Camera-Based Physiological State Detection via Hemoglobin Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tele-health services face challenges in accurately measuring physiological states like stress without invasive and expensive devices, relying on self-reporting or advanced equipment that requires professional training.

Innovation Solution

A system and method using a camera to capture image sequences, processing units, and machine learning algorithms to detect physiological states by analyzing hemoglobin concentration changes in facial images, providing a non-invasive and remote approach for stress and pain detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If advanced devices and professional training are used to measure physiological characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiological state detection accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical/physical measurement devices with a camera-based optical system. The camera captures facial images, and machine learning algorithms process these images to detect hemoglobin concentration changes and determine physiological states, eliminating the need for specialized sensors and professional training equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses standard digital cameras (common consumer devices) instead of specialized medical equipment. The camera captures visual information that is then processed to create physiological measurements, allowing widespread access without requiring purchase of expensive proprietary devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If advanced devices are used to measure physiological characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiological state detection accuracyVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic physiological state detection without requiring user intervention or professional operation. The camera captures images and the machine learning model automatically processes them to determine stress levels, eliminating the need for trained personnel to operate complex measurement devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual operation of complex measurement equipment with automated image capture and algorithmic processing. The system requires only that a camera record facial images, after which automated processing delivers physiological assessments without human expertise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If self-reporting questionnaires are used to measure stress level, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidstress level measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent detects physiological changes through color variations in facial skin caused by hemoglobin concentration changes. The machine learning model analyzes subtle color shifts in captured images to determine stress levels, providing objective physiological measurements rather than subjective self-reporting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces subjective questionnaire-based assessment with objective image-based physiological measurement. The system captures facial images and uses machine learning to detect hemoglobin changes, providing quantifiable physiological data instead of self-reported stress levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reliable and accurate detection of physiological states with high confidence, using accessible digital cameras and machine learning to isolate hemoglobin concentration changes, offering a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for tele-health applications.

Implementation Method 1

a camera configured to capture an image sequence of the subject... processing the captured image sequence to determine a set of bitplanes... that represent hemoglobin concentration (HC) changes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11497423B2System and method for detecting physiological state

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 NURALOGIX CORP

AI summary

A system and method for health diagnostics and more specifically to an image-capture based system and method for detecting physiological state for a subject. The system provides a remote and non-invasive approach by which to detect physiological state with a high confidence. The system enables monitoring of hemoglobin concentration changes by optical imaging and related detection systems.