Parallel Biometric Signal Processor with Switching Fabric

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biometric signal processors face challenges in being ultra-light, small, and low power consumption while effectively monitoring and analyzing vital signs, as they require efficient signal processing and routing to extract accurate biometric information.

Innovation Solution

A parallel biometric signal processor is designed with amplifiers, converters, preprocessors, and feature extractors connected through switching fabrics, controlled by a switching controller to route signals based on operating modes, allowing for independent operation and efficient extraction of biometric information with low power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a biometric signal processor is designed to be ultra-light and small, then user convenience is improved, but power consumption efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The signal processing system is divided into multiple parallel channels, each handling specific biometric signals independently. This segmentation allows the system to process only necessary signals at full power while other channels can operate at lower power or remain idle, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the operating state of different processing channels based on real-time signal requirements. When certain biometric signals are not needed, their corresponding processing channels can be powered down or put in low-power mode, maintaining small size while optimizing power consumption according to actual usage needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple biometric signals are processed simultaneously, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing system is segmented into independent parallel channels, each dedicated to specific signal types. This modular architecture allows multiple biometric signals to be processed simultaneously without increasing overall system complexity, as each channel operates independently with its own processing pipeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each processing channel is designed with universal components that can handle different signal types through configuration rather than hardware changes. The parallel channel architecture provides multi-functionality while maintaining simple, reusable processing blocks, enabling versatile monitoring without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If signal processing precision is increased, then biometric information accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiometric information accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts processing precision based on the specific biometric signal being analyzed and the current operational context. Different processing channels can operate at different precision levels simultaneously, allocating higher power consumption only to channels where high precision is critical, thereby maintaining overall accuracy while reducing total power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different processing channels are configured with locally optimized precision levels according to their specific signal processing requirements. Rather than uniformly high precision across all channels, each channel receives the appropriate level of processing power needed for its specific function, improving biometric accuracy where needed while conserving power elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2921107B1Parallel signal processor with amplifiers and with converters and a method for its operation
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2921107B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2921107B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2921107B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A parallel biometric signal processor (100) and a method of controlling the parallel biometric signal processor are described. The processor includes amplifiers (110) configured to amplify a biometric signal based on an amplifying attribute and converters (120) configured to convert the amplified signal to a converted signal based on a converting attribute. The processor also includes preprocessors (130) configured to preprocess the converted signal based on a preprocessing attribute and feature extractors (140) configured to extract a set of biometric information from an output signal of the preprocessors.