Display Capacitive Sensing for Skin Hydration Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring skin hydration require specialized devices, making widespread personal hydration measurement costly and less accessible, as they rely on separate electronic devices like Corneometers.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device using a display to measure skin hydration by detecting changes in capacitance when an external object contacts the display, allowing for hydration measurement without the need for additional devices, by setting different signal frequencies for touch sensing and hydration measurement modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate Corneometer device is used to measure skin hydration, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydration measurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the hydration measurement function with the existing display device by integrating a capacitive sensor into the display structure. The display device's existing capacitive sensing capability is repurposed to detect skin hydration levels, eliminating the need for a separate Corneometer device while maintaining measurement functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a user interface display and a hydration measurement device. The capacitive sensor integrated into the display enables the device to detect both touch inputs and skin hydration levels, making it a multi-functional device that reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate Corneometer device is used for hydration measurement, then measurement functionality is achieved, but accessibility and cost-effectiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydration measurement accessibilityVSAvoiddevice requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The display device uses its own existing capacitive sensing infrastructure to perform hydration measurement without requiring external specialized equipment. The device leverages its inherent electrical characteristics and display structure to conduct self-diagnosis of skin hydration, eliminating dependency on separate measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the display is used for both touch sensing and hydration measurement, then device versatility is improved, but signal detection accuracy may deteriorate due to frequency interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidsignal detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic action by alternately switching between touch sensing mode and hydration measurement mode. The controller activates the capacitive sensor at different time intervals: during touch sensing operations and during dedicated hydration measurement periods. This temporal separation prevents signal interference while maintaining both functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the capacitive sensor's working frequency based on the measurement mode. During hydration measurement, the sensor operates at a frequency optimized for detecting skin's electrical characteristics, while during touch sensing, it uses frequencies suitable for touch detection. This parameter adaptation ensures accurate detection in both modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 skin hydration measurement using common electronic devices like smartphones, increasing accessibility and reducing costs by integrating hydration measurement functionality into existing devices.

Implementation Method 1

one method for measuring hydrature uses detection of a change in capacitance. The hydrate of a skin is thus measured by a change in electrical characteristics generated between electrodes having a predetermined gap and a dielectric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3492000B1Electronic device for measuring hydration using display and method for operating the same

Publication Date: 2023.12.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An electronic device for measuring hydration, and a method for the same are disclosed. The electronic device includes a display, a capacitive sensor and a processor implementing the method, including setting (810) an attribute of a capacitive sensor using a first value, acquiring (820) a first data measurement from the capacitive sensor in when an external object contacts a display and determining (830) that a touch input has occurred based on the first data, detecting whether the determined touch input satisfies a prespecified condition, setting (840) the operational attribute of the capacitive sensor using a second value when the prespecified condition is satisfied, acquiring (850) a second data measurement from the capacitive sensor while the external object contacts the display when the at least one operational attribute is set using the second value, and determining (860) a hydration value associated with the external object at least based on the acquired second data measurement.