Optical Biometric Wearables With Scanning Beams for Stable Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biometric wearable devices face challenges due to their small size, which limits component housing, and issues with stability and rotation on the body, making consistent monitoring difficult.
Innovation Solution
Innovative designs for biometric wearable devices, such as smart rings and smart watches, incorporate optical sensors and scanning light beams to enhance stability and improve monitoring capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the wearable device size is reduced to improve portability and comfort, then the device can be more easily worn and transported, but the ability to house complex components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds multiple functional components within a compact ring structure, nesting the optical sensor, light emitter, processor, and other elements in a hierarchical arrangement that maximizes space utilization while maintaining device functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning light emitters and sensors at different heights and angles within the ring, creating three-dimensional light paths that allow complex optical functionality in a small footprint device
2Ease of operation
If the wearable device is made smaller to improve comfort and portability, then the device is more easily transportable, but monitoring consistency becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the optical sensor and light emitter to maintain optimal alignment and contact pressure with the body tissue despite device movement or rotation, ensuring consistent monitoring readings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processor continuously monitors signal quality and adjusts optical parameters or device orientation to maintain consistent measurement reliability despite physical movement
3Weight of moving object
If the wearable device size is reduced to improve comfort, then the device can be worn more comfortably, but stable positioning on the body becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the curved geometry of the ring to conform to the natural contours of body parts, distributing weight evenly and improving stability through shape complementarity rather than relying on mechanical fastening mechanisms
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
These designs enable more consistent and broad monitoring of biometric parameters, providing reliable health diagnostics and alerts, and facilitating feedback/control loops for implanted devices.
Implementation Method 1
Light from the light emitters is transmitted through and/or reflected by body tissue and then received by the light receivers
Data Source
AI summary
A biometric wearable device (e.g. finger ring or smart watch) has optical sensors to measure body oxygenation level, hydration level, glucose level, heart rate, heart rate variability, and/or blood pressure. Light from light emitters is transmitted through body tissue and changes in the light are analyzed. The angles and/or vectors along which the light is transmitted through body tissue can be automatically changed by the device in order to scan different tissue regions and/or different tissue depths.