PIXART IMAGING, a renowned consumer electronics company, has made a new advance which could revolutionize the wearable gadget industry. The patent, US20230248267A1, discloses a pioneering system that can identify the actions of a user by analyzing changes in muscle movement detected by a light sensor in a wearable bracelet.
This fascinating technology extends beyond the current limitations of Wearable-tech. Setting up the stage for the next generation of wearable gadgets, this smart bracelet projects a beam of light onto the user's body and then interprets changes in how the light is reflected to discern the user's activity — walking, running, or even dancing — in real time.
The current industry standard relies heavily on Surface Electromyography, or SEMG, which uses sensor pads attached to skin to measure electrical signals produced by muscles. However, these systems come with some issues. These include challenges in accurately recognizing actions due to signal noise, complexity at the sensing end, and the limitation that sensors can only be placed on certain areas of the body, like the chest and forearms. These systems also face difficulties dealing with noises emanating from power sources and electromagnetic disruptions.
PIXART IMAGING's recently patented system addresses these limitations. By opting for an optical, rather than an electrical approach, their technology can dodge the interference caused by power source and electromagnetic noises. The smart bracelet, which can be worn anywhere on the body, simplifies using such devices and increases their convenience. It also allows an increased precision of action recognition.
Drawings that accompany the patent filing show how the action recognition system is designed and how it works. In one figure, a user is shown wearing the device like a bracelet on their arm. The emitted light from the device shines on the user's body while the sensor picks up how the light is reflected based on their muscle movements. The sensed light is then used by the device to identify the user's actions.
It is important to note, however, that patent filings do not necessarily equate to released products. Patents serve to secure an inventor's claim to an invention, and it's still unsure whether this innovative technology will hit the market anytime soon. If it does, however, it has the potential to redefine the wearable technology industry by adding significant improvements to user experience and device performance. The anticipation for consumer reactions is high as we hope to see this technology come to life.