A low-power vital sign monitor based on dual radar architecture

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of low-power consumption vital sign monitors based on double radar architecture, including micro control unit and power management module, micro control unit is electrically connected with first radar module and second radar module, the carrier frequency and power consumption of first radar module are less than second radar module;First radar module is used to detect whether there is someone in room;When detecting that there is someone in room, first radar module wakes up micro control unit, and makes micro control unit control power management module to power supply second radar module.The present application is only by low-power consumption first radar module to execute human existence detection under normal condition;When detecting that someone enters in room, second radar module enters working state only, detects whether old user falls and chest fluctuation and pulse fluctuation etc.State;When personnel leaves room, second radar module is immediately powered off and enters hibernation state;Significantly reduce the overall power consumption of monitor, effectively avoid the problem of poor endurance caused by long-term continuous work of high-power consumption module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of non-contact sensing technology, specifically to a low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture. Background Technology

[0002] Vital signs monitoring refers to the real-time acquisition of information on changes in key indicators such as human posture, body temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure through instrument measurement or manual observation, and timely alarms when abnormal indicators occur to remind medical staff to intervene.

[0003] Currently, posture monitoring mainly relies on fitness trackers, while pulse and respiration monitoring often uses electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors. However, all of these devices are contact-based monitoring methods, which are inconvenient for long-term continuous use. Furthermore, millimeter-wave radar devices are gaining attention in smart elderly care scenarios. These devices employ non-contact sensing technology to detect falls, track movement, monitor sleep, heart rate, and respiration in elderly users. However, to achieve high accuracy and good penetration, millimeter-wave radar devices require higher carrier frequencies. High-carrier-frequency millimeter-wave radar devices have high power consumption, posing challenges to their battery life, wireless deployment, and long-term stable operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a low-power vital signs monitor for smart elderly care scenarios. It employs non-contact sensing technology to detect falls, track movement, monitor sleep, heart rate, and respiration in elderly users.

[0005] This invention provides a low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture, comprising a microcontroller unit and a power management module. The microcontroller unit is electrically connected to a first radar module and a second radar module. The carrier frequency and power consumption of the first radar module are lower than those of the second radar module. The second radar module is used to detect one or more of a person's movement and sleep states. The first radar module is used to detect whether there is someone in the room. When someone is detected in the room, the first radar module wakes up the microcontroller unit, which then controls the power management module to supply power to the second radar module.

[0006] Preferably, it also includes a storage module for storing information monitored by the first radar module and the second radar module.

[0007] Preferably, the microcontroller unit is also electrically connected to a wireless communication module and a voice module, and the voice module is electrically connected to any one or more of a speaker and a microphone.

[0008] Preferably, the system further includes a power control module, which corresponds one-to-one with the second radar module, the wireless communication module, and the voice module. The power control module includes a first switching transistor and a second switching transistor. The control terminal of the second switching transistor is connected to the first terminals of a fourth resistor and a fifth resistor. The second terminal of the fourth resistor is connected to the microcontroller unit. The second terminal of the fifth resistor is grounded. The second terminal of the second switching transistor is also grounded. The third terminal of the second switching transistor is connected to the first terminals of the second and third resistors. The second terminal of the second resistor is connected to the power supply and the second terminal of the first switching transistor. The second terminal of the third resistor is connected to the control terminal of the first switching transistor. The third terminal of the first switching transistor is connected to the second radar module, the wireless communication module, or the voice module. A first capacitor is connected between the second terminal and the control terminal of the first switching transistor.

[0009] Preferably, the third terminal of the first switch is also connected to the first terminal of the first resistor, the second terminal of the first resistor is connected to the first terminal of the light-emitting diode, and the second terminal of the light-emitting diode is grounded.

[0010] Preferably, the first switching transistor is a PMOS field-effect transistor, and the second switching transistor is an NPN transistor.

[0011] Preferably, the wireless communication module is a 4G module and a WIFI module.

