Smart ring with physiological feature detection function and physiological feature detection method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses an intelligent ring with a physiological feature detection function and a physiological feature detection method. The smart ring comprises a pressure detector and an arithmetic processor. The pressure detector is used for detecting the value of pressure applied to the smart ring by the target object. The arithmetic processor is electrically connected with the pressure detector and used for comparing the pressure value with a preset condition and judging the behavior of the target object according to the comparison result of the pressure value and the preset condition so as to generate a corresponding operation instruction. The smart ring not only can utilize the pressure detector to correct the detection result of the light volume change tracing detector, but also can utilize the pressure detector to detect the degree of tightness, gestures or finger actions when a user wears the smart ring, and has diversified application changes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a smart ring, and particularly to a smart ring with a physiological feature detection function and a method for detecting physiological features thereof. Background Art

[0002] Traditional smart rings use photoplethysmography detectors to detect the physiological features of users, such as heart rate values or blood oxygen values. However, the physiological feature detection results are easily affected by the wearing posture, resulting in reduced accuracy. For example, if the user wears the smart ring on the wrong finger, whether it is worn too loosely or too tightly will affect the accuracy of the physiological feature detection results; or if the user wears the smart ring on the correct finger, but the way the palm is placed causes excessive pressure on the detection area of the smart ring by the fingertip, it will also affect the accuracy of the physiological feature detection results. In addition, traditional smart rings can only be used to detect the physiological features of users and do not have other extended additional functions. Therefore, how to design a smart ring that can detect the wearing correctness to improve the detection accuracy and has other novel operating functions is one of the development goals of the current smart wearable device industry. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a smart ring with a physiological feature detection function and a method for detecting physiological features thereof.

[0004] The present invention further discloses a smart ring with a physiological feature detection function and applied to a target object. The smart ring includes a pressure detector and an arithmetic processor. The pressure detector is used to detect the pressure value exerted on the smart ring by the target object. The arithmetic processor is electrically connected to the pressure detector and is used to compare the pressure value with a predetermined condition, and determine the behavior of the target object according to the comparison result of the pressure value and the predetermined condition to generate a corresponding operation instruction.

[0005] The present invention also discloses that the pressure detector is a photoplethysmography detector, which is used to obtain a physiological signal detection value from the target object, and the arithmetic processor analyzes the change of the physiological signal detection value to convert it into the pressure value.

[0006] The present invention also discloses that the smart ring further includes a photoplethysmography detector independent of the pressure detector, which is electrically connected to the arithmetic processor and is used to obtain a physiological signal detection value from the target object. The arithmetic processor directly obtains and analyzes the pressure value by using the sensing element of the pressure detector, and corrects the physiological signal detection value according to the analysis result of the pressure value.

[0007] The present invention also discloses that when the detection value of the physiological signal of the arithmetic processor meets another predetermined condition and the pressure value exceeds the threshold of the predetermined condition, the behavior of the target object is determined to correspondingly generate the operation instruction. The smart ring further includes a ring body, and the pressure detector and the photoplethysmography detector are arranged at adjacent positions on the inner side of the ring body.

[0008] The present invention also discloses that the smart ring further includes a ring body and a detection light source. The detection light source is electrically connected to the arithmetic processor and is arranged on the inner side of the ring body with the pressure detector. The detection light source is a transmissive light source and / or a reflective light source. The detection light source includes the transmissive light source and the reflective light source, and the arithmetic processor alternately activates the transmissive light source and the reflective light source.

[0009] The present invention also discloses that the smart ring further includes an acceleration detector, which is electrically connected to the arithmetic processor and is used to detect the acceleration of the smart ring in each axial direction.

[0010] The present invention also discloses that the smart ring includes a ring body and two pressure detectors, and the two pressure detectors are respectively arranged at two opposite positions on the inner side of the ring body.

[0011] The present invention also discloses a physiological feature detection method, which is applied to a smart ring having a pressure detector and an arithmetic processor. The physiological feature detection method includes obtaining the pressure value applied by the target object to the smart ring detected by the pressure detector, comparing the pressure value with a predetermined condition, and determining the behavior of the target object according to the comparison result of the pressure value and the predetermined condition to generate a corresponding operation instruction.

