Infrared Sleep Monitoring Through Non-Contact Thermal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleep monitoring techniques are often intrusive and disrupt sleeping habits, lacking a non-invasive and efficient method to assess sleep quality and quantity.
Innovation Solution
A sleep monitoring system using an infrared camera to capture thermal images, process body temperature data to determine sleep stages, and provide feedback or recommendations for improving sleep quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sleep monitoring techniques are used, then sleep monitoring can be performed, but the monitoring process is intrusive and disrupts sleeping habits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based monitoring devices with an optical/infrared imaging system. The infrared camera captures thermal images of the sleepers without physical contact, eliminating the intrusive mechanical presence while maintaining monitoring capability through non-contact thermal field detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal images as an intermediary medium between the monitoring system and the sleepers. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the system uses thermal radiation captured by the infrared camera as a mediator to infer sleep stages and monitoring data, thereby avoiding direct intrusion while maintaining monitoring reliability
2Ease of operation
If non-invasive monitoring methods are used, then sleeping habits are preserved, but the ability to accurately assess sleep quality and quantity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct physical contact data to thermal radiation patterns. By capturing thermal images and analyzing temperature distributions across different body regions, the system maintains measurement precision through sophisticated thermal parameter analysis while preserving comfort and non-intrusiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a thermal copy or representation of the sleepers' bodies through infrared imaging. This thermal copy captures physiological information about sleep stages without requiring direct contact with the sleepers, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy through the thermal signature while ensuring complete non-intrusiveness
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 non-invasive, efficient monitoring of sleep quality and quantity, providing personalized recommendations to enhance sleep patterns and detect potential health issues.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared camera to capture thermal images of a person. The thermal images may be further processed to determine the body temperature of the person
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for monitoring a person's sleep are described. Thermal images of a person sleeping can be captured using an infrared camera and processed to determine the body temperature of the person. A particular sleep stage and its duration can be determined using the body temperature. In addition, the data obtained from monitoring the person can be used to determine if the person is suffering from one or more sleep disorders or other health problems. In this manner, a person's sleep quantity and quality can be determined in a non-invasive, efficient, and comfortable manner.