Biometric Sensor Light Selection for Wearing State Adaptation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable electronic devices face challenges in accurately measuring biological information due to variations in skin permeability and motion sensitivity across different light bands, leading to inaccurate measurements and high power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device selectively drives light emitting and receiving elements based on the wearing state and motion state, optimizing the use of light bands to enhance measurement accuracy and reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light emitting elements of different bands are used to measure biometric information, then measurement coverage is improved, but power consumption increases and measurement accuracy deteriorates due to not considering wearing state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically selects light emitting elements based on the detected wearing state (tight or loose). When a tight wearing state is detected, green band elements are selected for their motion resistance. When a loose wearing state is detected, IR or red band elements are selected for their skin permeability. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by activating only the necessary light elements for the current condition, reducing power consumption while maintaining measurement coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters (which light emitting elements are active) based on the wearing state parameter. The processor detects wearing state and accordingly changes the configuration of light emitting elements from green band to IR/red band, optimizing both power consumption and measurement coverage for each state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If green band light emitting elements are used, then motion sensitivity is reduced, but skin permeability is low leading to inaccurate measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion resistanceVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light emitting elements based on wearing state. For tight wearing states, green band (shorter wavelength) is selected for motion resistance. For loose wearing states, IR/red band (longer wavelength) is selected for better skin permeability and measurement accuracy. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If IR or red band light emitting elements are used, then skin permeability is improved, but motion sensitivity increases leading to inaccurate measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin permeabilityVSAvoidmotion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adapts the light wavelength parameter based on wearing state detection. IR/red band elements are activated specifically when loose wearing state is detected, where their high skin permeability is beneficial and motion sensitivity is less problematic. This conditional parameter change resolves the contradiction between skin permeability and motion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If light emitting elements are continuously operated to ensure measurement availability, then measurement readiness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement readinessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic activation of light emitting elements based on real-time wearing state detection. Instead of continuous operation, the processor detects whether the device is tightly or loosely worn and activates only the appropriate light elements needed for that state. This dynamic approach ensures measurement readiness when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during inactive or suboptimal states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the wearing state detection capability to automatically determine which light emitting elements should be activated, making the system self-regulating. The device monitors its own wearing condition and autonomously adjusts its light emission configuration, eliminating the need for continuous operation while maintaining measurement readiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach allows for more accurate measurement of biological information while minimizing power consumption, improving user comfort and device performance.

Implementation Method 1

the light emitting element may have a first wavelength and the second light emitting element may have a second wavelength different from the first wavelength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

the PPG sensor may obtain biometric information using light of various bands such as green, red, and infra-red (IR), and the electronic device may have at least two light emitting elements and/or light receiving elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3678540B1Method of obtaining biometric information based on wearing state and electronic device thereof
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3678540B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3678540B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3678540B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electronic device for obtaining biological information and a method therefor are provided. The electronic device includes a biometric sensor module including a light emitting module including a first light emitting element having a first attribute and a second light emitting element having a second attribute and light receiving modules disposed adjacent to the light emitting modules, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to determine a distance between the biometric sensor module and an external object based on at least reflected light reflected by collision with the external object among light output from the light emitting module, select at least one of the first light emitting element or the second light emitting element based on the distance, and obtain biometric information about the external object using the selected light emitting element.