Wearable Temperature Sensor Calibration for Drift-Accurate Readings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Uncalibrated temperature sensors in wearable devices lead to inaccurate temperature readings and derived insights.
Innovation Solution
Implement a wearable device with a calibrated temperature sensor to improve readings from uncalibrated sensors through calibration operations, which can be performed at the factory or after user acquisition, using conditions such as stable temperature, lack of motion, or user command to ensure accurate temperature measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If uncalibrated temperature sensors are used in wearable devices, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing costs are lowered, but temperature measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs temperature sensor calibration in advance during manufacturing or initial device setup, storing calibration parameters for later use. This preliminary calibration action eliminates the need for complex real-time calibration operations, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by preparing calibration data beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs calibration operations using readily available data sources (ambient temperature sensors, processor temperature readings) without requiring external calibration equipment or complex user intervention. This self-service approach maintains high measurement precision while minimizing the complexity burden on the device architecture.
2Measurement precision
If factory calibration is performed for all temperature sensors, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a tiered calibration approach where basic calibration is performed during manufacturing, and optional post-acquisition calibration can be performed later under specific conditions. This preliminary calibration during manufacturing ensures baseline accuracy without requiring extensive calibration time for every device, while still allowing for improved precision when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs calibration only when specific conditions are met (stable temperature for predetermined time, lack of motion, user command), rather than continuously or universally. This partial calibration approach achieves sufficient measurement precision for most use cases while minimizing the time and resource investment required for calibration operations.
3Reliability
If calibration operations are performed continuously, then temperature measurement precision is maintained despite sensor drift, but energy consumption and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic calibration operations triggered by specific conditions (time-based intervals, temperature stability thresholds, motion detection states) rather than continuous calibration. This periodic approach maintains temperature data reliability over time by recalibrating when conditions permit, while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous calibration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors temperature stability, device motion state, and calibration timing to dynamically determine when calibration operations should be performed. This feedback mechanism ensures calibration occurs only when it will be effective (stable conditions) and when energy costs are justified, maintaining reliability while optimizing energy usage through condition-based calibration triggers.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for temperature calibration are described. A device may support temperature calibration for a set of temperature sensors. For example, a wearable device may activate a set of temperature sensors associated with the wearable device. The set of temperature sensors may include a primary temperature sensor and one or more secondary temperature sensors. The wearable device may determine a trigger to calibrate the one or more secondary temperature sensors based on one or more conditions, and calibrate the one or more secondary temperature sensors using the primary temperature sensor based on the trigger. Based on the calibrating, the wearable device may process temperature data associated with a user that is received from one or more of the primary temperature sensor or the one or more secondary temperature sensors.