[0012] Preferably, the power management module includes a battery module, a charge / discharge management chip, and a DC-DC conversion circuit. The charge / discharge management chip is connected to a TYPE-C interface and is used to charge and discharge the battery module, which provides DC power. The DC-DC conversion circuit is used to boost or buck the DC power provided by the battery module.

[0013] Preferably, the first radar module is a 60GHz millimeter-wave radar; the second radar module is a 5.8GHz millimeter-wave radar.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention utilizes the cooperation of a microcontroller unit, a power management module, a first radar module, and a second radar module. Under normal conditions, only the low-power first radar module performs human presence detection. When someone enters the room, the first radar module wakes up the microcontroller unit, which then controls the power management module to supply power to the second radar module. At this point, the second radar module enters its working state. Due to its high carrier frequency, the second radar module has high accuracy and good penetration, enabling accurate detection of whether elderly users have fallen, as well as chest rise and fall and pulse fluctuations. When the person leaves the room, the second radar module immediately shuts off and enters a sleep state. This significantly reduces the overall power consumption of the monitor, effectively avoiding the poor battery life problem caused by long-term continuous operation of high-power modules. It facilitates wireless deployment and long-term stable operation of the monitor, making it particularly suitable for scenarios requiring long-term uninterrupted monitoring, such as nursing homes and homes. Furthermore, this invention employs non-contact sensing technology to monitor the vital signs of elderly users. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture, provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The circuit diagram of the microprocessor unit provided in the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 The circuit diagram of the power control module provided in the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a power-on detection circuit diagram for a power control module provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Reference numerals in the attached diagram: R1, first resistor; D1, light-emitting diode; R2, second resistor; R3, third resistor; R4, fourth resistor; R5, fifth resistor; Q1, first switching transistor; Q2, second switching transistor; C1, first capacitor. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly attached to the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0021] Please see Figures 1-4 This invention provides a low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture, comprising a microcontroller unit, a power management module, a first radar module, and a second radar module. The carrier frequency and power consumption of the first radar module are lower than those of the second radar module. The second radar module is used to detect one or more of a person's movement and sleep states. The first radar module is used to detect whether someone is in the room. When someone is detected entering the room, the first radar module wakes up the microcontroller unit, which then controls the power management module to supply power to the second radar module. At this time, the second radar module enters the working state and monitors the person's movement or sleep state. Due to the high carrier frequency of the second radar module, it has the characteristics of high accuracy and good penetration effect, and can accurately detect whether elderly users have fallen, as well as chest rise and fall, pulse rise and fall, etc. When no one is detected in the room, the second radar module does not need to work, and the power management module will not supply power to the second radar module, which will immediately power off and enter a sleep state. Since the power consumption of the first radar module is much lower than that of the second radar module, the overall power consumption of the monitor can be significantly reduced.

[0022] The vital signs monitor of the present invention, after being packaged, is installed on the wall or ceiling of a room; those skilled in the art can flexibly configure it according to the actual situation.

[0023] The first and second radar modules track and detect the human body based on the Doppler or micro-Doppler effect. When the emitted radar waves hit a moving target, the frequency of the reflected signal changes, thus detecting whether someone has entered the room. Once someone is detected, the high-precision radar module receives point cloud information reflected from the person's posture at different positions, which can determine whether an elderly person has fallen, and even detect chest rise and fall and pulse fluctuations during sleep, achieving non-contact perception of human movement and sleep states.

[0024] The microcontroller unit uses an STM32F103RET6 microcontroller. The first radar module is a 60GHz millimeter-wave radar, and the second radar module is a 5.8GHz millimeter-wave radar. The power consumption of the first radar module is approximately 60μA, and the power consumption of the second radar module is approximately 300mA. Therefore, the power consumption of the first radar module is significantly lower than that of the second radar module. Ports PC6, PB10, PB11, PB12, PB13, PB14, and PB15 of the microcontroller unit are connected to the first radar module, and ports PA0, PA2, and PA3 of the microcontroller unit are connected to the second radar module.

