WO2020250233A1 - A multi fixed beams system for vital signs determination and method thereof - Google Patents

A multi fixed beams system for vital signs determination and method thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020250233A1
WO2020250233A1 PCT/IL2020/050653 IL2020050653W WO2020250233A1 WO 2020250233 A1 WO2020250233 A1 WO 2020250233A1 IL 2020050653 W IL2020050653 W IL 2020050653W WO 2020250233 A1 WO2020250233 A1 WO 2020250233A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vital signs
signal
transceiver means
beam associated
predefined
Prior art date
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PCT/IL2020/050653
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Yochanan Steinberg
Ygdal Naouri
Isaac LITMAN
Original Assignee
Neteera Technologies Ltd.
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Publication date
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Publication of WO2020250233A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020250233A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
    • G01S13/06—Systems determining position data of a target
    • G01S13/08—Systems for measuring distance only
    • G01S13/32—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated
    • G01S13/325—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated using transmission of coded signals, e.g. P.S.K. signals
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
    • A61B5/024—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/05—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves 
    • A61B5/0507—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves  using microwaves or terahertz waves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/08—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs
    • A61B5/0816—Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
    • G01S13/06—Systems determining position data of a target
    • G01S13/08—Systems for measuring distance only
    • G01S13/32—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated
    • G01S13/34—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated using transmission of continuous, frequency-modulated waves while heterodyning the received signal, or a signal derived therefrom, with a locally-generated signal related to the contemporaneously transmitted signal
    • G01S13/347—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated using transmission of continuous, frequency-modulated waves while heterodyning the received signal, or a signal derived therefrom, with a locally-generated signal related to the contemporaneously transmitted signal using more than one modulation frequency
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
    • G01S13/06—Systems determining position data of a target
    • G01S13/42—Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/02—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00
    • G01S7/41—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00 using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B2503/00—Evaluating a particular growth phase or type of persons or animals
    • A61B2503/20—Workers
    • A61B2503/22—Motor vehicles operators, e.g. drivers, pilots, captains
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/0002—Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network
    • A61B5/0015—Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network characterised by features of the telemetry system
    • A61B5/002—Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
    • A61B5/024—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate
    • A61B5/02405—Determining heart rate variability
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
    • A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
    • A61B5/1113—Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
    • A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
    • A61B5/1123—Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects simultaneously. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for real-time determination of the vital signs of one or more objects in a predefined space or location simultaneously.
  • the current art does not provide a robust solution for vital signs detection in a non- contact manner, of a plurality of objects in different locations, in various lighting conditions and not without optical clear path.
  • At least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a multiplexing manner
  • processing means coupled to the transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine the vital signs of the first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine the vital signs of the second object; the processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
  • At least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a multiplexing manner
  • processing means coupled to the transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine the vital signs of the first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine the vital signs of the second object; the processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and time-shared multiplexed switching to provide a time share of first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a time shared second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
  • At least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a multiplexing manner
  • processing means coupled to the transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine the vital signs of the first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine the vital signs of the second object; the transceiver means provide a first RF lobe shaped mapping associated with the first object vital signs signal and simultaneously a second RF lobe shaped mapping associated with the second object vital signs signal by utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams and time-shared multiplexed switching.
  • orthogonal multiplexing is selected from the group consisting of time-shared multiplexing, code multiplexing, frequency multiplexing, space multiplexing and a combination thereof.
  • transceiver means comprising one or more transmitter means and one receiver means. It is another object of the present invention to disclose the system as mentioned in any of the above, wherein the transceiver means further comprising a plurality of directional beams antennas.
  • transceiver means further comprising an optical or quasi optical means configured to determine angle and direction of the beams.
  • the vital signs selected from a group consisting of: heart rate, heart rate intervals, heart rate variabilities, respiratory rate, respiratory rate variability, respiration amplitude, respiration amplitude variability, BCG, , blood pressure, tidal volume, Inspiratory ratio and Expiratory ratio, motion and any combination thereof.
  • time-shared multiplexed switching by the processor means to provide a time share of first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal; and, b. time-shared multiplexed switching to provide simultaneously a time shared second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
  • the vital signs selected from a group consisting of: heart rate, heart rate intervals, heart rate variabilities, respiratory rate, respiratory rate variability, respiration amplitude, respiration amplitude variability, BCG, blood pressure, tidal volume, Inspiratory ratio and Expiratory ratio, motion and any combination thereof.
  • Figs. 1 - 4 present schemas of a system configured for vital signs determination of a plurality of objects in a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Figs. 5 presents graphs of heart rate vs time measurements of different subjects via the system of the present invention, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Figs. 6 presents graphs of respiration rate vs time measurements of different subjects via the system of the present invention, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 7 presents a schema of a system configured for vital signs determination of a plurality of objects in a predefined space, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
  • system may further be useful for object detection and identification in emergency situations, in object’s home or premises or following the path of persons within the premises.
  • the system is further characterized by improved alignment and motion compensation when measuring one or more subjects from predefined distance, preferably short distance as it allows vital sign signals detection by reflections from different angles or areas from subject’s body surface.
  • the present invention provides devices, systems, and methods of remote, non-contact detection of the vital signs of one or more objects from a predefined distance and direction.
  • the system may further determine and classified simultaneously at least one parameter of object’s vital signs selected from the group consisting of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate interval (HRI), ballistocardiograph (BCG), ballistocardiogram waveform shape and amplitude (BCG-WS), (BCG-WA), respiration amplitude (RA), respiration amplitude variability (RAV), respiration rate variability (RRV), stroke volume, pulse wave velocity, blood pressure, tidal volume, I:E ratio (Inspiratory ratio and Expiratory ratio), body fluids (i.e.
