Signal Detection Device Nonlinear Processing for Heartbeat Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional signal detection devices, such as those used to measure heartbeats, face accuracy degradation due to varying contact impedance with the body surface during exercises like body side flexion, leading to poor detection of pulse-like signals.

Innovation Solution

A signal detection device comprising a measurer, an arithmetic operation unit that performs nonlinear arithmetic processing using the FitzHugh-Nagumo equation to amplify pulse-like components and suppress other components, and a signal period detector to accurately detect periodic signals, even under fluctuating impedance conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional filtering methods are used to suppress noise, then the device complexity remains low, but the measurement precision degrades when contact impedance fluctuates during exercise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheartbeat detection accuracyVSAvoidrobustness to impedance variation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the input signal through nonlinear arithmetic operations that change the amplitude parameter of pulse-like components while suppressing other components. This parameter transformation enables the system to maintain detection accuracy under varying impedance conditions by emphasizing the pulse characteristics regardless of amplitude fluctuations caused by contact impedance changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional linear filtering methods with nonlinear arithmetic operations. This substitution allows the system to achieve better noise suppression and pulse enhancement by using nonlinear transformation instead of traditional linear filtering, thereby improving adaptability to impedance variations during exercise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If nonlinear arithmetic operation processing is applied to amplify pulse-like components, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulse-like signal detection accuracyVSAvoidarithmetic operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and amplifies only the pulse-like components from the composite signal through nonlinear arithmetic operations. By isolating and enhancing the relevant signal features while suppressing other components, the system achieves high detection accuracy without requiring overly complex processing, as it focuses computational resources on the essential pulse characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the measurer is used during exercise with body side flexion, then the adaptability to exercise conditions is improved, but the measurement precision degrades due to varying contact impedance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise condition compatibilityVSAvoidheartbeat waveform detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of varying contact impedance during exercise into a beneficial feature. By applying nonlinear arithmetic operations that emphasize pulse-like components, the system transforms the noisy, impedance-varied signal into a clear heartbeat waveform. The pulse enhancement technique effectively uses the exercise-induced signal characteristics to improve detection rather than being degraded by them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 device achieves high accuracy in detecting pulse-like signals, such as heartbeat waveforms, by stabilizing amplification and suppressing noise, even during exercises that cause impedance fluctuations.

Implementation Method 1

an arithmetic operation unit that performs nonlinear arithmetic operation processing for amplifying a pulse-like component of the signal measured by the measurer and suppressing a component other than the pulse-like component of the signal measured by the measurer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNonlinear arithmetic operation:

Data Source

PatentUS10426408B2Signal detection device and signal detection method

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A signal detection device includes a measurer, an arithmetic operation unit, and signal period detector, and detects information such as a cardiac cycle with high accuracy by causing resonance of only a signal such as a heartbeat, the signal having strong pulse characteristics. The measurer measures a signal. The arithmetic operation unit performs nonlinear arithmetic operation processing for amplifying a pulse-like component of the signal measured by the measurer and suppressing a component other than the pulse-like component of the signal measured by the measurer. The signal period detector detects a periodic signal from an output of the arithmetic operation unit.