Remote Heart Rate Measurement Using Multi-Band Image Quality Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Remote Photoplethysmography (rPPG) technologies face challenges in accurately measuring heart rates due to lighting changes and movement, particularly in vehicle driving environments.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize multiple band images, such as visible-ray and infrared images, to measure remote heart rate signals. This approach computes quality scores for each band image based on movement, lighting, and signal quality, and then selects effective heart rate sections to determine a complementary heart rate with improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote photoplethysmography is used to measure heart rate non-contact, then convenience and remote monitoring capability are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lighting changes and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heart rate measurement process into multiple independent quality assessments: movement quality score, lighting quality score, and signal quality score. Each aspect is evaluated separately to identify and compensate for specific degradation sources, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving remote monitoring convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter assessment approach by introducing quality scores that evaluate movement, lighting, and signal characteristics. These parameter changes enable the system to adaptively weight and combine heart rate signals from multiple video sources, improving measurement accuracy without requiring direct contact.
2Measurement precision
If multiple band images are processed to improve heart rate accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex multi-band signal processing into modular quality score computations. Each band image undergoes separate evaluation for movement, lighting, and signal quality, allowing the system to manage complexity through structured, independent assessments rather than monolithic processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The quality score computation framework serves multiple functions simultaneously: it assesses movement artifacts, evaluates lighting conditions, and validates signal quality across different spectral bands. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity by using a unified assessment mechanism for diverse processing tasks.
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 method achieves high accuracy and reliability in determining remote heart rates for drivers or passengers in vehicles, even under varying lighting conditions and movement noise.
Implementation Method 1
While traditional Photoplethysmography (PPG) technology directly attaches a sensor to the body and measures a blood flow change of a blood vessel in the body, the Remote Photoplethysmography (rPPG) technology can measure the blood flow change in a non-contact mode
Data Source
AI summary
In a device and a method for obtaining a heart rate, the device for obtaining a heart rate may include: a processor; and a memory device, and obtain a first band image and a second band image in different bands, measure a first remote heart rate signal and a second remote heart rate signal for the first band image and the second band image, respectively, compute a first quality score and a second quality score for the first band image and the second band image, respectively, select a first effective heart rate section based on the first remote heart rate signal and the first quality score, select a second effective heart rate section based on the second remote heart rate signal and the second quality score, and determine a complementary heart rate based on the first effective heart rate section and the second effective heart rate section.