Wearable Sensor Gating Using Positional State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable devices face challenges in optimizing energy consumption due to power-hungry sensors and hardware components, leading to reduced battery life and limited functionality, as they often require all sensors to be active at all times, even when not in use.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to dynamically activate and deactivate sensors based on determined states, such as positional and use-based states, using a combination of low-power and high-power sensors, and repurposing components like NFC coils for capacitive sensing to conserve power and enhance functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all sensors are kept active at all times, then the wearable device can provide full functionality and feature-rich operations, but the battery life is significantly reduced due to high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sensor operational states based on real-time device state determinations. Sensors transition between active, inactive, and partial-power states depending on whether the device is detected to be on-wrist, off-wrist, in-hand, or charging, optimizing power consumption while maintaining functionality when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic sensing and state determination to monitor device conditions. Low-power sensors periodically assess device state, and based on these periodic evaluations, higher-power sensors are selectively activated only during periods when the device is in states that require full functionality (e.g., on-wrist during activity), rather than running continuously
2Use of energy by moving object
If the number of sensors is reduced to prolong battery life, then power consumption is decreased, but the efficacy and feature richness of the wearable device is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables sensors to serve multiple functions based on device state. For example, the NFC coil serves both as a communication component and as a capacitive sensor for detecting wrist presence. This multi-functionality allows the device to maintain rich features with fewer dedicated components, reducing overall power consumption while preserving efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically enables and disables specific sensors based on real-time device state determinations. When the device is detected to be on-wrist during activity, power-hungry sensors like PPG and neuromuscular sensors are activated. When off-wrist or charging, these sensors are deactivated. This dynamic approach ensures full functionality is available when needed while minimizing power consumption during low-activity states
3Ease of operation
If power-hungry hardware components like camera are continuously enabled, then user interaction capabilities are enhanced, but battery life is quickly drained
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the activation of power-hungry hardware components like the camera based on device state. The camera is enabled only when the device is determined to be in states that require enhanced user interaction (e.g., on-wrist during activity), and disabled during states where full interaction is not needed (e.g., off-wrist, charging), thereby preserving battery life while maintaining user interaction capabilities when necessary
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 effectively manages power consumption by ensuring high-power sensors are only active when needed, prolonging battery life and allowing for feature-rich wearable devices without redundant components, thereby enhancing user interaction and device performance.
Implementation Method 1
the NFC coil... can, at certain points in time such as when it is not needed for its communication function, be repurposed to operate as a sensor, such as being used to detect a capacitance of a nearby surface or object
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and wearable devices for optimizing power consumption using sensor-based position and use determinations are described here. One example method is performed at a device that includes a first sensor configured to operate with a first power consumption rate and a second sensor configured to operate with a second power consumption rate. The method includes, while a component associated with the second sensor is in an inactive state, receiving first sensor data, and determining whether the first sensor data indicates movement of the device. The method also includes, when movement of the device is indicated, operating the second sensor in an active state. The method further includes, after activating the second sensor, when second sensor data from the second sensor indicates that the device has been placed on a user’s body, continuing to operate the second sensor in the active state.