Wearable photoplethysmography sensor device

Abstract

This document discloses a wearable photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor device. The photoplethysmography sensor device may include: a housing defining a surface; a plurality of optical emitters configured to emit radiation extending from the surface; at least one photosensor configured to capture radiation emitted by at least a subset of the plurality of optical emitters, wherein at least a first measurement configuration and a second configuration are defined by the plurality of optical emitters and the at least one photosensor, such that the first and second measurement configurations provide different measurement channels by including at least partially different groups of at least one photosensor and at least one optical emitter, and the first and second measurement configurations define different spatial configurations, each of which is line-symmetric relative to an imaginary line along the surface; a memory; a controller, and processing electronics.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of invention patent application No. 2017800526112, whose application date is June 29, 2017 and entered the Chinese national phase on February 26, 2019 and whose invention name is “Photoplethysmography Sensor Structure”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a photoplethysmographic sensor configured to optically measure cardiac activity of a user. Background Art

[0003] A conventional sensor configuration configured to measure a photoplethysmogram includes two emitter heads configured to radiate energy having an optical wavelength and a photodiode or similar optical sensor disposed between the emitter heads. The radiation emitted by the emitters is reflected from human tissue, such as in the user's arm or ear, and some characteristics of the reflected radiation are a function of the user's cardiac activity. The blood pulse wave (pulse wave) traveling in the artery modulates the reflected radiation, which enables measurement of cardiac activity by analyzing the signal captured by the optical sensor. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a wearable photoplethysmography sensor device, comprising:

[0005] a housing defining a surface;

[0006] a plurality of optical emitters configured to emit radiation extending from the surface;

[0007] at least one photosensor configured to capture radiation emitted by at least a subset of the plurality of optical emitters,

[0008] wherein at least a first measurement configuration and a second measurement configuration are defined by the plurality of optical emitters and the at least one photosensor, such that the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration provide different measurement channels by including at least partially different groups of at least one photosensor and at least one optical emitter, and the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration define different spatial configurations, each of the different spatial configurations being line-symmetric with respect to an imaginary line along the surface;

[0009] a memory storing: at least one sports profile, and a measurement mode associated with a sports profile of the at least one sports profile, the measurement mode indicating that the first measurement configuration should be used when the sports profile is selected, wherein the first measurement configuration is arranged to measure a heart rate of a user, and the second measurement configuration is arranged to measure an oxygen saturation of the user;

[0010] a controller configured to receive input indicative of the athletic profile, to selectively activate the first measurement configuration based on the received indication of the athletic profile and also based on the first measurement configuration associated with the athletic profile in the memory; and to selectively activate the second measurement for concurrent use with the first measurement configuration; and

[0011] Processing electronics configured to simultaneously calculate the user's heart rate using the first measurement configuration and the user's oxygen saturation using the second measurement configuration.

[0012] In one embodiment, the sensor device may be wearable on a user's wrist, and wherein the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration may be spatially arranged so that they are line-symmetrical with respect to the same imaginary line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a band attaching the device to the user's wrist.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration may be line-symmetric with respect to different imaginary lines.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration may be spatially separated such that they provide mutually orthogonal measurement channels.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration may be configured to perform measurements that are multiplexed relative to each other, wherein the multiplexing is provided in different measurement channels.

[0016] In one embodiment, the at least one optical emitter of the first measurement configuration is configured to emit radiation which may have a wavelength different from the wavelength of radiation emitted by the at least one optical emitter of the second measurement configuration.

[0017] In one embodiment, the transmission of the at least one optical transmitter of the first measurement configuration may be time multiplexed with the transmission of the at least one optical transmitter of the second measurement configuration.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first measurement configuration may consist of a first photosensor and a plurality of optical emitters symmetrically arranged around the first photosensor, and wherein the second measurement configuration consists of a second photosensor different from the first photosensor and a plurality of optical emitters symmetrically arranged around the second photosensor.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first measurement configuration may be comprised of a first photosensor and a first group of optical emitters symmetrically disposed around the first photosensor, and wherein the second measurement configuration is comprised of the first photosensor and a second group of optical emitters symmetrically disposed around the second photosensor, wherein the first group of optical emitters and the second group of optical emitters define different groups of optical emitters.

[0020] In one embodiment, the wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device may include a plurality of photosensors, wherein the plurality of photosensors are arranged along an imaginary ring on the surface in an alternating manner with the plurality of optical emitters.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first measurement configuration may consist of a first optical emitter and a photosensor adjacent to the first optical emitter along the ring, and wherein the second measurement configuration consists of a second optical emitter different from the first optical emitter and a photosensor adjacent to the second optical emitter along the ring.

[0022] In one embodiment, the photosensor of the first measurement configuration may be the same as the photosensor of the second measurement configuration.

[0023] In one embodiment, the first measurement configuration may provide a plurality of different measurement channels, one measurement channel from the first optical emitter to each of the photosensors of the first measurement configuration, and wherein the second measurement configuration provides a plurality of different measurement channels, one measurement channel from the second optical emitter to each of the photosensors of the second measurement configuration.

[0024] In one embodiment, the wearable photoplethysmography sensor device further comprises: a controller configured to acquire a first set of measurement data from at least one photosensor of the first measurement configuration and acquire a second set of measurement data from at least one photosensor of the second measurement configuration, convert the first set of measurement data and the second set of measurement data using a Fourier transform, and combine the Fourier transformed first set of measurement data and the Fourier transformed second set of measurement data.

[0025] In one embodiment, the memory also stores: a sleep movement profile associated with sleep; and an indication associated with the sleep movement profile that a measurement mode of a measurement structure including an optical transmitter that emits infrared light should be used when the sleep movement profile is selected, and wherein the controller is constructed to receive input indicating activation of the sleep movement profile to determine the measurement mode associated with the sleep movement profile, and selectively activate the measurement structure including the optical transmitter that emits infrared light based on the received indication of the sleep movement profile and also based on the measurement mode associated with the sleep movement profile in the memory.

[0026] In an embodiment, the first measurement configuration is arranged to measure at least always when the photoplethysmographic sensor device is attached to the user, and wherein the second measurement configuration is selectively switched on and off when the photoplethysmographic sensor device is attached to the user.

[0027] In one embodiment, the wearable photoplethysmography sensor device further comprises: a processor configured to process measurement signals acquired from at least one of the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration to detect a signal pattern representing motion disturbances in the measurement signals and to output a notification regarding the detection.

[0028] In one embodiment, the notification is output to a user interface and informs the user to check for contact between the photoplethysmographic sensor device and the user.

[0029] In one embodiment, the processor may be configured to detect the signal pattern based on a variability of the measurement signal.

