IR Illuminator Array for Biometric Measurement Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining biometric data using infrared (IR) illuminators lack efficiency in capturing detailed biometric information over larger areas and accurately assessing emotional and physical states, as they struggle with light diffraction and intensity loss over distance.
Innovation Solution
An array of IR illuminators is used in conjunction with a dot projector and axicons to project and capture IR images, maintaining light intensity and detail over greater distances, and a processing resource compares these images to baseline data to determine biometric parameters such as heart rate, temperature, and emotional state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single IR illuminator is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and area coverage are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single IR illuminator is segmented into multiple illuminators arranged in an array, where each illuminator projects IR light to a specific region. This segmentation allows the system to cover larger areas and capture more detailed biometric information across different body regions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-point illumination to a multi-point spatial distribution of illuminators. By adding spatial dimensionality through the array configuration, the system achieves broader coverage area and enhanced measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity, as the illuminators operate in parallel across different spatial locations.
2Area of stationary object
If IR light is projected over large areas, then the area coverage is improved, but the light intensity and detail are lost due to diffraction
Solution Approach 1:
Each illuminator in the array is configured to provide localized high-intensity IR illumination to its specific target region. This local quality approach ensures that while the overall coverage area is large, each local region receives sufficient light intensity for accurate biometric measurement, preventing the intensity loss that would occur with a single diffuse source.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual IR illuminators are merged into a coordinated array system where each element contributes to the overall coverage while maintaining its own intensity characteristics. The combined effect of multiple focused sources achieves both large area coverage and sufficient local intensity, overcoming the limitations of a single illuminator.
3Area of stationary object
If the distance between illuminator and user is increased, then the coverage area is expanded, but the light intensity decreases due to distance
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination task is segmented across multiple illuminators positioned at optimal distances. Each illuminator maintains an effective working distance for sufficient intensity while collectively covering a larger total area. This segmentation allows the system to expand coverage without sacrificing intensity at any individual measurement point.
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
This approach enables accurate and efficient determination of biometric data, including heart rate, calorie burn, physical, and emotional states, by maintaining IR light intensity and detail over larger areas, improving the accuracy of biometric assessments.
Implementation Method 1
An IR illuminator can be, for example, a device that emits IR light. IR is a region of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum.
Implementation Method 2
A dot projector can project IR light as a grid pattern.
Implementation Method 3
An IR camera, also known as a thermographic camera or thermal imaging camera, can capture IR light and form a heat zone image using the IR light.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems related to determining biometric data using an array of infrared (IR) illuminators are described. In an example, a method can include projecting a number of IR dots on a user using a dot projector and an array of IR illuminators, capturing an IR image of the number of IR dots using an IR camera, comparing a number of pixels of the captured IR image to a number of corresponding pixels of a baseline IR image using a processing resource, and determining biometric data of the user at least partially based on comparing the captured IR image to the baseline IR image using the processing resource.