  • Motion may further comprise body movement derived from vocal cord vibration, eye movement, body or skin movement due to speech, motion classification such as speaking or singing, change in voice sound or texture, micro skin motions and body motion due to body part movement, seizures, tremors, shaking, trembling and/or vibrating).
  • the system is configured for detecting and/or tracking of one or more objects such as any living being, subject selected from the group consisting of an adult, a child, an infant, a newborn or neonate, elderly people, an animal and any combination thereof.
  • the present invention further provides a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a multiplexing manner and processing means which may be coupled to the transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine the vital signs of a first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine the vital signs of the second object.
  • the processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams and time-shared multiplexed switching to provide a time share of first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a time shared second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
  • the processing means coupled to the transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine the vital signs of the first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine the vital signs of the second object.
  • the processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
  • the orthogonal multiplexing may be selected from the group consisting of time-shared multiplexing, code multiplexing, frequency multiplexing or space multiplexing.
  • the processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams and time-shared multiplexed switching to provide a time share of first beam associated with a first location on the object to extract vital signs signal and a time shared second beam associated with a second location on the object to extract vital signs signal from a different direction or position. This may further allow an optimal manner to capture the reflected signal and determine subject vital signs when the subject changes his position, location or body part position or direction in a predefined space.
  • other types of resource sharing may be space- division multiplexing, frequency-division multiplexing or code-division multiplexing.
  • Additional method may comprise code-division multiple access (CDMA) for multiple channel access, thus a plurality of transmitters may send information simultaneously over a single communication channel allowing several users to share a band of frequencies.
  • CDMA code-division multiple access
  • the system may utilize several fixed predefined focused beams and controlled using a time-shared multiplexed switching process while requiring only a single receiver channel means. Therefore, transmitting and receiving independent signals over a common signal path by means of synchronized switches at each end of the transmission line so that each signal appears on the line only a fraction of time in an alternating pattern.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a signal mapping of a plurality of objects in a vehicle.
  • the in-vehicle system comprising transceiver means 100 located at the center of the interior roof providing a lobe-shaped beam pattern associated with predefined object locations. The presence of a living being at each predefined location is determined by processing the reflected, received signal and detecting target information and by the existence of HR or RR indications per predefined location.
  • the transceiver means may comprise at least one transmitter means, and one or more receiver means with a plurality of directional antenna beams targeting one or more objects at predefined locations. Therefore, providing simultaneously a first lobe-shaped grid mapping of an object such as the driver vital signs signal 100a, a second lobe-shaped grid mapping of a second object vital signs signal 100b, a third lobe-shaped grid mapping of a third object vital signs signal 100c, a fourth lobe-shaped grid mapping of a fourth object vital signs signal lOOd and a fifth lobe-shaped grid mapping of a fifth object vital signs signal lOOe.
  • an object such as the driver vital signs signal 100a
  • a third lobe-shaped grid mapping of a third object vital signs signal 100c a fourth lobe-shaped grid mapping of a fourth object vital signs signal lOOd
  • Figure 1 further presents a seamless system comprising a single transceiver means communication with processing means to provide an accurate, real-time determination of HR. RR, HRV and/or HRI.
  • This is accomplished by utilizing a radio-frequency (RF) based range- resolved map of a plurality of objects lOOa-lOOe in a predefined location, space or environment.
  • RF radio-frequency
  • the detection of the vital signs of at least one object may be determined by a time-shared sampling of each predefined location to be monitored while the object is in a motion scenario or in a rest scenario.
  • the RF based range-resolved map is obtained from the beam pattern and the propagation paths of the transmitted and/or received signal.
  • the RF based range-resolved map comprises an RF lobe-shaped map associated with object vital signs signal (i.e. HR, RR, HRV, HRI, RR, RRA,RRV, BCG-WS, BCG-WA and/or motion) may further be processed and analyzed to indicate the object state such as sleeping or any other physiological state or event characterized by object mode, repetition and period of motion.
  • object vital signs signal i.e. HR, RR, HRV, HRI, RR, RRA,RRV, BCG-WS, BCG-WA and/or motion
  • the RF based range map may comprise any RF signal types or modules selected from the group consisting of CW (continuous wave), LFM - FMCW (Linear FM, Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave), PM (Phase Modulation), OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Modulation), Stepped Frequency Modulation and a combination thereof.
  • the system may include an RF module or at least one module comprising multiple antennas. The output of the radar on chip may be switched across these antennas to produce several fixed-beams in a round -robin manner.
  • the reflected signal may be analyzed using time-division multiplexing (TDM) by assigning a data stream to the same recurrent time slot in every TDM.
  • TDM time-division multiplexing
  • the transceiver means may be arranged, attached, connected, coupled or mounted to any area of the vehicle, any location or position in a room, hall and the like, adjustable to the desired direction/location to be detected and analyzed.
  • the transceiver means may be any sensor means selected from the group consisting of an impulse-radio ultra-wideband, communication means, a Lidar, a frequency modulated continuous wave radar (FMCW), a Doppler radar and a combination thereof.
  • a sensor means selected from the group consisting of an impulse-radio ultra-wideband, communication means, a Lidar, a frequency modulated continuous wave radar (FMCW), a Doppler radar and a combination thereof.
  • multiplexing in wireless communications, multiplexing can also be accomplished through phased multi-antenna array combined with a multiple-input multiple-output communications (MIMO) scheme.
  • MIMO multiple-input multiple-output communications
  • the system may communicate with additional sensors such as an accelerometer, pressure sensor, an angular rate sensor or/and additional detection devices such as a camera and the like to extract an output regarding object status or room status.
  • additional sensors such as an accelerometer, pressure sensor, an angular rate sensor or/and additional detection devices such as a camera and the like to extract an output regarding object status or room status.
