Smartphone Multi-Sensor Vital Sign Measurement for Higher Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smartphone-based physiological measurement applications suffer from low reliability and accuracy due to reliance on a single signal source, leading to user inconvenience and limited capability in assessing multiple health indicators.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing multiple communication device sensors, including cameras and microphones, for simultaneous physiological parameter measurement, employing hybrid remote-plethysmography and machine learning to enhance accuracy and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If single signal source is used for physiological measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal sources (camera, microphone, and contact sensors) into a unified physiological measurement system. The camera captures video signals, the microphone records audio signals, and contact sensors detect physiological parameters when placed on the body. These diverse sensors are merged through signal processing algorithms to produce comprehensive physiological measurements, resolving the contradiction by showing that increased sensor diversity improves measurement precision without excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The smartphone device is designed to perform multiple physiological measurement functions using its existing sensors (camera and microphone) in addition to contact sensors. The same device can measure heart rate, respiratory rate, and other physiological parameters through different sensor combinations, demonstrating multi-functionality that improves measurement reliability without requiring separate specialized equipment for each measurement type.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated for physiological measurement, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes sensors already present in the smartphone (camera and microphone) for physiological measurements, allowing the device to serve itself for health monitoring purposes. By leveraging existing components rather than adding entirely new sensor systems, the patent improves measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity. The contact sensors are supplementally added but work in conjunction with self-existing sensors.
3Ease of operation
If single-source measurement is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to noise and artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where signals from multiple sensors (camera, microphone, contact sensors) are continuously processed and cross-validated. The feedback loop allows the system to detect and correct noise or artifacts by comparing signals across different modalities, thereby maintaining measurement reliability without complicating the user operation. The processing algorithms automatically adjust based on signal quality feedback.
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
Enhances the accuracy and reliability of physiological measurements by integrating direct-contact and non-contact sensors, providing real-time feedback and secure data transmission for comprehensive health monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
employing hybrid remote-plethysmography and machine learning to enhance accuracy and reliability
Implementation Method 2
the program instructions to use at least one of the plurality of cameras, microphones and sensors for measuring physiological parameters by placing one or more fingertips on rear and/or front cameras and microphone
Implementation Method 3
utilizing one or more fingertips for contact-based measurements in conjunction with remote video analysis
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments herein provide a method and a system for calculating physiological parameters from human body using multiple communication device sensors simultaneously. The method for calculating physiological parameters from human body using multiple communication device sensors simultaneously includes collecting inputs from one or more of a plurality of cameras, microphones and sensors in a communication device for enhancing the accuracy of the measurement of the physiological parameters. The method further includes, using at least one of the camera, microphone and sensor of the communication device for measuring the physiological parameters by placing one or more fingertips on rear and/or front cameras and microphone or using the front camera to capture facial video data and audio data from fingertips. The method further includes, measuring a plurality of physiological parameters simultaneously or asynchronously using a combination of audio video plethysmography, signal processing and machine learning techniques.