[0030] In one embodiment, the wearable photoplethysmography sensor device may include: a plurality of photosensors, wherein the photosensors and / or the optical emitters form a matrix, wherein the measurement configuration is formed by elements of the matrix, such that each measurement configuration includes at least one emitter and at least one photosensor of the matrix, and wherein the matrix includes a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns formed by the photosensors and the optical emitters.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first measurement structure can be arranged on one half of the surface and include a photoelectric sensor and a plurality of optical emitters, wherein the second measurement structure is arranged on the opposite half of the surface and includes a photoelectric sensor and a plurality of optical emitters, and wherein the optical emitters of the first measurement structure are configured to emit in a first stage while the optical emitters of the second measurement structure do not emit, and wherein the optical emitters of the second measurement structure are configured to emit in a second stage while the optical emitters of the first measurement structure do not emit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which

[0033] Figure 1 shows a general measurement scenario to which embodiments of the present invention may be applied;

[0034] Figure 2 shows a device in which embodiments of the present invention may be applied;

[0035] Figures 3 to 6 shows a sensor head arrangement for a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0036] Figures 7 to 9 A solution for time multiplexed operation of multiple PPG measurement configurations according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0037] Fig.10 Implementations are shown that perform multiplexing in different ways;

[0038] Fig.11 A block diagram of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0039] Fig.12 An embodiment for selecting a measurement configuration based on a motion profile is shown;

[0040] Fig.13 A flow chart showing a process for simultaneously (concurrently) using multiple measurement configurations according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Fig.14 The effect of motion interference on PPG measurement is shown;

[0042] Fig.15 A flow chart showing a process for detecting motion disturbances according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0043] Fig.16A flow chart showing a process for combining measurement channels according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0044] Fig.17 Shows the use of Figure 8 Another embodiment of the measurement structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the specification may refer to "a", "one" or "some" embodiments (one or more) in several places in the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is to the same embodiment (one or more) or that a particular feature applies to only a single embodiment. Individual features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

[0046] Figure 1 A measurement system including a sensor device that can be used in the context of some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The sensor devices 12, 14 can be configured to optically measure a photoplethysmogram (PPG). PPG represents a volume measurement of an organ. The PPG sensors 12, 14 may include an emitter configured to emit radiation. The emitter may be a light emitting diode (LED) configured to illuminate the skin of the user 20. The PPG sensor may also include a light-sensitive photoelectric sensor, such as a photodiode, configured to measure changes in light reflected from the illuminated skin. With each cardiac cycle, the heart pumps blood to the peripheral arteries. Although this blood wave pulse is damped by the arterial system as it propagates, it is sufficient to dilate the arteries and arterioles in the subcutaneous tissue. If the emitter and the photoelectric sensor are properly placed against the skin, the blood wave pulse can be detected as a change in the reflected light measured by using the photoelectric sensor. Each cardiac cycle is manifested as a change in the measurement signal acquired by the photoelectric sensor. A typical application is the optical measurement of the cardiac activity of the user 20, such as the heart rate. Blood pulse waves can be modulated by multiple other physiological systems, and therefore, PPG can also be used to monitor respiration, oxygen saturation and other physiological conditions, and even medical symptoms, disorders and diseases. PPG can be measured at various locations on the human body, such as from the wrist (sensor 12), head, ear canal or ear lobe (sensor 14).

[0047] Figure 2A PPG sensor device 12 in the form of a wrist device is shown. The wrist device 12 may be a training computer configured to measure the cardiac activity of the user 20 during physical exercise. In addition, the wrist device may be configured to measure the daily activity of the user 20 continuously or at least whenever the wrist device 12 is attached to the user 20. At least some PPG sensor configurations may be associated with both measurement schemes. The PPG sensor may be disposed on the rear side of the housing of the wrist device 12, wherein the rear side is arranged to face the user's skin. The rear side of the housing facing the user's skin may define a surface 112 that is substantially aligned (aligned) with the user's skin at the attachment position. A PPG sensor configuration 118 may be provided such that one or more emitters of the PPG sensor configuration 118 emit radiation extending from the surface to the user's skin, and further, at least one photosensor is aligned to receive the emitted radiation reflected from the user's skin.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a PPG sensor device is provided, comprising: a housing defining a surface 112; a plurality of optical emitters configured to emit radiation extending from the surface 112; and at least one photosensor configured to capture radiation emitted by at least a subset of the plurality of optical emitters. At least a first measurement configuration and a second configuration are defined by a plurality of optical emitters and at least one photosensor, so that the first and second measurement configurations provide different measurement channels by including at least partially different groups of at least one photosensor and at least one optical emitter. In addition, the first and second measurement configurations define different spatial configurations, each of which is line-symmetric along the surface relative to an imaginary line. Symmetry relative to a line can be understood as making the element (one or more) of the measurement configuration on one side of the line form a mirror image of the element (one or more) of the measurement configuration on the opposite side of the line. In one embodiment, a plurality of measurement configurations or even each measurement configuration provided in the device include a plurality of elements on both sides of the line of symmetry. In one embodiment, a plurality of measurement configurations or even each measurement configuration provided in the device include at least one element (emitter and / or photosensor) completely on one side of the line of symmetry.

[0049] Figures 3 to 6 Different spatial arrangements of a PPG sensor head are shown. In the figures, the optical emitters are shown as having a rectangular arrangement consisting of an inner rectangle inside an outer rectangle. The photosensor is shown by a single rectangle. The sensor head may include a set of optical emitters and one or more photosensors. Figure 3An embodiment comprising two distinct PPG sensor heads is shown, each sensor head comprising a photosensor 322 and two emitters (LEDs) 320. The first sensor head forming the first measurement configuration 300 comprises a first photosensor 322 and two emitters 320 disposed on opposite sides of the photosensor 322. The second sensor head forming the second measurement configuration 302 comprises a second photosensor different from the first photosensor 322, and two emitters disposed on opposite sides of the second photosensor. The two sensor heads may be remotely disposed relative to each other on the surface 112, for example on opposite edges of the surface. Remote may be defined in this context such that when the device is in use and attached to the user's skin, radiation emitted from an emitter of one measurement configuration cannot reach the photosensor of another measurement configuration. Or even if low-level light reaches the photosensors of different measurement configurations, the level is so low that it does not significantly reduce the measurement accuracy. Thus, the first and second measurement configurations 300, 302 are spatially distant such that they provide mutually orthogonal measurement channels. Figure 3 A line of symmetry 310 is shown, along which the measuring construction is arranged in a line-symmetrical manner. The line of symmetry runs over the surface via the photosensor, so that the emitters of the measuring construction are arranged line-symmetrically about the line of symmetry 310. In other words, the emitters 320 are arranged at equal distances from the photosensor 322. This construction provides advantages when measurements are performed while the user 20 is moving, for example running or swimming. If the device moves relative to the user's skin, one of the emitters 320 of the measuring construction may lose contact. Less light may then reach the photosensor 322 from this emitter. By appropriate spatial arrangement of the sensor head, the movement may force the other emitter to press more firmly against the skin, thereby providing better skin contact and an increased amount of light reaching the photosensor 322. Thus, the symmetrical arrangement may provide compensation for motion artifacts in the measurement signal measured using the photosensor 322. In Figure 3 In an embodiment, the two measurement configurations can be spatially arranged so that the line of symmetry 310 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the band that attaches the device to the user's wrist (or arm). Therefore, the line of symmetry 310 also defines the axis of rotation for the device to move relative to the user's skin. This means that when the device moves during the user's hand movement, the surface rotates slightly around the axis of rotation, which produces the above-mentioned function of the transmitter 320 moving in the opposite direction relative to the user's skin. In another embodiment, the sensor heads of different measurement configurations 300, 302 are spatially arranged so that the line of symmetry 310 is aligned, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis of the band. The functional use of the measurement configurations 300, 302 is described below.

