Optical Finger Mouse System for Accurate Physiological Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulse oximeters cannot accurately detect physiological characteristics, such as blood oxygenation and heart rate, in portable electronic devices due to movement-induced signal noise and interference from ambient light sources, making them unsuitable for use in moving or portable applications.
Innovation Solution
A user interface system and optical finger mouse system that simultaneously detects finger displacement, contact status, and physiological characteristics by analyzing reflected light signals from a finger, using independent component analysis or blind source separation to separate movement information from physiology information, and incorporates mechanisms to eliminate ambient light interference and reduce signal noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pulse oximeters are used to detect physiological characteristics in portable devices, then the device can monitor blood oxygenation and heart rate, but movement-induced signal noise and ambient light interference make the detection inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into multiple wavelength channels (red light at 660nm and infrared light at 910nm) and separates the processing of different light signals. By dividing the detection into distinct wavelength components and processing them separately through independent photodetector channels, the system can isolate and eliminate ambient light interference while maintaining accurate physiological measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing mechanism that analyzes the intensity variation patterns of reflected light at different wavelengths. By using the characteristic absorption spectra of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin as intermediaries, the system can distinguish between physiological signals and movement-induced noise, enabling accurate detection even during device movement
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device detects intensity variation of reflected light to identify finger contact status and displacement, then the device can function as an optical finger mouse, but movement of the device or finger creates disturbed signals that prevent correct physiological characteristic calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal detection system that simultaneously performs multiple functions: optical finger mouse operations (detecting finger displacement and contact status) and physiological characteristic monitoring (blood oxygenation and heart rate). The system uses the same light source and photodetector assembly to serve both purposes, with software algorithms that can distinguish between signals relevant to each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in light absorption characteristics at different wavelengths to differentiate between finger movement signals and physiological signals. By analyzing the spectral properties and intensity variation patterns across multiple wavelengths, the system can separate displacement information from physiological information, enabling both functions to operate accurately simultaneously
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 accurate detection of finger displacement, contact status, and physiological characteristics, such as blood oxygenation and heart rate, even in moving devices, by effectively separating noise and interference, thus providing a functional and reliable solution for portable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
receive reflected light from the finger to generate a plurality of first image frames and second image frames
Implementation Method 2
receive reflected light from the finger to generate a plurality of first image frames and second image frames corresponding to on-states of the light of two different wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
detects an intensity variation of the penetrating light based on the feature that the oxyhemoglobin and the deoxyhemoglobin have different absorptivities in particular spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a user interface system including a slave device and a master device. The slave device provides light of two different wavelengths to illuminate a finger surface, receives reflected light from the finger surface to generate a plurality of image frames, calculates and outputs an image data associated with a predetermined number of the image frames. The master device calculates a contact status and a displacement of the finger surface and a physiological characteristic of a user according to the image data.