Eyeglass Sensor System for Fall and Dehydration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices for detecting risky situations such as loss of alertness, dehydration, and falls are hindered by issues like unsightly design, high power consumption, and poor detection reliability, leading to false alarms and reduced user compliance.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, aesthetic system of connected eyeglasses with a limited number of sensors, including a triaxial accelerometer, infrared light transmitter and receiver, barometric sensor, and skin impedance measurement, which uses a composite index derived from multiple sensor parameters to accurately detect and assess these risks, reducing false alarms and improving autonomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are integrated into wearable devices to detect risky situations, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection system into multiple independent sensors (accelerometer, barometric sensor, infrared transmitter/receiver, electrodes) that can be selectively activated based on the specific risk being monitored. This allows the system to achieve comprehensive detection reliability while avoiding the complexity of having all sensors continuously active.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device is designed with multi-functional sensors that can detect multiple types of risky situations (falls, dehydration, loss of alertness) using a single integrated platform. The same device structure serves multiple detection purposes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability across different risk scenarios.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic measurement cycles where sensors are activated in sequences rather than continuously. The processing unit controls the timing of sensor activation, using infrared transmitters periodically for alertness detection and barometric sensors periodically for fall detection, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses passive detection methods where possible, such as measuring skin impedance through electrodes that detect physiological changes without requiring active energy input from the user. The infrared system detects eye closure states passively, and the accelerometer continuously monitors motion without additional power requirements beyond its baseline operation.
3Reliability
If complex processing algorithms are used to reduce false alarms, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and processing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processing unit continuously analyzes data from multiple sensors and adjusts detection thresholds based on patterns observed. The system learns from repeated measurements and provides feedback to refine its detection algorithms, reducing false alarms while maintaining manageable processing complexity through adaptive rather than purely static rule-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing and filtering of sensor data before final analysis, pre-processing signals from accelerometers and infrared receivers to remove noise and identify relevant patterns. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of subsequent detection algorithms by presenting already-refined data to the main processing unit.
4Loss of time
If more sensors are added to detect early stages of risky situations, then detection timing is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions sensors to detect early indicators of risky situations before they manifest as critical events. The infrared transmitter and receiver are positioned to detect eye closure patterns that precede loss of alertness, and the accelerometer is positioned to detect motion patterns that precede falls. This preliminary detection capability is achieved through strategic sensor placement rather than adding numerous sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multi-functional sensor placements where single sensors serve multiple detection purposes. The accelerometer detects both falls and motion patterns indicating loss of alertness, the barometric sensor detects both falls and environmental changes, and the infrared system detects both eye closure and skin blood flow changes. This universality reduces the number of sensors needed while improving detection timing across multiple risk scenarios.
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 system effectively detects risky situations from their early stages, provides accurate severity assessment, and triggers appropriate alarms, enhancing user compliance and reducing power consumption while maintaining a discreet and comfortable design.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter and a receiver of infrared light
Implementation Method 2
a barometric sensor
Implementation Method 3
a pair of electrodes supplied with an alternating current and a meter or circuit to measure an impedance between the pair of electrodes
Implementation Method 4
a triaxial accelerometer
Data Source
AI summary
A system having eyeglasses including hinged stems, a plurality of sensors and an alarm, and a method implanting the system. The system additionally includes a triaxial accelerometer, an IR transmitter, an IR receiver, and a barometric sensor. The sensors are set up in the stems and the rims of the eyeglasses and connected to a processing and calculation unit having a microprocessor and a memory. A computer program in the processing and calculation unit collects and analyzes data issued by the sensors, and triggers the alarm based on the analysis of the data.