movement of the object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2733581B1User gesture input to wearable electronic device involving outward-facing sensor of device
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2733581B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2733581B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2733581B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

In one embodiment, a wearable apparatus includes a sensor, a processor coupled to the sensor, and a memory coupled to the processor that includes instructions executable by the processor. When executing the instructions, the processor detects by the sensor movement of at least a portion of an arm of a user; detects, based at least in part on the movement, a gesture made by the user; and processes the gesture as input to the wearable apparatus.