Multi-Sensor Activation Detection for Wearable Biomedical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices face challenges in accurately detecting when they are in use or activated, leading to inefficient power management and potential battery life reduction due to incorrect on/off switch states, especially in wearable medical devices or patches.
Innovation Solution
The use of a plurality of sensors, including capacitance sensors, impedance sensors, and mechanical switches, to determine if an electronic device is in close proximity to or in contact with a body, transitioning from a low-power mode to an active mode upon proper installation and activation, with multiple sensors providing validation feedback to improve reliability and reduce false detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional on/off switches are used to detect device activation, then device activation can be determined, but false detection occurs leading to incorrect power management and reduced battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection function into multiple independent sensors (capacitance sensor, impedance sensor, mechanical switch sensor) that each monitor different aspects of device activation. This segmentation allows the system to cross-validate signals and reduce false detection, thereby improving reliability without requiring continuous operation of all components, which conserves battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where sensor outputs are continuously monitored and validated against expected activation patterns. When sensor readings indicate potential activation, the system verifies through multiple sensor channels before transitioning from low-power to active mode, preventing false activation and unnecessary power consumption while ensuring reliable detection of genuine activation events.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to validate device activation, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (capacitance, impedance, mechanical switch) into a unified activation detection system that shares common signal processing and control logic. This merging approach allows the system to leverage the complementary strengths of different sensors while avoiding the need for separate processing circuits for each sensor, thereby improving detection reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various sensor inputs and activation scenarios through a single unified processing unit. This universal approach allows the same control logic to manage capacitance changes, impedance variations, and mechanical switch states, reducing the need for dedicated circuitry for each sensor type and minimizing overall system complexity while maintaining high detection reliability.
3Speed
If the device remains in active mode to ensure immediate responsiveness, then response time is improved, but power consumption increases reducing battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of activation signals through multiple sensor channels before transitioning from low-power to active mode. This preliminary action ensures that genuine activation events are quickly detected and validated, enabling rapid response time when activation occurs, while avoiding unnecessary transitions to active mode during false detection events, thereby conserving battery life during normal low-power operation.
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 enhances the reliability of detecting device activation, reduces power consumption, and extends battery life by accurately distinguishing between usage and non-usage states, ensuring efficient power management and effective operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor (340) includes a capacitance sensor (342)
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor (360) includes an impedance sensor (362)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Disclosed are devices and methods for detecting activation of an electronic device, including a biomedical and biometric device. The electronic device can operate in a low-power mode until it is determined that the electronic device is in close proximity to or in contact with a body, and activated. The electronic device can include a first sensor including a first capacitance sensor, a second sensor, and a controller coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller can receive a first signal from the first sensor and determine that the electronic device is in close proximity to or in contact with a body based on the first signal, and receive a second signal from the second sensor and determine that the electronic device is activated based on one or both of the first signal and the second signal. The electronic device can transition from the low-power mode to an active mode in response to determining that the electronic device is activated.