Earphone Pulse Sensor Light Guide Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors for measuring pulse rate, such as ECG and photosensors, require dedicated space and are not suitable for integration into small devices like earphones due to their size and installation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A compact sensor system for measuring physiologic information, incorporating a light guide member, light extracting member, and light coupling member, integrated into an earphone design that includes an optical circuit and sensor strip to irradiate and detect light within the ear canal, allowing for pulse rate measurement without altering the earphone's external design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ECG or photosensor is used to measure pulse rate, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases and cannot be integrated into small devices like earphones
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into three functional segments: a light guide member for light transmission, a light extracting member for irradiating light to the skin, and a light coupling member for receiving reflected light. This segmentation allows each component to be miniaturized and integrated into a compact configuration suitable for earphone integration while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional planar sensor layouts to a three-dimensional integrated structure where the light guide member, light extracting member, and light coupling member are arranged in overlapping and adjacent spatial relationships. This dimensional reorganization enables compact integration without compromising the optical path length or measurement accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional sensor is integrated into earphone, then functionality is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complex installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member, light extracting member, and light coupling member are merged into a single integrated sensor assembly that can be installed as one unit into the earphone. This merging eliminates the need for separate installation of multiple components and simplifies the manufacturing process while enabling pulse rate measurement functionality in earphones.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor design incorporates universal features that allow it to be integrated into various positions on the earphone structure without requiring custom modifications to the earphone itself. The sensor can function both as a pulse rate measurement device and as part of the earphone's existing structure, maintaining ease of manufacture across different earphone models.
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 the measurement of pulse rate on small devices like earphones, providing a compact and functional solution that maintains the earphone's music listening functionality with minimal design modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide member for guiding a first light
Implementation Method 2
an optical circuit, disposed outside the speaker, for generating and outputting a first light, and outputting a living body signal obtained by photoelectrically converting an input second light
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor for measuring living body information includes a light guide member for guiding a first light; a light extracting member, disposed adjacent to the light guide member, for outputting the first light guided by the light guide member to an exterior of the light guide member through contact with the light guide member; and a light coupling member, disposed adjacent to the light guide member, for coupling a second light to the light guide member through contact with the light guide member.