  • FIG 2 illustrating the system of the present invention comprising transceiver means coupled to the processing means 200, located in the front portion of the vehicle.
  • the transceiver means generates a lobe-shaped map covering a plurality of objects, associated with first object vital sign signal 200a, second object vital sign signal 200b, third object vital sign signal 200c, forth object vital sign signal 200d and/or fifth object vital sign signal 200e.
  • the angle direction and size of the beam of the transceiver means may be determined by electronic or digital means such as beamforming, MIMO, or phased array or combination of optical and mechanical means, optical means, e.g., by a designed lens coupled with a canted antenna.
  • the transceiver means may comprise off-body fed lenses which have axial symmetric and located well away from the lens, at a distance comparable with its diameter.
  • Another alternative may be integrated lens antennas (ILA) designed to have the feed in direct contact with the lens body (or within the body or at a fraction of the wavelength away).
  • the detection of an object may be determined by observing one or more movements or any motion parameters of the object derived from a repetitive/periodic movement i.e. RR or HR, detected from the time-dependent surface displacement measurements i.e. BCG signal measurements.
  • RR or HR repetitive/periodic movement
  • BCG signal measurements detected from the time-dependent surface displacement measurements
  • the detection of the object vital signs may be obtained during car movement, during object movement or while at rest, by using motion compensation algorithm, target location tracking, and noise filtering.
  • the status of the object is being determined by the type of motion being detected which may further be classified by the nature of movement and/or generalizing the vehicle dynamics.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the system of the present invention in a vehicle comprising transceiver means 300 positioned in the inner side of the vehicle roof configured to determine the vital signs of the objects in the front portion of the vehicle and posterior portion of the vehicle. This may further be performed by using a multi-fixed beams mode of the transceiver means. Therefore, the first transceiver may provide objects vital signs grid mapping of at least 90% of the vehicle area volume.
  • a transmission mechanism is based upon spatial multiplexing, therefore a high-rate signal is split into multiple lower rate streams and each stream is transmitted from a different transmit antenna in the same frequency channel. Therefore, the system of the present invention electronically switches the transmit path to route the signal to another desired port, which covers an additional predefined seat position to be separated monitored for a predetermined period of time. This process is repeated until the list of predetermined positions has each been monitored. Further, this entire process is repeated until a second predetermined amount of time which is necessary to provide detection of vital sign information per predefined seat location.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a system for signal mapping of a plurality of objects comprising first transceiver means 400 located in the driver door area and a second transceiver means 500 located in the passenger door area.
  • the system may further comprise processing means configured to receive and process at least a portion of the reflected signals and map of the environment as an evenly spaced field of random variables each representing the presence of an object at that location in the environment.
  • the first transceiver means 400 configured to detect simultaneously the vital signs of the driver 400a, therefore covering the front portion of the vehicle and the rear portion of one side the vehicle 400b. Whilst the second transceiver means configured to detect the vital signs of the rear portion and front portion of the other side of the vehicle 500b, 500c.
  • vital signs detection of one or more objects may be obtained by a plurality of transceiver means or a plurality of RF (radio-frequency) antenna array means.
  • the system may comprise one or more RF-FE chip or RF modules which implements multiple antennas.
  • the output of the radar-based chip is switched across these antennas to produce multiple fixed beams each directed at predetermined space.
  • the transceiver means comprising one or more transmission means for transmitting sub-THz and THz signals to a target location/object and one or more reception means for receiving at least a portion of THz signal reflected from the target location/object.
  • the processing means may communicate with the transmission means and/or reception means for receiving the transmitted signals and processing the reflected THz signal. Therefore, the extracted signal may be processed and analyzed to determine and identify parameters such as accurate respiration rate and/or heart rate profile of the object.
  • the processing means may comprise at least one processing unit comprising one or more hardware central processing unit (CPU) which may communicate and carry out the transceiver means inputs, outputs and functions.
  • the processing may further comprise an operating system configured to perform executable instructions.
  • the processing means may be configured for signal processing and to perform source separation by analyzing a detected signal which is comprised of a mixture of components and further to recover and extract the desired and preselected component signal(s) from the mixture of signals.
  • the system is a continuous-wave (CW) mode based system comprising processing means with instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams and time-shared multiplexed switching to provide simultaneously a time share of first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal (A), a time shared second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal (B) , a time shared third beam associated with a third object vital signs signal (C), a time shared forth beam associated with a forth object vital signs signal (D), a time shared fifth beam associated with a fifth object vital signs signal (E) and , a time shared sixth beam associated with a sixth object vital signs signal (F).
  • CW continuous-wave
  • FIG. 6 illustrates respiration rate vs time measurements graphs A-D of four different subjects extracted near simultaneously in a room by the system of the present invention.
  • the results of the system of the present invention were further compared to a certified reference system (BioPacTM) (RS) illustrating the subjects been measured were sitting or standing in a room under miid motion.
  • BioPacTM certified reference system
  • Figure 7 presents a schema of the system of the present invention configured for vital signs determination of a plurality of subjects in a predefined space such as any room or passageway in a hospital, house, a mall or any desired location.
  • the system 600 may be placed at the entrance of the room for detecting simultaneously the vital signs of at least three subjects.
  • At least two beams may detect vitals of the same subject in different locations. Therefore, the first beam may be associated with vital signs of the first object body portion and second beam associated with vital signs of the first object other body portion. This may further provide higher accuracy and motion robustness.
  • the antenna beam or/and optical means may be directed to any desired subject body portion such as upper or lower body part or other predefined area in the room or space.
  • the present invention further provides a method of determining the vital signs of one or more objects in a predefined space comprising steps of providing a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising: at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals; and processing means coupled to the transceiver means.
