Physiological Detection Device Using Polarizers and SPADs for Attachment Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical physiological detection devices on wearable devices face challenges with movement noise when not properly attached to the skin surface, leading to inaccurate signal detection, necessitating a method to confirm proper attachment before data collection.

Innovation Solution

A physiological detection device that uses a sensor array and polarizing layer to compare detected signals from different pixel regions under various polarizations, and calculates time-of-flight using a single photon avalanche diode to determine the attached state, ensuring accurate attachment confirmation before data collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wearable device is not properly attached to the skin surface, then the device can be easily worn and removed, but movement noises are generated causing inaccurate signal detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of wearingVSAvoidsignal detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing attachment state detection before physiological signal measurement. The device first determines whether it is properly attached to the skin surface using optical detection, and only proceeds with physiological data collection when attachment is confirmed, thereby preventing movement noise contamination of signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the attachment state through optical detection and using this information to control the physiological signal measurement process. The system provides feedback about attachment quality and adjusts or prevents signal collection based on the detected attachment state, ensuring measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If complicated denoising algorithms are used to remove movement noises, then signal accuracy can be improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal accuracyVSAvoidalgorithm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and confirming proper attachment before physiological signal acquisition begins. This preventive approach eliminates the need for complex denoising algorithms by ensuring that signals are collected only when the device is properly attached, thereby maintaining signal accuracy while minimizing computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If optical detection means is integrated in wearable devices for easy physiological detection, then portability and ease of use are improved, but movement noise interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidmovement noise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing attachment state verification before physiological measurement. The optical detection system first confirms proper skin contact and attachment stability, then proceeds with physiological signal collection only when attachment is confirmed, thereby maintaining portability while reducing movement noise interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using optical detection to continuously monitor attachment state and using this information to control the physiological measurement process. The system adjusts signal collection based on real-time attachment feedback, maintaining portability while minimizing the impact of movement noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This approach enhances detection accuracy by confirming proper attachment, reducing noise and ensuring reliable physiological data collection, and can be implemented in portable and wearable electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor array is opposite to the polarizing layer and configured to successively receive light of a first wavelength and light of a second wavelength from a skin to output pixel data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption and reflection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The polarizing layer includes a first region having a first polarization direction and a second region having a second polarization direction, different from the first polarization direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

calculating a time-of-flight detected by a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS12193785B2Physiological detection device using different polarizers and light wavelengths

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 PIXART IMAGING INC

AI summary

There is provided a physiological detection device including a light source, a light detector, a processing unit and a display device. The light source emits light to illuminate a skin surface. The light detector receives the light from the skin surface to output detected signals. The processing unit confirms an attached state according to the detected signals and controls the display device to show an indication signal or a warning message when the attached state is confirmed not good.