Opportunistic User Context Sensing via Work Surface Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sensing and rendering user context parameters, such as health-related parameters, consume significant energy, hardware, and computing resources, and require continuous sensor readings and data processing.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a sensor module and processing module that opportunistically measures user context by using sensors on a work surface to capture ECG and PPG readings from users' upper limbs, processing these to determine blood pressure and other physiological parameters, reducing the need for continuous monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous sensor readings and data processing are used to provide user context parameters, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but energy consumption and resource usage increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements opportunistic sensing that activates sensors only during specific user interactions with the device (e.g., when placing hands on the keyboard or touching the screen). This periodic, event-driven approach replaces continuous monitoring, capturing physiological data (ECG, PPG, galvanic skin response) only when the user is naturally interacting with the device, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision during these interaction windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing user-device interactions to collect physiological data without requiring dedicated measurement actions from the user. When users naturally place their hands on the keyboard or touch the screen for normal device operation, the sensors opportunistically capture health metrics. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate, energy-intensive continuous monitoring sessions.
2Measurement precision
If continuous sensor readings and data processing are used to provide user context parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and computing resources increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
By activating sensors only during user interactions rather than continuously, the system reduces the computational burden of processing constant data streams. The periodic nature of opportunistic sensing allows the processing module to handle smaller, discrete datasets, simplifying hardware requirements and reducing computing resources needed while maintaining measurement precision during active sensing periods.
3Use of energy by moving object
If opportunistic measurements are used during user interaction, then energy consumption and resource usage are reduced, but measurement duration and opportunities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensing functions into existing device components. The keyboard and touchscreen serve dual purposes: as input devices for user interaction and as platforms for physiological sensing. This multi-functionality allows the system to capture various health metrics (heart rate, blood pressure, stress levels) during routine device usage, effectively extending measurement opportunities without requiring dedicated measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures multiple measurement opportunities throughout the day as users naturally interact with the device for various tasks. Each interaction provides a measurement window, and aggregating these periodic measurements across different times and contexts compensates for the limited duration of individual measurements, providing comprehensive health monitoring data.
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 allows for efficient and energy-effective opportunistic sensing of user context, providing accurate physiological parameter measurements without the need for continuous monitoring, thereby reducing resource consumption.
Implementation Method 1
obtain readings of a first parameter and a second parameter of a user's context during a determined time period, in which the portions of the user's upper limbs are disposed on the work surface
Implementation Method 2
obtain readings of a first parameter and a second parameter of a user's context
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations for an apparatus for opportunistic measurements and processing of user's context. In one instance, the apparatus may include a sensor module with sensors disposed on a work surface to maintain direct or indirect contact with portions of user's limbs for a time period when the portions of user's limbs are disposed on the work surface, to obtain readings of first and second parameters of user's context over the time period of the direct or indirect contact; and a processing module to process the readings of the first and second parameters, including to identify a first feature of the first parameter and a second feature of the second parameter that is temporally correlated with the first feature, and determine a third parameter of the user's context based on the identified first and second features. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.