Thermographic Camera Metabolic Parameter Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining metabolic parameters during physical activity on exercise machines are either expensive or provide inaccurate, indirect measurements, necessitating the development of a more precise and reliable method.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a thermographic camera to capture infrared images of the user's body surface, combined with data processing and a trained regression model, estimates metabolic parameters such as oxygen volume, carbon dioxide volume, and respiratory quotient by analyzing thermal features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gas exchange analyzers are used to determine metabolic parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical gas exchange analyzers with a thermographic imaging system that uses infrared radiation detection. The thermographic camera captures thermal emissions from the body surface, which are then processed to estimate metabolic parameters. This substitution of measurement methodology reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement capability through thermal radiation detection rather than direct gas analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct gas exchange analysis to thermal radiation detection. By measuring temperature distribution and thermal patterns on the body surface through thermographic imaging, the system infers metabolic state indirectly. This parameter transformation allows metabolic assessment without requiring complex gas exchange measurement equipment.
2Device complexity
If heart rate monitoring sensors are used to determine metabolic parameters, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces indirect heart rate monitoring with direct thermographic imaging of body surface temperature. Instead of using physiological proxies like heart rate, the system directly measures thermal emissions that are more closely related to metabolic heat production. This substitution provides more precise metabolic information while keeping the device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses body surface temperature distribution as an intermediary measurement that directly reflects metabolic heat production. Rather than using heart rate as an indirect proxy, the thermal patterns on the skin surface serve as a more direct mediator between metabolic activity and measurable parameters, improving precision while maintaining simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If thermographic camera is used to capture body surface images, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to image processing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service through automated image processing algorithms that automatically extract thermal features and estimate metabolic parameters from the thermographic images. The processing unit autonomously handles feature extraction, parameter calculation, and result generation without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite the sophisticated analysis required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of thermographic images by pre-defining regions of interest on the body surface and pre-programming feature extraction algorithms. This preliminary setup enables rapid automated analysis of thermal patterns, reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining high measurement precision through systematic image processing.
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
Provides precise and reliable estimation of metabolic parameters without the need for invasive sensors, enabling real-time adjustments to optimize exercise intensity and safety, and is applicable to various exercise machines.
Implementation Method 1
at least one thermographic image is acquired by a thermographic camera of at least one portion of the body of the user
Implementation Method 2
The system comprises at least one exercise machine on which a user can perform physical activity, and a thermographic camera configured to acquire at least one thermographic image
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (600) for determining values of metabolic parameters of a user when performing physical activity on an exercise machine, comprises steps of: acquiring (601), by a thermographic camera, a thermographic image (I-T) of at least one portion of the body of the user when performing physical activity, said at least one portion of the body of the user (U) comprising a body surface of the user; identifying (602), by at least one data processing unit operatively connected to said thermographic camera, within the at least one thermographic image (I-T) acquired by the thermographic camera, a first thermographic portion (P-T1) of the body surface of the user (U); for said identified first thermographic portion (P-T1), determining (603), by the at least one data processing unit, at least one group of thermal features representative of the identified first thermographic portion (P-T1); estimating (604), by the at least one data processing unit, by executing a respective estimation algorithm based on a trained regression model, one or more values of metabolic parameters of the user when performing physical activity on the exercise machine based on said at least one determined group of thermal features representative of said identified first thermographic portion (P-T1), said one or more values of metabolic parameters of the user (U) comprising at least one of the following: value of oxygen volume (VO2) that the user is consuming when performing physical activity; value of carbon dioxide volume (VCO2) that the user is producing when performing physical activity by the user; value of respiratory quotient (RQ) of the user when performing physical activity by the user; providing (605), by the at least one data processing unit, said estimated one or more values of metabolic parameters.