Wrist-Worn Piezoelectric Sensor for Contact-Free Gesture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current human-computer interfaces require physical contact or visual control, limiting the ability to interact with devices without direct interaction, and there is a need for a more intuitive and contact-free method to control electronic devices using biometric signals.

Innovation Solution

A wrist-worn sensor system utilizing an array of cantilever piezoelectric sensors to detect tendon movements, converting these signals into commands for computing devices without the need for physical contact or visual input, allowing for gesture-based control of electronic devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical contact interfaces (buttons, keyboards, touchscreen) are used, then device control capability is achieved, but user convenience and intuitiveness deteriorate due to requiring direct physical interaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact interfaces (buttons, keyboards, touchscreen) with a biometric sensing system that detects electrical signals from muscle contractions. The wearable device uses electrodes to capture EMG signals from wrist muscles, converting physiological signals into control commands, thereby eliminating the need for physical contact while maintaining control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary biometric sensing layer between the user and the controlled device. The wearable device acts as a mediator that translates subtle muscle signals into device control commands, allowing indirect control without physical contact. This intermediary system bridges the gap between user intent and device execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If visual control methods are used, then device interaction is enabled, but hands-free operation capability deteriorates due to requiring visual attention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidvisual control dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual control mechanisms with biometric signal detection. Instead of requiring visual attention to operate touchscreens or other visual interfaces, the system detects electrical signals from muscle contractions, enabling control through physiological signals that do not require visual engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the user's own biological signals (muscle contractions) to control devices, making the control mechanism self-service in nature. The body's natural physiological responses serve as the control input, eliminating dependency on external visual interfaces or attention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If contact-free biometric control is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but measurement precision and signal detection difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact-free controlVSAvoidsignal detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple electrodes positioned at specific locations on the wrist to detect muscle signals. Each electrode captures local electrical activity from specific muscle groups, and the system processes these localized signals to determine overall gesture intent. This distributed sensing approach improves signal detection accuracy while maintaining contact-free operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines signals from multiple electrodes and integrates them with processing algorithms to achieve accurate gesture recognition. By merging data from several sensing points and processing them collectively, the system overcomes the weakness of individual sensors and achieves reliable measurement precision for contact-free control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 users to control computing devices and other electronic devices through finger gestures without physical contact, providing a universal input mechanism that is intuitive and minimally invasive, allowing for hands-free operation and precise control.

Implementation Method 1

an array of cantilever piezoelectric sensors for detecting movements of tendons in the wrist corresponding to specific finger gestures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11281301B2Wearable controller for wrist

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 FLICKTEK LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to wearable devices. A wrist-worn sensor for measuring wrist tendon forces corresponding to specific finger motions is provided, the sensor comprising: one or more piezoelectric sensors, wherein the one or more piezoelectric sensors emit electric currents generated upon pressure from wrist tendons on the one or more piezoelectric sensors; and a processing module configured for converting the electric currents generated upon pressure from wrist tendons into signals and for processing the signals for identification of one or more specific finger motions. A method for detecting specific finger movements based on wrist-tendon forces is also provided.