Motion Blur Analysis for Wearable Pulse Measurement Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable pulse measurement devices face reduced accuracy due to motion blur when worn loosely, leading to decreased estimation and measurement accuracy of motion and pulse.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that performs cross-correlation analysis between images to estimate motion amounts, utilizing spatial frequency analysis and transfer function calculations to remove motion blur effects, allowing for improved pulse measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pulse measurement apparatus is worn loosely on the arm, then the wearing feeling is improved, but motion blur occurs in the captured image and measurement accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewearing feelingVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful motion blur into a useful signal by analyzing its characteristics. The motion blur contains information about the relative motion between the apparatus and the measurement target, which is extracted and used to calculate correction values for accurate pulse measurement, thereby transforming the adverse effect into a beneficial data source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of motion amount from an unmeasured disturbance to a quantified variable. By analyzing the motion blur characteristics and calculating motion amounts between captured images, the system transforms the qualitative motion blur into quantitative motion data that can be compensated for in the measurement process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the pulse measurement apparatus is worn loosely on the arm, then the wearing feeling is improved, but the estimation accuracy of motion amount decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewearing feelingVSAvoidestimation accuracy of motion amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces motion blur as an intermediary element that mediates between the loose wearing condition and the motion amount estimation. Instead of directly measuring motion, the system uses the motion blur produced by loose wearing as an intermediate signal that contains encoded motion information, which is then decoded to obtain accurate motion amount estimates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical motion measurement with optical field analysis. Instead of using mechanical sensors to detect motion, the system substitutes optical capture and analysis of motion blur patterns, transforming a mechanical measurement problem into an optical field processing problem that can be solved through image analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If cross-correlation analysis is performed between images to estimate motion, then motion amount can be calculated, but motion blur reduces the accuracy of the estimation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion amount estimationVSAvoidestimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of motion blur characteristics before conducting cross-correlation analysis. By first characterizing the motion blur through spatial frequency analysis and transfer function calculation, the system prepares correction data in advance that improves the reliability of subsequent motion amount estimation through cross-correlation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the estimated motion amount to generate correction values that are applied back to the measurement process. The motion blur analysis provides feedback about the degradation conditions, which is used to adjust and refine the motion estimation, creating a closed-loop system that continuously improves estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10489922B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can improve the estimation accuracy of a motion amount of an object.A cross-correlation analysis unit performs a cross-correlation analysis between a first image and a second image obtained by capturing the same object as an object of the first image before the first image, a first motion estimation unit estimates a first motion amount corresponding to a motion blur in the first image, and a second motion estimation unit estimates a second motion amount different from the first motion amount between the first image and the second image on the basis of a result of the cross-correlation analysis and an estimation result of the first motion amount. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an apparatus for measuring a pulse.