Multidimensional Sensor Array for Biological Signal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining a driver's autonomic tone in a vehicle environment face interference from noise and vibrations, which affect the accuracy of biological signal acquisition and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A multidimensional sensor array with sensors mechanically coupled to a common structural coupling material is used to sense biological data, processing outputs to filter out ambient mechanical vibrations and improve signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single sensor is used to acquire biological signals in a vehicle, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to interference from noise and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple sensors arranged in a multidimensional array, where each sensor captures biological signals from different spatial positions. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between physiological signals and environmental vibrations through spatial analysis, thereby improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through systematic arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point sensing approach to a multidimensional sensor array that captures signals across multiple spatial dimensions. By adding spatial dimensionality to the sensing system, the patent enables differentiation between biological signals originating from the driver's body and mechanical vibrations from the vehicle environment, thus improving signal accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity
2Reliability
If sensors are mechanically coupled to a common structural material, then the reliability of signal acquisition improves through vibration cancellation, but the device complexity increases due to the coupling structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensors with a common structural coupling material that serves dual purposes: providing mechanical support for the sensors and acting as a reference for vibration cancellation. By combining the structural support function and the reference signal generation function into a single element, the patent improves reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The common structural coupling material acts as an intermediary that transmits both the biological signals from the driver's body and the environmental vibrations to the sensors. This intermediary provides a stable reference signal that enables the system to distinguish between physiological changes and vehicle-induced vibrations, thereby improving signal acquisition stability
Data Source
AI summary
A method for biological signal analysis, including providing a multidimensional sensor array disposed at a position for sensing biological data associated with a person, wherein the multidimensional sensor array includes a plurality of sensors and each sensor of the plurality of sensors is mechanically coupled to a common structural coupling material. The method including selectively receiving an output from each sensor of the plurality of sensors, processing the output from each sensor of the plurality of sensors and outputting a biological signal based on the processing.