Kinematic Sensor Activity Intensity Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for determining the intensity level of user activities, such as training sessions, often rely on heart rate sensors, which may not be available or accurate, and lack personalized calibration, leading to inefficient tracking and assessment of physical activity.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize kinematic sensors, such as acceleration and angular velocity sensors, combined with user-specific calibration metrics derived from a calibration procedure involving server communication, to determine activity type and intensity level, even in the absence of heart rate data, by mapping sensor data characteristics to user-specific intensity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If heart rate sensors are used to determine activity intensity, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physiological measurement system (heart rate sensor) with a mechanical motion analysis system (kinematic sensors measuring acceleration, velocity, position) to determine activity intensity. This substitution allows intensity determination through motion characteristics rather than direct physiological measurement, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces kinematic sensor data as an intermediary between physical activity and intensity measurement. Instead of directly measuring heart rate, the system uses motion parameters (acceleration, velocity, position changes) as intermediate indicators that correlate with activity intensity, enabling indirect but effective measurement
2Device complexity
If generic activity tracking is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and personalization are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a calibration phase before normal activity tracking, where the system collects kinematic data during known-intensity activities to establish user-specific baseline characteristics. This preliminary action creates personalized reference profiles that enable accurate intensity determination during subsequent activities without requiring complex real-time adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adapts the activity intensity determination by changing the parameter set used for measurement based on user characteristics. The system modifies which kinematic parameters are most relevant for each user and activity type, adjusting the weighting and selection of motion parameters to optimize precision for individual users while maintaining system simplicity
3Measurement precision
If user-specific calibration is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a streamlined calibration process that uses a subset of activities or a reduced calibration protocol rather than comprehensive calibration across all possible activity types. This partial calibration approach achieves sufficient personalization precision while minimizing the time investment required from users
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic calibration where the user simply performs typical activities without explicit calibration instructions or manual input. The system autonomously collects data, identifies activity patterns, and generates personalized parameters automatically, eliminating the need for users to understand or manage the calibration process manually
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising memory configured to store a user-specific calibration metric, at least one processing core, configured to determine an activity type identifier of an activity a user is engaged in, and to determine a user-specific intensity level of the activity, wherein determining the user-specific intensity level is based at least partly on the identifier of the activity type, the user-specific calibration metric and data obtained from a kinematic sensor or speed sensor, and to obtain the user-specific calibration metric by causing the apparatus to participate in a calibration procedure, the calibration procedure including communicating kinematic or speed sensor data with a server.