Steering Wheel Physiological Monitoring for Hands-Free Driver Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current physiological monitoring systems for vehicle users lack integrated solutions that can effectively monitor vital signs in real-time while allowing users to operate vehicles safely and comfortably, without the need for manual data input or removal of hands from the steering wheel.
Innovation Solution
The integration of sensor modules within the steering wheel, including temperature sensors, pulse oximeters, and ECG electrodes, which automatically monitor physiological data and adjust vehicle settings based on user conditions, such as heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and cardiac arrhythmias, to enhance safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor modules are integrated into the steering wheel for physiological monitoring, then monitoring capability and user safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensor modules (temperature sensor, pulse oximeter, ECG electrodes) into the steering wheel structure, combining physiological monitoring functionality with the existing steering apparatus. This merging approach improves user safety by enabling continuous monitoring without requiring separate devices, while the integrated design manages complexity through unified implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is designed to serve multiple functions: traditional steering control plus physiological parameter monitoring (temperature, pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, ECG). This multi-functionality improves reliability by enabling comprehensive health monitoring during driving, while the universal design approach manages complexity by leveraging the existing steering wheel structure.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor modules are integrated into the steering wheel, then measurement precision of physiological parameters is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The physiological monitoring system is divided into separate sensor modules, each dedicated to measuring specific parameters (temperature sensor for thermal monitoring, pulse oximeter for blood oxygen and pulse rate, ECG electrodes for cardiac activity). This segmentation improves measurement precision by optimizing each sensor for its specific function, while managing complexity through modular design that allows independent implementation and maintenance of each sensing function.
3Ease of operation
If the curved surface receives the user's digit for sensing, then ease of operation is improved, but contact reliability may vary
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor surface is designed as a curved or concave structure that conforms to the natural shape of the user's finger or digit. This curvature improves ease of operation by providing a comfortable contact interface that naturally guides proper placement, while enhancing contact reliability by ensuring consistent surface contact area and pressure, thereby improving signal quality for all physiological measurements.
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
This solution enables continuous, hands-free monitoring of vital signs, allowing for real-time adjustments to vehicle settings to ensure user safety and comfort, such as adjusting temperature, audio, and autonomous driving features based on physiological data.
Implementation Method 1
one or more optical emitters configured to emit optical radiation away from the curved surface toward the digit of the left hand of the user, the oximeter comprising one or more optical detectors configured to generate plethysmography data responsive to detecting optical radiation attenuated by the tissue of the user
Implementation Method 2
The left portion can comprise a depressed region forming a curved surface that is shaped to receive a digit of a left hand of a user when the user places their left hand on the steering apparatus. The curved surface can be elongate, extending along a length of the left portion, wherein a first sensor is positioned within the curved surface
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system associated with a vehicle can access sensor data originating from one or more sensors disposed within a vehicle and can access device data originating from a user device. The sensor data and the device data can comprise physiological data of a user of the vehicle. The computing system can determine a physiological status of the user of the vehicle based on at least the sensor data or the device data and cause the vehicle to perform one or more operations based on at least the physiological status of the user.