Biometric Sensor Estimating ECG Peak from Heartbeat Signal

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biometric sensors require multiple electrodes and light-emitting elements for measuring electrocardiographic and pulse wave signals simultaneously, which restricts the object's movement and reduces convenience.

Innovation Solution

A biometric information sensor with a signal processor that estimates the electrocardiographic peak from a heartbeat signal, allowing for the calculation of pulse wave transit time without direct electrocardiographic signal detection, and is attached to the body using a flexible substrate and adhesive for enhanced accuracy and convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple electrodes and light-emitting elements are used for simultaneous measurement of electrocardiographic and pulse wave signals, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and restraint on the object increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous measurement capabilityVSAvoidnumber of electrodes and light-emitting elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a heartbeat signal as a copy or proxy for the electrocardiographic signal. Instead of directly measuring the electrocardiographic signal with electrodes, the system detects the heartbeat signal (which correlates with heartbeats) and uses it to estimate the electrocardiographic peak. This copying approach allows simultaneous measurement of both electrocardiographic and pulse wave signals while reducing the number of required sensors and electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If multiple electrodes and light-emitting elements are used for simultaneous measurement of electrocardiographic and pulse wave signals, then measurement capability is improved, but convenience is reduced due to restraint on the object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous measurement capabilityVSAvoidconvenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a heartbeat signal as a copy or proxy for the electrocardiographic signal. Instead of directly measuring the electrocardiographic signal with electrodes, the system detects the heartbeat signal (which correlates with heartbeats) and uses it to estimate the electrocardiographic peak. This copying approach allows simultaneous measurement of both electrocardiographic and pulse wave signals while reducing the number of required sensors and electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If electrocardiographic signal detection is performed directly, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and restraint increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrocardiographic signal detection accuracyVSAvoidelectrode configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a heartbeat signal as a copy or proxy for the electrocardiographic signal. Instead of directly measuring the electrocardiographic signal with electrodes, the system detects the heartbeat signal (which correlates with heartbeats) and uses it to estimate the electrocardiographic peak. This copying approach allows simultaneous measurement of both electrocardiographic and pulse wave signals while reducing the number of required sensors and electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a signal processor as an intermediary that performs estimation calculations. The signal processor takes the heartbeat signal and pulse wave signal as inputs and calculates the electrocardiographic peak and pulse wave transit time through mathematical processing. This intermediary approach allows the system to achieve electrocardiographic measurement capability without directly measuring the electrocardiographic signal, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11006839B2Biometric information sensor

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A biometric information sensor includes a flexible substrate, an adhesive, a heartbeat signal detector, an electrocardiographic signal detector, a pulse wave detector, and a signal processor. The signal processor calculates an electrocardiographic peak estimated value resulting from estimating the wave of an electrocardiographic signal detected by the electrocardiographic signal detector from a heartbeat signal detected by the heartbeat signal detector based on the heartbeat signal and the electrocardiographic signal. The signal processor estimates a pulse wave transmit time based on the calculated electrocardiographic peak estimated value a photoplethysmographic signal detected by the pulse wave detector.