[0050] exist Figure 3In the embodiment, both measurement configurations 300 , 302 are line symmetric with respect to the same line of symmetry 310 . Figure 4 A PPG sensor configuration is shown in which different measurement configurations 400, 402, 404 are line symmetric with different imaginary symmetry lines on the surface 112. In this embodiment, the different measurement configurations 400 to 404 employ the same photosensor and each has a distinct emitter, wherein the emitter is arranged around the photosensor. In this arrangement, the emitters are all arranged at the same distance from the photosensor and are spatially arranged on an imaginary ring formed on the surface. The emitters may also be uniformly arranged on the ring. The measurement configuration consists of a photosensor and two emitters arranged on opposite sides relative to the photosensor. This arrangement may provide better compensation for motion artifacts. In many cases, the motion is a back and forth motion in a certain direction, thereby reducing the performance of one of the measurement configurations 400, 402, 404, while the other measurement configuration is not affected by the motion. Therefore, providing multiple measurement configurations symmetrically arranged about different aligned symmetry lines may provide better performance under the influence of motion.

[0051] In some embodiments where different measurement configurations are line symmetric with respect to different lines of symmetry, the lines of symmetry are parallel, i.e. aligned with respect to each other but at different locations on the surface. In other embodiments where different measurement configurations are line symmetric with respect to different lines of symmetry, the lines of symmetry are rotated with respect to each other on the surface. Figure 4 The line of symmetry can be rotated in a regular manner so that the angle of rotation between consecutive rotations is constant, for example Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, it is 60 degrees.

[0052] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 A modification of the embodiment of wherein two photosensors are provided and emitters are arranged symmetrically around each photosensor. The measurement configuration may be similar to Figure 4The arrangement is carried out in a manner of an embodiment, wherein emitters symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the photoelectric sensor form a measurement configuration. Some emitters provided between the photoelectric sensors may belong to multiple measurement configurations. This analogy can be extended to large sensor arrays with many photoelectric sensors and optical emitters. In one embodiment, the photoelectric sensors and / or emitters form a matrix, wherein the measurement configuration is formed by the elements of the matrix, so that each measurement configuration includes at least one emitter and at least one photoelectric sensor of the matrix. The matrix may include a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns formed by the photoelectric sensors and the emitters. In one embodiment, the size of the matrix may be 10x5, 5x10, 10x10 or even higher. Some elements of the matrix may be photoelectric sensors, while other elements are optical emitters. Such an arrangement may enable arbitrary selection of the measurement configuration, which enables very flexible adaptation to various measurement conditions. The measurement configuration does not need to be fixed, but the controller of the control device may select and adjust the components of the measurement configuration during operation.

[0053] exist Figures 3 to 5 In the embodiment of , the number of emitters is already higher than the number of photosensors. This is a typical arrangement because emitters such as LEDs are cheaper to manufacture than photosensors such as photodiodes. However, in Figures 3 to 5 The positions of the emitter and the photosensor can be switched so that the photosensor can be set at the position of the emitter and the emitter is set at the position of the photosensor(s).

[0054] exist Figures 3 to 5 In an embodiment of the present invention, each measuring configuration can provide a single measuring channel. Basically, each measuring configuration provides two different emitter-sensor pairs and thus at least two distinct light paths. However, when the emitters of the measuring configurations radiate simultaneously, the photoelectric sensor combines the light paths into a single logical measuring channel.

[0055] Figure 6 Yet another PPG sensor head configuration suitable for use with a wrist device 12 or an ear device 14 is shown. Figure 6 The embodiment includes a plurality of photosensors 610, 616 arranged along an imaginary ring 605 (at Figure 6 The optical transmitters 612 and 614 are arranged on the surface 112 in an alternating manner. Figure 6In the embodiment of the present invention, two photosensors 610, 616 are arranged on opposite sides of the ring, and two emitters 612, 614 are arranged on opposite sides of the ring. The first measurement configuration 600 consists of a first optical emitter and photosensors 610, 616 adjacent to the first optical emitter along the ring 605, while the second measurement configuration 602 consists of a second optical emitter 614 and photosensors 610, 616 adjacent to the second optical emitter along the ring 605. Both measurement configurations 600, 602 use the same photosensors 610, 616 but different emitters 612, 614.

[0056] The arrows from the emitter to the photosensor show the measurement channels. As can be seen, the arrangement provides four distinct measurement channels, two for each measurement configuration 600, 602. That is, the radiation emitted by the emitter 612 is received in the photosensors 610, 616 via distinct paths, and the radiation emitted by the emitter 614 is received in the photosensors 610, 616 via distinct paths. This applies to reflections from the earlobe, reflections from the ear canal, and reflections from the wrist or arm.

[0057] In one embodiment, the operation of the plurality of measurement configurations is multiplexed to provide mutually orthogonal measurement configurations. In one embodiment, the transmitters of the measurement configurations are configured to transmit radiation in a time multiplexed manner. Figure 7 Shows the control Figure 6 The implementation method of the transmission timing in the implementation method of Figure 7 As can be seen, emitter (LED) 612 emits at a different time than emitter 614, and emitters 612, 614 do not emit at the same time. The emitters 612, 614 can be configured to transmit in a periodic manner with different timing offsets to achieve time multiplexing. The duty cycle of the transmission cycle can be low in the sense that the "on" duration of the emitter may be significantly lower than the "off" duration. The duty cycle may be lower than 1 / 10, lower than 1 / 100, lower than 0.5 / 100 or even lower. When the number of measurement configurations is high, such as the matrix configuration described above, this provides flexibility for time multiplexing. In such a configuration, the number of operating measurement configurations and the number of available measurement channels may be very high, such as ten or more, 100 or more.

[0058] When the emitter 612 emits light, the photosensors 610, 616 associated with the corresponding measurement channels #1 and #2 receive the radiation and generate corresponding measurement signals based on the received radiation. Similarly, when the emitter 614 emits light, the photosensors 610, 616 associated with the corresponding measurement channels #3 and #4 receive the radiation and generate corresponding measurement signals based on the received radiation. Thus, the processor that processes the measurement data obtains four distinct measurement signals associated with different measurement channels. The processor can then use this diversity to improve the accuracy of the cardiac activity measurement, for example by combining the measurement signals in an attempt to reduce motion artifacts, as described in more detail below.

