PPG Heart Rate Calculation With Signal-Quality Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices face challenges in providing accurate bioinformation with low power consumption, as software-based calculations are power-intensive and can slow down other operations, limiting their usage duration and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensing apparatus with a processor that calculates heart rate using hardware or software based on PPG signal quality, incorporating a heart rate calculator, skin detector, and photodetectors to optimize power usage and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software-based heart rate calculation is used, then measurement flexibility is improved, but power consumption increases and processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between software-based and hardware-based calculation modes based on signal quality assessment. When PPG signal quality is sufficient, hardware calculation is activated for low-power operation; when quality is insufficient, software calculation is used to ensure measurement accuracy, thus adaptively optimizing power consumption while maintaining measurement flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (calculation mode) based on signal quality conditions. By monitoring PPG signal characteristics and adjusting the calculation approach accordingly, the system resolves the contradiction between flexibility and power consumption
2Measurement precision
If software-based heart rate calculation is used, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but device operation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between software and hardware calculation paths based on real-time signal quality assessment. High-quality signals trigger fast hardware calculation, while lower-quality signals initiate software-based processing to ensure accuracy, thus maintaining measurement precision while optimizing operation speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through quality checking factors that assess PPG signal characteristics. This feedback mechanism determines whether to use software or hardware calculation, ensuring measurement accuracy is maintained while preventing unnecessary slowdowns from software processing when not needed
3Use of energy by moving object
If hardware calculation is used, then power consumption is reduced, but adaptability to different signal conditions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between hardware and software calculation modes based on signal quality. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to leverage power-efficient hardware processing when conditions permit while falling back to software processing when signal conditions require more sophisticated analysis, thus reducing power consumption without sacrificing adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The quality checking mechanism acts as an intermediary that assesses signal conditions and mediates between hardware and software calculation paths. This intermediary enables the system to maintain adaptability to different signal conditions while predominantly using power-efficient hardware processing
4Productivity
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then bioinformation availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic quality assessment of PPG signals and switches between calculation modes accordingly. By periodically evaluating signal quality and adjusting processing intensity, the system maintains continuous bioinformation availability while reducing average power consumption through selective use of hardware vs software processing
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on signal quality and power conditions. Continuous monitoring is maintained for bioinformation availability, but the calculation intensity dynamically adapts between hardware-efficient and software-accurate modes, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and power consumption
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
Enables continuous, accurate heart rate monitoring with reduced power consumption, allowing extended device usage and precise bioinformation measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiver including one or more photodetectors
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for calculating heart rate are disclosed herein. The apparatus can include a processor configured to calculate heart rate information. The processor includes a heart rate calculator including a memory configured to store a PPG signal and a calculation element coupled to the memory and configured to calculate a heart rate value and generate at least one quality checking factor according to the PPG signal. The processor also includes a checking element configured to determine a validity indicator according to the at least one quality checking factor, a memory control element coupled to the memory and configured to access the memory to transmit the PPG signal, and a multiplexer configured to output the PPG signal accessed by the memory control element or the heart rate value calculated by the calculation element according to the validity indicator.