Wearable Sensor Activation 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 power-hungry sensors are included in wearable devices to enhance functionality, then device features and interactions are improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sensor activation states based on real-time positional determination. Low-power sensors continuously monitor device position, and high-power sensors are activated only when positional changes indicate the device is being worn or used, otherwise remaining inactive to conserve battery power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor data to automatically determine device states and control sensor activation without user intervention. The device self-manages power consumption by activating high-power sensors only when needed based on positional information from low-power sensors.
2Speed
If all sensors are kept active at all times to ensure immediate responsiveness, then device responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Low-power sensors continuously monitor device position in advance to detect when the device is being worn or moved. This preliminary detection triggers activation of high-power sensors before they would be strictly needed, ensuring immediate responsiveness when the device is in use while maintaining low power consumption when idle.
Solution Approach 2:
Low-power sensors act as intermediary components that continuously monitor device state and trigger activation of high-power sensors only when necessary. This intermediary layer ensures rapid response when needed while preventing unnecessary activation of power-hungry components.
3Measurement precision
If high-power sensors are activated continuously to provide accurate data, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between low-power and high-power sensors based on device state. Low-power sensors provide basic positional information continuously, while high-power sensors are activated only when positional changes indicate the device is being worn, ensuring accurate measurements only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of sensors based on device state. Low-power sensors operate continuously at low power to monitor position, while high-power sensors are activated with full power only when positional data indicates the device is in use, optimizing the balance between measurement precision and energy consumption.
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 experience.
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
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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 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.