Wearable Sensor Segmentation for Fall Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current portable devices for detecting reduced vigilance and falls are unreliable due to the difficulty in integrating suitable sensors, discomfort, and high electrical consumption, leading to false alarms and reduced autonomy, which can have severe consequences, especially for drivers and elderly individuals.

Innovation Solution

A pair of spectacles with a triaxial accelerometer, infrared light emitter and receiver, and barometric sensor, connected to a processing unit for data analysis and alert triggering, designed to be aesthetically pleasing, lightweight, and autonomous, allowing for discreet and continuous wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sensors are integrated into a wearable device to detect risky situations, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the detection system into two parts: a simple wearable device with minimal sensors (accelerometer and light sensor) that the user wears continuously, and a separate processing system that performs complex analysis. This segmentation allows the wearable device to remain simple and comfortable while the overall system achieves high detection reliability through sophisticated signal processing and multiple sensor data fusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary processing system that acts as a mediator between the simple wearable sensors and the detection algorithms. This intermediary performs signal filtering, artifact removal, and pattern recognition, enabling reliable detection without requiring multiple complex sensors in the wearable device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the computational workload between the wearable device and an external processing system. The wearable device only performs minimal real-time processing (basic signal acquisition and preliminary filtering), while complex analysis is performed externally. This dramatically reduces power consumption of the wearable device while maintaining high measurement precision through sophisticated analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses periodic sampling of signals from the minimal sensors and processes them in batches or intervals rather than requiring continuous high-power processing. This allows the device to maintain accurate detection capability while consuming less power by activating intensive processing only when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the device is made lightweight and aesthetic for continuous wear, then ease of operation is improved, but sensor integration capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of wearVSAvoidsensor integration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the complex sensor integration requirements from the wearable device itself and places them in an external processing system. The wearable device only contains essential minimal sensors (accelerometer and light sensor) that can be easily integrated, while the external system provides the additional sensing and processing capabilities that would be too complex for the wearable form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention makes the external processing system universal and multi-functional, capable of performing various detection tasks (fall detection, drowsiness detection, activity recognition) using data from the minimal wearable sensors. This allows the simple wearable device to maintain ease of wear while the versatile external system provides comprehensive detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively detects loss of vigilance and falls while reducing false positives and negatives, maintaining a long operating autonomy and ease of use, thereby enhancing safety by providing timely alerts and reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Implementation Method 1

a triaxial accelerometer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

an infrared light emitter and receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 3

a barometric sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBarometric pressure:

Data Source

PatentEP3409198B1Method for the detection of a hazardous situation and alert
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 ELLCIE HEALTHY
  • EP3409198B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3409198B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3409198B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a system comprising a pair of glasses including articulated temples, a plurality of sensors and warning means, characterized in that it comprises: - a triaxial accelerometer (251); - an emitter (151) and a receiver (152) of infrared light; - a barometric sensor (252); said sensors being installed in the temples and the frame of the lenses and being connected to a processing and computing unit (261, 262) comprising: - a microprocessor and memory means; said processing and computing unit comprising a computer program for the analysis of the data from the sensors, and the triggering of the warning means (281, 282) according to the analysis of this data.