Light Guide Member Redirects Backlight for Sensor Fitting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Portable biological information measurement devices face challenges in user-friendliness and power consumption, particularly when used in dimly lit environments, as existing illumination solutions increase power consumption and require additional light sources for sensor fitting and removal.

Innovation Solution

A biological information measurement device employs a light guide member to redirect existing light from a light source section, such as a backlight, to the sensor fitting/removal area, eliminating the need for a dedicated illumination source and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a dedicated illumination device (light-emitting diode) is arranged in the measurement device to illuminate the blood-sampling site, then user-friendliness is enhanced, but power consumption increases and power supply life shortens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser-friendlinessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The backlight unit, originally designed solely to illuminate the display screen, is made to serve dual purposes by also illuminating the sensor fitting/removal area through the light guide member. This multi-functionality approach allows the same light source to perform two different illumination tasks without requiring an additional dedicated illumination device, thereby improving user-friendliness while avoiding increased power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A light guide member is introduced as an intermediary component to transfer light from the backlight unit to the sensor fitting/removal area. This mediator enables the redistribution of existing light resources to areas that need illumination, solving the problem of insufficient lighting without requiring additional power-consuming light sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a dedicated illumination device is added to illuminate the sensor fitting/removal area, then operability in dimly lit environments is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveoperabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backlight unit is designed to perform multiple functions: illuminating the display screen and illuminating the sensor fitting/removal area. By making the existing component multi-functional, the patent avoids adding new components that would increase device complexity, while still improving operability in dimly lit environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide member acts as a simple intermediary that redirects existing light without requiring complex control systems or additional light sources. This straightforward optical solution improves operability while minimizing increases in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration enhances user-friendliness and operability in dimly lit conditions without unnecessary power consumption increases, as the existing light source is utilized to assist in sensor fitting and removal, ensuring effective illumination without additional power drain.

Implementation Method 1

an elongate light guide member having a first end portion in a vicinity of the light source section and a second end portion in a vicinity of the fitting-removal section, the elongate light guide member extending from the first end portion to the second end portion for guiding light emitted by the light source section to a predetermined position in the vicinity of the fitting-removal section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guidance: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP2377465B1Biological information measurement device, illumination method in a biological information measurement device, and biological information measurement method
Publication Date: 2014.08.27 ARKRAY INC
  • EP2377465B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2377465B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2377465B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A biological information measurement device that measures biological information of a user includes: a device main body; a fitting-removal section which is provided in the device main body, and to/from which a sensor that measures the biological information is fitted/removed; a light source section that is provided within the device main body at a position spaced apart from the fitting-removal section and that functions as a light source for components of the biological information measurement device other than the fitting-removal section; and a light guide member that guides light emitted by the light source section to a predetermined position in the vicinity of the fitting-removal section to/from which the sensor is fitted/removed.