Wearable Biometric Sensor Signal Quality Feedback Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Photoplethysmography (PPG) monitoring devices face challenges in accurately measuring physiological signals due to motion artifacts and environmental noise, which degrade signal quality and reduce the accuracy of metrics like heart rate and breathing rate, especially when the device is not fitted correctly.

Innovation Solution

A wearable biometric monitoring device that assesses signal quality by instructing users to perform an exercise regimen and provides feedback on how to adjust the device for improved fit, using sensors and processors to communicate audio-visual instructions and potentially adjust the device automatically to enhance signal quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the device is worn correctly, then signal quality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for proper fitting adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidease of wearing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback to the user about the quality of the biometric signal being detected. Based on this feedback, the system generates actionable instructions guiding the user to adjust the device position or fit. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables users to self-correct fitting issues without requiring technical expertise, thus maintaining measurement precision while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system empowers users to independently assess and improve their own device fitting through automated feedback and guidance. Rather than requiring professional setup or calibration, the user receives real-time instructions based on the detected signal quality and can self-adjust the device to achieve optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If motion artifacts are reduced through stricter device fitting, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiometric signal accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces motion sensors as intermediary elements that detect motion artifacts and provide information about their presence and magnitude. These sensors act as mediators between the primary biometric sensors and the processing system, enabling the detection and characterization of motion artifacts without requiring fundamental changes to the core measurement methodology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors changes in signal parameters such as amplitude, frequency, and waveform characteristics to detect and characterize motion artifacts. By analyzing parameter variations rather than requiring complete signal rejection, the system can distinguish between physiological signals and motion-induced noise, maintaining measurement precision while managing device complexity through software-based parameter analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution effectively improves signal quality by reducing motion artifacts and environmental noise, leading to more accurate physiological assessments and ensuring that only high-quality data is used for generating biometric metrics.

Implementation Method 1

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is based upon shining light into the human body and measuring how the scattered light intensity changes with each pulse of blood flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

measuring how the scattered light intensity changes with each pulse of blood flow... changes in blood flow or blood opacity associated with heart beats, breaths, blood oxygen level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotodetection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3804612B1Methods and apparatus for improving signal quality in wearable biometric monitoring devices
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 YUKKA MAGIC LLC
  • EP3804612B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3804612B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3804612B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A wearable biometric monitoring device is configured to assess the biometric signal quality of one or more sensors associated with the monitoring device, determine how the user should adjust the device to improve the biometric fit, and instruct the user to wear the biometric monitoring device a certain way. Communicating instructions to a user may include instructing the user to execute a testing regimen while wearing the biometric monitoring device. The testing regimen facilitates an estimation of a signal quality that can be used to provide feedback to the user that he/she needs to adjust the device to improve the biometric fit and the biometric signal quality.