Optical Connector Detection for Automatic ECG Cable Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient monitoring devices struggle to automatically detect both smart and legacy ECG lead sets, leading to cumbersome user interactions and inefficiencies in workflow.
Innovation Solution
A connector detection system utilizing an optical sensor with a transmitter and receiver to determine the presence of a connector within a connector port, allowing for automatic activation or deactivation of frontend circuitry based on the insertion or removal of cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If automatic detection capability is added to support both smart and legacy cables, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An optical sensor is introduced as an intermediary detection mechanism between the connector port and the control system. The sensor emits light through the connector port and detects reflected light to determine cable presence, serving as a mediator that enables universal detection without requiring complex electronic communication protocols for each cable type.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system uses the cable connector itself as part of the detection mechanism. When a cable is inserted, its connector structure naturally reflects light back to the optical sensor, allowing the system to detect cable presence through the cable's own physical properties rather than requiring active signaling from the cable.
2Ease of operation
If optical sensor detection is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual detection methods (visual inspection, manual configuration) with an optical sensing system. The optical sensor automatically detects cable insertion through light reflection principles, substituting mechanical or human-operated detection with an automated optical field-based system that simplifies user interaction.
3Productivity
If frontend circuitry is activated based on detection, then productivity improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frontend circuitry is designed to dynamically change its operational state based on real-time detection signals from the optical sensor. When a cable is detected, the frontend circuitry transitions from a low-power standby state to an active processing state, optimizing the balance between system responsiveness and energy consumption by adapting power usage to actual operational needs.
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
Enables seamless detection and activation of appropriate frontend circuitry for both smart and legacy cables, improving workflow efficiency and reducing user input requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter configured to transmit a light beam across the interior volume
Implementation Method 2
a receiver configured to monitor for a reflected light beam corresponding to the transmitted light beam
Data Source
AI summary
A connector detection system includes a connector interface including a connector port having an interior volume configured receive a connector of a cable; and an optical sensor. The optical sensor includes a transmitter configured to transmit a light beam across the interior volume; a receiver configured to monitor for a reflected light beam corresponding to the transmitted light beam; and processing circuitry configured to determine whether the connector is inserted into the interior volume based on a monitoring for the reflected light beam.