[0059] Figure 8 Shows Figure 3 The symmetry line is again in Figure 8 300, 302 are shown for the convenience of the reader. In this embodiment, the emitters of each measurement configuration 300, 302 are turned on sequentially. In addition, with respect to the operation of the different measurement configurations, the emitters on opposite sides of the symmetry line in the different measurement configurations are illuminated simultaneously. In other words, those emitters that are spatially farthest from each other are illuminated simultaneously. Figure 1 As shown in , in the first stage, the following emitters are configured to radiate: 1) emitters in a first measurement configuration on a first side of the symmetry line and 2) emitters in a second measurement configuration on a second, opposite side of the symmetry line. Additionally, in the second stage, the following emitters are configured to radiate: 1) emitters in a first measurement configuration on a second side of the symmetry line and 2) emitters in a second measurement configuration on the first side of the symmetry line. This configuration minimizes interference between different measurement configurations. However, it should be understood that the above-described duty cycle enables all of one emitter to be illuminated at once.

[0060] In another embodiment, emitters on the same side of the symmetry line in different measurement configurations are illuminated simultaneously. This configuration can produce the same Figure 8 The performance corresponds to the sequences shown in .

[0061] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 4 In this embodiment, all emitters of the measurement configurations emit simultaneously, and the time multiplexing is arranged only between different measurement configurations. In the first phase, only the emitters of the first measurement configuration 400 are configured to emit radiation. Subsequently, only the emitters of the second measurement configuration 402 are configured to emit radiation in the second phase. Subsequently, only the emitters of the third measurement configuration 404 are configured to emit radiation in the third phase. In this way, only the emitters on opposite sides of the photosensor emit radiation simultaneously.

[0062] Fig.10 An embodiment is shown in which the emitters of different measurement configurations are arranged to emit radiation of different wavelengths. This solution enables frequency multiplexing when combined with the filtered measurement signal sensed by the photoelectric sensor(s). Fig.10 In, each pattern of emitters represents a distinct wavelength. The emitter(s) of the first measurement configuration may be configured to emit green light, while the emitter(s) of the second measurement configuration may be configured to emit infrared light. The emitter(s) of the third measurement configuration may emit light of yet another wavelength. Green light has been found to be suitable for measuring cardiac activity during physical exercise where motion artifacts may be present. Infrared light may be optimal for measuring oxygen saturation. With respect to the sensor portion, the photosensor may be coupled to a plurality of parallel signal lines, with a filter disposed on each signal line. Each filter may be configured to provide a passband on one of the frequency bands of the radiation emitted by the emitter. Thus, the radiation emitted by the different emitters may be separated in the photosensor portion, and each resulting signal may be processed by using a distinct signal processing algorithm associated with each wavelength measurement. In Fig.10 In the embodiment of the present invention, the emitters of different measurement configurations can emit at the same time or at different emission timings. Since the signals sensed by the photosensor from different emitters can be separated based on their wavelengths, the emission timings may be irrelevant.

[0063] Fig.11 An embodiment of a block diagram of a device, such as a wrist device 12 or an ear device 14, is shown. The device may include an electronic device including at least one processor 100 and at least one memory 110. The processor 100 may form part of or be part of processing electronics. The device may also include a user interface 124 including a display screen or another display unit, an input device such as one or more buttons and / or a touch-sensitive surface, and an audio output device such as a speaker. In some embodiments, the user interface 124 includes a tactile output device configured to provide tactile indications to the user 20.

[0064] The processor 100 may include a measurement signal processing electronic circuit 104 configured to process measurement signals acquired from the photoelectric sensor (s) of the measurement configuration. In some embodiments, the measurement signal processing electronic circuit is configured to acquire measurement signals via different measurement channels and combine the signals of the measurement channels according to a determined logic, as described below.

[0065] The device may include communication electronics 102 connected to the processor 100. The communication electronics may include a communication circuit suitable for supporting The processor 100 may use the communication electronics 102 to send and receive frames according to the supported wireless communication protocol. The frames may carry payload data, including the measurement data described above, such as PPG measurement data. In some embodiments, the processor 100 may use the communication electronics 109 to send the measurement data to another device, for example to a cloud server storing a user account of the user 20.

[0066] In one embodiment, the device includes at least one cardiac activity sensor in the form of a PPG sensor. The PPG sensor may include one or more of the above-described PPG sensor heads. The PPG sensor may include multiple measurement structures 130, 132, ..., as described above. In addition, the device may communicate with at least one cardiac activity sensor 122 via communication electronic circuit 102. At least one cardiac activity sensor 122 may include an external cardiac activity sensor relative to the device, such as a cardiac activity sensor configured to measure an electrocardiogram (ECG) of user 20. Cardiac activity sensor (one or more) 122 may include cardiac activity sensor (one or more) that is different or of a different type than sensor (one or more) 120.

[0067] The device may also include one or more inertial sensors 121. The inertial sensor may be a gyroscope or an accelerometer, and the device may include a gyroscope and / or one or more accelerometers, such as a three-axis accelerometer. The inertial sensor may be used to measure the motion of the device, and the measured motion may be used to reduce the above-mentioned motion interference or motion artifacts in the PPG measurement signal.

[0068] The processor 100 may also include a measurement configuration controller 106 configured to select measurement configurations 130, 132, ... from an available set of one or more photoelectric sensors and optical transmitters, and / or control the operation of multiple measurement configurations. For example, the controller 106 may control the time multiplexing of the measurement configurations, as described above. In addition, the controller 106 may selectively turn the measurement configurations on and off. The measurement configurations 130, 132, ... may be fixed, so that the measurement configuration controller 106 only turns the measurement configurations 130, 132, ... on and off, or the measurement configuration controller 106 may dynamically create new measurement configurations from the available set of transmitters and photoelectric sensors according to determined criteria.

[0069] The memory 110 may include one or more computer program products (software 117) that configure the operation of the processor 100 and its electronic circuits 104, 106. The memory 110 may also store a user profile 114 of the user 20. The user profile may store information about the user 20 and personal characteristics of the user, such as age, gender, weight, height, performance index, heart rate zone, speed zone, and similar parameters often used in conjunction with a training computer. The memory 110 may also store one or more sports profiles 119 (e.g., running, cycling, swimming, skiing, tennis, badminton, strength training, mobile training, indoor sports, and outdoor sports). In conjunction with each sports profile, an associated measurement configuration of the PPG sensor may be defined. This may be understood so that a subset of all measurement configurations described above in conjunction with any embodiment may be associated with a sports profile, and different sports profiles may be associated with different measurement configurations. This enables the controller 106 to selectively switch the measurement configuration according to the selected sports profile, as described below with reference to Fig.12 described.

