Wearable Head Sensor for Continuous Respiration Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable devices require user involvement for physiological context measurements, such as respiration cycle and heart rate, which can be time-consuming and interruptive, especially when using mobile devices like smartphones.
Innovation Solution
A wearable apparatus with a head-fitting component and sensors, like piezoelectric transducers, mounted on eyeglasses or headsets to detect vibrations and temperature, processing signals to provide continuous and non-intrusive physiological context data, including respiration cycles, without the need for user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional wearable devices or mobile devices are used for physiological context measurement, then measurement functionality is provided, but user involvement is required which takes time away from other tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs physiological measurements automatically without requiring user initiation or participation. The wearable device continuously monitors physiological parameters and the mobile device automatically processes data when connected, eliminating the need for users to manually start measurements or dedicate time to measurement tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The physiological measurement process operates continuously in the background rather than requiring discrete user-initiated measurement sessions. The wearable device continuously collects data and automatically transfers it to the mobile device for processing, maintaining continuous monitoring without interrupting the user's activities.
2Reliability
If conventional wearable devices are used for physiological context measurement, then measurement capability is provided, but the measurement process is interruptive to user activities
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system operates autonomously without requiring user intervention or attention. The wearable device automatically performs measurements and the mobile device automatically processes the data when connected, making the reliable measurement process completely non-intrusive to user activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic automatic data transfer between the wearable and mobile devices rather than continuous active processing. Measurements are taken continuously by the wearable device, but data transfer and processing occur periodically when the devices are connected, reducing interruptions while maintaining measurement reliability.
3Measurement precision
If mobile devices are used for physiological context measurement, then measurement functionality is provided, but user involvement is required to place the device in specific positions
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages device positioning and measurement setup without requiring user knowledge or actions. The wearable device is designed to automatically position itself for optimal measurement, and the mobile device automatically connects and processes data when in proximity, eliminating complex user setup requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device acts as an intermediary that handles the complex positioning and measurement tasks, transferring only processed or raw data to the mobile device. This separates the measurement functionality from the user interface, allowing precise measurements without requiring users to understand or manage device positioning.
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 continuous, non-intrusive, and accurate measurement of physiological context, such as respiration cycles and temperature, using wearable devices like eyeglasses, allowing users to perform other tasks while monitoring their health without interruption.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor, such as a piezoelectric transducer, may be disposed on the head-fitting component to provide contact with a portion of the user's head. The sensor may sense vibration in a portion of the user's head produced during respiration.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations for an apparatus for a user's physiological context measurements. In one instance, the apparatus may include a head-fitting component to be mounted at least partly around a user's head, and a sensor disposed on the head-fitting component to generate a signal indicative of a user's physiological context in response to contact with the user's head. The physiological context may comprise a respiration cycle, and the sensor may sense vibration in a portion of the user's head produced in response to the respiration cycle. The apparatus may further include a controller coupled with the sensor, to process the signal and generate data indicative of the physiological context of the user. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.