Wearable Device Wearing State Detection Using Acceleration and Optical Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable devices, such as watch-type devices, lack advanced user interface implementations and security features that adapt based on the device's wearing state, limiting their functionality and reliability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a touch screen, acceleration sensor, and optical sensor to detect the wearing state, allowing the device to execute specific functions when not worn, worn on the wrist, or gripped by hand, including displaying a black screen or ambient screen in the gripping state, and enhancing heartbeat sensor performance to improve detection accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors and adaptive functions are added to wearable devices, then user convenience and functionality are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality adaptationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable device integrates multiple sensors (acceleration sensor, optical sensor, touch screen) into a single multi-functional system that can detect various wearing states and execute different functions accordingly. The control unit coordinates all sensors to provide universal adaptability across different usage scenarios including wrist wearing, hand gripping, and not-wearing states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on real-time sensor input. The control unit continuously monitors acceleration and optical sensor data to determine the current wearing state, and automatically switches between different functional modes (black screen mode, ambient mode, wrist-wearing mode) to optimize user experience for each state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If security measures are enhanced for wearable devices, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs self-authentication by analyzing patterns from its sensors (acceleration patterns, optical sensor readings) to determine legitimate wearing states. The system automatically grants or restricts access based on whether the sensor patterns match expected wearing behaviors, providing security without requiring manual user authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously receives feedback from sensors and adjusts security measures accordingly. When the device detects abnormal patterns or inconsistent wearing states, it can trigger security responses such as locking the display or requiring re-authentication, while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate users through automatic state recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances user convenience by adapting functionality based on the wearing state, improves security, and increases the reliability of heartbeat detection, thereby optimizing the device's performance and user experience.

Implementation Method 1

an optical sensor using a light source and configured to generate a touch interrupt signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight: Light

Implementation Method 2

an acceleration sensor configured to generate an acceleration signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3104259B1Operational modes in wearable devices
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3104259B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3104259B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3104259B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A wearable device (100) includes: a touch screen (151); an acceleration sensor (143) configured to generate an acceleration signal; an optical sensor (144) using a light source and configured to generate a touch interrupt signal; and a control unit (180) configured to detect a wearing state of the wearable device (100), the wearing state of the wearable device including a not-wearing state for the wearable device, a wrist wearing state, and a hand gripping state on the basis of the acceleration signal and the touch interrupt signal, and to execute a function corresponding to the wearing state of the wearable device (100).