Work Surface Electrodes for Opportunistic Physiological Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing devices lack efficient methods for opportunistic measurement of user's physiological context, such as health parameters, which consume significant energy, hardware, and computing resources, and do not provide seamless integration with user interactions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a work surface with electrodes and sensors on computing devices, such as keyboards, to enable opportunistic measurements of physiological context through direct or indirect contact with user's limbs, using electrically conductive patterns and circuitry for ECG, PPG, and temperature sensing, with power-efficient contact detection techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous sensor readings and data processing are used to provide user physiological context, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from continuous sensing to periodic/opportunistic sensing by triggering measurements only when specific conditions are met (user contact detected, appropriate state). Sensors are activated intermittently based on events rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary contact detection using low-power sensors before activating main physiological sensors. Contact detection circuits first identify when a user is present and in appropriate position, then trigger the more energy-intensive physiological measurements only at these predetermined moments, avoiding unnecessary continuous operation.
2Measurement precision
If continuous sensor readings and data processing are used to provide user physiological context, then measurement precision is improved, but computing resources increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
Data processing is performed periodically only when measurement opportunities occur, rather than continuously. The system processes physiological data in discrete bursts triggered by contact events, reducing computational load and resource requirements while maintaining analysis capability when data is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the necessary processing steps needed for opportunistic measurements, separating contact detection logic from physiological data processing. By extracting and handling only essential computations at measurement moments, the system reduces overall computing resource requirements compared to continuous full-stack processing.
3Measurement precision
If continuous sensor readings and data processing are used to provide user physiological context, then measurement precision is improved, but hardware resources increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The work surface serves multiple functions: it acts as both the operational interface for user interaction and as a sensor array for physiological measurements. The same conductive structures used for electrical contact also function as electrodes for ECG and other physiological sensing, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensor hardware and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges contact detection functionality with physiological sensing by using the same conductive work surface elements for both purposes. The electrical contacts that detect user presence also serve as measurement electrodes, combining multiple sensing functions into unified hardware structures to reduce component count and complexity.
4Ease of operation
If opportunistic measurements are implemented during user interaction, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may worsen due to intermittent sampling
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from contact detection circuits to determine when to activate physiological measurements. By continuously monitoring contact status and using this feedback to trigger measurements at appropriate moments, the system ensures measurements occur during valid user interaction states, maintaining precision while enabling seamless operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time user interaction state. Rather than fixed continuous or purely periodic sampling, the system adapts measurement timing to actual user presence and contact conditions, optimizing precision for each measurement opportunity while maintaining ease of operation throughout the interaction.
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
Enables reduced power consumption and seamless physiological context measurement during user interaction, providing accurate health parameters like ECG, blood pressure, and respiration rate without requiring continuous sensor activation, enhancing cardiac health monitoring and biometric applications.
Implementation Method 1
one or more electrodes disposed on the work surface to directly or indirectly contact with portions of user's limbs... to obtain one or more parameters of user's physiological context
Implementation Method 2
circuitry coupled with the electrodes to detect direct or indirect contact between the user's portions of limbs and the electrodes
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations for an apparatus for opportunistic measurements of users physiological context. In one instance, the apparatus may comprise a work surface that includes one or more electrodes disposed on the work surface to directly or indirectly contact with users portions of limbs, when the users portions of limbs are disposed on the work surface to interact with the apparatus, to obtain one or more parameters of users physiological context; and circuitry coupled with the electrodes to detect direct or indirect contact between the users portions of limbs and the electrodes and on detection, collect the parameters of the users physiological context while the direct or indirect contact is maintained. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.