Wearable Device Contact Detection via Temperature Rate Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices struggle to accurately and timely detect contact with a living body, especially when in motion or loose, leading to inaccurate temperature readings and potential loss.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using two temperature sensors, one for body temperature and one for environmental temperature, calculate and compare their decreasing rates to determine contact status, raising an alarm if the body temperature decrease exceeds the environmental temperature decrease by a preset threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wearable device is made lightweight and small for comfort, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of contact detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device is segmented into multiple temperature sensors (first temperature sensor for body temperature, second temperature sensor for environmental temperature) that independently measure different thermal environments. This segmentation allows the system to compare temperature differences and detect contact status reliably without requiring a bulky single sensor assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The environmental temperature sensor acts as an intermediary reference point to indirectly detect contact status. Instead of directly measuring contact force or pressure, the system uses the environmental temperature sensor to detect temperature differences caused by contact with the body, providing an indirect but reliable contact detection mechanism.
2Device complexity
If a wearable device uses simple contact detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of contact status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing the body temperature and environmental temperature, calculating their difference in real-time. When the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system generates a notification. This feedback mechanism provides precise contact status detection using a relatively simple temperature comparison approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from direct mechanical contact measurement to thermal parameter comparison. By monitoring temperature differences between the body and environmental sensors, the system achieves precise contact status detection through parameter transformation rather than direct mechanical sensing.
3Volume of moving object
If temperature sensors are placed close together for compact design, then volume is reduced, but temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system addresses the spatial constraint by utilizing thermal diffusion over time rather than relying solely on spatial separation. The first temperature sensor measures body temperature while the second measures environmental temperature, and the system detects contact through temperature difference evolution in the temporal dimension, allowing compact sensor placement without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
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 accurate and timely detection of wearable device contact with a living body, ensuring reliable temperature measurement and immediate notification of disengagement, enhancing user awareness and remedial action.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor configured to touch the skin for detecting the body temperature
Implementation Method 2
a second temperature sensor configured to detect the environmental temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for detecting a wearable device's contact with a living body may be provided, comprising: obtaining a decreasing rate of body temperature and a decreasing a rate of environmental temperature measured by a wearable device (100) worn on a living body (401); and determining the wearable device's contact with the living body based on a comparison of the decreasing rate of body temperature and the decreasing rate of environmental temperature (402). A corresponding apparatus and computer program product for detecting a wearable device's contact with a living body may also be provided.