Quantum Sensor Anomaly Detection for Human Vital Signs

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Solution Overview

Problem

In autonomous industrial facilities, detecting safety incidents or medical emergencies in human workers is challenging due to reduced human supervision, and existing surveillance systems struggle to accurately identify human objects and vital characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing quantum sensors to analyze movement patterns, filter out non-human objects, and detect vital characteristics like heart rate and environmental parameters, with a system that includes anomaly detection devices and sensors to identify anomalies by comparing vital parameters to predefined thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If video surveillance systems with distributed cameras are employed to monitor workers, then monitoring coverage is improved, but the ability to accurately detect human objects and vital characteristics deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoiddetection accuracy of human objects and vital characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple types of sensors (cameras, quantum sensors, motion detectors) into an integrated surveillance system that simultaneously captures visual information and physiological signals. This merging allows the system to achieve both wide monitoring coverage and high detection precision for human objects and their vital characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces quantum sensors as intermediary devices that detect vital characteristics (heart rate, respiration) through physiological signals emitted by human bodies. These quantum sensors act as mediators between the surveillance system and the target objects, enabling non-contact, high-precision detection of vital signs without requiring direct visual contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If autonomous monitoring based on video surveillance with machine learning is employed, then human supervision is reduced, but the ability to detect the condition of human objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelevel of human supervisionVSAvoiddetection capability of human condition
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical video surveillance analysis with quantum sensing technology that directly detects physiological signals. This substitution enables autonomous systems to accurately measure vital characteristics (heart rate, respiration rate, body temperature) without human intervention, maintaining high detection precision while achieving full automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where quantum sensors continuously monitor vital characteristics and provide real-time data to the autonomous monitoring system. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically detect anomalies, alert authorities, and adjust monitoring parameters without human supervision, maintaining high detection accuracy throughout the autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If aerial surveillance utilizing camera drones or autonomous robots is employed, then monitoring flexibility is improved, but maintenance difficulty and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring flexibilityVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs quantum sensors that are passively activated by the physiological signals of human objects themselves. The sensors require no active positioning, power consumption for signal generation, or complex calibration - they automatically detect and track vital characteristics. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex maintenance procedures associated with active surveillance systems like drones and robots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses quantum sensors to create copies of physiological signals (heart rate, respiration, temperature) without physically interacting with or moving near the target objects. This indirect copying approach eliminates the need for physical surveillance platforms, thereby removing the maintenance burden associated with drones and robotic systems while maintaining monitoring flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4632711A1Method and system for anomaly detection
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP4632711A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4632711A1 patent drawingFigure 2a)~2c)
  • EP4632711A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for anomaly detection is proposed, comprising the steps of: a) determining (711) object location information of a plurality of objects (620, 630, 640, 650) within a predetermined spatial area, b) determining (721, 722, 731, 732, 733) object movement information of the plurality of objects (620, 630, 640, 650) based on the determined object location information, c) based on the determined object movement information, selecting (744) at least one (640, 650) of the plurality of objects, d) identifying at least one of the selected objects as a human object (650') based on detectability of at least one vital characteristic of the selected object (640, 650), e) determining (741, 742) vital characteristics of the identified human object (650'), wherein - steps a) to e) are repeated in pre-defined time intervals, and - an anomaly is detected (743), if vital characteristics are determined in step e), which differ from pre-determined vital parameters defining a normal vital condition. Further, an anomaly detection device (100) and an anomaly detection system (30) for performing the method are proposed.