Vibration Envelope Detection for Lying and Sitting States

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for determining the state of care recipients in facilities like hospitals and nursing homes are limited in their ability to accurately detect and differentiate between positions such as lying and sitting, and do not adequately support enriched care and nursing care quality.

Innovation Solution

A state determination method and device that utilizes a vibration detection system to derive an envelope from electrical signals, comparing them against predetermined threshold values to determine positions like lying or sitting, using a computer-based system for analysis and output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vibration detection system is used to detect care recipient presence, then detection capability is improved, but the ability to differentiate between lying and sitting positions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidposition differentiation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the vibration signal analysis by deriving an envelope from the electrical signal and comparing it against multiple predetermined threshold values. This segmentation of the signal processing approach enables differentiation between lying and sitting positions that cannot be achieved with simple presence detection alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter being measured from simple vibration presence to envelope amplitude values that correlate with body position. By monitoring changes in the envelope amplitude and comparing against calibrated threshold values, the system can distinguish between lying and sitting positions while maintaining reliable detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If simple presence detection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but care quality enrichment is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidcare quality enrichment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the vibration detection system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both presence detection and position differentiation using the same hardware components. The envelope derivation and threshold comparison mechanisms allow a single device to provide enriched care information without adding complex additional sensors or systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or optical positioning systems with a simplified vibration-based envelope analysis method. By substituting sophisticated position sensing hardware with signal processing of existing vibration data, the system achieves position differentiation while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4070724B1State determination method, state determination device, state determination system, state determination program, and recording medium
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO LTD
  • EP4070724B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4070724B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4070724B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A state determination method, a state determination device, a state determination system, a state determination program and a recording medium are provided for determining a state of a living body based on electrical signal according to a detected vibration. A state determination device 2 acquires electrical signal according to a detected vibration, and operates: a rectification unit (step S2); an envelope detection unit to derive an envelope from the rectified electrical signal (step S3); and a state determination unit to determine the state of the living body based on the derived envelope (step S4). The state determination device 2 that has determined the state of the living body outputs a determination result (step S5).