[0012] The pressure detector of the smart ring can be a photoplethysmography detector; the detection value of the physiological signal obtained by the photoplethysmography detector will change significantly when the target object is under pressure, so the smart ring can analyze the change of the detection value of the physiological signal and convert it into a pressure value. The pressure detector of the smart ring can also be independent of the photoplethysmography detector. This pressure detector directly obtains the pressure value by using induction elements such as piezoelectric materials or metal diaphragms. The smart ring can further correct the detection value of the physiological signal by using the analysis result of the pressure value. The smart ring of the present invention can not only correct the detection result of the photoplethysmography detector by using the pressure detector, but also detect the tightness, gestures or finger movements of the user when wearing the smart ring by using the pressure detector, and has diversified application variations. Description of the Drawings

[0013] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the application of the smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the smart ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a structural cross-sectional view of the intelligent ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram of the intelligent ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the physiological feature detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Among them, the reference numerals are explained as follows:

[0019] 10 Intelligent ring

[0020] 12 Ring body

[0021] 14 Pressure detector

[0022] 16 Detection light source

[0023] 18 Acceleration detector

[0024] 20 Operation processor

[0025] 22 Electric energy storage element

[0026] 24 Photoplethysmogram detector

[0027] 26 Biological detector

[0028] Ot Target object

[0029] Steps S100, S102, S104, S106, S108, S110, S112, S114, S116 Detailed implementation manners

[0030] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 , Figure 1 This is an application schematic diagram of the intelligent ring 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is an external view schematic diagram of the intelligent ring 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a structural cross-sectional view of the intelligent ring 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram of the intelligent ring 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The intelligent ring 10 is applied to the target object Ot, for example, worn on a finger, to provide a physiological feature detection function. In addition, the intelligent ring 10 of the present invention can also provide a pressure detection function; the generated pressure value can be used for auxiliary calibration of the physiological feature detection function to improve the detection accuracy, or operation instructions can be generated according to the change of the pressure value, so that the intelligent ring 10 has more diverse applications.

[0031] The smart ring 10 optionally includes a ring body 12, a pressure detector 14, a detection light source 16, an acceleration detector 18, an arithmetic processor 20, and a power storage element 22. The pressure detector 14, the detection light source 16, the acceleration detector 18, and the power storage element 22 are electrically connected to the arithmetic processor 20 and are disposed within the ring body 12. The shape of the ring body 12 is determined according to design requirements; generally, the inner ring surface of the ring body 12 is designed to be circular to fit the shape of the finger, and the outer ring surface of the ring body 12 can be designed to be circular or square, and the possible variations thereof will not be described in detail herein. The pressure detector 14 is used to detect the pressure value exerted by the target object Ot on the smart ring 10; for example, if the smart ring 10 is worn on the index finger, the pressure detector 14 can detect the pressure value exerted by the index finger (i.e., the target object Ot) on the inner ring surface of the smart ring 10, or can also detect the pressure value exerted by the thumb or other tool (i.e., the target object Ot) on the outer ring surface of the smart ring 10.

[0032] The detection light source 16 is optionally designed as a transmissive light source and / or a reflective light source; if the detection light source 16 includes both a transmissive light source and a reflective light source, since the transmissive light source has a higher power consumption but higher accuracy, the arithmetic processor 20 can select to activate the transmissive light source or the reflective light source as needed, or can alternately activate the transmissive light source and the reflective light source. The detection light source 16 can be designed as a combination of a green light emitting unit, a red light emitting unit, and an infrared light emitting unit, or can also be designed as a combination of a yellow light emitting unit, a green light emitting unit, and an infrared light emitting unit, and the variations thereof depend on actual requirements. Generally, the reflective light source of the detection light source 16 is disposed at a position between the pressure detector 14 and the arithmetic processor 20, and the transmissive light source of the detection light source 16 is disposed at a position between the arithmetic processor 20 and the power storage element 22, but the actual application is not limited thereto. In addition, the acceleration detector 18 can detect the acceleration of the smart ring 10 in each axial direction, which helps to more accurately determine the gesture changes generated during walking or running and other movement processes when the user wears the smart ring 10. The power storage element 22 is configured with a charging unit and a power storage unit; the charging unit is usually designed as a wireless charger, which is used to transmit external electric energy to the power storage unit and then to other electronic components of the smart ring 10.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure detector 14 may be a photoplethysmogram detector for obtaining physiological signal detection values from the target object Ot. The arithmetic processor 20 directly analyzes the physiological signal detection values generated by the photoplethysmogram detector to determine the pressure. For example, the arithmetic processor 20 can determine whether the physiological signal detection values have abnormal changes within a specific time period, and then analyze the difference between the abnormal changes and the normal values of the physiological signal detection values to convert the pressure value; then, the arithmetic processor 20 can compare the pressure value with a predetermined condition, and determine the behavior of the target object Ot according to the comparison result of the pressure value and the predetermined condition to generate corresponding operation instructions. The predetermined condition may be a single threshold value or a numerical range; the pressure value being higher or lower than the threshold value, or the pressure value being higher or lower than the numerical range, or falling within the numerical range can represent different behaviors of the target object Ot and their corresponding operation instructions.

