Ovulation Detection via Multi-Period Temperature Averaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining ovulation using basal body temperature data are hindered by noise from variations in thermometer placement, health, activity, and environmental factors, making it difficult to accurately detect temperature changes and predict fertility timing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving extended periods of temperature measurement, data filtering, and multiple assessment techniques to calculate representative temperature values, allowing for the identification of temperature change events and ovulation timing with increased accuracy and certainty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ovulation detection methods (3 over 6 rule) are used, then ovulation timing can be determined with reasonable accuracy, but the detection occurs too late (3-4 days after temperature rise) to be useful for fertilization planning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using temperature data from extended periods before the current period to calculate representative temperature values. This allows the system to detect temperature changes earlier in the cycle, providing ovulation timing information before the traditional 3-4 day delay, thus enabling timely fertilization planning while maintaining detection accuracy
2Measurement precision
If frequent temperature measurements are taken to improve accuracy, then more data points are available for analysis, but noise from placement variations, health changes, and environmental factors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges temperature data from multiple extended periods (at least three separate periods) to calculate a single representative temperature value. This combining approach allows random noise and outliers from individual measurements to be averaged out, improving overall measurement accuracy while accounting for variations in placement, health, and environmental factors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes outliers from the temperature data set before calculating representative values. By identifying and excluding abnormal temperature readings that result from placement variations or temporary health issues, the system reduces noise while preserving the underlying temperature trend necessary for accurate ovulation detection
3Reliability
If data from multiple extended periods is used to calculate representative temperature values, then accuracy and stability of temperature readings are improved, but the complexity of data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing into distinct steps: collecting temperature data from multiple extended periods, identifying and removing outliers, calculating the representative temperature value, and then using this refined value for ovulation detection. This segmented approach manages complexity by breaking down the processing into manageable stages while maintaining high reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
There are described herein methods and apparatus for obtaining and analysing temperature data from female human users. In particular, there is described a method of determining at least one representative temperature value for a female human user for an extended period. The method includes receiving at least a first, a second and a third plurality of temperature measurements obtained from a female human user during at least first, second and third respective extended periods, wherein each extended period comprises at least one hour and wherein the start of each extended period is separated by at least 8 hours. At least one representative temperature value is calculated for the second extended period. The representative temperature value is calculated using at least one first temperature value obtained from a plurality of measurements taken during the first extended period, at least one second temperature value obtained from a plurality of measurements taken during the second extended period and at least one third temperature value obtained from a plurality of measurements taken during the third extended period.