Ear Tip Discoloration Member for Non-Contact Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices face challenges in accurately measuring core body temperature due to the fragility of temperature sensors when disposed on the ear tip, and they lack the capability to determine biometric information effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a discoloration member on the ear tip that changes hue based on temperature, combined with a light emitting module and optical sensors to detect the hue, allowing for core temperature measurement and biometric data determination without a sensor on the ear tip, thereby increasing durability and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is disposed on the ear tip to detect core body temperature, then the measurement accuracy of core temperature is improved, but the reliability of the sensor decreases due to increased breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a discoloration member as an intermediary between the temperature to be measured and the optical sensor. This member changes its optical properties (hue) in response to temperature changes, allowing indirect temperature measurement without direct thermal contact. The light emitting module illuminates the discoloration member, and the optical sensor detects the reflected light's hue, which corresponds to the temperature. This mediator approach eliminates the need for direct thermal sensors on the ear tip, solving the reliability problem while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional thermal sensing mechanism (contact-based temperature sensor) with an optical detection system. Instead of using a temperature sensor that physically contacts the ear tip and is susceptible to mechanical damage, the system uses a light emitting module and optical sensor to detect temperature through optical properties of the discoloration member. This substitution of mechanical/thermal sensing with optical sensing resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and sensor reliability.
2Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is disposed on the ear tip, then core temperature can be detected, but the device complexity increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The discoloration member serves multiple functions: it acts as a temperature-sensitive indicator, a reflective surface for optical detection, and a non-intrusive element that can be integrated into the ear tip structure without adding complex sensor assemblies. The optical detection system can also potentially detect other parameters through the same optical path, providing multi-functionality that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining temperature detection capability.
3Reliability
If an optical sensor system is used with a discoloration member, then sensor durability is improved by eliminating ear tip sensors, but the device complexity increases due to additional optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light emitting module and optical sensor into an integrated optical detection system that shares common structural elements and signal processing pathways. The discoloration member is integrated into the existing ear tip structure rather than being a separate component. This merging approach reduces the overall complexity that would otherwise result from completely separate thermal and optical subsystems, while maintaining the durability benefits of eliminating ear tip temperature sensors.
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
The device accurately measures core body temperature with reduced external influence and detects biometric information, enhancing the durability of the device by eliminating the need for a sensor on the ear tip.
Implementation Method 1
a discoloration member disposed on an inner surface of the ear tip and configured to change hue based on temperature
Implementation Method 2
a light emitting module disposed in the housing and configured to emit light toward the discoloration member
Implementation Method 3
a first optical sensor disposed in the housing and configured to detect light reflected from the discoloration member
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing including a protrusion, an ear tip configured to be connected to the protrusion, a discoloration member disposed on an inner surface of the ear tip and configured to change hue based on temperature, a light emitting module disposed in the housing and configured to emit light toward the discoloration member, a first optical sensor disposed in the housing and configured to detect light reflected from the discoloration member, and a processor configured to determine a user's temperature based on a hue of light detected by the first optical sensor.