Cuff Pressure Pattern Authentication in Sphygmomanometers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sphygmomanometers that measure blood pressure by observing cuff pressure face challenges in performing accurate personal authentication due to the need for additional components like microphones or electrocardiographic electrodes, and the variability of Korotkoff sounds and electrocardiographic signals.

Innovation Solution

A sphygmomanometer that measures blood pressure by observing cuff pressure, utilizing a pressure control unit, detection unit, and authentication unit to analyze the pressure change pattern for personal authentication without extra components, using feature information from the cuff pressure pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If personal authentication is performed using Korotkoff sound or electrocardiographic signal, then authentication function is achieved, but additional components (microphone, electrocardiographic electrode) are required and measurement accuracy decreases due to signal variability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication functionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cuff pressure detection system performs multiple functions: both blood pressure measurement and personal authentication. The same pressure sensor and control unit used for measuring blood pressure also capture the pressure change pattern during cuff inflation, which serves as the authentication feature. This eliminates the need for separate authentication components like microphones or electrocardiographic electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own operational data (cuff pressure changes during inflation) for authentication purposes. The pressure change pattern naturally occurring during the blood pressure measurement process is utilized as the authentication feature, without requiring external or additional sensing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If personal authentication is performed using Korotkoff sound or electrocardiographic signal, then authentication function is achieved, but measurement precision decreases due to large variation for each measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication functionVSAvoidauthentication accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter used for authentication from variable biological signals (Korotkoff sound, electrocardiographic signal) to the mechanical pressure change pattern of the cuff during inflation. The pressure change pattern reflects physical characteristics of the subject's arm and tissue, which remain relatively stable over time, thereby improving authentication accuracy and consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional components (microphone, electrocardiographic electrode) are provided for authentication, then authentication function is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication functionVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication function is merged with the blood pressure measurement function. The pressure change pattern captured during cuff inflation for blood pressure measurement is simultaneously used as the authentication feature, combining two functions into one integrated process without requiring separate hardware components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 accurate personal authentication with a simple configuration by leveraging the consistency of cuff pressure patterns, reducing the need for additional sensors and maintaining high accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure detection unit that detects a pressure of the cuff

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12593992B2Sphygmomanometer, personal authentication method on a sphygmomanometer, and computer-readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD

AI summary

A sphygmomanometer of the present invention includes a cuff for compressing a site to be measured of a subject, and measures a blood pressure by observing a pressure of the cuff. The sphygmomanometer includes a feature acquisition unit that acquires feature information regarding a pressure change pattern of a subject to be authenticated. The pressure change pattern rises while increasing its increase rate with a lapse of time from a start of pressurization in a pressurization process of a cuff. The sphygmomanometer further includes an authentication unit that compares the acquired feature information with registered feature information regarding a user registered in advance, and performs personal authentication on the subject.