[0070] refer to Fig.12, the device can provide different measurement configurations for different motion profiles. The motion profile 119 stored in the memory 110 can define a unique measurement configuration of the PPG sensor. For example, different motion profiles can use different numbers of transmitters and / or photoelectric sensors. A motion profile associated with (relatively) fast motion can use more transmitters and / or photoelectric sensors than a sports profile associated with (relatively) slow motion. For example, badminton or tennis as a sports profile can use more transmitters and / or photoelectric sensors than long-distance running. Each motion profile stored in the memory 110 can be associated with a measurement mode of the device. The measurement mode can define one or more measurement configurations for obtaining measurement data when selecting a motion profile. In box 1200, the processor 100 detects an input indicating the selection of a motion profile, such as a sports profile. The input can be a user input of a selected sports profile received from the user 20 through the user interface 124, such as before starting a physical exercise. The input can be another input, such as a motion detection input indicating that the user has gone to bed and is sleeping, wherein the input can indicate a sleep motion profile. Another motion detection input can indicate an intensive motion profile, such as when the user moves quickly when the user does not select any sports profile in the device. This situation may be that the device monitors the daily activities of the user, and the user performs fast movements during normal activities. Upon receiving the input, the processor can access the database storing the motion profile 119 and retrieve one or more measurement structures associated with the indicated motion profile. In one embodiment, the processor 100 can immediately activate the retrieved measurement structure (one or more) when retrieving, such as in the absence of any additional input. This can be applicable to sleep motion profiles, such as, wherein the processor 100 activates one or more infrared optical transmitters and associated photoelectric sensors (one or more) when detecting a sleep motion profile. In another embodiment, upon receiving another input that triggers the start of the measurement mode of the device, the measurement structure controller 106 can activate the measurement structure (one or more) 130, 132 associated with the selected sports profile... as a response to other inputs.

[0071] During the measurement mode, the measurement configuration controller 106 can selectively activate and / or deactivate one or more measurement configurations. For example, the measurement signal processing electronics 104 can estimate the quality of the measurement signal received through the measurement channel and output a notification to the measurement configuration controller 106 when a signal quality below a determined threshold is detected. Upon receiving the notification, the measurement configuration controller 106 can employ additional measurement configurations 130, 132, ..., thereby providing additional measurement channels.

[0072] Fig.13A flow chart is shown, which shows the use of multiple measurement configurations simultaneously from another perspective. The PPG sensor can provide multiple measurement configurations, wherein at least some of the measurement configurations are dedicated to a certain purpose. For example, an emitter radiating at a certain wavelength may be more suitable for measuring a physiological condition than another. Infrared light may be suitable for measuring oxygen saturation, while green light is suitable for measuring heart rate during physical exercise. These different physiological conditions can be measured in different ways in time. For example, a certain measurement configuration can measure a first physiological condition on a continuous basis. Therefore, the measurement configuration controller 106 can construct a measurement configuration to perform measurements on a continuous basis in box 1300. The continuous basis can be defined so that at least each time the device is attached to the user 20, the measurement is performed. Attachment can be detected by using a motion sensor. If the motion sensor detects motion, it can be detected that the user is wearing the device, and the measurement configuration controller 106 can execute box 1300. Another sensor, such as a pressure sensor or a proximity sensor, can also be used to detect that the device is in contact with the user's skin, wrist, arm or ear.

[0073] In box 1302, the device detects the start of a physical exercise. The detection can be based on the user triggering the above-mentioned measurement mode in the device or the user indicating the selected sports profile. As a result, the measurement configuration controller 106 can determine whether the detection causes the need to activate a new measurement configuration (box 1304). If a new measurement configuration is required, the measurement configuration controller 106 can select and activate a new measurement configuration in the PPG sensor to measure a second physiological condition, such as heart rate (box 1306). When the device detects the end of the measurement mode or physical exercise, the measurement configuration controller can deactivate the measurement configuration activated in box 1306. Therefore, the measurement configuration can be used for a limited period of time of the total time when the device is attached to the user 20. At least two measurement configurations that measure different physiological conditions can be used in parallel.

[0074] In one embodiment, the measurement configuration controller 106 can activate and deactivate measurement configurations by using time as a reference. For example, if the device is configured to monitor sleep quality by using a PPG sensor, the measurement configuration controller can activate one or more measurement configurations dedicated to this purpose when the user's bedtime is detected. The detection can be based on a clock or based on detecting the user's movement. The motion sensor can be used to detect when the user (enters) sleep from the user's position and / or movement, and the measurement configuration controller 106 can use the output of the motion sensor to activate and deactivate the measurement configuration (one or more) that measures sleep quality.

[0075] In one embodiment, the measurement signal processing electronics 104 is configured to estimate the signal quality of at least one measurement signal acquired from at least one measurement channel. As described above, the PPG measurement signal may be susceptible to motion interference. Motion interference may be caused by the device being loosely attached to the skin of the user 20. Fig.14 The effect of motion interference on a clean PPG signal is shown. It can be seen that motion interference reduces the quality of the measured signal and makes the detection of certain signal modes (signal patterns) in the PPG signal more difficult.

[0076] Fig.15 An embodiment for analyzing a measurement signal in a device is shown. Fig.15 , the measurement signal processing electronics 104 may process PPG measurement signals acquired from at least one measurement configuration (block 1500) to detect a signal pattern in the measurement signal that indicates motion disturbances (block 1502), and output a notification of the detection (block 1504). In one embodiment, the measurement signal processing electronics 104 is configured to estimate the variability (variance) of the measurement signal and output a notification when the variability exceeds a threshold. Fig.14 As shown in , the variability of the disturbed PPG signal is higher than the variability of the clean PPG signal. Another solution may be to compare the amplitude of the PPG measurement signal with an amplitude threshold and output a notification when it is detected that the amplitude exceeds the amplitude threshold. In yet another embodiment, the measurement signal processing electronics may calculate the Fourier transform of the PPF measurement signal and compare samples of the transformed PPG measurement signal with a threshold. If one or more samples exceed the threshold, the device may output a notification.

[0077] In one embodiment, the notification in block 1504 is output to the user interface 124 and tells the user 20 to check the contact between the PPG sensor device and the user's skin 20. The output may instruct the user 20 to attach the device more tightly to the user's skin.

[0078] In one embodiment, the measurement signal processing electronics 104 may use multiple measurement channels to calculate a metric representing a physiological condition, such as heart rate, oxygen saturation, and / or energy expenditure. Using multiple measurement channels in the calculation of a metric may improve the performance of the calculation and produce a more reliable metric than when using a single measurement channel.

