Flexible Optical Fiber Transducers for High-Speed Biometric Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional technologies are unable to accurately measure high-speed biometric data, such as human motion during sports, due to the need for oversampling rates that exceed current capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing flexible optical fibers configured as transducers, anchored in wearable garments or bands, capable of collecting biometric data at sampling rates of at least 10 kilosamples per second, with deformable sections that increase propagation loss with deformation, and integrated with a processor and transmitter for wireless data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional transducers are used to measure high-speed biometric data, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and sampling rate are insufficient for kHz frequency motions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiometric data measurement precisionVSAvoidtransducer system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical/electrical transducers with optical fiber-based transducers that use light propagation properties to measure biometric data. The optical fibers detect changes in propagation loss caused by deformation during high-speed motion, enabling precise measurement at kHz sampling rates without the limitations of conventional electrical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in optical propagation loss parameters as the optical fiber deforms during high-speed biometric measurement. By monitoring the dynamic changes in light transmission characteristics through the deformed fiber, the system achieves high-precision measurement of rapid motions while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If optical fibers are deformed to measure motion, then measurement sensitivity increases, but propagation loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion detection sensitivityVSAvoidlight propagation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of propagation loss during fiber deformation into a beneficial measurement signal. Instead of treating increased loss as a defect to be minimized, the system uses the magnitude of propagation loss changes as the primary measurement parameter, thereby transforming energy loss into useful measurement information for detecting high-speed biometric motions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If sampling rate is increased to capture high-speed motion, then measurement accuracy improves, but data transmission requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh-speed motion measurement accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary sensing medium that inherently provides high-frequency response capability. The optical fibers directly transduce mechanical deformation into optical signal variations at kHz rates, serving as a bridge between the high-speed physical motion and the measurement system, thereby enabling accurate capture of rapid biometric data without overwhelming transmission requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 high-speed, accurate measurement of biometric data including heartrate, muscle activity, and joint movements at kHz frequencies, with simultaneous measurement of multiple parameters, enhancing athletic performance analysis and injury prevention.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable section configured to increase a propagation loss parameter when the deformable section is deformed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPropagation loss: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250232880A1Flexible transducers for biometric data acquisition

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 ORGANIC ROBOTICS CORP

AI summary

The following disclosure presents a system for high-speed biometric data acquisition comprising flexible optical fibers that may be anchored in a garment or wearable band. The flexible optical fibers are configured to collect biometric data, such as heartrate, a respiratory parameter, muscle contraction, and/or joint movement, at a sampling rate of at least 10 kilosamples per second, over a large dynamic range, and at high sensitivity and accuracy. The system further comprises a wearable modular electronics pod comprising a processor and transmitter for sending the biometric data to a wireless node. The present disclosure also presents a method for high-speed data acquisition comprising collecting biometric data at a sampling rate of at least 10 kilosamples per second and transmitting a wireless signal comprising the biometric data to a receiver at a speed of at least 0.1 kbps.