  • the method further comprising the steps of transmitting by the transceiver means a first signal and second signal to a predefined location, receiving a first reflected signal from a first object and utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
  • the method may comprise the steps of receiving a first reflected signal from a first object and second reflected signal from the first object and utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a first object vital signs signal.
  • the method may additionally comprise steps of time-shared multiplexed switching by the processor means to provide a time share of first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal; and time-shared multiplexed switching to provide simultaneously a time shared second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
  • the method comprising the steps of providing the transceiver means configured to detect object vital signs of a plurality of objects by time-sharing multiplexing between different modes of operation. Therefore, altering the transceiver operation between obtaining a range resolved-lobe shaped mapping of object’s HR, RR, HRV, HRI and a combination thereof. Time-sharing multiplexing enables transmitting and receiving independent signals over a common signal path by means of synchronized switches at each end of the transmission line so that each signal appears on the line only a fraction of time in an alternating pattern.
  • the method comprising the steps of allocating or identifying one or more objects from the received signals data by analyzing signal amplitude at each range bin.
  • the range of the object relative to the transceiver is being determined based on the received signal amplitude.
  • the method additionally comprising the steps of identifying one or more objects from the received signals by analyzing signal phase variations at each range bin.
  • the received signals may be pre-treated, processed, calculated, analyzed and/or interpreted by the processing means, to provide an accurate output of object’s vital signs.
  • the step of pre-treatment of the received signal may include filtering i.e. folding or mirroring the signals and decimating selected portions of the folded signals and removing folded segments. This further enables appropriate bandpass filtering and removing the folded portions of data.
  • the processing means may further comprise motion noise suppression by locating quasi-periodic signal information; this step can suppress the effects of random noise relative to the quasi-periodic vital sign data.
  • the processing means may further comprise component selection facilitated and/or manipulated by way of an intelligent decision tree to retain relevant components that are generated from the previous step and allows for determining the fundamental vital sign components based upon the remaining spectral content and their harmonic behavior and groupings.
  • the system may further comprise a computing data base or servers such as cloud-based system, communicating with a variety of sources such as the transceiver means and/or processing means, a medical center, healthcare center, another vehicle, cloud-based control center, OEM cloud-based system/center, a smartphone or any other data source system and facility.
  • a computing data base or servers such as cloud-based system, communicating with a variety of sources such as the transceiver means and/or processing means, a medical center, healthcare center, another vehicle, cloud-based control center, OEM cloud-based system/center, a smartphone or any other data source system and facility.
  • the computing data base may be configured for storing, analyzing and/or the data received from the system.
  • the processing means may further transmit an output to a user selected from the group consisting of: an automatic alert, an activation instruction of an electronic device, an electronic message, a flag and a combination thereof.
  • the system may be a pulsed based radar frequency modulation-based radar, phased modulation, ranging modulation or others for distance determination in order to track a plurality of objects simultaneously.

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method of vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising: at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a multiplexing manner and processing means coupled to the transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine the vital signs of the first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine the vital signs of the second object. The processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.

Description

A MULTI FIXED BEAMS SYSTEM FOR VITAL SIGNS DETERMINATION AND METHOD THEREOF
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects simultaneously. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for real-time determination of the vital signs of one or more objects in a predefined space or location simultaneously.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of technologies directed to vital sign detection for different targets and environments are known in the art.
In recent years, cameras, lasers or radar-based technology have been proposed; however, these have some disadvantages such as limited number of parameters which can be detected, camera- based methods that may require optimum lighting conditions during operation, special care such as lens cleaning and maintenance. Furthermore, legal aspects such as invasion of privacy and other ethical issues may be raised.
In addition, the current art does not provide a robust solution for vital signs detection in a non- contact manner, of a plurality of objects in different locations, in various lighting conditions and not without optical clear path.
Therefore, there is a long felt unmet need for a method and system which will be able to detect and monitor objects in a predefined space in an effective manner providing accurate outputs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to disclose a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising:
at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a multiplexing manner; and,
processing means coupled to the transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine the vital signs of the first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine the vital signs of the second object; the processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising:
at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a multiplexing manner; and,
processing means coupled to the transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine the vital signs of the first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine the vital signs of the second object; the processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and time-shared multiplexed switching to provide a time share of first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a time shared second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising:
at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a multiplexing manner; and,
processing means coupled to the transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine the vital signs of the first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine the vital signs of the second object; the transceiver means provide a first RF lobe shaped mapping associated with the first object vital signs signal and simultaneously a second RF lobe shaped mapping associated with the second object vital signs signal by utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams and time-shared multiplexed switching.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the system as mentioned in any of the above, wherein orthogonal multiplexing is selected from the group consisting of time-shared multiplexing, code multiplexing, frequency multiplexing, space multiplexing and a combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the system as mentioned in any of the above, wherein the object is selected form a group consisting of any human being, animal or any body part of a living being.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the system as mentioned in any of the above, wherein the transceiver means comprising one or more transmitter means and one receiver means. It is another object of the present invention to disclose the system as mentioned in any of the above, wherein the transceiver means further comprising a plurality of directional beams antennas.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the system as mentioned in any of the above, wherein the transceiver means further comprising an optical or quasi optical means configured to determine angle and direction of the beams.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the system as mentioned in any of the above, wherein the vital signs selected from a group consisting of: heart rate, heart rate intervals, heart rate variabilities, respiratory rate, respiratory rate variability, respiration amplitude, respiration amplitude variability, BCG, , blood pressure, tidal volume, Inspiratory ratio and Expiratory ratio, motion and any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the system as mentioned in any of the above, wherein the first beam associated with vital signs of the first object body portion and second beam associated with vital signs of the first object other body portion.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose a vehicle comprising a system as mentioned in any of the above.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the vehicle as mentioned in any of the above, wherein the vehicle is in motion.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose a predefined space comprising a system according to the system as mentioned in any of the above.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose a method of determining the vital signs of one or more objects in a predefined space comprising steps of:
