Absorbent Article Electrical Circuit for Pre-existing State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing incontinence monitoring systems are unable to determine pre-existing characteristics or states of absorbent articles and electrical circuits, such as usage history, size, capacity, and type, after connection to an electronic device, limiting their ability to monitor and manage incontinence effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that measure electrical variables after connection, using an If-Then rule-based function to process data and determine pre-existing characteristics or states by comparing measured values to thresholds, allowing for the identification of whether the absorbent article and electrical circuit have been previously connected, their size, capacity, and type, and other properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If existing incontinence monitoring systems merely monitor incontinence activity after connection, then the system operation is simple, but the system cannot determine pre-existing characteristics such as usage history, size, capacity, and type of the absorbent article
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements of electrical variables (capacitance, resistance, voltage, current) immediately upon connection to detect pre-existing characteristics before actual monitoring begins. This preliminary action captures usage history, size, capacity, and type information that would otherwise be lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual checking of absorbent articles with automated electrical measurements. By substituting mechanical/manual inspection with electrical field-based measurements of capacitance and resistance, the system automatically determines pre-existing characteristics without physical contact or complex mechanical sensors.
2Productivity
If manual checking of absorbent articles is performed periodically, then no additional electronic components are needed, but the monitoring efficiency and accuracy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent article's electrical circuit components (capacitors, resistors) serve dual purposes: they are both functional elements of the monitoring system and indicators of the article's pre-existing characteristics. The system uses the article's own electrical properties to provide information about its state, eliminating the need for separate sensing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical circuit components in the absorbent article perform multiple functions: they enable incontinence detection while simultaneously providing information about the article's size, capacity, type, and usage history through their electrical characteristics (capacitance, resistance, voltage, current).
3Measurement precision
If electrical variables are measured at sequential time values after connection, then pre-existing states can be determined, but the measurement and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures electrical variables at multiple sequential time points (excessive measurement) to ensure accurate detection of pre-existing states. By taking multiple measurements rather than a single reading, the system compensates for potential noise or transient effects, improving reliability of the determined characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sequential electrical measurements to iteratively refine its determination of pre-existing characteristics. By comparing measurements taken at different time points and analyzing changes in electrical variables, the system can more accurately distinguish between initial state and subsequent changes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables automatic detection of pre-existing characteristics and states, improving the accuracy and efficiency of incontinence event monitoring, wetness event volume estimation, and determining when absorbent articles require changing, thereby enhancing care for incontinence sufferers.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical variable can include any one or more of capacitance of a capacitor and resistance of a resistor in the electrical circuit
Implementation Method 2
The electrical variable can include any one or more of capacitance of a capacitor and resistance of a resistor in the electrical circuit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to systems, methods and devices for determining one or more pre-existing characteristics, pre-existing states or both of a combination absorbent article and electrical circuit after connecting an electronic device to the combination absorbent article and electrical circuit. The method and system is particularly, although not exclusively, suitable for determining pre-existing characteristics such as absorbent article size, type, capacity and a pre-existing state such as whether or not the electrical circuit of the combination absorbent article and electrical circuit has been previously connected to the electronic device or another like electronic device. These pre-existing characteristics, pre-existing states or both are derived from measured electrical variables of the electrical circuit which may include one or more components, such as a resistor or a capacitor or a variable such as charge on a capacitor after the connection of an electronic device, which may include a transmitter or a transceiver. The method includes: measuring an electrical variable after connection of an electronic device to the combination article and electrical circuit to generate data indicative of the electrical variable at sequential time values; and processing the data with a processor including applying an If-Then rule based function comprising two or more conditions to determine a pre-existing characteristic, a pre-existing state or both of the combination absorbent article and electrical circuit.