Pulse Rate Estimation via Peak Suppression and Frequency Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-contact pulse rate estimation techniques face challenges in accurately excluding short-term burst noise and minimizing the impact of body movements, which can lead to estimation errors due to noise and fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A method that includes a peak component suppression step to limit amplitude values of pulse wave signals beyond a threshold and a frequency analysis step to output a frequency spectrum, effectively reducing noise interference and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-contact pulse rate estimation is performed using skin images, then measurement convenience is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to noise and body movement interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pulse wave signal from the skin image time-series data by identifying peak intervals and filtering out noise components. This extraction process separates the useful pulse information from the harmful noise and body movement interference, resolving the contradiction between non-contact measurement convenience and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the extracted pulse wave signal characteristics (peak intervals, waveform shapes) as feedback to continuously adjust and refine the pulse rate estimation. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to varying noise conditions and maintain accurate measurements despite body movements, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining non-contact operation
2Measurement precision
If FFT or large-scale calculation methods are used for pulse rate estimation, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased calculation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pulse rate estimation process into distinct stages: peak detection, interval calculation, and rate determination. By dividing the analysis into smaller discrete steps rather than performing full FFT calculations, the system achieves adequate measurement precision with significantly reduced computational burden and faster processing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using only the necessary components of signal analysis (peak detection and interval measurement) rather than complete spectral analysis. This partial approach provides sufficient precision for pulse rate estimation while avoiding the excessive calculation time required by full FFT methods, thus improving processing speed
3Measurement precision
If body movement compensation methods using gyro sensors are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the camera system itself to detect and compensate for body movements through image analysis, rather than requiring separate gyro sensors. The system analyzes changes in skin image patterns to identify and correct for movement-induced noise, maintaining measurement precision while avoiding additional hardware complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for estimating a pulse rate with high accuracy in the case that short-term burst noise is mixed in an estimation interval. Included are a pulse wave signal generating step of generating a pulse wave signal from an image of a pulse rate estimation target; a peak component suppression step of limiting an amplitude value of the pulse wave signal that is larger than a first threshold value to the first threshold value, and outputting a pulse wave analysis signal; and a frequency analysis step of outputting a frequency spectrum of the pulse wave analysis signal.