Wearable Device Context-Aware Control via Object Proximity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable devices lack comprehensive control options for interacting with various objects and devices, limiting their functionality in adjusting settings based on context and user interactions.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device equipped with a device detection unit, action detection unit, processing unit, and communication unit that generates control commands for controlling controllable devices based on detected proximity, identification, and user interactions, using sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes, and optionally RFID tags or cameras for object identification, with the ability to adjust settings via wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth or ZigBee.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wearable devices use basic gesture detection, then device complexity is reduced, but control versatility and context-awareness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device integrates multiple detection functions (proximity detection, object identification, action detection) into a single device, enabling it to perform diverse control tasks across different contexts and objects without requiring separate specialized devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple detection capabilities (proximity sensing, RFID/NFC for identification, accelerometer/gyroscope for action detection) into one integrated wearable system, allowing comprehensive context-aware control while maintaining a unified device architecture
2Measurement precision
If wearable devices integrate multiple sensors and detection units, then control precision and context-awareness improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device is divided into distinct functional modules (detection unit for proximity and identification, action detection unit for gestures, processing unit for command generation, communication unit for transmission), allowing each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision
Solution Approach 2:
The processing unit acts as an intermediary that receives raw data from multiple sensors, processes and integrates this information, and generates coordinated control commands, thereby managing the complexity of multiple sensors without compromising detection precision
3Reliability
If wearable devices require contact or modification of objects for control, then control reliability improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control functionality is extracted from the objects themselves and transferred to the wearable device, which detects objects wirelessly via proximity sensing and RFID/NFC, eliminating the need for physical contact or hardware modification of the controlled objects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based control with wireless detection mechanisms (proximity sensors, RFID/NFC readers), allowing the wearable device to identify and control objects without physical interaction, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability through multiple detection modalities
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 context-aware control of devices by detecting object presence and user interactions, allowing for personalized and adaptive control settings without altering the object's hardware or software, enhancing user experience and device compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
a device detection unit for detecting proximity and an identification of the object
Implementation Method 2
integrated MEMS sensors (e.g. an accelerometer and a gyroscope)
Implementation Method 3
integrated MEMS sensors (e.g. an accelerometer and a gyroscope)
Implementation Method 4
connect to other devices (e.g. via Bluetooth or ZigBee) and/or to the internet (e.g. via WiFi)
Data Source
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AI summary
A wearable device 100 for controlling a controllable device 104 based on an interaction with an object 102 is disclosed. The wearable device 100 comprises a device detection unit 106 for detecting proximity of the object 102, an action detection unit 112 for detecting an action indicative of an interaction of a user wearing the wearable device 100 with the object 102 and a processing unit 108 for generating a control command for controlling the controllable device 104 based on the detected proximity of the object 102 and based on the action indicative of an interaction with the object 102. The wearable device 100 further comprises a communication unit 110 for sending the control command to the controllable device 104. Thereby, the wearable device 100 is able to detect the use of the object 102 and adjust the control parameters of the controllable device 104 to create context- related use conditions. This may improve the control of the controllable device 104 and this may offer new interaction possibilities between the wearable device 100, the controllable device 104 and the object 102.