Head-Mounted Thermal Camera for Exhale Stream Shape Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for people to become aware of their breathing characteristics, particularly the shape of the exhale stream, which can indicate emotional and physiological states, as this awareness typically requires years of practice and specialized expertise.
Innovation Solution
A system using inward-facing head-mounted thermal cameras and a computer to measure and analyze the thermal patterns below the nostrils, generating feature values and selecting the user's state based on these measurements, allowing for the detection and presentation of different emotional, physiological, or healthy/unhealthy states without requiring extensive practice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a person practices advanced yoga techniques to become aware of the SHAPE, then awareness of breathing characteristics is improved, but the time required and complexity of practice increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical practice system (years of yoga training) with an optical detection system (thermal camera). The thermal camera directly measures the SHAPE of the exhale stream through thermal radiation, converting a complex physiological awareness task into a simple optical measurement that provides immediate feedback without requiring extensive training.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal camera acts as an intermediary between the user's breathing and their awareness of it. Instead of requiring direct internal awareness through years of practice, the camera captures thermal patterns of the exhale stream and presents them to the user, serving as a mediator that translates invisible physiological processes into visible information.
2Measurement precision
If a person practices advanced yoga techniques to become aware of the SHAPE, then awareness of breathing characteristics is improved, but the device complexity and expertise required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical practice system (yoga techniques requiring years of training) with a straightforward optical measurement system. The thermal camera automatically detects and visualizes the SHAPE, eliminating the need for complex bodily control techniques and expert guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service monitoring where the user can independently observe their own SHAPE without requiring expert instructors or complex practice routines. The thermal camera provides immediate, objective feedback that the user can interpret and act upon without external guidance.
3Measurement precision
If thermal measurements of at least three regions below the nostrils are taken to detect SHAPE, then measurement precision of breathing characteristics is improved, but the number of measurements and data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task into multiple thermal measurement zones below the nostrils. By segmenting the measurement area into at least three distinct regions, the system captures the spatial distribution of thermal patterns across the exhale stream, enabling more precise SHAPE detection through multi-point thermal mapping.
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 easy monitoring of breathing characteristics, allowing users to be aware of their emotional and physiological states without specialized expertise, improving awareness and potentially aiding in stress management, asthma detection, and overall respiratory health.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one CAM takes thermal measurements of at least three regions below the nostrils (THS). THS are indicative of shape of the exhale stream (SHAPE).
Data Source
AI summary
The three-dimensional (3D) shape of the exhale stream from a user's nostrils is often correlated with the user's state (e.g., an emotional state and/or a certain health condition). Thus, identifying the shape of a user's exhale stream can help determine the user's state. In one embodiment, a system that selects a state of a user includes at least one inward-facing head-mounted thermal camera that takes thermal measurements of at least three regions below the nostrils (THS). THS are indicative of shape of the exhale stream (SHAPE). The system also includes a computer that generates feature values based on THS, which are indicative of the SHAPE, and utilizes a model to select the state of the user, from among potential states of the user, based on the feature values. Optionally, the system includes a user interface that present the user's selected state.