[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention, the smart ring 10 includes a photoplethysmogram detector 24 independent of the pressure detector 14; the pressure detector 14 and the photoplethysmogram detector 24 are respectively used to obtain the pressure value and the physiological signal detection value from the target object Ot. In this embodiment, the pressure detector 14 and the photoplethysmogram detector 24 are preferably disposed at adjacent positions on the inner side of the ring body 12; when the smart ring 10 is worn on the target object Ot, the pressure detector 14 and the photoplethysmogram detector 24 will simultaneously contact the same or adjacent areas of the target object Ot, so as to ensure that the pressure value of the pressure detector 14 and the physiological signal detection value of the photoplethysmogram detector 24 have preferably homogeneity and can be complementary corrected.

[0035] In the embodiment where the pressure detector 14 is independent of the photoplethysmogram detector 24, the pressure detector 14 can selectively use piezoelectric materials, metal diaphragms, or any sensing element that meets the requirements to directly obtain and analyze the pressure value. In general use, if the target object Ot exerts excessive pressure on the smart ring 10, the physiological signal detection values of the target object Ot obtained by the photoplethysmogram detector 24 will have abnormal changes, and the pressure value of the target object Ot obtained by the pressure detector 14 will also exceed the predetermined condition (such as the aforementioned threshold value or numerical range). Therefore, the arithmetic processor 20 can compare the pressure value with the predetermined condition; if the pressure value does not meet the predetermined condition (such as being lower than the threshold value or numerical range), it means that the pressure value is within the normal range and the user wears the smart ring 10 correctly, so the smart ring 10 can directly output the physiological signal detection values obtained by the photoplethysmogram detector 24 to an external device (such as a smart phone).

[0036] If the pressure value meets a predetermined condition (such as being higher than or equal to a threshold value or a numerical range), it indicates that the pressure value exceeds the normal range and the user wears the smart ring 10 incorrectly. The smart ring 10 can optionally delete the relevant physiological signal detection values and output the calculated value (such as the mean value) of the physiological signal detection values obtained in the previous stage when the pressure value was within the normal range to an external device; or the smart ring 10 can optionally use the aforementioned calculated value of the physiological signal detection values to correct the physiological signal detection values in the current stage. In other words, the smart ring 10 can first confirm whether the physiological signal detection values obtained by the photoplethysmogram detector 24 meet another predetermined condition to determine that the target object Ot is not in a stationary state when the physiological signal detection values fluctuate (i.e., the physiological signal detection values meet another predetermined condition), and then, when the pressure value also meets (or is said to exceed) the predetermined condition, determine what specific behavior the target object Ot has (such as whether it is worn correctly or there are other pressure changes) to form corresponding operation instructions. Among them, another predetermined condition is determined according to the detection sensitivity of the smart ring 10; the correction method of the pressure value applied to the physiological signal detection values is not limited to the foregoing implementation manners and depends on the design requirements.

[0037] In a possible variant of the present invention, the smart ring 10 can optionally include two pressure detectors 14. One of the pressure detectors 14 is still preferably arranged beside the photoplethysmogram detector 24, and the other pressure detector (not shown in the drawings) is arranged at a position opposite to the photoplethysmogram detector 24 (or the pressure detector 14 beside it) on the inner side of the ring body 12. When the smart ring 10 is worn on the target object Ot (such as a finger), if the pressure detector 14 beside the photoplethysmogram detector 24 detects a pressure value within the normal range, it indicates that the user wears the smart ring 10 correctly; if the pressure detector 14 beside the photoplethysmogram detector 24 detects an abnormal range of pressure values, the smart ring 10 can further confirm the pressure value obtained by the other pressure detector (not shown in the drawings) with a relative position to determine whether the user wears the smart ring 10 incorrectly. For example, when pressing the pressure detector (not shown in the drawings) near the back of the finger of the smart ring 10 in a palm-up manner, the smart ring 10 can emit a warning signal and correspondingly correct the physiological signal detection values obtained by the photoplethysmogram detector 24 during this period.

