Techniques for adaptive sensors of a wearable device
Inventors
Kangas, Mika Petteri • Mäkinen, Jukka-Tapani • Heikkinen, Olli Petteri • Vartiainen, Jaakko Tapio • Maansaari, Kirsi Marja
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12551167-B2
Publication Date
2026-02-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods, systems, and devices for adaptive sensors are described. A system may acquire physiological data from a user via multiple optical channels of a wearable device, where each optical channel includes a light-emitting component and a photodetector. The system may determine respective measurement quality metrics and respective power consumption metrics associated with each optical channel based on the physiological data. Additionally, the system may select one or more optical channels of the multiple optical channels of the wearable device based on a comparison of the respective measurement quality metrics and the respective power consumption metrics associated with each optical channel. The system may acquire additional physiological data using the one or more optical channels based on the selecting.
Core Innovation
The invention provides adaptive physiological sensing for a wearable device by using a plurality of optical channels. Each optical channel includes a light-emitting component and a photodetector for acquiring physiological data from a user. The system determines respective measurement quality metrics and respective power consumption metrics associated with the plurality of optical channels based at least in part on the physiological data.
The system selects one or more optical channels based at least in part on a comparison of the respective measurement quality metrics and the respective power consumption metrics, and acquires additional physiological data using the one or more selected optical channels based at least in part on the selecting. The adaptive approach includes channel diversity using different optical path lengths and/or penetration depths for the optical channels.
In some implementations, the invention supports physiological measurements using different wavelength-specific emitters, such as red/green/IR emitters. Additional context can be used, including temperature data as well as accelerometer and contact pressure-assisted sensing for heart rate determination. The invention also supports periodic measurement occasions for re-testing and re-selection of optical channels, including threshold-triggered channel reselection.
The disclosed system architecture includes processing circuitry or a controller configured to perform the adaptive channel selection and related operations, and may include a user interface and/or a server/network for displaying or providing additional physiological data. Flowcharts are used to describe the processing for determining metrics, selecting optical channels, and acquiring additional physiological data.
Claims Coverage
The patent content provided identifies one independent claim and multiple dependent claims that refine the adaptive selection of optical channels using measurement quality and power consumption metrics, and add optional contextual sensing and scheduling features. The main inventive features across the independent claim are centered on per-channel quality/power metric determination, comparison-based optical-channel selection, and subsequent acquisition of additional physiological data using the selected channels.
Adaptive selection of optical channels based on measurement quality and power consumption
A method comprising acquiring physiological data from a user via a plurality of optical channels of a wearable device, wherein each optical channel comprises a light-emitting component and a photodetector; determining respective measurement quality metrics and respective power consumption metrics associated with the plurality of optical channels based at least in part on the physiological data; selecting one or more optical channels of the plurality of optical channels based at least in part on a comparison of the respective measurement quality metrics and the respective power consumption metrics; and acquiring additional physiological data using the one or more optical channels based at least in part on the selecting.
Optical channel implementation with paired photodetectors and light-emitting apparatuses
A method in which each optical channel of the wearable device includes photodetectors and light-emitting apparatuses such that an optical channel pairs a selected photodetector with a selected light-emitting component.
Wavelength-specific emitters configured for multiple wavelengths
A method in which each set of light-emitting components includes first, second, and third components configured to emit light at a respective first, second, and third wavelength.
Temperature data–assisted selection of a subset of optical channels
A method further selects a subset of optical channels from a plurality based at least in part on temperature data so that physiological data is acquired using the selected subset, wherein the optical channels are selected from that subset.
Contact pressure–assisted heart rate determination with pressure sensor selection
A method further acquires physiological contact pressure data using one or more pressure sensors of a wearable device, selects a pressure sensor using a measurement quality metric and a power consumption metric, and determines a user’s heart rate using additional physiological data from optical channels together with the acquired contact pressure data.
Periodic measurement occasions for re-selecting optical channels
A method further acquires second physiological data via multiple optical channels during a second measurement occasion, determines additional measurement quality metrics and additional power consumption metrics for those channels, selects one or more additional optical channels based on a comparison of those metrics, and acquires third physiological data using the selected channels during a second data collection interval.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on an adaptive method that acquires physiological data via multiple optical channels, determines per-channel measurement quality and power consumption metrics, selects one or more channels based on a comparison of those metrics, and acquires additional physiological data using the selected channels. Dependent claims refine optical channel structure (paired photodetector and light-emitting component, wavelength-specific emitters), and extend the approach with temperature-data subset selection, contact-pressure assisted heart rate determination, and periodic measurement occasions for re-selection.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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