IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,680,887
Granted Patent B2
US 12,680,887 · App. 18/122,926 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Electronic device and method of estimating rate of core body temperature change using the same

Inventors: Sungho Kim (Suwon-si, KR); Sang Kyu Kim (Suwon-si, KR); So Young Lee (Suwon-si, KR); Bok Soon Kwon (Suwon-si, KR); Ho Taik Lee (Suwon-si, KR); Hong Soon Rhee (Suwon-si, KR)
Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
G01K13/20A61B5/02438
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,680,887
App. No.
18/122,926
Filed
Mar 17, 2023
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2855
USPC
374/163
Abstract

An electronic device may include: a first sensor configured to measure a skin temperature of skin of a user; a second sensor configured to measure heat flux transmitted from the skin to a main body of the electronic device; a third sensor configured to measure a heart rate of the user; and a processor configured to estimate a rate of core body temperature change based on the skin temperature measured at a first time and a second time, the heat flux, the heart rate, and the skin temperature.

Claims (41)

1 . An electronic device comprising:

a first sensor configured to measure a skin temperature of skin of a user;

a second sensor configured to measure heat flux transmitted from the skin to a main body of the electronic device;

a third sensor configured to measure a heart rate of the user; and

a processor configured to:

estimate a rate of skin temperature change based on the skin temperature measured at a first time and a second time;

estimate energy metabolism based on the heart rate measured by the third sensor and a maximum heart rate that corresponds to a user profile of the user; and

estimate a rate of core body temperature change based on the rate of the skin temperature measured at the first time and the second time, the heat flux, and the energy metabolism.

2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein in response to the rate of core body temperature change being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the processor is further configured to provide notification information about risk of abnormal body temperature.

3 . The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to generate a trend graph showing the rate of core body temperature change over a predetermined period of time.

4 . The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the processor is further configured to generate a graphic object at a position corresponding to a time point, at which the rate of core body temperature change is greater than or equal to the threshold value, on the trend graph to provide the user with a warning.

5 . The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein based on a core body temperature being determined to be abnormal, the processor is further configured to provide notification information requesting the user to stop an outdoor activity by using a text message or a voice message.

6 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first time precedes the second time, and wherein the processor is further configured to estimate a core body temperature at the second time by applying the rate of core body temperature change to the core body temperature measured at the first time.

7 . The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein in response to the estimated core body temperature falling outside a predetermined threshold range, the processor is further configured to provide notification information about a risk of abnormal body temperature.

8 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor spaced apart from the first sensor, and configured to measure an internal temperature inside the main body and measure the heat flux based on the skin temperature and the internal temperature inside the main body.

9 . The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first sensor and the temperature sensor is a thermistor.

10 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein a vertical distance between a contact surface of the main body and the first temperature sensor is 5 mm in a thickness direction of the main body.

11 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the third sensor is at least one of a Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor and an electrocardiography (ECG).

12 . A method of estimating a rate of core body temperature change in an electronic device, the method comprising:

measuring a skin temperature of skin of a user;

measuring heat flux transmitted from the skin to a main body of the electronic device;

measuring a heart rate of the user;

estimate a rate of skin temperature change based on the skin temperature measured at a first time and a second time;

estimate energy metabolism based on the heart rate and a maximum heart rate that corresponds to a user profile of the user; and

estimate the rate of core body temperature change based on the rate of the skin temperature measured at the first time and the second time, the heat flux, and the energy metabolism.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising, in response to the rate of core body temperature change being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, providing the user with notification information about risk of abnormal body temperature through an output interface.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the providing of the notification information about the risk of abnormal body temperature comprises generating a trend graph showing the rate of core body temperature change over a predetermined period of time.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first time precedes the second time, and

wherein the method further comprises: estimating a core body temperature by applying the rate of core body temperature change to the core body temperature measured at the first time.

16 . A wearable device comprising:

a main body;

a strap connected the main body;

a skin temperature sensor configured to measure a skin temperature of a user at a first time and a second time;

a heat flux sensor configured to measure a heat flux between a skin of the user and the main body;

a heart rate sensor configured to measure a heart rate of the user; and

a processor configured to:

estimate a rate of skin temperature change based on the skin temperature measured at the first time and the second time;

estimate energy metabolism based on the heart rate and a maximum heart rate that corresponds to a user profile of the user; and

estimate a rate of core body temperature change based on the rate of the skin temperature measured at the first time and the second time, the heat flux, and the energy metabolism.

17 . The wearable device of claim 16 , further comprising a display,

wherein in response to the rate of core body temperature change being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the processor is further configured to provide notification information about a risk of abnormal body temperature through the display.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2023
From: KIM, SUNGHO; KIM, SANG KYU; LEE, SO YOUNG; KWON, BOK SOON; LEE, HO TAIK; RHEE, HONG SOON
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 063019/0068 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2022-0154711 · Nov 17, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240167894A1 · May 23, 2024
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