a. providing a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising: at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals; and processing means coupled to the transceiver means;
b. transmitting by the transceiver means a first signal and second signal to a predefined location;
c. receiving a first reflected signal from a first object; and
d. utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal. It is another object of the present invention to disclose a method of determining the vital signs of one or more objects in a predefined space comprising steps of:
a. providing a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising: at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals; and processing means coupled to the transceiver means;
b. transmitting by the transceiver means a first signal and second signal to a predefined location;
c. receiving a first reflected signal from a first object and second reflected signal from the first object; and
d. utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a first object vital signs signal.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as mentioned in any of the above, wherein the first beam associated with the vital signs of the first object body portion and second beam associated with the vital signs of the first object other body portion.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as mentioned in any of the above, additionally comprising steps of:
a. time-shared multiplexed switching by the processor means to provide a time share of first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal; and, b. time-shared multiplexed switching to provide simultaneously a time shared second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as mentioned in any of the above, additionally comprising steps of:
a. generating a first RF lobe-shaped mapping associated with the first object vital signs signal;
b. simultaneously receiving a second reflected signal from a second object; and c. simultaneously generating a second RF lobe-shaped mapping associated with the second object vital signs signal by utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams and time -shared multiplexed switching. It is another object of the present invention to disclose the vehicle as mentioned in any of the above, wherein providing the transceiver means comprising one or more transmitter means and one receiver means.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as mentioned in any of the above, wherein providing the transmitter means comprising a plurality of directional beams antennas.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as mentioned in any of the above, wherein providing the transceiver means further comprising an optical means or quasi optical configured to determine angle and direction of the beams.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as mentioned in any of the above, wherein the vital signs selected from a group consisting of: heart rate, heart rate intervals, heart rate variabilities, respiratory rate, respiratory rate variability, respiration amplitude, respiration amplitude variability, BCG, blood pressure, tidal volume, Inspiratory ratio and Expiratory ratio, motion and any combination thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to better understand the invention and its implementation in practice, a plurality of embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figs. 1 - 4 present schemas of a system configured for vital signs determination of a plurality of objects in a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
Figs. 5 presents graphs of heart rate vs time measurements of different subjects via the system of the present invention, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
Figs. 6 presents graphs of respiration rate vs time measurements of different subjects via the system of the present invention, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
Fig. 7 presents a schema of a system configured for vital signs determination of a plurality of objects in a predefined space, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide system and method for determining in real time the vital signs of one or more objects in any predefined space such as a vehicle, subject home, elderly people facility, medical facility or in any facility or any other desired space or location. The object may be any subject such as an adult, a child, an infant, a newborn or neonate, elderly people, an animal or any body part of a living being.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the system may further be useful for object detection and identification in emergency situations, in object’s home or premises or following the path of persons within the premises.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the system is further characterized by improved alignment and motion compensation when measuring one or more subjects from predefined distance, preferably short distance as it allows vital sign signals detection by reflections from different angles or areas from subject’s body surface.
The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods of remote, non-contact detection of the vital signs of one or more objects from a predefined distance and direction. The system may further determine and classified simultaneously at least one parameter of object’s vital signs selected from the group consisting of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate interval (HRI), ballistocardiograph (BCG), ballistocardiogram waveform shape and amplitude (BCG-WS), (BCG-WA), respiration amplitude (RA), respiration amplitude variability (RAV), respiration rate variability (RRV), stroke volume, pulse wave velocity, blood pressure, tidal volume, I:E ratio (Inspiratory ratio and Expiratory ratio), body fluids ( i.e. sweat, saliva and/or tears), t)temperature, motion and any combination thereof, of the targeted object in a predefined space. Motion may further comprise body movement derived from vocal cord vibration, eye movement, body or skin movement due to speech, motion classification such as speaking or singing, change in voice sound or texture, micro skin motions and body motion due to body part movement, seizures, tremors, shaking, trembling and/or vibrating).
In accordance with the present invention, the system is configured for detecting and/or tracking of one or more objects such as any living being, subject selected from the group consisting of an adult, a child, an infant, a newborn or neonate, elderly people, an animal and any combination thereof.
The present invention further provides a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a multiplexing manner and processing means which may be coupled to the transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine the vital signs of a first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine the vital signs of the second object.
The processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams and time-shared multiplexed switching to provide a time share of first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a time shared second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the processing means coupled to the transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine the vital signs of the first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine the vital signs of the second object. The processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
The orthogonal multiplexing may be selected from the group consisting of time-shared multiplexing, code multiplexing, frequency multiplexing or space multiplexing.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams and time-shared multiplexed switching to provide a time share of first beam associated with a first location on the object to extract vital signs signal and a time shared second beam associated with a second location on the object to extract vital signs signal from a different direction or position. This may further allow an optimal manner to capture the reflected signal and determine subject vital signs when the subject changes his position, location or body part position or direction in a predefined space. In other embodiments of the present invention, other types of resource sharing may be space- division multiplexing, frequency-division multiplexing or code-division multiplexing. Any type of orthogonal multiplexing between the reflected signals can be used for detection of several objects in a predefined location. Additional method may comprise code-division multiple access (CDMA) for multiple channel access, thus a plurality of transmitters may send information simultaneously over a single communication channel allowing several users to share a band of frequencies.
