Dynamic Transfer Function Control for Biometric Signal Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current health monitoring systems for patients, especially those post-coronary attacks, are cumbersome, inflexible, and struggle to effectively monitor multiple biological signs and biometric conditions outside hospital settings, with limitations in dynamic range processing and communication compatibility, leading to potential delays in medical response.
Innovation Solution
A modular biometric monitoring system with interchangeable components, a master module, and a data bus for distributed computing, allowing for customized data acquisition and therapy delivery, with dynamic transfer function control to optimize sensor resolution and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gain amplifiers are set for high exertion activity levels, then the system can handle high-amplitude signals, but the resolution for low magnitude biometric parameters is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transfer function control that automatically adjusts the gain and resolution parameters based on the amplitude of the input biometric signal. The system transitions from fixed high-gain settings to adaptive settings that optimize both high-amplitude and low-amplitude signal processing, allowing the same hardware to reliably handle varying signal magnitudes without sacrificing resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (gain, resolution, transfer function) dynamically based on signal characteristics. By monitoring input signal amplitude and adjusting the transfer function accordingly, the system can switch between high-gain modes for low-magnitude signals and lower-gain modes for high-magnitude signals, thereby maintaining measurement precision across the full dynamic range.
2Device complexity
If fixed sensor types and configurations are used, then the system structure is simplified, but the flexibility during usage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic transfer function control that allows the system to adapt its sensing and processing characteristics in real-time based on the specific biometric parameter being measured and the current physiological state. This dynamic adjustment provides flexibility in monitoring multiple biological signs without requiring physically interchangeable sensor hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves multi-functionality through software-based transfer function configuration rather than hardware specialization. A single sensor platform can be configured via transfer function parameters to monitor different biometric conditions (ECG, EEG, EMG, etc.), eliminating the need for multiple fixed sensor types while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the register is designed for fixed bit-length, then the hardware design is simplified, but the dynamic range accommodation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable transfer function control that adjusts the effective bit-length utilization and gain parameters to match the dynamic range of the input signal. The system can allocate register bits dynamically through transfer function parameters, using more bits for low-amplitude signals requiring high resolution and fewer bits for high-amplitude signals, thereby maximizing dynamic range accommodation within fixed hardware constraints.
4Adaptability or versatility
If various communication requirements and protocols are supported, then system compatibility is improved, but costs and setup complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves communication protocol versatility through software-based transfer function configuration and universal data formatting. A single communication interface can be configured via transfer function parameters to support multiple protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, wired connections), eliminating the need for multiple dedicated hardware interfaces and reducing setup complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A modular apparatus (200) for acquiring biometric data may include circuitry (204) operative to receive an input signal indicative of a biometric condition, the circuitry (204) being configured to process the input signal according to a transfer function thereof and to provide a corresponding processed input signal. A controller (202) is configured to provide at least one control signal to the circuitry to programmatically modify the transfer function of the modular apparatus (200) to facilitate acquisition of the biometric data.