Wearable Health Device Multi-Spectral Light Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable devices fail to accurately measure and provide simultaneous information on non-visual light exposure, physical activity, sleep quality, and lifestyle parameters, leading to imprecise estimates and incomplete health assessments.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device equipped with a 3-axis accelerometer, temperature measurement unit, and multi-spectral light radiation sensor to measure wavelengths from 290 nm to 1150 nm, allowing for comprehensive data analysis of acceleration, temperature, and light radiation over 24 hours or more, providing detailed insights into physical activity, sleep states, and light exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wearable device measures only visual light exposure (photopic) without measuring non-visual blue-light (ipRGC) exposure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of light exposure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The light measurement function is segmented into multiple independent spectral sensors: a photopic sensor for visual light exposure and an ipRGC sensor for non-visual blue-light exposure. Each sensor independently measures its specific wavelength range, allowing the device to capture comprehensive light exposure data without requiring a single complex sensor to handle all spectral ranges simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device is designed with multi-functionality by integrating multiple sensors that serve different purposes: acceleration sensors for movement detection, temperature sensors for thermal monitoring, photopic light sensors for visual exposure, and ipRGC light sensors for non-visual exposure. This universal approach allows one device to perform comprehensive health monitoring across multiple physiological parameters.
2Measurement precision
If a wearable device measures light exposure at the wrist, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of light exposure at the eye level is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational model that translates wrist-measured light exposure data into estimates of eye-level light exposure. This mediator uses the known geometric relationship between wrist and eye positions, combined with environmental light field characteristics, to calculate what the actual eye exposure would be, bridging the gap between convenient wrist measurement and accurate eye-level assessment.
3Measurement precision
If a wearable device does not measure temperature to correct light measures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of light exposure and sleep assessment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements feedback by using temperature sensor data to correct and adjust light exposure measurements. The measured body temperature serves as feedback information that indicates the device's wearing position and environmental conditions, which are then used to calibrate and refine the light exposure measurements, improving their accuracy dynamically based on real-time physiological and environmental state.
4Measurement precision
If a wearable device provides comprehensive simultaneous information on sleep state and non-visual light exposure, then the measurement precision of health assessment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated wearable device: acceleration sensing for movement detection, temperature sensing for thermal monitoring, photopic light sensing for visual exposure, and ipRGC light sensing for non-visual exposure. By combining these previously separate measurement systems into one unified device, comprehensive health assessment data is collected simultaneously without requiring multiple separate devices.
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 device offers improved accuracy in assessing light exposure and sleep quality, enabling health-related recommendations and environmental adjustments to optimize user health and lifestyle, while distinguishing between indoor and outdoor light sources and types.
Implementation Method 1
a light radiation measurement unit configured to provide light radiation data, said light radiation measurement unit comprising at least one multi-spectral sensor configured to measure wavelength bands over the range 290 nm to 1150 nm
Implementation Method 2
a temperature measurement unit configured to provide temperature data, the temperature measurement unit being configured to measure the user body temperature in the first wearing position
Implementation Method 3
a 3-axis accelerometer unit configured to provide acceleration data and inclination data
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A wearable health and lifestyle device comprising at least a measurement module (12) configured to be worn by a user in at least a first wearing position, the measurement module comprising a 3-axis accelerometer unit (13b) configured to provide acceleration data and inclination data, a temperature measurement unit (13a) configured to provide temperature data, and a light radiation measurement unit (13d) configured to provide light radiation data, said light radiation measurement unit comprising at least one multi-spectral sensor configured to measure wavelength bands over the range 290 nm to 1150 nm said device further comprising a storage module (14) configured to receive and store said acceleration data, said inclination data, said temperature data and said light radiation data, and an analysis module (16) configured to analyse a data set comprising acceleration data, inclination data, temperature data and light radiation data acquired all along a period of time greater than 24 hours and stored in the storage module, so as to provide information regarding a user physical activity, and a wake/sleep state, the temperature measurement unit being configured to measure the user body temperature in the first wearing position.