Portable Device Physiological Measurement via Touch Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional physiological measurement devices are costly and complex, requiring pre-existing knowledge and frequent user manual consultation due to a small customer base, limiting their accessibility and usability for general health monitoring.
Innovation Solution
Portable devices such as smartphones and tablets are used to sense physiological parameters like ECG, pulse, body fat, and body water content, providing user-friendly interfaces and instructions to facilitate measurements through touch sensors and electrodes or optical detection, allowing users to interact naturally with the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional dedicated physiological measurement devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device integrates multiple physiological measurement functions (ECG, pulse, body fat, body water content) into a single device that users already possess (smartphone or tablet). This eliminates the need for multiple dedicated devices while maintaining measurement capabilities through the use of existing sensors and processors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the portable device as an intermediary between the user's body and the measurement system. The portable device's existing sensors (touch sensors, cameras, microphones) serve as mediators to capture physiological signals, which are then processed to generate accurate measurements without requiring specialized dedicated equipment.
2Measurement precision
If conventional dedicated physiological measurement devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device leverages its existing sophisticated user interface and processing capabilities to automatically guide users through measurements. The device's operating system and applications provide self-service functionality, automatically processing signals and presenting results without requiring users to consult manuals or have specialized knowledge.
Solution Approach 2:
By using a portable device that everyone already owns and is familiar with, the system inherits the ease of operation characteristics of consumer electronics. Users interact with physiological measurements through the same intuitive interfaces they use for other daily tasks, eliminating the learning curve associated with dedicated medical devices.
3Measurement precision
If conventional dedicated physiological measurement devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution reuses the existing hardware and software infrastructure of portable devices that are mass-produced at low cost. By leveraging sensors, processors, and displays already present in smartphones and tablets, the system avoids the high manufacturing costs associated with producing dedicated physiological measurement devices for niche markets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent effectively copies the measurement functionality from dedicated devices into the portable device environment. Instead of creating new specialized hardware, it replicates measurement capabilities using the portable device's existing components, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement precision through software-based processing.
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
The solution enables cost-effective, user-friendly, and versatile physiological measurements, increasing accessibility and accuracy by leveraging popular portable devices with advanced processing capabilities, reducing the need for dedicated devices and enhancing health awareness.
Implementation Method 1
the touch sensor panel includes an array of pixels to sense touch events from a user's finger, other body parts
Implementation Method 2
the camera takes one or more images (or a video) of the reflected light from the user's hand
Implementation Method 3
A light from the light source enters the portion of the user's body that is in contact with the light source, and a reflected light exits the portion of the user's body for detection by the light sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for obtaining a physiological measurement associated with a user using a portable device is disclosed herein. Information displayed on a touch-sensitive display of the portable device specifies the contact area(s) on the portable device for a user to touch. One or more areas on the portable device and/or a detachable device connected to the portable device comprise conductive areas for measuring the resistance or impedance of the user's body between those conductive areas.