[0079] In one embodiment, the measurement signal processing electronics 104 may combine the signals associated with the different measurement channels at one point in the processing. Fig.16 An embodiment for combining is shown. Fig.16, the measurement signal processing electronic circuit 104 obtains a first PPG measurement signal from a first measurement channel associated with a first measurement configuration (block 1600), and also obtains a second PPG measurement signal from a second measurement channel associated with a second measurement configuration (block 1602). For example, the measurement configuration may be the above combined Figures 3 to 6 Any two measurement configurations described in any one of the above. In box 1604, the measurement signal processing electronic circuit calculates a (fast) Fourier transform of the first measurement signal. In box 1606, the measurement signal processing electronic circuit calculates a (fast) Fourier transform (FFT) of the second measurement signal. In box 1608, the measurement signal processing electronic circuit combines the Fourier transformed first and second measurement signals, for example by performing a sample-vise summation operation. Another combination method can be performed. For example, the measurement signal processing electronic circuit can weight the signals using different weighting factors before summing, or it can perform a selective combination, in which case it selects one of the measurement signals. After the combination, the measurement signal processing electronic circuit can estimate a metric representing the physiological condition.

[0080] This combination can be used to reduce motion interference. When the measurement signals are measured by different measurement configurations, and the measurement channels are substantially orthogonal or uncorrelated, the motion interference can be considered as uncorrelated noise, while the PPG signal is correlated in the measurement channels. Combining them together by summing the two signals can then attenuate the motion interference while amplifying the PPG signal component, thereby improving the signal quality and the estimation quality of the metric.

[0081] In another embodiment, the measurement signal processing electronics 104 reduces motion interference by using the motion measurement signal received from the inertial sensor(s) 121. In one embodiment, the device calculates the FFT of the PPG measurement signal(s) acquired using one or more of the above-described measurement configurations, and also calculates the FFT of the motion measurement signal received from the inertial sensor(s) 121. The measurement signal processing electronics can determine one or more frequency components containing a large amount of motion interference from the FFT of the motion measurement signal, and eliminate these frequency components from the FFT of the PPG measurement signal. In this way, periodic motion interference can be removed from the PPG measurement signal.

[0082] In another embodiment, the measurement signal processing electronic circuit can use the motion measurement signal as a supplement to determine the physiological condition when it is temporarily impossible to estimate the physiological condition from the PPG measurement signal, such as high interference or poor attachment of the device to the user's skin. The device can provide a mapping database that maps the characteristics of the motion measurement signal to the physiological condition. In one embodiment, the characteristic is the periodicity of the motion measurement signal, and the physiological condition is the heart rate. The heart rate is a function of the degree of exercise. Another input can be a sports profile of physical exercise selected by the user, and the device can select one or more measurement configurations associated with the sports profile, as described above. Under normal conditions, the device can measure a physiological condition, such as heart rate or energy consumption, from the PPG signal (one or more) obtained by using one or more measurement channels associated with one or more measurement configurations. When it is detected that it is impossible to estimate the physiological condition from the PPG measurement signal (one or more), the measurement signal processing electronic circuit 104 can activate a motion estimation algorithm that estimates the physiological condition from the motion measurement signal (one or more). In one embodiment, the motion estimation algorithm obtains the latest value of the physiological condition estimated from the PPF measurement signal (one or more), monitors changes in the characteristics of the motion measurement signal, and adjusts the latest value of the physiological condition based on the change. For example, if the physiological condition is heart rate and the feature is periodicity of motion, if the periodicity decreases, the motion estimation algorithm may decrease the value representing the physiological condition. If the periodicity increases, the motion estimation algorithm may increase the value representing the physiological condition. In another embodiment, the motion estimation algorithm may map the absolute value of the feature to the value of the physiological condition by using a mapping database.

[0083] exist Fig.16 In some embodiments, the transformed measurement signals are combined. In other embodiments, the combination may be performed at different times. For example, the measurement signal processing electronics 104 may calculate metrics independently for each measurement channel and then combine the metrics representing the different measurement channels. In other embodiments, the time domain representations of the measurement signals may be combined.

[0084] Fig.17 Another embodiment is shown, which adopts Figure 8 The same sensor arrangement is used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , but the illumination of the optical emitter is configured in a different way. Fig.17In an embodiment, there are two mutually orthogonal measurement configurations: a first measurement configuration on one half of the device 112 that includes a photosensor and a plurality of optical emitters; and a second measurement configuration on the opposite half of the device 112 that includes a photosensor and a plurality of optical emitters. In each measurement configuration, a plurality of optical emitters are associated with a photosensor. In this embodiment, the plurality of optical emitters of the same measurement configuration are configured to emit simultaneously while the optical emitters of the other measurement configuration(s) are not emitting. Fig.17 , the emitters of the first measurement configuration fire in the first phase, and the emitters of the second measurement configuration fire in the second phase after the first phase. In this way, each measurement configuration can be constructed once and fired in an orderly manner. When all phases have been completed and all measurement configurations have illuminated their emitters, the procedure can start again from the first phase.

[0085] Fig.17 The embodiments of are applicable in a straightforward manner to the other measurement configurations described herein.

[0086] exist Fig.17 In an embodiment of the present invention, the measurement configuration controller 106 can control the order and activation of the phases. In other words, the measurement configuration controller 106 can determine which of the measurement configurations will be emitted at each moment. For example, the determination can be based on the phase of physical exercise being performed or the type of measurement. There may be situations where measurements from a certain part of the skin are required. The measurement configuration controller 106 can store information associated with the location of the measurement configuration so that determinations can be made and spatial focusing of the measurements can be performed.

[0087] exist Fig.17 In another embodiment, an even greater number of phases can be obtained by arranging each optical emitter to fire once. For example, in the first phase, one of the emitters of the first measurement configuration fires; another emitter of the first measurement configuration fires in the second phase; one of the emitters of the second measurement configuration fires in the third phase; another emitter of the second measurement configuration fires in the fourth phase. In this embodiment, each emitter fires once, which enables a greater number of spatial measurement positions and measurement phases.

[0088] As used in this application, the term "electronic circuitry" refers to all of the following: (a) hardware circuit implementations only, such as implementations in analog and / or digital electronic circuitry only, and (b) combinations of circuitry and software (and / or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of processor(s) or (ii) portions of software / processor(s), including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory, which work together to enable the device to perform various functions, and (c) circuitry, such as microprocessor(s) or portions of microprocessor(s), that requires software or firmware to operate, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. The definition of "electronic circuitry" applies to all uses of the term in this application. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "electronic circuitry" would also cover implementations of only a processor(s) or portion(s) of a processor and its(or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "electronic circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular element, a baseband integrated circuit or application processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other network device.

[0089] In one embodiment, in combination Figures 12 to 16 At least some of the described processes may be performed by an apparatus comprising corresponding means for performing at least some of the described processes. Some example means for performing the processes may include at least one of the following: a detector, a processor (including dual-core and multi-core processors), a digital signal processor, a controller, a receiver, a transmitter, an encoder, a decoder, a memory, a RAM, a ROM, software, firmware, a display, a user interface, display electronics, user interface electronics, user interface software, display software, circuits, and electronic circuits. In one embodiment, at least one processor 100, a memory 110, and a computer program code form a processing means or include one or more computer program code portions for performing the processing according to Figures 12 to 16 Any one of the embodiments or its operations to perform one or more operations.

