Wearable Glasses Sensor Integration for Fall and Dehydration Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable devices for detecting risk situations such as decreased vigilance, dehydration, and falls are cumbersome, unreliable, and generate false alarms due to limited sensor integration, high power consumption, and unsatisfactory statistical data adaptation, leading to reduced user confidence and effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, aesthetic, and autonomous sensor system integrated into a pair of glasses with a triaxial accelerometer, infrared light emitter and receiver, barometric sensor, and electrodes, connected to a processing unit for real-time data analysis and alert generation, using a composite index to assess risk severity and trigger alarms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sensors are integrated into a wearable device for detecting risk situations, then the detection capability is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome, unsightly, and uncomfortable to wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidwearability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensors (accelerometer, infrared emitter and receiver, barometric sensor, electrodes) into a single integrated wearable device that can detect multiple risk situations simultaneously. This merging approach improves detection capability while maintaining wearability by consolidating functions into one device rather than requiring multiple separate sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable device is designed with multi-functionality to detect various risk situations including falls, dehydration, and decreased alertness using a single integrated system. This universal approach allows one device to perform multiple detection functions, reducing the need for multiple separate sensors and improving ease of wear while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If statistical detection methods are used with limited sensors in wearable devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of detection deteriorates due to false alerts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor integrationVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection process into multiple independent sensor measurements that are processed separately and then combined. Each sensor (accelerometer for falls, infrared for dehydration, electrodes for alertness) provides independent data streams that are analyzed individually before being integrated into a comprehensive risk assessment. This segmentation approach maintains low device complexity while improving detection reliability by reducing false alerts through multiple verification points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where detection results from multiple sensors are continuously monitored and used to adjust detection thresholds and algorithms. This feedback loop allows the device to learn from actual usage patterns and reduce false alerts over time, maintaining reliability without requiring complex sensor integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If numerous sensors and computing components are used for personal detection, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the autonomy of the device is reduced due to high power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddevice autonomy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic sampling of sensor data rather than continuous monitoring, with detection algorithms activated at specific intervals based on risk assessment needs. This periodic action reduces power consumption significantly while maintaining detection accuracy by focusing computational resources on critical moments when risk situations are likely to occur, rather than continuously processing data from all sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different processing intensities to different sensor data streams based on their criticality and power requirements. High-precision processing is applied only to critical measurements (such as fall detection via accelerometer), while less critical sensors (such as dehydration monitoring via infrared) use lower-power processing modes. This local quality approach maintains overall detection accuracy while reducing total power consumption to extend device autonomy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 and assesses risk situations with reduced electrical consumption, ensuring long operating autonomy and user comfort, while providing reliable and timely alerts, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and improving user safety.

Implementation Method 1

a triaxial accelerometer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

an infrared light emitter and receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption Spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 3

a barometric sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBarometric pressure detection:

Implementation Method 4

a pair of electrodes powered by alternating current and means for measuring an impedance between these two electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Impedance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3494872A1Personal physiological warning system
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 EURO PROTECTION SURVEILLANCE
  • EP3494872A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3494872A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3494872A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a system comprising a pair of glasses having articulated temples and comprising a plurality of sensors and warning means, including at least 2 sensors from among: - a triaxial accelerometer (251); - an infrared light emitter and receiver (151, 152); - a barometric sensor (252); - a pair of electrodes (161, 162) powered by alternating current and means for measuring an impedance between these two electrodes; said sensors being installed on the temples or in the frame of the lenses of the pair of glasses and being connected to a processing and computing unit comprising: - a microprocessor and memory means; said processing and computing unit comprising a computer program for analyzing the data from the sensors, and triggering the warning means according to the analysis of this data.