Under-Display Optical Sensor for Vital Signs Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers face challenges in adding non-invasive vital signs monitoring functionality to mobile devices without increasing the device's size or power consumption, as existing solutions either require bulky dedicated hardware or result in inaccurate and unreliable measurements using existing hardware.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with an optical sensor positioned under the screen uses the electronic display's light to illuminate and measure vital signs, synchronizing with the display's refresh to minimize noise and power usage, while also functioning as an ambient light sensor to adjust device parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated hardware is added for vital signs monitoring, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display function and sensor function into a single integrated structure. The optical sensor is positioned behind the display screen, allowing the display to serve as both the visual output interface and the light source for photoplethysmography measurements. This merging eliminates the need for separate dedicated hardware components, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while avoiding device size increase
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen is assigned multiple functions: it serves as both the visual display interface for user interaction and as the illumination source for vital signs monitoring. By making the display multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated hardware, thus improving measurement capability without increasing device volume
2Reliability
If additional sensors are added for vital signs monitoring, then measurement reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display serves itself by performing dual functions: displaying visual information and providing illumination for photoplethysmography measurements. By using the display's own light output for sensing purposes, the system eliminates the need for separate power-consuming illumination sources, thereby improving measurement reliability without significantly increasing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The display is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - visual display and vital signs illumination. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliable vital signs monitoring without adding dedicated power-consuming components, thus improving reliability while controlling power consumption
3Volume of moving object
If the optical sensor is placed under the display, then device size is reduced, but light reception accuracy may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is integrated into the display assembly, positioned behind the screen. This merging allows the sensor to utilize the display's light output directly, ensuring accurate light reception for photoplethysmography measurements while maintaining a compact device form factor without requiring separate housing space
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 approach allows for accurate non-invasive vital signs monitoring with minimal impact on the device's form factor and power consumption, improving the accuracy of vital sign measurements and reducing the need for additional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic display may further comprise a first side configured to direct transmitted light toward a portion of a subject proximate the electronic display via organic light-emitting diodes (OLED)
Implementation Method 2
the optical sensor may be disposed, opposite the first side of the electronic display, configured to receive reflected light off the portion of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
An example electronic device, computer-implemented method, and mobile device system for measuring the vital signs of a subject in a non-invasive manner are provided. The example electronic device may include a housing, an electronic display attached to the housing, and an optical sensor disposed within the housing. The electronic display may further include a first side configured to direct transmitted light toward a portion of a subject proximate the electronic display via organic light-emitting diodes (OLED). In addition, the optical sensor may be disposed, opposite the first side of the electronic display, and may be configured to receive reflected light off the portion of the subject. One or more vital signs of the subject may be determined based at least in part on the reflected light.