Wearable Activity Detection via Orientation and Handedness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing activity tracking devices often require specific orientations to accurately detect user activity, limiting user flexibility and requiring manual input for device orientation confirmation.

Innovation Solution

The system determines device orientation and user handedness using accelerometer data and voice signals, allowing for automatic detection and communication of device state to applications, enabling accurate activity tracking without specific user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the device requires a particular orientation to accurately detect user activity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to manual orientation confirmation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivity detection accuracyVSAvoidmanual orientation confirmation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects device orientation and user handedness using accelerometer data and voice signals, eliminating the need for manual user input. The device self-determines its spatial configuration and communicates this state to applications, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring user configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical orientation confirmation with automated sensor-based detection. Accelerometers and voice signal processing substitute for manual user actions, automatically determining device orientation and handedness through physical measurements rather than user input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If the device requires manual input for orientation confirmation, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and ease of operation worsen due to additional user steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual input requirementsVSAvoidactivity tracking setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of device orientation and handedness automatically during device initialization or before activity tracking begins. By determining spatial configuration in advance through sensor data and voice signals, the system eliminates the need for users to manually configure these parameters during setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device automatically determines its own orientation and handedness characteristics without requiring user intervention. The system uses its built-in sensors and processing capabilities to self-configure, improving setup productivity while managing complexity through automated algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the device limits wear flexibility to ensure accurate detection, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivity detection accuracyVSAvoiddevice wear flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to different device orientations and wear positions by automatically detecting the current configuration using accelerometers and voice signals. Rather than requiring a fixed wear position, the system adjusts its activity detection algorithms based on the detected orientation and handedness, allowing flexible wear while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the activity detection system based on detected device orientation and handedness. By modifying detection thresholds and algorithms according to the determined spatial configuration, the system maintains measurement precision across various wear positions and orientations.

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

This approach enhances user experience by allowing flexible device wear and automatic activity detection, improving the accuracy and convenience of activity tracking without the need for manual orientation confirmation.

Implementation Method 1

determine accelerometer data during a time period beginning at the first time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

determine voice signal data indicating a voice utterance by the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoice signal detection: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS12007406B1Enhanced activity detection based on device orientation and user handedness

Publication Date: 2024.06.11 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for activity detections based on device orientation and user handedness. A method may include determining, by a wearable device, first and second accelerometer data, the first accelerometer data associated with a first axis, and the second accelerometer data associated with a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The method may include determining a first mean acceleration value based on the first accelerometer data, and determining a second mean acceleration value based on the second accelerometer data. The method may include determining, based on the first mean acceleration value and the second mean acceleration value, an orientation of the wearable device, the orientation indicative of a user wearing the wearable device on a right limb or a left limb. The method may include sending an indication of the orientation to an application of the wearable device.