Poster Content

In this post, we will present the content written in our scientific poster.

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The Problem:

Every person’s period is completely unique. One’s menstrual cycle can be affected by stress, illness, medicine, pregnancy, etc. Period tracker apps on the market today attempt to estimate periods based on an arbitrary 28-day long cycle, but they require users to manually record data and rarely account for the aforementioned factors.

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The Solution:

Is there a better, more convenient way to get an accurate picture of menstruation?

We address this question with a product that helps users learn about their menstrual cycle on a day-to-day basis. We offer a wearable armband that collects user’s basal body temperature (BBT) daily. A separate smart mirror acts as a non-intrusive means to inform users where they are in their cycle by outputting a corresponding color. Our desire is to create a personally tailored tangible user interface, aimed towards individuals who experience menstruation, so that users may optimize their day to day life.

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The Design Process:

Fig. 1 An early sketch of the Crimson Wave TUI; TUI initially designed with constraint (ring holder) for the wearable (ring)

We conceived the idea of a wearable (e.g. a ring) that will record the user’s BBT and other vital signs. A smart mirror will transduce temperature into colored light to represent the user’s current stage in their menstrual cycle.

Fig. 2 A low-fidelity prototype of the Crimson Wave TUI

Our mixed-fidelity prototype ensures that our TUI will fit inconspicuously into any user’s private space–their bedroom, bathroom, or vanity. In this way, Crimson Wave is embedded within the user’s environment and does not occupy the user’s attention in the same way a mobile app would.

Fig 3. A high-fidelity prototype of the Crimson Wave TUI

We added functionality to the TUI in this iteration of Crimson Wave in order to accommodate microcontrollers and neopixel lights.

Fig 4. Second iteration of wearable designed as a bracelet

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Technical Implementation:

The wearable is a comfortable armband that allows the temperature sensor to collect data while the user sleeps. The armband is comprised of a LightBlue Bean+, which was chosen for its built-in temperature sensor and ability to transfer data wirelessly. The input from the Bean+ is sent to a computer, where the temperature sensor’s data is computed by an Arduino program that calculates the user’s BBT.

The mirror has a complete circle of 60 ultra bright smart LED NeoPixels surrounding it. Based on the temperature that is recorded, the NeoPixels RGB values change to output a color that appropriately corresponds to the BBT.

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Basal Body Temperature:

Figure 5. Follicular Phase

Figure 6. Ovulation Phase

Figure 7. Luteal Phase

Above, you can see the different shades the mirror outputs based on where the user is in their menstrual cycle.

Fig 8. Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

Fig 8. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is the user’s resting core body temperature. BBT is highly dependent on the individual. Menstruation directly impacts BBT, though this change fluctuates subtly. This graph shows how BBT interacts with particular stages of the menstrual cycle; however, it fails to illustrate the variability in temperature and duration of each person.

Fig 9. Temperature Sensor placed closer to the body’s core provides more accurate readings

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Ongoing and Future Work:

Crimson Wave addresses important issues in the science world today. We need more products related to menstrual health as well as well as more thorough education regarding the different stages of menstruation. Going forward we plan to improve our formula for collecting data, strengthen the way our tangible user interface interacts with the database where user information is stored, and expand upon the information presented by the mirror. In the future, we will evaluate Crimson Wave in the wild.