Mobile Microphone Sleep Stage Analysis Without Body-Worn Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sleep disorder management systems require additional equipment for non-contact monitoring of breathing patterns and body movements, causing discomfort and necessitating periodic maintenance, while there is a need for easy acquisition of sound information related to sleep environments without extra devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and computing device that analyze sleep stages based on sound information using a sleep analysis model, which includes feature extraction and classification, and can provide sleep state information without requiring body-worn equipment, utilizing a user's existing mobile device to process sound data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional equipment (e.g., radio wave measuring device) is used for non-contact monitoring of breathing patterns and body movements, then sleep stage detection capability is improved, but device complexity and user burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleep stage detection capabilityVSAvoidadditional equipment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling a mobile device to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a communication device and a sleep monitoring system. The mobile device's existing microphone is utilized to capture sound information for sleep stage detection, eliminating the need for dedicated monitoring equipment while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by using the mobile device's own built-in microphone for sound capture instead of requiring external microphones or sensors. The device monitors its own sleep environment using resources already available, reducing dependency on additional equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If body-worn equipment is used for sleep monitoring, then sleep stage detection accuracy is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to discomfort and periodic maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleep stage detection accuracyVSAvoiduser comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical body-worn sensors with acoustic sensing. Instead of using mechanical or electronic sensors attached to the body, the system uses the mobile device's microphone to capture sound waves from the sleep environment, thereby eliminating physical contact and associated discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sound information as an intermediary medium between the user and the monitoring system. Rather than direct contact between sensors and the user's body, the system uses acoustic signals transmitted through the air as a mediator to convey sleep state information without physical intrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12433533B2Method, computing apparatus, and computer program for analyzing sleeping state of user through sound information

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 ASLEEP

AI summary

A method for analyzing a user's sleep state based on sound information for realizing the above-described tasks is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of acquiring sleep sound information related to the user's sleep, pre-processing the sleep sound information, and acquiring sleep state information by analyzing the pre-processed sleep sound information, wherein the sleep state information may include sleep stage information related to the user's sleep depth.