Infant Care Device Sensor-Based Occupancy Detection for Alarm Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current infant care devices require manual indication by caregivers to determine if they are occupied or unoccupied, which is inconvenient and can lead to nuisance alarms and increased workload, especially in environments where caregivers may not have a free hand or sufficient time.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that uses sensors such as cameras, motion detectors, temperature sensors, SpO2 sensors, and microphones to automatically determine the presence or absence of an infant within the device, allowing the controller to adjust alarm parameters and operating modes accordingly, including preheat and normal modes, and generating alerts when the infant is removed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual indication by caregiver is used to determine infant presence, then the device operation can be adjusted, but the caregiver workload increases and convenience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCaregiver convenienceVSAvoidManual indication requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects infant presence using sensors (camera, motion detector, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, SpO2 sensor, microphone) and adjusts device operation without requiring caregiver intervention. The infant care device serves itself by autonomously determining occupied vs. unoccupied states and modifying alarm parameters and operating modes accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical indication process is replaced with automated sensor-based detection systems. Multiple sensors continuously monitor the infant platform and automatically trigger operational changes, eliminating the need for physical manual input by the caregiver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual indication is required, then alarm parameters can be adjusted, but nuisance alarms increase and response time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAlarm accuracyVSAvoidResponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors sensor data and provides real-time feedback to automatically adjust alarm parameters. When infant presence is detected, the system switches from unoccupied alarm parameters to occupied alarm parameters, ensuring appropriate alarm behavior without delay or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively detects infant presence before any alarm condition occurs and pre-adjusts alarm parameters accordingly. This preliminary action ensures that when an alarm condition arises, the correct parameters are already in place, preventing nuisance alarms and ensuring proper response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Temperature

If the device operates in normal mode by default, then the infant environment is maintained, but energy is wasted when the device is unoccupied

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveInfant environment controlVSAvoidHeating energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The device dynamically switches between operating modes based on detected infant presence. When no infant is detected, the system transitions from normal mode (active heating) to unoccupied mode (reduced or no heating), automatically adapting to current conditions and eliminating energy waste while maintaining infant comfort when present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Automatically adjusts the operation of the infant care device based on the presence or absence of an infant, reducing nuisance alarms, enhancing caregiver convenience, and improving hospital security by ensuring proper monitoring and alerting mechanisms are in place.

Implementation Method 1

The one or more sensors can be selected from a group that includes at least a camera, a motion detector, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, an SpO2 Sensor and a microphone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The one or more sensors can be selected from a group that includes at least a camera, a motion detector, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, an SpO2 Sensor and a microphone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Temperature Gradient

Implementation Method 3

The adjustments to the operation of the infant care device can include modifying alarm parameters, controlling the heating of the interior of the infant care device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9554958B2System and method for detection of infant presence

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A system and method for controlling the operation of an infant care device based upon whether the infant care device is occupied or unoccupied. One or more sensors are positioned within the infant care device to determine whether the infant care device is occupied or unoccupied. A controller receives the indication of the occupied status of the infant care device and operates the infant care device in a selected mode of operation. Upon a change in the occupied status of the infant care device, the controller adjusts various operating parameters and alarm parameters. The controller continuously monitors the occupied status of the infant care device and controls the operation of the infant care device accordingly.