Sleep Measurement System with Multi-User Sensor Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sleep measurement systems require manual user input to start recording sleep data and are limited to monitoring a single person, failing to automatically detect the start of sleep and presence of multiple users.
Innovation Solution
A sleep measurement system comprising a sensor device with integrated piezo thin film sensors and other sensors (strain gauges, capacitive sensors, thermocouples, inductive sensors) that communicate with a mobile client application to automatically detect the start of sleep and presence of users, without manual input, using a combination of dynamic and static measurement techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual user input is required to start recording sleep data, then the system can ensure accurate user intent detection, but the user burden and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects sleep onset and recording start without requiring user action. The sensor device monitors bed presence and movement patterns, and the server automatically initiates recording when sleep conditions are detected, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual user input
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of user presence and sleep conditions before actual sleep recording begins. Sensors detect when the user enters the bed and remains present, preparing the system in advance to automatically start recording when sleep onset is confirmed, eliminating the need for manual start input
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system is designed to monitor a single person, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to multiple users is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is divided into multiple independent sensor elements that can individually detect presence and movement. Each sensor monitors a specific zone or aspect of bed usage, and their combined data allows the system to distinguish between one or multiple users based on patterns of presence and movement without requiring a completely different system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device and processing system are designed with universal detection capabilities that work for both single and multiple users. The same sensors and algorithms analyze presence data and movement patterns to determine user count and identity, allowing the system to adapt to different usage scenarios without adding significant complexity
3Ease of operation
If automatic sleep onset detection is implemented, then the ease of operation improves, but the measurement precision may be compromised without manual confirmation
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors multiple parameters including bed presence, movement patterns, and physiological signals, using this feedback to refine sleep onset detection. The server analyzes ongoing sensor data to confirm sleep conditions and adjust detection timing, ensuring accurate automatic detection without manual confirmation
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in multiple parameters simultaneously - presence duration, movement amplitude, movement frequency, and physiological signals - rather than relying on a single threshold. By analyzing the pattern of parameter changes over time, the system achieves accurate automatic sleep onset detection that distinguishes true sleep from temporary stillness
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
Enables accurate and automatic detection of sleep onset and presence of multiple users, reducing user burden and improving data accuracy by distinguishing between lying in bed and being asleep, and providing comprehensive sleep parameter monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The current solution of the Applicant uses only piezoelectric sensors to measure the movement of the person on the bed
Implementation Method 2
The at least one sensor device is further adapted to communicate with a mobile third party client application... using a combination of dynamic and static measurement techniques
Implementation Method 3
The sensor device comprises sensors configured to work, either alone or in combination... capacitive sensors
Implementation Method 4
The sensor device comprises sensors configured to work, either alone or in combination... thermocouples
Implementation Method 5
The sensor device comprises sensors configured to work, either alone or in combination... inductive sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method that will serve for measuring the sleep of at least one user. The system will provide the measurement by communicating sleep parameters of at least one user to a mobile third party client application 170 from a sensor device 20. The mobile third party client application 170 is capable to automatically deduce the starting time of sleep without the user indicating the start of sleep. The system is configured to measure the sleep of more than one user by detecting the 10 presence of more than one user in the bed using a matrix of sensors 710.