[0025] Preferably, the microcontroller unit is also electrically connected to a storage module, a voice module, and a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module can be any one or more of a 4G module and a WIFI module. The storage module is model MKDVG and is used to store information monitored by the first radar module and the second radar module. The 4G module is model EC801E, and the WIFI module is model FGM842D. The microcontroller unit communicates with the terminal device through the wireless communication module, and can send the monitored movement and sleep status of the elderly to the remote terminal device, facilitating remote monitoring of the elderly's vital signs. The terminal device can be any one or more of a mobile phone, laptop, and iPad, and this application does not make a specific limitation. The voice module is model CI1302 and is electrically connected to any one or more of a speaker and a microphone. The speaker can be used for alarms, and the microphone can be used for voice interaction.

[0026] In this embodiment, the power management module includes a battery module, a charge / discharge management chip, a first DC-DC converter circuit, a second DC-DC converter circuit, and a third DC-DC converter circuit. The first DC-DC converter circuit is an MP28167, the second DC-DC converter circuit is a TPS54302, and the third DC-DC converter circuit is a TLV75733. The charge / discharge management chip is connected to a Type-C interface and is used to charge and discharge the battery module; the battery module provides DC power; and the DC-DC converter circuits boost or buck the DC power provided by the battery module.

[0027] Specifically, the battery module is used to output a 4.3V DC power supply; the first DC-DC converter circuit is used to boost the 4.3V DC power supply to a 5V DC power supply; the second DC-DC converter circuit is used to step down the 5V DC power supply to a 3.8V DC power supply; and the third DC-DC converter circuit is used to step down the 3.8V DC power supply to a 3.3V DC power supply.

[0028] Preferably, the power management module further includes a power switch, which is located between the first DC-DC conversion circuit and the second DC-DC conversion circuit. The power switch is a GEK100 model. The power switch receives button signals to control the connection and disconnection between the output terminal of the first DC-DC conversion circuit and the input terminal of the second DC-DC conversion circuit.

[0029] In this embodiment, the third DC-DC converter circuit directly powers the microcontroller unit and the first radar module. The microcontroller unit controls the third DC-DC converter circuit to power the WIFI module and the second radar module via the power control module. Furthermore, the microcontroller unit also controls the first DC-DC converter circuit to power the voice module and the second DC-DC converter circuit to power the 4G module via the power control module. The power control module corresponds one-to-one with the second radar module, the 4G module, the WIFI module, and the voice module.

[0030] Specifically, the power control module includes a first switching transistor Q1 and a second switching transistor Q2. For example, the first switching transistor Q1 is a PMOS field-effect transistor, and the second switching transistor Q2 is an NPN transistor. The base of the second switching transistor Q2 is connected to the first terminals of a fourth resistor R4 and a fifth resistor R5; the second terminal of the fourth resistor R4 is connected to the microcontroller unit (MCU) to receive high-level or low-level signals output from the corresponding port of the MCU. The second terminal of the fifth resistor R5 is grounded, and the emitter of the second switching transistor Q2 is also grounded. The collector of the second switching transistor Q2 is connected to the first terminals of a second resistor R2 and a third resistor R3; the second terminal of the second resistor R2 is connected to the power supply. It can be understood that the power supply can be a 5V DC power supply, a 3.8V DC power supply, or a 3.3V current power supply, depending on whether the power control module is connected to a second radar module, a 4G module, a Wi-Fi module, or a voice module.

[0031] Furthermore, the second end of the second resistor R2 is connected to the source of the PMOS field-effect transistor, and the second end of the third resistor R3 is connected to the gate of the first switching transistor Q1. The drain of the first switching transistor Q1 is connected to the second radar module, 4G module, WIFI module, or voice module. In addition, a first capacitor C1 is connected between the source and gate of the first switching transistor Q1.

[0032] When the first radar module detects someone entering the room, it outputs a signal to the microcontroller unit. The corresponding port of the microcontroller unit outputs a high-level signal to the power control module. At this time, the second switch Q2 turns on, and current flows between the collector and emitter of the second switch Q2. The power supply first charges the first capacitor C1, causing the voltage at the end of the first capacitor C1 furthest from the power supply to drop. Consequently, the voltage difference between the source and gate of the first switch Q1 exceeds the threshold voltage, and the first switch Q1 turns on. The power supply then supplies power to the corresponding second radar module, 4G module, WIFI module, and voice module, and these modules enter the working state.

