Hearable Health Monitoring via Motion Sensor Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing instruments, or hearables, lack the capability to effectively quantify user health indicators beyond basic audio processing, and there is a need for enhanced functionality to analyze head motion and audio data for improved health monitoring.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating motion sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, into hearables to acquire head motion data and analyze it in conjunction with audio data to generate health indicators, including a speaking versus listening ratio, which can be used to monitor user health and provide feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If motion sensors are integrated into hearables to enable health monitoring, then health monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates motion sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) into hearables to enable multiple functions including health monitoring, activity tracking, and fall detection. The processor analyzes motion data to generate various health indicators such as speaking versus listening ratios, making the device universal in its health-related capabilities while managing the inherent complexity through integrated design
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated into hearables to generate comprehensive health indicators, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other motion sensors) into a single integrated system within the hearable device. The processor merges data from these different sensors to generate comprehensive health indicators, improving measurement precision through multi-sensor fusion while managing complexity through integrated architecture
3Measurement precision
If temperature compensating circuits are used with sensors, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature compensating circuits that automatically adjust sensor readings based on detected temperature variations. The system self-corrects for temperature effects without requiring external calibration or manual intervention, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through automated compensation mechanisms
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 integration of motion sensors in hearables enables the generation of comprehensive health indicators, allowing for real-time monitoring of user health, including social and physical health metrics, and providing actionable feedback for improved health management.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature compensating circuit coupled with the sensor and configured to measure temperature in an environment of the sensor for use in temperature compensation of operation of the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A hearable comprises a wearable structure including a speaker, a sensor, and a temperature compensating circuit which measures temperature in an environment of the sensor. A portion of the wearable structure, which includes the sensor and temperature compensating circuit, is disposed within a user’s ear when in use. A sensor processing unit which is communicatively coupled with the temperature compensating circuit: acquires temperature data from the temperature compensating circuit while the portion of the wearable structure is disposed within the ear of the user; builds a baseline model of normal temperature for the user; and compares a temperature measurement acquired from the temperature compensating circuit to the baseline model. In response to the comparison showing a deviation beyond a preset threshold from the baseline model, the sensor processing unit generates a health indicator for the user which is used to monitor an aspect of health of the user.