Dual-Sensor Electronic Device for Body Microclimate Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature sensors in electronic devices fail to accurately measure human body microclimate temperature, which is crucial for reflecting user thermal sensation and preference, and do not provide customized health services based on this measurement.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with two temperature sensors, a first sensor close to the body surface and a second sensor at a distance, estimates human body microclimate temperature by calculating heat flux and applying correction factors based on thermal insulation resistance values, and integrates sensors with thermally insulating materials to enhance accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a temperature sensor is placed outside the electronic device to measure air temperature, then the measurement of atmospheric temperature is achieved, but waterproof properties and design are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveatmospheric temperature measurementVSAvoidwaterproof properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an air layer as an intermediary medium between the temperature sensor and the external environment. The sensor measures the temperature of this trapped air layer, which serves as a mediator to reflect body temperature without direct contact with the body, thereby achieving waterproof protection while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature sensor is embedded within the electronic device housing, nested inside a protected environment. The sensor is positioned within the main body of the device, surrounded by structural elements that provide protection while allowing thermal measurement through the device materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Quantity of substance

If existing temperature sensors are used to measure skin temperature or ambient temperature, then basic temperature data is obtained, but accurate reflection of user thermal sensation is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature dataVSAvoidthermal sensation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple temperature sensors positioned at different locations within the device - some closer to the body surface and others farther away. Each sensor measures temperature at its specific location, and the processor analyzes the temperature gradient across these different positions to accurately determine body temperature and thermal sensation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-point temperature measurement to multi-dimensional temperature field measurement. By arranging sensors at different distances from the body surface (creating spatial dimensions), the system captures temperature distribution patterns that provide more comprehensive information about thermal sensation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If temperature sensors are embedded in the electronic device, then design and waterproof properties are improved, but accurate measurement of body microclimate temperature becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof propertiesVSAvoidbody microclimate temperature measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the temperature measurement function into multiple segments - using several temperature sensors positioned at different locations within the device rather than relying on a single sensor. This segmentation allows the system to capture temperature variations at different points and process this distributed data to achieve accurate body temperature measurement while maintaining device protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Accurately estimates human body microclimate temperature, enabling personalized health services and sleep environment assessment, and controlling IoT devices based on thermal comfort.

Implementation Method 1

a first temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature, and a second temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a first thermally insulating material disposed between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, and a second thermally insulating material disposed between the second temperature sensor and a surface of the main body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12453479B2Electronic device and method of estimating human body microclimate temperature using the same

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device for estimating human body microclimate temperature is provided. The electronic device may include: a main body; a first temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature and a second temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature, the first and second temperature sensors being disposed at different positions in the main body; and a processor, which while the main body is worn on a body part of a user or is carried by the user, is configured to estimate human body microclimate temperature of the user based on a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.