Wearable Device Non-Optical Sensing Nodes Artery Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices, such as smartglasses, face performance issues due to positional changes on the user's face, affecting imaging and eye-tracking algorithms, as users are often unaware of these changes, leading to suboptimal experiences.
Innovation Solution
The use of non-optical sensing nodes, like capacitive or vibration sensing nodes, to track the position of wearable devices relative to the body by sensing vasodilation of arteries, allowing for continuous monitoring without direct skin contact and providing dual measurements for accurate positioning and biometric data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors are used to monitor physiological conditions, then continuous real-time monitoring is achieved, but the sensors are large and cannot achieve fine-grained spatial density required to localize arterial features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple discrete non-optical sensing nodes arranged in arrays, where each node independently senses vasodilation. This segmentation enables fine-grained spatial sampling of arterial features without requiring large individual sensors, directly resolving the contradiction between localization precision and sensor size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces optical PPG sensors with non-optical sensing nodes that detect mechanical vibrations and pressure waveforms from arterial vasodilation. This substitution enables precise localization of arterial features through direct mechanical sensing, achieving fine-grained spatial density without the size constraints of optical sensors.
2Measurement precision
If PPG sensors are used to determine proximity to an artery, then physiological monitoring is achieved, but it is difficult to localize specific anatomical landmarks like the boundaries of an artery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs arrays of non-optical sensing nodes where each node measures local vasodilation characteristics. By analyzing the spatial distribution and signal strength variations across multiple nodes, the system can precisely localize arterial boundaries and anatomical landmarks, overcoming the information loss inherent in broad tissue-level optical measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces optical scattering-based detection with direct mechanical sensing of arterial pressure waveforms and skin surface perturbations. This substitution provides sharper spatial resolution for localizing anatomical landmarks by detecting the precise locations where mechanical vibrations from vasodilation are strongest.
3Reliability
If direct contact with skin surface is required to measure vasodilation, then accurate sensing is achieved, but continuous identification and tracking cannot be maintained under real-life conditions where direct contact may not occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-dependent optical or mechanical pressure sensors with capacitive sensing nodes that detect vasodilation through electrical field interactions with the skin. This substitution eliminates the requirement for direct physical contact, enabling reliable continuous monitoring while the user moves or adjusts the wearable device, thus resolving the contradiction between monitoring reliability and ease of maintaining contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces capacitive sensing as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the gap between the sensor and skin surface. The capacitive nodes can sense vasodilation through the dielectric properties of air or minimal contact layers, serving as a mediator that enables continuous monitoring without requiring sustained direct skin contact.
4Reliability
If optical PPG sensors are used for monitoring, then physiological data collection is achieved, but they are unsuitable for use close to the eyes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical PPG sensors with non-optical sensing nodes that detect mechanical vibrations from vasodilation. This substitution eliminates safety concerns related to optical emissions near the eyes while maintaining physiological monitoring capability, as the mechanical sensing nodes can be positioned close to or on the eyes without risking optical damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensing modality from optical parameters (light scattering, blood volume) to mechanical parameters (pressure waveforms, skin surface vibrations). This parameter change enables safe operation near the eyes by eliminating optical radiation exposure while preserving the ability to collect physiological information through mechanical detection of arterial activity.
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
This approach enables real-time tracking of wearable device position and biometric data collection, improving user experience by ensuring correct device placement and providing insights into health metrics like heart rate variability and arterial stiffness.
Implementation Method 1
In embodiments where capacitive sensing nodes are used as non-optical sensing nodes, direct contact with the skin surface of the body part is not required to measure vasodilation
Implementation Method 2
Localized skin surface perturbations caused by arterial pressure waveforms may be used to identify the position of the wearable device relative to the artery
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device comprising a first array of non-optical sensing nodes is disclosed. The first array comprises a plurality of nodes. The plurality of nodes are operable to sense vasodilation of an artery in proximity to the first array. Systems and methods for determining a difference between a first position and a first reference position of the first array relative to a first artery are disclosed. First signal information may be received from the wearable device. The first signal information may represent first signal variation data sensed by each node of the first array. A first position of the first array relative to a first artery may be determined based on a first signal variation pattern in the first signal information. A difference between the first position and a first reference position of the first array relative to the first artery may then be determined.