Wearable Sensor Electrode Contact Detection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable devices for monitoring biological information, such as heart rate, face challenges in accurately detecting contact state and abnormalities, particularly when electrodes detach from the body, leading to unreliable data and potential misinterpretation of health conditions.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a sensing circuit with multiple electrodes and a control unit that calculates resistance values and heart action potentials, using these metrics to determine if electrodes are properly attached and functioning, with additional sensors like infrared for confirming heart rate, and alerts through LEDs and buzzers for user notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrodes are used to monitor biological information, then measurement capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates when electrodes detach from the body
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of electrode contact state before conducting biological information measurement. The sensing circuit continuously monitors whether electrodes are properly attached to the user's body, and only when proper contact is detected does the system proceed with accurate heart rate and other biological parameter measurements, preventing unreliable data collection from detached electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring electrode contact state through resistance measurement and comparing it against threshold values. When the contact state changes (electrode detachment detected), the system receives feedback and automatically adjusts its operation by stopping measurement or generating alerts, thereby maintaining data reliability throughout the monitoring process
2Reliability
If resistance calculation is used to detect electrode detachment, then reliability is improved, but false alarms increase due to inability to distinguish detachment from actual abnormalities
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection function into multiple independent sensing circuits, each monitoring specific electrode pairs. By dividing the monitoring task across multiple circuits and comparing results from different segments, the system can cross-validate readings and distinguish between genuine abnormalities and artifacts caused by electrode detachment, thereby reducing false alarms while maintaining high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing circuit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it measures resistance to detect electrode contact state, measures voltage for heart action potential detection, and provides baseline data for abnormality identification. This multi-functionality allows the system to use the same hardware for both contact detection and physiological measurement, enabling cross-validation to reduce false alarms
3Reliability
If multiple sensing circuits are implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensing circuit is designed as a universal module capable of performing multiple detection functions (resistance measurement, voltage measurement, contact state detection) using the same hardware components. This multi-functional design allows the system to achieve high reliability through multiple sensing circuits while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as each additional circuit adds redundancy rather than fundamentally new functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves enhanced reliability by changing detection parameters (such as resistance thresholds, voltage thresholds, and time constants) across different sensing circuits rather than adding complex hardware. By optimizing and varying these parameters, the system can distinguish between different contact states and reduce false positives without significantly increasing device complexity
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 solution enables real-time monitoring of electrode attachment and heart rate, reducing false alarms and improving data reliability by distinguishing between electrode detachment and actual health abnormalities, thus enhancing user safety and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing circuit including a plurality of electrodes and a control unit. The control unit calculates resistance values between each two adjacent electrodes
Implementation Method 2
the control unit determines voltage thresholds. The control unit determines heart action potentials of the detection target based on the calculated resistance values and the determined voltage thresholds
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes an attaching member and a sensing circuit. The attaching member includes a face configured to be attached to a detection target. The sensing circuit includes a sensing interface provided on the face. The sensing circuit is configured to obtain information related to a contact state between the sensing interface and the detection target from the sensing interface.