Multisensor Breathing Monitoring to Reduce False Alarms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless monitoring systems for life signs, such as those using low-energy radar and cameras, suffer from false alarms due to interference from non-target objects, difficulty in distinguishing useful signals from noise, and the need for signal processing at a remote location, which reduces reliability and user acceptance.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates radar, camera, and microphone data fusion to detect breathing and heartbeats by correlating radar reflections, camera movements, and audio signals, processing these signals in real time to minimize false alarms and ensure accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radar-based monitoring is used to detect breathing movements, then detection capability is improved, but false alarms increase due to omni-directional coverage detecting non-target objects
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring field is segmented into a target area (directly over the bed) and non-target areas. The radar system processes returns only from the target area, excluding movements from objects, pets, or people in non-target areas. This spatial segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining breathing detection sensitivity while eliminating false alarms from omni-directional coverage.
2Device complexity
If signal processing is performed at a remote location, then system complexity is reduced, but detection reliability and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary signal processing and correlation analysis locally at the monitoring device before transmitting results. By pre-processing radar, camera, and microphone signals on-site and correlating them to detect breathing patterns, the system maintains high detection reliability and fast response time while reducing the processing burden on remote systems.
3Device complexity
If traditional camera and microphone monitoring is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but detection capability deteriorates due to inability to detect silent breathing
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges radar technology with traditional camera and microphone monitoring into an integrated multi-sensor system. The radar component detects breathing movements through chest expansion and contraction, providing detection capability for silent breathing events. The combined system leverages the strengths of each sensor type to achieve reliable breathing detection while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
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
The system provides reliable, real-time monitoring with significantly reduced false alarms by integrating radar, camera, and microphone data, ensuring timely detection of breathing and heartbeats without the need for remote signal processing.
Implementation Method 1
A radar transceiver emits radar signals, the reflected radar signals are detected by the radar transceiver
Implementation Method 2
radar signals are directed toward an area in which the subject person is sleeping. The radar signals reflect from the subject person, therein creating reflected radar signals
Implementation Method 3
A camera is directed toward the area in which the subject person is sleeping. The camera detects movements of the subject person
Implementation Method 4
At least one microphone also monitors the area of the subject person. The microphone detects sounds made by the subject person
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for monitoring a person within a defined area by detecting breathing, or the lack thereof. Breathing is detected using radar signals, camera signals and/or microphone signals. The radar signals, camera signals and/or microphone signals are analyzed to determine if the subject person is moving, and if not moving if the person is breathing or not-breathing. An alarm is generated should the reflected radar signals, the camera signals and the microphone signals all simultaneously indicate no movement and no movement of the subject person in the defined area for a selected period of time.