Video Call Biometric Assessment Using Suspended Camera Capture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of taking standard vital measurements, such as blood pressure or heart rate, traditionally requires in-person examinations, limiting the practicality of remote appointments with health professionals, especially for the elderly and vulnerable populations.

Innovation Solution

A method for assessing biometrics during a video call using a videotelephony connection, which involves suspending the video channel to capture a video stream, determining biometrics like heart rate or blood pressure through photoplethysmography, and reestablishing the connection to transmit the results to a remote device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If in-person measurement devices are used to take vital measurements, then measurement accuracy is improved, but accessibility and convenience for remote appointments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevital measurement accuracyVSAvoidremote appointment accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical in-person measurement devices with an optical system using a camera to capture video streams for biometric analysis. This substitution enables remote vital sign measurement without requiring physical contact or specialized medical equipment at the patient's location, thereby improving accessibility while maintaining measurement capability through computational analysis of video data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a video stream as an intermediary medium to transmit visual information between the patient and healthcare provider. This intermediary enables indirect measurement of vital signs through image processing algorithms that analyze physiological changes in the video feed, eliminating the need for direct physical measurement while preserving diagnostic accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If video channel is suspended to capture video stream for biometric assessment, then biometric measurement capability is improved, but video communication continuity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiometric assessment capabilityVSAvoidvideo channel continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the video communication into distinct functional modes: normal video communication mode and biometric assessment mode. By suspending the video channel temporarily to capture specialized video streams for analysis, then reestablishing it for continued communication, the system maintains both biometric capability and communication continuity through structured temporal separation of functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic suspension and reestablishment of the video channel to enable biometric measurements at appropriate intervals during the appointment. This periodic action allows the system to alternate between communication and measurement phases, ensuring both functions are performed without requiring continuous disruption of the overall appointment flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 remote assessment of vital signs during video calls, enhancing the convenience and accessibility of healthcare services for elderly and vulnerable individuals by allowing secure and efficient biometric measurements without the need for in-person devices.

Implementation Method 1

The determining the biometric of the subject can use photoplethysmography

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoplethysmography: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12574474B2Method of assessing a biometric during a video call, and system implementing the same

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 GRANDPAD

AI summary

One aspect of the invention provides a method of assessing a biometric during a video call, the method comprising the steps of: a) establishing a videotelephony connection with a remote device, the videotelephony connection including a video channel and an audio channel; b) receiving an instruction to assess a biometric; c) suspending the video channel of the videotelephony connection with the remote device; d) capturing a video stream; e) determining a biometric of a subject from the video stream; f) transmitting the biometric to the remote device; and g) reestablishing the video channel of the videotelephony connection with the remote device.