Smartphone Health Sensor Alignment and Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users have limited access to their health data, which can be crucial for fitness and wellness activities, and traditional methods rely on healthcare professionals for data provision.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with a camera, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor that emits light into a user's body part and computes health data based on received light, optionally using electrical contacts for additional measurements, and provides guidance for correct alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional methods are used to provide health data, then health data can be obtained through healthcare professionals, but user access to health data is limited and requires professional intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a general-purpose electronic device (smartphone) to perform health data collection functions traditionally requiring dedicated fitness or wellness devices. The device uses its existing camera, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor to collect health data, making the smartphone a multi-functional tool that eliminates the need for separate specialized devices while improving user accessibility to health information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling users to independently collect and access their own health data using their existing electronic device, without requiring intervention from healthcare professionals or specialized equipment. The system allows users to perform self-diagnosis and monitoring through automated image analysis and sensor data processing, empowering individuals to manage their own health information
2Measurement precision
If existing sensors are used for health data collection, then the device can utilize available components, but the accuracy and reliability of health data may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing alignment detection and correction mechanisms. The system detects whether the user's body part (e.g., finger) is properly positioned over the sensor array, and provides real-time feedback through visual or haptic cues to guide correct placement. This feedback loop ensures that sensors are properly aligned with the body part, thereby maximizing measurement precision and data reliability while managing the complexity of multi-sensor coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple existing sensors (camera, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor) into a unified health data collection system. By combining the functional capabilities of these separate sensors and processing their data together, the system achieves improved measurement precision for health parameters while utilizing already-available device components, thus avoiding the need for additional specialized hardware
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 users to obtain various health parameters like blood pressure, hydration, oxygen saturation, and pulse rate without dedicated fitness or wellness devices, improving accessibility and accuracy of health data collection.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic device may use one or more of the camera and the proximity sensor to emit light into a body part of a user touching a surface of the electronic device and one or more of the camera, the ambient light sensor, and the proximity sensor to receive at least part of the emitted light reflected by the body part of the user
Implementation Method 2
In such implementations, the health data may be further computed based on the an electrical measurement obtained using the electrical contacts
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a camera, an ambient light sensor, and a proximity sensor. The electronic device uses one or more of the camera and the proximity sensor to emit light into a body part of a user touching a surface of the electronic device and one or more of the camera, the ambient light sensor, and the proximity sensor to receive at least part of the emitted light reflected by the body part of the user. The electronic device computes health data of the user based upon sensor data regarding the received light. In some implementations, the electronic device may also include one or more electrical contacts that contact one or more body parts of the user. In such implementations, the health data may be further computed based on the an electrical measurement obtained using the electrical contacts.