Context-Aware Respiration Rate Detection Across Noisy Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in reliably determining respiration rates due to variations in sensor effectiveness across different measurement contexts, leading to noisy and unreliable data, especially in environments with varying noise levels and user postures.

Innovation Solution

The method involves obtaining context information to select appropriate sensor data and algorithms for respiration rate determination, using a learned model to optimize sensor data selection and algorithm choice based on device and user context, ensuring accurate and continuous monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single sensor or algorithm is used for respiration rate measurement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to variations in sensor effectiveness across different measurement contexts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverespiration rate measurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects from multiple sensor data sources and algorithms based on the current measurement context. The context information (device posture, ambient noise level, user activity) determines which sensor and algorithm combination is optimal, making the system adaptive rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high precision across varying contexts without permanently increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (sensor selection, algorithm selection) based on contextual parameters such as device posture, ambient noise, and user activity. By adjusting which sensor and algorithm are used according to the measurement context, the system maintains high measurement precision across different conditions without requiring all sensors and algorithms to be active simultaneously, thus avoiding excessive device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple sensor data sources and algorithms are available for selection, then the measurement precision is improved across different contexts, but the device complexity increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of the measurement context (device posture, ambient noise level, user activity) before selecting the appropriate sensor and algorithm. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare and switch to the optimal configuration in advance, ensuring reliable measurements without the complexity of real-time analysis and switching during measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses context information as feedback to select the most appropriate sensor and algorithm combination. By continuously monitoring contextual parameters and adjusting sensor/algorithm selection accordingly, the system maintains high measurement reliability while managing complexity through intelligent, context-driven decision-making rather than using all available sensors and algorithms simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If context information is obtained and used for sensor and algorithm selection, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time increases due to additional processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontext adaptabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system obtains and processes context information in advance, before the actual respiration rate measurement begins. By classifying the measurement context preliminarily and selecting the appropriate sensor and algorithm beforehand, the system minimizes processing time during the actual measurement while maintaining high adaptability to different contexts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3773193B1Context-aware respiration rate determination using an electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3773193B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3773193B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3773193B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for contextually aware determination respiration includes obtaining, by an electronic device, context information and selecting, by the electronic device, a set of sensor data associated with respiratory activity of a subject, based on the context information. The method further includes selecting, based on the selected set of sensor data, an algorithm from a plurality of algorithms for determining a respiration rate of the subject, and determining, by applying the selected algorithm to the selected set of sensor data associated with respiratory activity of the subject, the respiration rate for the subject.