Track-Mounted Optical Sensor for Adaptive Physiological Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing noninvasive physiological parameter measurement systems face challenges with high processing power consumption, energy usage, and limited measurement locations due to the use of multiple sensors, particularly in static objects like toilet seats.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor system with a track system and a controller that moves a single emitter and detector along a rail to optimize measurement locations based on signal quality, reducing the need for multiple sensors and improving measurement accuracy and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of sensors are used to cover multiple measurement locations, then measurement coverage and reliability are improved, but processing power consumption and energy usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable optical sensor that can dynamically reposition itself along a track to different measurement locations on the user's body. This dynamic positioning capability allows a single sensor to cover multiple anatomical sites (such as forehead, cheek, chin) sequentially, replacing the need for multiple fixed sensors. The sensor moves to optimal locations based on signal quality feedback, maintaining measurement reliability while significantly reducing the number of active sensors and associated power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor is designed as a universal measurement device that can perform physiological parameter measurements at multiple different locations on the user's face. The sensor incorporates multiple light sources (red and infrared LEDs) and detectors that can function at various anatomical sites, making it a multi-functional device that replaces multiple location-specific sensors. This universality allows the system to maintain comprehensive measurement coverage while using only one sensor unit.
2Measurement precision
If a large number of sensors are deployed in parallel, then measurement accuracy and signal quality are improved, but energy/battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a single optical sensor that dynamically moves to different measurement locations rather than using multiple parallel sensors. The sensor evaluates signal quality at each location and repositions to optimal sites, achieving high measurement precision through dynamic optimization. This approach consumes less battery energy because only one sensor needs to operate, eliminating the redundant power consumption of multiple parallel sensors while maintaining or improving signal quality through adaptive positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor incorporates self-service capabilities by automatically evaluating signal quality metrics (such as signal-to-noise ratio, amplitude, and waveform characteristics) and autonomously determining optimal measurement locations. The sensor controls its own movement along the track based on real-time signal assessment, eliminating the need for external control systems. This self-service mechanism ensures high measurement precision while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary sensor activation and movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed sensors are positioned at different locations, then various measurement positions are covered, but the system complexity and device weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple fixed sensors with a single movable optical sensor that travels along a track system to access different measurement locations on the user's face. This dynamic approach provides adaptability and versatility in measurement location coverage while significantly reducing system complexity. The single sensor design simplifies electronics, data processing, and calibration compared to coordinating multiple independent sensors, while the track-guided movement ensures comprehensive anatomical coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functionality of multiple location-specific sensors into a single universal optical sensor that can operate at various anatomical sites. By combining multiple sensor functions into one integrated unit with movement capability, the system achieves comprehensive measurement location coverage while reducing device complexity. The merged design consolidates power supply, signal processing, and control mechanisms into a single sensor assembly, eliminating the complexity of managing multiple separate sensor systems.
4Productivity
If multiple sensors operate simultaneously, then data acquisition from various locations is achieved, but the overall system weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single optical sensor that dynamically moves to different measurement locations to acquire physiological data, replacing multiple simultaneous sensors. This dynamic data acquisition approach maintains comprehensive productivity by collecting signals from various anatomical sites (forehead, cheek, chin) sequentially, while significantly reducing the system weight. The single sensor design eliminates the weight of additional sensor units, batteries, and circuitry that would be required for multiple parallel sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor performs periodic movement along the track to visit different measurement locations in sequence, acquiring data from each site during its visit. This periodic action pattern enables comprehensive data acquisition capability by systematically covering multiple anatomical regions over time, while using only one sensor unit. The periodic traversal approach maintains productivity equivalent to multiple simultaneous sensors but with fraction of the weight and size.
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 provides a lightweight, accurate, and reliable method for passive acquisition of physiological parameters by identifying optimal measurement locations, reducing energy consumption and enhancing measurement precision and repeatability.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one emitter may illuminate the tissue at a first location defined by its position on the track system and the at least one detector may measure the scattered and reflected light at a second location defined by its position on the track system
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical sensor system (100) is provided. The optical sensor system comprises a track system (101), an optical sensor (102) operably coupled to the track system (101) comprising at least one emitter (103) and at least one detector (104), and a controller (105) operably coupled to the optical sensor (102) . In this regard, the optical sensor (102) is configured to perform measurements comprising at least one physiological parameter. Furthermore, the controller (105) is configured to actuate the optical sensor (102) to move the at least one emitter (103) and/or the at least one detector (104) along the track system (101) to at least one preferred location based on the at least one measured physiological parameter and/or at least one user parameter.