[0090] The techniques and methods described herein can be implemented by various means. For example, these techniques can be implemented in hardware (one or more devices), firmware (one or more devices), software (one or more modules), or a combination thereof. For hardware implementation, the device (one or more) of the embodiment can be implemented in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof. For firmware or software, it can be implemented by a module of at least one chipset (e.g., a process, a function, etc.) that performs the functions described herein. The software code can be stored in a memory unit and executed by a processor. The memory unit can be implemented in a processor or outside a processor. In the latter case, it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means, as known in the art. In addition, the components of the system described herein can be supplemented and / or rearranged by additional components to facilitate the achievements of various aspects described therein, etc., and they are not limited to the precise constructions set forth in the given figures, as understood by those skilled in the art.

[0091] As described, the embodiments may also be carried out in the form of a computer process defined by a computer program or a portion thereof. Figures 12 to 16 Embodiments of the described methods may be performed by executing at least a portion of a computer program including corresponding instructions. The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some carrier, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the computer program may be stored on a computer program distribution medium readable by a computer or processor. For example, the computer program medium may be, for example, but not limited to, a recording medium, a computer memory, a read-only memory, an electrical carrier signal, a telecommunication signal, and a software distribution package. The computer program medium may be a non-transitory medium. The coding of the software for executing the embodiments as shown and described is well within the scope of ordinary technicians in the art.

[0092] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways.The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

[0093] This technology can also be configured as follows:

[0094] Item 1. A photoplethysmography sensor device comprising:

[0095] a housing defining a surface;

[0096] a plurality of optical emitters configured to emit radiation extending from the surface;

[0097] at least one photosensor configured to capture radiation emitted by at least a subset of the plurality of optical emitters,

[0098] Wherein, at least a first measurement configuration and a second configuration are defined by the plurality of optical emitters and the at least one photoelectric sensor, so that the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration provide different measurement channels by including at least partially different groups of at least one photoelectric sensor and at least one optical emitter, and the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration define different spatial configurations, each of the different spatial configurations being line-symmetric with respect to an imaginary line along the surface.

[0099] Item 2. The photoplethysmographic sensor device of Item 1, wherein the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration are line-symmetric with respect to the same imaginary line.

[0100] Item 3. The photoplethysmographic sensor device of Item 1, wherein the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration are line-symmetric with respect to different imaginary lines.

[0101] Item 4. A photoplethysmographic sensor device according to any preceding item, wherein the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration are spatially separated such that they provide mutually orthogonal measurement channels.

[0102] Item 5. A photoplethysmographic sensor device according to any preceding item, wherein the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration are configured to perform measurements that are multiplexed relative to each other, wherein the multiplexing is provided for different measurement channels.

[0103] Item 6. A photoplethysmographic sensor device according to Item 5, wherein at least one optical emitter of the first measurement configuration is configured to emit radiation having a wavelength different from the wavelength of radiation emitted by at least one optical emitter of the second measurement configuration.

[0104] Item 7. The photoplethysmographic sensor device of Item 5, wherein transmissions of the at least one optical emitter of the first measurement configuration are time multiplexed with transmissions of the at least one optical emitter of the second measurement configuration.

[0105] Item 8. A photoplethysmography sensor device according to any of the preceding items, wherein the first measurement structure consists of a first photosensor and a plurality of optical emitters symmetrically arranged around the first photosensor, and wherein the second measurement structure consists of a second photosensor different from the first photosensor and a plurality of optical emitters symmetrically arranged around the second photosensor.

[0106] Item 9. A photoplethysmography sensor device according to any one of the preceding items 1-7, wherein the first measurement structure consists of a first photosensor and a first group of optical emitters symmetrically arranged around the first photosensor, and wherein the second measurement structure consists of the first photosensor and a second group of optical emitters symmetrically arranged around the second photosensor, wherein the first group of optical emitters and the second group of optical emitters define different groups of optical emitters.

[0107] Item 10. The photoplethysmographic sensor device of any preceding item, comprising a plurality of photosensors, wherein the plurality of photosensors are arranged along an imaginary ring on the surface in an alternating manner with the plurality of optical emitters.

[0108] Item 11. A photoplethysmography sensor device according to Item 10, wherein the first measurement structure is composed of a first optical emitter and a photosensor adjacent to the first optical emitter along the ring, and wherein the second measurement structure is composed of a second optical emitter different from the first optical emitter and a photosensor adjacent to the second optical emitter along the ring.

[0109] Item 12. The photoplethysmographic sensor device of Item 11, wherein the photosensors of the first measurement configuration are the same as the photosensors of the second measurement configuration.

[0110] Item 13. A photoplethysmography sensor device according to Item 11 or 12, wherein the first measurement construction provides a plurality of different measurement channels, one measurement channel from the first optical emitter to each of the photosensors of the first measurement construction, and wherein the second measurement construction provides a plurality of different measurement channels, one measurement channel from the second optical emitter to each of the photosensors of the second measurement construction.

[0111] Item 14. The photoplethysmography sensor device according to any of the preceding items further includes: a controller, configured to acquire a first set of measurement data from at least one photosensor of the first measurement structure, and acquire a second set of measurement data from at least one photosensor of the second measurement structure, and combine the first set of measurement data and the second set of measurement data.

[0112] Item 15. The photoplethysmographic sensor device of any preceding item, further comprising: a controller configured to receive input indicative of a motion profile and selectively activate at least one of the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration based on the input indicative of the motion profile.

[0113] Item 16. The photoplethysmographic sensor device of Item 15, further comprising: a memory storing a plurality of motion profiles including a plurality of sports profiles; and a measurement mode associated with each sports profile, the measurement mode indicating whether at least the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration should be used when the sports profile is selected; and

[0114] The controller is constructed to receive input indicating a sports profile to determine a measurement mode associated with the sports profile, and selectively activate at least one of the first measurement structure and the second measurement structure based on the received indication of the sports profile and also based on the measurement mode associated with the sports profile in the memory.

[0115] Item 17. A photoplethysmography sensor device according to Item 15 or 16, wherein the memory also stores: a sleep movement profile associated with sleep; and an indication associated with the sleep movement profile of whether a measurement mode of at least the first measurement structure and the second measurement structure should be used when the sleep movement profile is selected, and wherein the controller is constructed to receive input indicating activation of the sleep movement profile to determine the measurement mode associated with the sleep movement profile, and selectively activate at least one of the first measurement structure and the second measurement structure based on the received indication of the sleep movement profile and also based on the measurement mode associated with the sleep movement profile in the memory.

[0116] Item 18. A photoplethysmographic sensor device according to any preceding item, wherein the first measurement structure is arranged to measure a first physiological condition of a user, and the second measurement structure is arranged to measure a second physiological condition of the user, and wherein the first measurement structure and the second measurement structure are arranged to be used concurrently.

[0117] Item 19. A photoplethysmographic sensor device according to Item 17, wherein the first measurement structure is arranged to at least always perform measurements when the photoplethysmographic sensor device is attached to the user, and wherein the second measurement structure is selectively turned on and off when the photoplethysmographic sensor device is attached to the user.

