Enhanced Spatial Filtering Systems for Electrical Signal Measurement

Publication ID: 24-11857341_0006_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Spatial Filtering Systems for Electrical Signal Measurement,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857341_0006_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857341_0006_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,341.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

This inventive concept introduces novel improvements to spatial filtering systems for measuring electrical signals, enhancing signal quality, and reducing noise levels.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent, 'Systems and methods of spatial filtering for measuring electrical signals', demonstrated a method for measuring electrical signals using a plurality of measurement electrodes. However, this method had inherent limitations, such as fixed electrode connectivity and limited noise reduction capabilities. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing adaptive filtering, machine learning algorithms, and dynamic reference electrode adjustment, resulting in improved signal quality and reduced noise levels.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new inventive concept comprises a wearable device with a plurality of measurement electrodes, a controller, and a noise-reduction module. The controller adjusts the connectivity of the measurement electrodes based on noise levels, and the noise-reduction module applies adaptive filtering to signals from the measurement electrodes. Additionally, the system can select a subset of measurement electrodes based on noise levels and apply a weighted average to generate a filtered signal. The wearable device can also utilize machine learning algorithms to identify and filter out high-noise measurement electrodes. Furthermore, the system can dynamically adjust the reference electrode based on the noise levels of the measurement electrodes, ensuring optimal signal quality.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new inventive concept introduces several novel features, including adaptive filtering, machine learning algorithms, and dynamic reference electrode adjustment, which are not present in the original patent. These features provide a significant improvement in signal quality and noise reduction, making the new inventive concept non-obvious and innovative compared to the original patent.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include different wearable device designs, such as a wristband or a patch, or the use of different machine learning algorithms for noise reduction. Additionally, the system could be integrated with other health monitoring devices or used in various medical applications, such as cardiac arrhythmia detection or seizure monitoring.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced spatial filtering systems for electrical signal measurement have significant commercial potential in the healthcare industry, particularly in the areas of cardiac monitoring, neurological disorders, and wearable technology. The improved signal quality and reduced noise levels can lead to more accurate diagnoses and better patient outcomes, making this technology attractive to medical device manufacturers, hospitals, and research institutions.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B5/681
A A61 A61B5/0006
A A61 A61B5/282
A A61 A61B5/304
A A61 A61B5/316
A A61 A61B5/332
A A61 A61B5/7214
A A61 A61B2560/0468
A A61 A61B2562/0209

Field of Art

Biomedical signal processing and wearable medical monitoring devices, specifically focused on electrical signal measurement techniques using multi-electrode systems for physiological monitoring

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An electrical engineer or biomedical engineer with expertise in signal processing, sensor design, and medical device development, possessing knowledge of noise reduction techniques, electrode configuration strategies, and adaptive filtering algorithms

Obviousness Rationale

A person of ordinary skill would recognize that the PTD's proposed variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core teachings about multi-electrode signal measurement. The proposed adaptive filtering, machine learning noise reduction, and dynamic electrode selection are logical engineering improvements that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to enhance signal quality in wearable medical monitoring devices. These variations represent standard problem-solving approaches in signal processing that build directly upon the foundational techniques disclosed in the source patent.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Measurement electrodes configured on a wearable device surface for obtaining electrical signals
PTD Variation
Adding machine learning algorithms to dynamically select and filter measurement electrodes based on noise levels
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying machine learning to sensor noise filtering is a known technique in signal processing, representing a predictable optimization of the original patent's electrode measurement approach
Source Patent Element
Multiple measurement electrodes on a wearable device for electrical signal capture
PTD Variation
Implementing weighted averaging of electrode signals to generate a filtered output signal
Obviousness Reasoning
Signal averaging and weighted filtering are standard techniques in electrical signal processing, representing a routine design choice for improving measurement accuracy
Source Patent Element
Reference electrode configuration for electrical signal measurement
PTD Variation
Dynamically adjusting reference electrode placement based on real-time noise level assessment
Obviousness Reasoning
Adaptive reference electrode strategies are a logical extension of existing signal measurement techniques, representing an obvious optimization approach for a skilled practitioner
Source Patent Element
Skin-contact measurement system using multiple electrodes
PTD Variation
Incorporating probabilistic modeling to account for electrode position and noise characteristics
Obviousness Reasoning
Probabilistic signal processing is a standard engineering approach for improving measurement accuracy, representing a predictable enhancement to existing measurement techniques
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857341 and the disclosed technical variations, a person of ordinary skill in the art would find the proposed signal measurement and filtering techniques to be obvious modifications of existing electrode-based measurement systems. The incremental improvements in noise reduction, adaptive filtering, and signal processing represent routine engineering developments that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to enhance electrical signal measurement techniques in wearable medical devices.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,341
TitleSystems and methods of spatial filtering for measuring electrical signals
Assignee(s)Apple Inc.