[0038] In addition, the smart ring 10 may optionally be provided with a biological detector 26 inside the ring body 12, such as a capacitive detector and / or an electrode detector, for detecting whether the smart ring 10 is worn on a living body. For example, if the smart ring 10 is placed on a shiny table, the detection signal of the photoplethysmograph detector may cause the smart ring 10 to misjudge that it has been worn on the finger due to the reflection of the table. If the smart ring 10 is additionally provided with a biological detector 26, it will be determined that the detection signal of the photoplethysmograph detector belongs to the physiological signal detection value only when the detection signals of both the photoplethysmograph detector and the biological detector 26 meet the conditions.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 which is a flowchart of the physiological feature detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 The described physiological feature detection method is applicable to Figures 1 to 4 the smart ring 10 shown in

[0040] Regarding the physiological feature detection method, first, step S100 is executed, and the operation processor 20 obtains the detection value of the target object Ot detected by the pressure detector 14 applied to the smart ring 10. If the smart ring 10 uses a photoplethysmograph detector as the pressure detector 14, steps S102 and S104 are executed to analyze the physiological signal detection value of the target object Ot obtained by the photoplethysmograph detector, and the change in the physiological signal detection value is analyzed to be converted into a pressure value. Then, steps S106 and S108 are executed to compare the pressure value with a predetermined condition, and the behavior of the target object Ot is judged according to the comparison result of the pressure value and the predetermined condition, and a corresponding operation instruction is generated. Figures 1 to 4 If the smart ring 10 uses an induction element of piezoelectric material, metal diaphragm, or similar material in the pressure detector 14, steps S110 and S112 are executed to obtain the physiological signal detection value of the target object Ot by using the photoplethysmograph detector 24 independent of the pressure detector 14, and then the physiological signal detection value is corrected with the pressure value obtained by the pressure detector 14; the correction method is as described in the relevant content of

[0041] During the execution of step S108 and step S116, the smart ring 10 can detect whether the pressure value is abnormal to determine whether the smart ring 10 is correctly worn on the target object Ot; the smart ring 10 can also detect abnormal changes in the pressure value in a specific period of time (e.g., a short period of time) to determine whether the target object Ot on which the smart ring 10 is worn is bent, or whether the smart ring 10 is hit by an external force. Therefore, when the user wears the smart ring 10, if the smart ring 10 is worn on the wrong finger, or is worn on the correct finger but the hand posture is not good, the smart ring 10 can send a warning signal; if the smart ring 10 is correctly worn on the index finger, but the index finger is bent, or the thumb taps the smart ring 10 on the index finger, the smart ring 10 can detect the change in the pressure value to generate an operation instruction, so that the smart ring 10 can replace the scroll wheel and buttons of the mouse, and has the functions of mid-air sliding pages and mid-air clicking. If the smart ring 10 is equipped with two pressure detectors 14, it can replace the left and right click functions of the mouse.

[0042] In summary, the pressure detector of the smart ring can be a photoplethysmography detector; the physiological signal detection value obtained by the photoplethysmography detector will change significantly when the target object is under pressure, so the smart ring can analyze the change of the physiological signal detection value and convert it into a pressure value. The pressure detector of the smart ring can also be independent of the photoplethysmography detector. This pressure detector uses a sensing element such as a piezoelectric material or a metal diaphragm to directly obtain the pressure value. The smart ring can further correct the physiological signal detection value using the analysis result of the pressure value. The pressure detector of the smart ring can be attached to the skin of the finger to detect the pressure changes caused by various finger movements, such as bending the finger, tapping the table, or pinching the finger. The smart ring of the present invention can not only use the pressure detector to correct the detection result of the photoplethysmography detector, but also use the pressure detector to detect the tightness, gestures or finger movements of the user when wearing the smart ring, and has a variety of application changes.

