Wearable Ring Orientation Detection Using Inertial and Touch Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining the orientation of ring-shaped electronic devices is difficult due to their symmetry and ability to move about a user's finger, leading to incorrect interpretation of gestures as vertical or horizontal scrolls.
Innovation Solution
A wearable electronic device equipped with at least one touch sensor and one inertial sensor measures the precise orientation by combining data from both sensors to accurately determine the orientation of the device and the finger it is worn on, using a processor to correct the orientation and perform corresponding actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a ring-shaped electronic device is used, then the device can be worn on a finger and moved freely, but determining the orientation of the device becomes difficult due to symmetry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary reference system (the finger itself) to resolve the orientation ambiguity. By using the finger as a reference frame and detecting its orientation through sensor data, the system can determine device orientation even when the device rotates on the finger. This mediator approach allows the symmetric ring device to maintain accurate orientation tracking despite its ability to rotate freely on the finger.
2Device complexity
If only inertial sensors are used, then the device structure remains simple, but gesture interpretation becomes inaccurate when the device orientation changes on the finger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines inertial sensor data with touch sensor data to create a more reliable gesture recognition system. By merging information from both sensor types, the system can distinguish between device rotation on the finger and actual user gestures. The touch sensors provide additional reference points that, when combined with inertial measurements, enable accurate gesture interpretation even when the device orientation changes.
3Ease of operation
If the device is symmetric and can rotate on the finger, then ease of operation is improved, but correct interpretation of vertical versus horizontal scroll gestures becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors both touch sensor activations and inertial sensor readings to determine device orientation. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt its gesture interpretation based on the current device orientation. By providing feedback about the device's rotational state, the system can correctly distinguish between vertical and horizontal scroll gestures even when the device has rotated on the finger.
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 precise orientation measurement and accurate gesture interpretation, preventing misinterpretation of user intentions and enhancing interaction with connected devices.
Implementation Method 1
determining a first orientation of the wearable device using the at least one multi-axis inertial sensor
Implementation Method 2
determining a touch location of a plurality of touch locations divided along a surface of the electronic device for contact by an adjacent finger with respect to at least one finger on which the wearable device is worn using the at least one touch sensor
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 1e~2a
AI summary
A method and an electronic device for detecting a gesture performed by a user using a wearable device are provided. The method includes determining a first orientation of the wearable device using at least one inertial sensor; determining an orientation of the wearable device worn on a finger of the user by at least one touch sensor; determining a final orientation of the wearable device using the determined first orientation and the determined orientation of the wearable device; and interpreting at least one user gesture based on the determined first orientation of the wearable device.