In accordance with the present invention, the system may utilize several fixed predefined focused beams and controlled using a time-shared multiplexed switching process while requiring only a single receiver channel means. Therefore, transmitting and receiving independent signals over a common signal path by means of synchronized switches at each end of the transmission line so that each signal appears on the line only a fraction of time in an alternating pattern.
Reference is now made to Figure 1 which illustrates a signal mapping of a plurality of objects in a vehicle. The in-vehicle system comprising transceiver means 100 located at the center of the interior roof providing a lobe-shaped beam pattern associated with predefined object locations. The presence of a living being at each predefined location is determined by processing the reflected, received signal and detecting target information and by the existence of HR or RR indications per predefined location.
The transceiver means may comprise at least one transmitter means, and one or more receiver means with a plurality of directional antenna beams targeting one or more objects at predefined locations. Therefore, providing simultaneously a first lobe-shaped grid mapping of an object such as the driver vital signs signal 100a, a second lobe-shaped grid mapping of a second object vital signs signal 100b, a third lobe-shaped grid mapping of a third object vital signs signal 100c, a fourth lobe-shaped grid mapping of a fourth object vital signs signal lOOd and a fifth lobe-shaped grid mapping of a fifth object vital signs signal lOOe.
Figure 1 further presents a seamless system comprising a single transceiver means communication with processing means to provide an accurate, real-time determination of HR. RR, HRV and/or HRI. This is accomplished by utilizing a radio-frequency (RF) based range- resolved map of a plurality of objects lOOa-lOOe in a predefined location, space or environment. Furthermore, the detection of the vital signs of at least one object may be determined by a time-shared sampling of each predefined location to be monitored while the object is in a motion scenario or in a rest scenario. The RF based range-resolved map is obtained from the beam pattern and the propagation paths of the transmitted and/or received signal.
The RF based range-resolved map comprises an RF lobe-shaped map associated with object vital signs signal (i.e. HR, RR, HRV, HRI, RR, RRA,RRV, BCG-WS, BCG-WA and/or motion) may further be processed and analyzed to indicate the object state such as sleeping or any other physiological state or event characterized by object mode, repetition and period of motion.
The RF based range map may comprise any RF signal types or modules selected from the group consisting of CW (continuous wave), LFM - FMCW (Linear FM, Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave), PM (Phase Modulation), OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Modulation), Stepped Frequency Modulation and a combination thereof. In another embodiment of the present invention, the system may include an RF module or at least one module comprising multiple antennas. The output of the radar on chip may be switched across these antennas to produce several fixed-beams in a round -robin manner.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the reflected signal may be analyzed using time-division multiplexing (TDM) by assigning a data stream to the same recurrent time slot in every TDM.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the transceiver means may be arranged, attached, connected, coupled or mounted to any area of the vehicle, any location or position in a room, hall and the like, adjustable to the desired direction/location to be detected and analyzed.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the transceiver means may be any sensor means selected from the group consisting of an impulse-radio ultra-wideband, communication means, a Lidar, a frequency modulated continuous wave radar (FMCW), a Doppler radar and a combination thereof.
In other embodiments of the present invention, in wireless communications, multiplexing can also be accomplished through phased multi-antenna array combined with a multiple-input multiple-output communications (MIMO) scheme.
In accordance with the present invention, the system may communicate with additional sensors such as an accelerometer, pressure sensor, an angular rate sensor or/and additional detection devices such as a camera and the like to extract an output regarding object status or room status. Reference is now made to Figure 2 illustrating the system of the present invention comprising transceiver means coupled to the processing means 200, located in the front portion of the vehicle. The transceiver means generates a lobe-shaped map covering a plurality of objects, associated with first object vital sign signal 200a, second object vital sign signal 200b, third object vital sign signal 200c, forth object vital sign signal 200d and/or fifth object vital sign signal 200e.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the angle direction and size of the beam of the transceiver means may be determined by electronic or digital means such as beamforming, MIMO, or phased array or combination of optical and mechanical means, optical means, e.g., by a designed lens coupled with a canted antenna.
Therefore, the transceiver means may comprise off-body fed lenses which have axial symmetric and located well away from the lens, at a distance comparable with its diameter. Another alternative may be integrated lens antennas (ILA) designed to have the feed in direct contact with the lens body (or within the body or at a fraction of the wavelength away). In accordance with the present invention, the detection of an object may be determined by observing one or more movements or any motion parameters of the object derived from a repetitive/periodic movement i.e. RR or HR, detected from the time-dependent surface displacement measurements i.e. BCG signal measurements. When this information is available, corresponding to high vital sign SNR, the peak to peak interval is readily apparent, and easily computed. This type of information provides the heart rate interval and is necessary for computing the heart rate variability, which is becoming an increasingly important parameter for many different industries and applications.
The detection of the object vital signs may be obtained during car movement, during object movement or while at rest, by using motion compensation algorithm, target location tracking, and noise filtering.
The status of the object is being determined by the type of motion being detected which may further be classified by the nature of movement and/or generalizing the vehicle dynamics. Reference is now made to Figure 3 which illustrates the system of the present invention in a vehicle comprising transceiver means 300 positioned in the inner side of the vehicle roof configured to determine the vital signs of the objects in the front portion of the vehicle and posterior portion of the vehicle. This may further be performed by using a multi-fixed beams mode of the transceiver means. Therefore, the first transceiver may provide objects vital signs grid mapping of at least 90% of the vehicle area volume.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a transmission mechanism is based upon spatial multiplexing, therefore a high-rate signal is split into multiple lower rate streams and each stream is transmitted from a different transmit antenna in the same frequency channel. Therefore, the system of the present invention electronically switches the transmit path to route the signal to another desired port, which covers an additional predefined seat position to be separated monitored for a predetermined period of time. This process is repeated until the list of predetermined positions has each been monitored. Further, this entire process is repeated until a second predetermined amount of time which is necessary to provide detection of vital sign information per predefined seat location.