[0043] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A smart ring with physiological feature detection function, applied to a target object, characterized in that, The intelligent ring includes: A pressure detector for detecting the pressure value exerted on the intelligent ring by the target object; and An arithmetic processor electrically connected to the pressure detector for comparing the pressure value with a predetermined condition and determining the behavior of the target object according to the comparison result between the pressure value and the predetermined condition to generate corresponding operation instructions.

2. The intelligent ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure detector is a photoplethysmography detector for obtaining a physiological signal detection value from the target object, and the arithmetic processor analyzes the change in the physiological signal detection value to convert it into the pressure value.

3. The intelligent ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intelligent ring further includes a photoplethysmography detector independent of the pressure detector, electrically connected to the arithmetic processor, for obtaining a physiological signal detection value from the target object.

4. The intelligent ring according to claim 3, wherein The arithmetic processor directly obtains and analyzes the pressure value using the sensing element of the pressure detector, and corrects the physiological signal detection value according to the analysis result of the pressure value.

5. The intelligent ring according to claim 3, wherein When the physiological signal detection value meets another predetermined condition and the pressure value exceeds the threshold of the predetermined condition, the arithmetic processor determines the behavior of the target object and generates the corresponding operation instructions accordingly.

6. The intelligent ring according to claim 3, characterized in that, The intelligent ring further includes a ring body, and the pressure detector and the photoplethysmography detector are arranged at adjacent positions on the inner side of the ring body.

7. The intelligent ring according to claim 1, wherein The intelligent ring further includes a ring body and a detection light source, the detection light source is electrically connected to the arithmetic processor, and is arranged on the inner side of the ring body with the pressure detector.

8. The smart ring according to claim 7, characterized in that, The detection light source is a transmissive light source and / or a reflective light source.

9. The intelligent ring according to claim 8, characterized in that The detection light source includes the transmissive light source and the reflective light source, and the arithmetic processor alternately activates the transmissive light source and the reflective light source.

10. The intelligent ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intelligent ring further includes an acceleration detector, electrically connected to the arithmetic processor, for detecting the acceleration of the intelligent ring in each axial direction.

11. The intelligent ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intelligent ring includes a ring body and two pressure detectors, and the two pressure detectors are respectively arranged at two opposite positions on the inner side of the ring body.

12. A physiological characteristic detection method applied to an intelligent ring having a pressure detector and an arithmetic processor, the physiological characteristic detection method includes: The arithmetic processor obtains the pressure value exerted on the intelligent ring by the target object detected by the pressure detector; The arithmetic processor compares the pressure value with a predetermined condition; And The arithmetic processor determines the behavior of the target object according to the comparison result between the pressure value and the predetermined condition to generate corresponding operation instructions.

13. The physiological feature detection method according to claim 12, wherein, The pressure detector is a photoplethysmography detector, and the physiological characteristic detection method further includes: The arithmetic processor determines whether the physiological signal detection value obtained from the target object by the photoplethysmography detector changes; and The arithmetic processor analyzes the change in the physiological signal detection value to convert it into the pressure value.

14. The physiological feature detection method according to claim 12, characterized in that The intelligent ring has a photoplethysmography detector independent of the pressure detector, and the physiological characteristic detection method further includes: The arithmetic processor obtains the physiological signal detection value from the target object using the photoplethysmography detector; The arithmetic processor directly obtains and analyzes the pressure value using the sensing element of the pressure detector; and The arithmetic processor corrects the physiological signal detection value according to the analysis result of the pressure value.

15. The physiological feature detection method according to claim 14, wherein, The physiological feature detection method further includes: When the detected value of the physiological signal meets another predetermined condition and the pressure value exceeds the threshold of the predetermined condition, the operation processor determines the behavior of the target object to correspondingly generate an operation instruction.

16. The physiological characteristic detection method according to claim 12, wherein The smart ring has a detection light source including a transmissive light source and a reflective light source. The physiological feature detection method further includes: during the operation of the pressure detector, the operation processor alternately activates the transmissive light source and the reflective light source.

17. The physiological feature detection method according to claim 12, wherein The smart ring has two pressure detectors with opposite positions. The physiological feature detection method further includes: The operation processor uses the pressure values detected by the two pressure detectors to determine whether the smart ring is correctly worn on the target object.

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