Accelerometer Threshold Interrupt for Sedentary Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing activity monitoring devices are unable to accurately determine sedentary behavior over extended periods, are often expensive or cumbersome, and struggle to remain comfortably attached to users without causing discomfort or annoyance.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost, compact device with a sensor, such as an accelerometer or gyroscope, that attaches to the user via a fastener and selectively operates in low and high power states to detect movement and physiological attributes, minimizing power consumption and discomfort, while transmitting sedentary data via Bluetooth or NFC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the device operates continuously in high power state to monitor sedentary behavior accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit periodically enters high power state from low power state to sample readings from the sensor and determine whether the user is sedentary, rather than operating continuously in high power state. This periodic sampling approach maintains adequate measurement precision for sedentary detection while dramatically reducing overall power consumption of the device.
2Measurement precision
If the device is worn continuously to monitor extended period activity, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
By operating in periodic cycles between low and high power states rather than continuously, the device reduces overall wear and discomfort to the user while still achieving accurate sedentary behavior detection through strategic sampling during high power states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent describes a low-cost device design that accepts being disposable or replaceable rather than designing for long-term continuous wear. This approach allows using simpler, lighter materials and construction that are more comfortable for extended wear, while the low cost enables replacement if needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the device uses simple sensor and fastener design, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity increases due to power management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit implements periodic transitions between low and high power states with periodic sensor sampling during high power states. This periodic operation simplifies the power management logic compared to continuous operation with complex real-time processing, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 accurate and comfortable long-term sedentary behavior monitoring, reducing power consumption and costs, allowing for the determination of sedentary periods and associated health insights without obstructing daily activities.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor can include an accelerometer or a gyroscope configured to detect whether the user has moved
Implementation Method 2
The sensor can include an accelerometer or a gyroscope configured to detect whether the user has moved
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for determining a sedentary state of a user are disclosed. The apparatuses can be fastened to the user and include sensors configured to detect movement of the user. The apparatuses can also include a circuit coupled to the sensors. The circuits may be configured to determine, using the sensors, whether the user is sedentary; and in response to determining that the user is sedentary, determine one or more physiological attributes of the user of the device.