Furthermore, the time-sharing processing can be adjusted such that additional vital signs information such as driver HRV, which requires data with higher time resolution, could be obtained while near simultaneously sampling the remaining subjects to obtain presence detection, RR and HR. Furthermore, this time-sharing mechanism can be adjusted according to the number of subjects being detected, reducing power consumption and processor load. Reference is now made to Figure 4 which illustrates a system for signal mapping of a plurality of objects comprising first transceiver means 400 located in the driver door area and a second transceiver means 500 located in the passenger door area. The system may further comprise processing means configured to receive and process at least a portion of the reflected signals and map of the environment as an evenly spaced field of random variables each representing the presence of an object at that location in the environment. The first transceiver means 400 configured to detect simultaneously the vital signs of the driver 400a, therefore covering the front portion of the vehicle and the rear portion of one side the vehicle 400b. Whilst the second transceiver means configured to detect the vital signs of the rear portion and front portion of the other side of the vehicle 500b, 500c.
In another embodiment of the present invention, vital signs detection of one or more objects may be obtained by a plurality of transceiver means or a plurality of RF (radio-frequency) antenna array means.
The system may comprise one or more RF-FE chip or RF modules which implements multiple antennas. The output of the radar-based chip is switched across these antennas to produce multiple fixed beams each directed at predetermined space.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the transceiver means comprising one or more transmission means for transmitting sub-THz and THz signals to a target location/object and one or more reception means for receiving at least a portion of THz signal reflected from the target location/object. The processing means may communicate with the transmission means and/or reception means for receiving the transmitted signals and processing the reflected THz signal. Therefore, the extracted signal may be processed and analyzed to determine and identify parameters such as accurate respiration rate and/or heart rate profile of the object.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the processing means may comprise at least one processing unit comprising one or more hardware central processing unit (CPU) which may communicate and carry out the transceiver means inputs, outputs and functions. The processing may further comprise an operating system configured to perform executable instructions.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the processing means may be configured for signal processing and to perform source separation by analyzing a detected signal which is comprised of a mixture of components and further to recover and extract the desired and preselected component signal(s) from the mixture of signals.
Reference is now made to Figure 5 which illustrates heart rate vs. time measurements graphs A-F of six different subjects extracted near simultaneously in a room by the system of the present invention. The system is a continuous-wave (CW) mode based system comprising processing means with instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams and time-shared multiplexed switching to provide simultaneously a time share of first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal (A), a time shared second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal (B) , a time shared third beam associated with a third object vital signs signal (C), a time shared forth beam associated with a forth object vital signs signal (D), a time shared fifth beam associated with a fifth object vital signs signal (E) and , a time shared sixth beam associated with a sixth object vital signs signal (F).
Reference is now made to Figure 6 which illustrates respiration rate vs time measurements graphs A-D of four different subjects extracted near simultaneously in a room by the system of the present invention. The results of the system of the present invention (NES) were further compared to a certified reference system (BioPac™) (RS) illustrating the subjects been measured were sitting or standing in a room under miid motion.
Reference is now made to Figure 7 which presents a schema of the system of the present invention configured for vital signs determination of a plurality of subjects in a predefined space such as any room or passageway in a hospital, house, a mall or any desired location.
As illustrate din Fig. 7 the system 600 may be placed at the entrance of the room for detecting simultaneously the vital signs of at least three subjects.
In accordance of the present invention, at least two beams may detect vitals of the same subject in different locations. Therefore, the first beam may be associated with vital signs of the first object body portion and second beam associated with vital signs of the first object other body portion. This may further provide higher accuracy and motion robustness.
The antenna beam or/and optical means may be directed to any desired subject body portion such as upper or lower body part or other predefined area in the room or space.
The present invention further provides a method of determining the vital signs of one or more objects in a predefined space comprising steps of providing a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising: at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals; and processing means coupled to the transceiver means.
The method further comprising the steps of transmitting by the transceiver means a first signal and second signal to a predefined location, receiving a first reflected signal from a first object and utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal. In other embodiment of the present invention the method may comprise the steps of receiving a first reflected signal from a first object and second reflected signal from the first object and utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by the transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a first object vital signs signal.
In another embodiment, the method may additionally comprise steps of time-shared multiplexed switching by the processor means to provide a time share of first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal; and time-shared multiplexed switching to provide simultaneously a time shared second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal. In another embodiment, the method comprising the steps of providing the transceiver means configured to detect object vital signs of a plurality of objects by time-sharing multiplexing between different modes of operation. Therefore, altering the transceiver operation between obtaining a range resolved-lobe shaped mapping of object’s HR, RR, HRV, HRI and a combination thereof. Time-sharing multiplexing enables transmitting and receiving independent signals over a common signal path by means of synchronized switches at each end of the transmission line so that each signal appears on the line only a fraction of time in an alternating pattern.
In another embodiment, the method comprising the steps of allocating or identifying one or more objects from the received signals data by analyzing signal amplitude at each range bin. The range of the object relative to the transceiver is being determined based on the received signal amplitude.
