Scale-Based Time Synchronization for Wearable Physiological Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing physiological monitoring systems face challenges in accurately synchronizing time between scales and peripheral devices, leading to inaccuracies in cardiac parameter measurements due to time drift, which can result in incorrect data output and coordination issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the scale communicates with the peripheral device to synchronize time by calculating a time adjustment based on the time-latency of message transmission, ensuring both devices operate on the same time standard, and periodically re-synchronizing to prevent drift.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the peripheral device uses its own independent time, then the device can operate autonomously, but time drift occurs causing cardiac parameter inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the scale periodically requests time information from the peripheral device, calculates time-latency based on message transmission time, and sends time adjustment instructions back to the peripheral device. This closed-loop feedback ensures the peripheral device's time remains synchronized with the scale, preventing time drift while maintaining device autonomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary time synchronization by calculating and applying time adjustments before cardiac parameter measurements are taken. The scale proactively requests time information and sends adjustment instructions in advance, ensuring time accuracy is established before critical measurements occur, thereby preventing measurement errors due to time drift.
2Measurement precision
If the scale frequently synchronizes time with the peripheral device, then time accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous synchronization, the system employs periodic time synchronization where the scale requests time information from the peripheral device at predetermined intervals. This periodic approach maintains time accuracy over time while significantly reducing communication frequency and associated power consumption compared to continuous synchronization methods.
3Measurement precision
If the peripheral device relies on GPS for time updates, then time accuracy can be maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scale acts as an intermediary time source between trusted time sources (such as GPS) and the peripheral device. The peripheral device synchronizes with the scale rather than directly with GPS, reducing its own GPS usage and power consumption. The scale, which has access to accurate time through various means, mediates the time synchronization process, allowing the peripheral device to maintain accuracy while consuming less power.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to an apparatus including a weighing-scale platform, housing, and a plurality of sensors and sensor-data processing to collect a first set of physiological data while the user is standing on the platform. The first set of has an accuracy component that is dependent on or defined using a time-based interval or time-based metric. The apparatus further includes data-assimilation circuitry to provide synchronization by accessing a profile having information for identifying the user, accessing an indication of the time interval or metric derived from the first set of physiological data specific to the user, identifying a peripheral device including physiological-measuring circuitry with a second set of physiological data, the second set of physiological data being from and specific to the user, and while accounting for the time-based inaccuracies, comparing aspects of the first and second sets of physiological data.