Desk Posture Reminder Using Millimeter-Wave Centroid Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensors, such as infrared and ultrasonic sensors, provide inaccurate reminders due to relying on coarse information for determining user presence and posture, leading to ineffective health-related reminders.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing a millimeter-wave radar to determine the centroid of a user, integrating information from multiple body points to accurately assess posture and provide tailored reminders when a duration threshold is exceeded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional sensors (infrared/ultrasonic) are used to detect user presence and posture, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient leading to inaccurate reminders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposture detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/optical sensors (infrared, ultrasonic) with a millimeter-wave radar system. This substitution enables precise measurement of user presence and posture through electromagnetic wave reflection and signal processing, achieving high measurement precision while maintaining reasonable device complexity through integrated radar technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If millimeter-wave radar is used to determine user centroid and posture, then the measurement precision is high, but the use of energy increases compared to traditional sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser centroid detection accuracyVSAvoidradar energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The millimeter-wave radar system employs periodic detection cycles, transmitting radar signals at intervals rather than continuously. This periodic operation mode maintains high measurement precision for user centroid and posture detection while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring, achieving an optimal balance between accuracy and power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 precise determination of user posture, allowing for timely and accurate reminders to adjust sitting or standing positions, thereby reducing health risks associated with prolonged sedentary behavior.

Implementation Method 1

determining the centroid of a user utilizing a desk by way of a millimeter-wave radar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

a millimeter-wave radar connected to the controller and configured to emit millimeter waves toward a user and receive reflected millimeter waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20260003055A1Reminder Method, Desk, Device, Controller, and Product

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

AI summary

Reminder methods, desks, devices, controllers, and computer program products are disclosed. The method includes determining the centroid of a user utilizing a desk by way of a millimeter-wave radar. The method further includes determining the posture of the user based on the centroid, and determining a first duration for which the user maintains the posture. The method also includes, in response to the first duration exceeding a time threshold, providing a reminder to the user. In this way, by calculating the centroid of a user utilizing the desk, the user's posture can be accurately determined, thereby enabling accurate reminders to be provided to the user.