The method additionally comprising the steps of identifying one or more objects from the received signals by analyzing signal phase variations at each range bin. The range of the object relative to the transceiver indicated by signal variations at predefined range bin locations of the FMCW data.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the received signals may be pre-treated, processed, calculated, analyzed and/or interpreted by the processing means, to provide an accurate output of object’s vital signs. Furthermore, the step of pre-treatment of the received signal may include filtering i.e. folding or mirroring the signals and decimating selected portions of the folded signals and removing folded segments. This further enables appropriate bandpass filtering and removing the folded portions of data.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the processing means may further comprise motion noise suppression by locating quasi-periodic signal information; this step can suppress the effects of random noise relative to the quasi-periodic vital sign data. In another embodiment of the present invention, the processing means may further comprise component selection facilitated and/or manipulated by way of an intelligent decision tree to retain relevant components that are generated from the previous step and allows for determining the fundamental vital sign components based upon the remaining spectral content and their harmonic behavior and groupings.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the system may further comprise a computing data base or servers such as cloud-based system, communicating with a variety of sources such as the transceiver means and/or processing means, a medical center, healthcare center, another vehicle, cloud-based control center, OEM cloud-based system/center, a smartphone or any other data source system and facility.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the computing data base may be configured for storing, analyzing and/or the data received from the system.
In other embodiments of the present invention, according to the object classification and identification stored in the system, the processing means may further transmit an output to a user selected from the group consisting of: an automatic alert, an activation instruction of an electronic device, an electronic message, a flag and a combination thereof.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the system may be a pulsed based radar frequency modulation-based radar, phased modulation, ranging modulation or others for distance determination in order to track a plurality of objects simultaneously.

Claims

1. A system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising:
at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a multiplexing manner; and,
processing means coupled to said transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine said vital signs of said first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine said vital signs of said second object; said processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by said transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
2. A system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising:
at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a multiplexing manner; and,
processing means coupled to said transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine said vital signs of said first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine said vital signs of said second object; said processing means comprises instructions of utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by said transceiver means and time-shared multiplexed switching to provide a time-share of first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a time shared second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
3. A system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising:
at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a multiplexing manner; and,
processing means coupled to said transceiver means configured for processing first signal reflected from a first object to determine the vital signs of said first object and processing a second signal reflected from a second object to determine the vital signs of said second object; said transceiver means provide a first RF lobe shaped mapping associated with said first object vital signs signal and simultaneously a second RF lobe shaped mapping associated with said second object vital signs signal by utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams and time-shared multiplexed switching.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein orthogonal multiplexing is selected from the group consisting of time-shared multiplexing, code multiplexing, frequency multiplexing, space multiplexing and a combination thereof.
5. The system according to claims 1-3, wherein said object is selected form a group consisting of any human being, animal or any body part of a living being.
6. The system according to claims 1-3, wherein said transceiver means comprising one or more transmitter means, and one receiver means.
7. The system according to claims 1-3, wherein said transceiver means further comprising a plurality of directional beams antennas.
8. The system according to claim 1-3, wherein said transceiver means further comprising an optical or quasi optical means configured to determine angle and direction of said beams.
9. The system according to claims 1-3, wherein said vital signs selected from a group consisting of: heart rate, heart rate intervals, heart rate variabilities, respiratory rate, respiratory rate variability, respiration amplitude, respiration amplitude variability, BCG, blood pressure, tidal volume, Inspiratory ratio and Expiratory ratio, motion and any combination thereof.
10. The system according to claims 1-3, wherein said first beam associated with the vital signs of said first object body portion and second beam associated with the vital signs of said first object other body portion.
1 1. A vehicle comprising a system according to claim 1 or claim 2.
12. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said vehicle is in motion.
13. A predefined space comprising a system according to claim 1 or claim 2.
14. A method of determining the vital signs of one or more objects in a predefined space comprising steps of:
a. providing a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising: at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals; and processing means coupled to said transceiver means;
b. transmitting by said transceiver means a first signal and second signal to a predefined location;
c. receiving a first reflected signal from a first object; d. utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by said transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
15. A method of determining the vital signs of one or more objects in a predefined space comprising steps of:
a. providing a system for vital signs determination of one or more objects in a predefined space, comprising: at least one transceiver means configured to transmit and receive one or more signals; and processing means coupled to said transceiver means;
b. transmitting by said transceiver means a first signal and second signal to a predefined location;
c. receiving a first reflected signal from a first object and second reflected signal from the first object; and
d. utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams by said transceiver means and orthogonal multiplexing to provide a first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal and a second beam associated with a first object vital signs signal.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said first beam associated with the vital signs of said first object body portion and second beam associated with the vital signs of said first object other body portion.
17. The method according to claims 14-15, additionally comprising steps of:
a. time-shared multiplexed switching by said processor means to provide a time share of first beam associated with a first object vital signs signal; and, b. time-shared multiplexed switching to provide simultaneously a time shared second beam associated with a second object vital signs signal.
18. The method according to claims 14-15, additionally comprising steps of:
a. generating a first RF lobe-shaped mapping associated with said first object vital signs signal;
b. simultaneously receiving a second reflected signal from a second object; and c. simultaneously generating a second RF lobe-shaped mapping associated with said second object vital signs signal by utilizing a plurality of fixed predefined focused beams and time -shared multiplexed switching.
19. The method according to claims 14-15, wherein providing said transceiver means comprising one or more transmitter means and one or more receiver means.
20. The method according to claims 14-15, wherein providing said transmitter means comprising a plurality of directional beams antennas.
21. The method according to claims 14-15, wherein providing said transceiver means further comprising an quasi optical or optical means configured to determine angle and direction of said beams.
22. The method according to claims 14-15, wherein said vital signs selected from a group consisting of: heart rate, heart rate intervals, heart rate variabilities, respiratory rate, respiratory rate variability, respiration amplitude, respiration amplitude variability, BCG, blood pressure, tidal volume, Inspiratory ratio and Expiratory ratio, motion and any combination thereof.
PCT/IL2020/050653 2019-06-13 2020-06-12 A multi fixed beams system for vital signs determination and method thereof WO2020250233A1 (en)

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