[0118] Item 20. The photoplethysmography sensor device of any of the preceding items further comprises: a processor configured to process measurement signals acquired from at least the first measurement structure and at least one of the second measurement structure to detect a signal pattern representing motion disturbances in the measurement signals and to output a notification regarding the detection.

[0119] Item 21. The photoplethysmographic sensor device of Item 20, wherein the notification is output to a user interface and informs the user to check contact between the photoplethysmographic sensor device and the user.

[0120] Item 22. A photoplethysmographic sensor device according to Item 20 or 21, wherein the processor is configured to detect the signal pattern based on a variability of the measurement signal.

Claims

1. A wearable photoplethysmography sensor device comprising: a housing defining a surface; a plurality of optical emitters configured to emit radiation extending from the surface; at least one photosensor configured to capture radiation emitted by at least a subset of the plurality of optical emitters, wherein at least a first measurement configuration and a second measurement configuration are defined by the plurality of optical emitters and the at least one photosensor, such that the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration provide different measurement channels by including at least partially different groups of at least one photosensor and at least one optical emitter, and the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration define different spatial configurations, each of the different spatial configurations being line-symmetric with respect to an imaginary line along the surface; a memory storing: at least one sports profile, and a measurement mode associated with a sports profile of the at least one sports profile, the measurement mode indicating that the first measurement configuration should be used when the sports profile is selected, wherein the first measurement configuration is arranged to measure a heart rate of a user, and the second measurement configuration is arranged to measure an oxygen saturation of the user; a controller configured to receive input indicative of the athletic profile, to selectively activate the first measurement configuration based on the received indication of the athletic profile and also based on the first measurement configuration associated with the athletic profile in the memory; and to selectively activate the second measurement for concurrent use with the first measurement configuration; and Processing electronics configured to simultaneously calculate the user's heart rate using the first measurement configuration and the user's oxygen saturation using the second measurement configuration.

2. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device of claim 1, wherein: The sensor device is wearable on a user's wrist, and wherein the first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration are spatially arranged so that they are line-symmetric with respect to a same imaginary line perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a band attaching the device to the user's wrist.

3. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device of claim 1 , wherein: The first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration are line-symmetric with respect to different imaginary lines.

4. A wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device according to any preceding claim, wherein: The first and second measurement configurations are spatially separated such that they provide mutually orthogonal measurement channels.

5. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein: The first measurement configuration and the second measurement configuration are configured to perform measurements that are multiplexed with respect to each other, wherein the multiplexing is provided for different measurement channels.

6. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device of claim 5, wherein: The at least one optical emitter of the first measurement configuration is configured to emit radiation having a wavelength different from a wavelength of radiation emitted by the at least one optical emitter of the second measurement configuration.

7. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device of claim 5, wherein: Transmissions of at least one optical transmitter of the first measurement configuration are time multiplexed with transmissions of at least one optical transmitter of the second measurement configuration.

8. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein: The first measurement configuration consists of a first photosensor and a plurality of optical emitters symmetrically arranged around the first photosensor, and wherein the second measurement configuration consists of a second photosensor different from the first photosensor and a plurality of optical emitters symmetrically arranged around the second photosensor.

9. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device according to claim 8, wherein: The first measurement configuration consists of a first photosensor and a first group of optical emitters symmetrically arranged around the first photosensor, and wherein the second measurement configuration consists of the first photosensor and a second group of optical emitters symmetrically arranged around the second photosensor, wherein the first group of optical emitters and the second group of optical emitters define different groups of optical emitters.

10. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-3, comprising a plurality of photosensors, wherein the plurality of photosensors are arranged along an imaginary ring on the surface in an alternating manner with the plurality of optical emitters.

11. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device of claim 10, wherein: The first measurement configuration consists of a first optical emitter and a photosensor adjacent to the first optical emitter along the ring, and wherein the second measurement configuration consists of a second optical emitter different from the first optical emitter and a photosensor adjacent to the second optical emitter along the ring.

12. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device of claim 11, wherein: The photosensor of the first measurement configuration is identical to the photosensor of the second measurement configuration.

13. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The first measurement configuration provides a plurality of different measurement channels, one measurement channel from the first optical emitter to each of the photosensors of the first measurement configuration, and wherein the second measurement configuration provides a plurality of different measurement channels, one measurement channel from the second optical emitter to each of the photosensors of the second measurement configuration.

14. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device of any one of the preceding claims 1-3, further comprising: A controller is configured to acquire a first set of measurement data from at least one photoelectric sensor of the first measurement configuration and a second set of measurement data from at least one photoelectric sensor of the second measurement configuration, convert the first set of measurement data and the second set of measurement data using a Fourier transform, and combine the Fourier transformed first set of measurement data and the Fourier transformed second set of measurement data.

15. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device of claim 1, wherein: The memory also stores: a sleep movement profile associated with sleep; and an indication associated with the sleep movement profile that a measurement mode of a measurement structure including an optical transmitter that emits infrared light should be used when the sleep movement profile is selected, and wherein the controller is constructed to receive input indicating activation of the sleep movement profile to determine the measurement mode associated with the sleep movement profile, and selectively activate the measurement structure including the optical transmitter that emits infrared light based on the received indication of the sleep movement profile and also based on the measurement mode associated with the sleep movement profile in the memory.

16. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device of claim 1, wherein: The first measurement configuration is arranged to measure at least always when the photoplethysmographic sensor device is attached to the user, and wherein the second measurement configuration is selectively switched on and off when the photoplethysmographic sensor device is attached to the user.

17. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device of any of the preceding claims 1-3, further comprising: A processor is configured to process measurement signals acquired from at least one of the first and second measurement configurations to detect a signal pattern indicative of a motion disturbance in the measurement signals and to output a notification of the detection.

18. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device of claim 17, wherein: The notification is output to a user interface and informs the user to check contact between the photoplethysmography sensor device and the user.

19. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device of claim 17, wherein: The processor is configured to detect the signal pattern based on a variability of the measurement signal.

20. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-3, comprising: A plurality of photoelectric sensors, wherein the photoelectric sensors and / or the optical emitters form a matrix, wherein the measuring configuration is formed by elements of the matrix, such that each measuring configuration comprises at least one emitter and at least one photoelectric sensor of the matrix, and wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns formed by the photoelectric sensors and the optical emitters.

21. The wearable photoplethysmographic sensor device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein: The first measurement structure is arranged on one half of the surface and includes a photoelectric sensor and a plurality of optical emitters, wherein the second measurement structure is arranged on the opposite half of the surface and includes a photoelectric sensor and a plurality of optical emitters, and wherein the optical emitters of the first measurement structure are configured to emit in a first stage while the optical emitters of the second measurement structure do not emit, and wherein the optical emitters of the second measurement structure are configured to emit in a second stage while the optical emitters of the first measurement structure do not emit.

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