[0033] Conversely, when the first radar module detects that no one has entered the room, the corresponding port of the microcontroller outputs a low-level signal to the power control module, and the second switch Q2 is turned off. At this time, the first capacitor C1 discharges through the second resistor R2 and the third resistor R3, and the voltage at the end of the first capacitor C1 away from the power supply increases. The first switch Q1 is then turned off, and the power supply no longer supplies power to the corresponding second radar module, 4G module, WIFI module, and voice module. The second radar module, 4G module, WIFI module, and voice module enter a sleep state. Therefore, when no one is detected in the room, the second radar module, 4G module, WIFI module, and voice module immediately enter a sleep state, which can significantly reduce the overall power consumption of the monitor.

[0034] Preferably, the drain of the first switching transistor Q1 is also connected to the first terminal of the first resistor R1, the second terminal of the first resistor R1 is connected to the anode of the light-emitting diode D1, and the cathode of the light-emitting diode D1 is grounded. Therefore, when the first switching transistor Q1 is turned on, the light-emitting diode D1 will also light up. The user can determine the power supply status of the power control module to the second radar module, 4G module, WIFI module, and voice module based on the on / off state of the light-emitting diode D1; the light on indicates normal power supply, while the light off indicates that the power supply is abnormal or not enabled.

[0035] The above embodiments are merely one implementation of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture, characterized in that: The system includes a microcontroller unit and a power management module. The microcontroller unit is electrically connected to a first radar module and a second radar module. The carrier frequency and power consumption of the first radar module are lower than those of the second radar module. The second radar module is used to detect one or more of a person's movement and sleep states. The first radar module is used to detect whether there is someone in the room. When someone is detected in the room, the first radar module wakes up the microcontroller unit, which then controls the power management module to supply power to the second radar module.

2. The low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a storage module for storing information monitored by the first radar module and the second radar module.

3. A low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The microcontroller unit is also electrically connected to a wireless communication module and a voice module, and the voice module is electrically connected to any one or more of a speaker and a microphone.

4. A low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a power control module, which corresponds one-to-one with the second radar module, the wireless communication module, and the voice module. The power control module includes a first switching transistor and a second switching transistor. The control terminal of the second switching transistor is connected to the first terminals of a fourth resistor and a fifth resistor. The second terminal of the fourth resistor is connected to the microcontroller unit. The second terminal of the fifth resistor is grounded. The second terminal of the second switching transistor is also grounded. The third terminal of the second switching transistor is connected to the first terminals of the second and third resistors. The second terminal of the second resistor is connected to the power supply and the second terminal of the first switching transistor. The second terminal of the third resistor is connected to the control terminal of the first switching transistor. The third terminal of the first switching transistor is connected to the second radar module, the wireless communication module, or the voice module. A first capacitor is connected between the second terminal and the control terminal of the first switching transistor.

5. A low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture according to claim 4, characterized in that: The third terminal of the first switch is also connected to the first terminal of the first resistor, the second terminal of the first resistor is connected to the first terminal of the light-emitting diode, and the second terminal of the light-emitting diode is grounded.

6. A low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first switching transistor is a PMOS field-effect transistor, and the second switching transistor is an NPN transistor.

7. A low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wireless communication module is a 4G module and a WIFI module.

8. A low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power management module includes a battery module, a charge / discharge management chip, and a DC-DC conversion circuit. The charge / discharge management chip is connected to a TYPE-C interface and is used to charge and discharge the battery module, which provides DC power. The DC-DC conversion circuit is used to boost or buck the DC power provided by the battery module.

9. A low-power vital signs monitor based on a dual-radar architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first radar module is a 60GHz millimeter-wave radar; the second radar module is a 5.8GHz millimeter-wave radar.

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