Facial Surface Change Detection for Brain Activity Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining human brain activity, such as electroencephalography and near infrared spectroscopy, require complex preparations and are costly, limiting their accessibility and accuracy in assessing physical and mental states.
Innovation Solution
A determination result output device that uses facial-surface change information, acquired through thermography and imaging, decomposed by singular value decomposition, principal component analysis, or independent component analysis, to estimate brain activity without the need for electrodes or probes, allowing for non-invasive and cost-effective assessment of mental and physical states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electroencephalography or near infrared spectroscopy is used to determine brain activity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring electrode attachment and complex preprocessing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrode attachment system with an optical imaging system that captures facial surface changes. Instead of using electroencephalography electrodes or near infrared spectroscopy probes that require physical contact and complex preparation, the system uses standard imaging devices to non-invasively capture facial temperature and color changes that correlate with brain activity, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces facial surface changes (temperature and color variations) as an intermediary indicator of brain activity. Rather than directly measuring electrical or optical brain signals that require complex equipment, the system measures indirect physiological responses in the facial region that are easier to capture and process, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and operational simplicity
2Measurement precision
If electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, or near infrared spectroscopy is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex medical imaging equipment (electroencephalography machines, MRI scanners, near infrared spectroscopy devices) with simple standard imaging devices such as cameras or thermography devices. These devices capture facial surface changes that can be processed to infer brain activity, dramatically reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to determine brain function activation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the brain activity measurement process by capturing facial surface representations instead of directly measuring brain signals. The facial surface changes serve as a proxy or copy that contains sufficient information to determine brain function activation, eliminating the need for complex original measurement systems
3Measurement precision
If electrodes or probes are attached for brain activity measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive electrode or probe attachment with non-contact optical imaging. Standard imaging devices capture facial surface changes without physical contact, making the system adaptable to various users and situations without requiring skilled operators or complex preparation procedures, thereby improving accessibility and versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service measurement where subjects can be assessed without requiring specialized operators to attach electrodes or probes. The imaging devices automatically capture facial surface changes and the processing system autonomously determines brain activity, making the measurement process accessible to general users and various application 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
Enables easy and accurate determination of various states, including fatigue and mental states, without the burdens of traditional methods, by extracting relevant components from facial data, facilitating real-time monitoring and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
facial-surface change information acquisition unit that acquires facial-surface change information indicative of a time-series change in a facial surface data on a subject
Implementation Method 2
a facial-surface change information decomposition unit that decomposes the facial-surface change information into a plurality of components by singular value decomposition, principal component analysis, or independent component analysis
Implementation Method 3
a facial-surface change information decomposition unit that decomposes the facial-surface change information into a plurality of components by singular value decomposition, principal component analysis, or independent component analysis
Implementation Method 4
a facial-surface change information decomposition unit that decomposes the facial-surface change information into a plurality of components by singular value decomposition, principal component analysis, or independent component analysis
Data Source
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Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
Provided are a determination result output device and a determination result output system which output a determination result indicating various states of a subject, and a determination result provision device which provides a determination result. A determination result output system 700B includes a determination result output device 800B that outputs a determination result indicating the state of a subject 300, and a determination result provision device 900B that provides the determination result. When acquiring facial-surface change information related to a target purpose from the determination result output device 800B, the determination result provision device 900B generates determination information from facial-surface change information, determines a determination result including a state level of the subject, and sends the determination result to the determination result output device 800B.