Assistive driving system for a wheelchair
First Claim
1. A method for activating and deactivating an assistive drive force to a wheelchair, comprising:
- (a) using a wearable element comprising one or more sensors to detect a motion of a user'"'"'s hand;
(b) activating an assistive drive force in response to the detection of a particular user hand motion; and
(c) deactivating an assistive drive force in response to the detection of a particular user hand motion;
wherein (i) the particular user hand motion of step (b) comprises a sweeping motion meeting a threshold acceleration, (ii) the particular user hand motion of step (c) comprises an abruptly ending movement of the user'"'"'s hand toward the hand rim of the wheelchair meeting a threshold deceleration, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The presently disclosure describes a system for a providing an assistive driving force to a wheelchair. The system comprises a power assist system which includes a motion sensing system that is configured to detect the motion of the power assist system, and hence of the wheelchair, and a power assist drive system that is configured to provide an assistive drive force. The system also comprises a sensor, such as may be embedded in a wearable wristband, that is configured to detect the motion of a user'"'"'s hand and that is in communication with the power assist system. The system may be configured to determine whether the wheelchair is being manually pushed based at least in part on the user motion, and to activate an assistive drive force in response to a manual push. The system may also be configured to determine whether the wheelchair is being manually braked based at least in part on the user motion, and to deactivate an assistive drive force in response to a manual brake.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for activating and deactivating an assistive drive force to a wheelchair, comprising:
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(a) using a wearable element comprising one or more sensors to detect a motion of a user'"'"'s hand; (b) activating an assistive drive force in response to the detection of a particular user hand motion; and (c) deactivating an assistive drive force in response to the detection of a particular user hand motion; wherein (i) the particular user hand motion of step (b) comprises a sweeping motion meeting a threshold acceleration, (ii) the particular user hand motion of step (c) comprises an abruptly ending movement of the user'"'"'s hand toward the hand rim of the wheelchair meeting a threshold deceleration, or (iii) both (i) and (ii). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19)
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13. A method for activating and deactivating an assistive drive force to a wheelchair, comprising:
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providing a user with a wearable element comprising a first sensor configured to detect the motion of a user'"'"'s hand; providing a second sensor attached to the wheelchair; detecting a user motion with the first sensor; detecting an acceleration or deceleration of the wheelchair with the second sensor; and performing one of the following; a. activating an assistive drive force in response to a combination of (i) a particular user hand motion detected by the first sensor and (ii) an acceleration detected by the second sensor; b. deactivating an assistive drive force in response to a combination of (i) a particular user hand motion detected by the first sensor and (ii) a deceleration detected by the second sensor;
orc. both a. and b. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
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Specification