Physiological Parameter Measurement Using Multi-Sensor Coherence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring physiological parameters like heart rate and respiratory rate struggle to provide reliable and continuous measurements in challenging environments due to sensor disturbances from accelerations, vibrations, and shocks, often resulting in erroneous or unreliable data, especially during sporting activities or when precision monitoring is required.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using multiple sensors, including pulse sensors, microphones, and temperature detectors, that filter and process signals to evaluate coherence and select consistent measurements, ensuring reliable data even under difficult conditions, with the option to integrate into a helmet for easy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sensor is used for measuring physiological parameters, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement reliability deteriorates under accelerations, vibrations, or shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple independent sensors (at least two sensors) that each independently measure the physiological parameter. This segmentation allows the system to maintain low individual sensor complexity while achieving high overall measurement reliability through redundancy and coherence evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the processor evaluates the coherence of measurements from multiple sensors and uses this evaluation to select the most reliable measurement. The system continuously monitors sensor coherence and adjusts its selection of valid measurements based on real-time coherence assessment, resolving the contradiction between simple device design and reliable measurement under disturbance.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are used for measuring physiological parameters, then the measurement reliability improves, but the ability to discriminate coherent measurements from erroneous measurements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coherence evaluation mechanism that provides feedback on the quality of each sensor measurement. The processor compares measurements from multiple sensors and evaluates their coherence, using this feedback to identify and select the most reliable measurements while discarding erroneous ones, thus resolving the discrimination difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite measurement system where multiple sensor readings are combined through coherence evaluation. Rather than relying on a single sensor or simple averaging, the system synthesizes a reliable measurement by evaluating the coherence of multiple inputs, effectively creating a 'composite' valid measurement from potentially erroneous individual readings.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are used for measuring physiological parameters, then the probability of obtaining at least one valid measurement improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement function across multiple simple sensors rather than using one complex sensor system. Each sensor independently performs basic measurement, and the complexity is shifted to the processing stage where coherence evaluation selects the valid measurement, maintaining measurement availability while controlling overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically evaluates coherence and selects valid measurements without requiring external intervention or complex configuration. The processor autonomously determines which sensor readings are coherent and reliable, reducing the operational complexity despite using multiple sensors.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for measuring a physiological parameter, such as a biological rhythm, on the basis of at least two sensors, and to an associated measurement device. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps of: measuring the physiological parameter for each sensor, allowing the generation of a series of measurements of at least two values; evaluating the level of consistency of each value from the measurement series; selecting a value from the set of values in the series as a function of the corresponding level of consistency and a so-called reference value, in order to determine a new reference value; and storing the new reference value.