Camera Subject Positioning Feedback System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera-based contactless patient monitoring systems face challenges such as improper positioning, occlusions by objects or people, and increased complexity and cost due to multiple cameras, which require manual adjustments or specific workflow instructions prone to human error and privacy concerns.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that uses image data to determine the spatial configuration of a subject relative to the camera, generating feedback to correct mispositioning and occlusions, including the use of 2D or 3D cameras and projection units to provide illumination and instructions for optimal camera placement, allowing for automated adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple cameras are used to provide redundancy and overcome occlusions, then monitoring reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system analyzes image data to detect occlusions and spatial configuration, then provides feedback signals to guide repositioning of the camera or subject. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable monitoring by automatically detecting and correcting occlusion issues without requiring multiple cameras, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If visual checking of image data is performed to take corrective action, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but privacy concerns increase and skill requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring accuracyVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically analyzes image data to detect occlusions and spatial configuration issues without requiring human visual inspection. The automated detection and feedback mechanisms enable the system to self-correct positioning problems, maintaining high monitoring accuracy while eliminating privacy concerns and reducing operational skill requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual visual checking with automated image processing algorithms that detect occlusions and spatial relationships. This substitution of mechanical/human inspection with automated computational analysis maintains monitoring accuracy while improving ease of operation by eliminating the need for skilled manual review.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If specific workflow instructions are provided for positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to human error

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback based on automated analysis of image data, guiding users on precise positioning adjustments needed. This dynamic feedback based on actual spatial configuration detection ensures reliable positioning outcomes while maintaining ease of operation through clear, context-specific guidance rather than static workflow instructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3870045B1Device, system and method for monitoring a subject
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3870045B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3870045B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3870045B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device, system and method for monitoring a subject. To obtain increased performance at reasonable cost and complexity, the device comprises an input interface (81) configured to obtain image data acquired over time by an imaging unit from a field of view containing at least part of a subject, a monitoring signal determination unit (82) configured to determine a monitoring signal from the obtained image data of the subject, a processing unit (83) configured to evaluate the image data to determine the spatial configuration of the subject with respect to the imaging unit and to generate a feedback signal for providing feedback about the determined spatial configuration, wherein the feedback signal is configured to control a projection unit (9) to indicate through illumination of the field of view if the spatial configuration can be maintained or shall be changed, and an output interface (84) configured to output the feedback signal.