Posture Sensing Alert Apparatus

• US 20100109880A1
• Filed: 05/28/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chih Lo, Ching-Hua Lee, Ching-Jung Lee, Ching-Yen Lee, Kun-Ta Lee
• Original Assignee: Chih Lo, Ching-Hua Lee, Ching-Jung Lee, Ching-Yen Lee, Kun-Ta Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Ching-Yen, Lee, Ching-Hua, Lo, Chih, Lee, Ching-Jung, Lee, Kun-Ta
• Granted Patent: US 8,203,455 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.700
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0261 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/103 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes A61B5/08 takes precedence; measuring aids for tailors A41H1/00; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0244 with signalling or indicating means, e.g. of incorrect posture, for deep-breathing exercises

Abstract

A posture sensing alert apparatus is provided. The posture sensing alert apparatus comprises an attachment element, a detecting element, a processing element and an alert element. The attachment element is adapted to attach on a human body. The detecting element is disposed on the attachment element and is adapted to sense a posture change from the human body. The processing element is disposed on the attachment element and connects to the detecting element. The processing element is adapted to output a signal to the alert element in response to the posture change for a predetermined period so that the alert element is adapted to output an alert accordingly.

Claims

1. A posture sensing alert apparatus comprising:

an attachment element, being adapted to be attached on a human body;

a detecting element, being disposed on the attachment element to sense a strain from the human body;

a processing element, being disposed on the attachment element and connected to the detecting element and being adapted to output a sensing signal in response to the strain after a predetermined period; and

an alert element, being adapted to output an alert signal in response to the sensing signal.

2. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting element comprises a piezoelectric patch and a resistance change of the piezoelectric patch will be generated in response to the strain.

3. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processing element comprises a microprocessor, electrically connected to the piezoelectric patch, and the microprocessor is adapted to output the sensing signal in response to the resistance change of the piezoelectric patch.

4. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the processing element further comprises a timer, adapted to calculate a period of the resistance change of the piezoelectric patch, and when the period is over the predetermined period, the microprocessor outputs the sensing signal.

5. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting element comprises a dual metal sheet and a resistance change of the dual metal sheet will be generated in response to the strain.

6. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the processing element comprises a microprocessor, electrically connected to the dual metal sheet and the microprocessor is adapted to output the sensing signal in response to the resistance change of the dual metal sheet.

7. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the processing element further comprises a timer, adapted to compute a period of the resistance change of the dual metal sheet, and when the period is over the predetermined period, the microprocessor outputs the sensing signal.

8. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the dual metal sheet comprises a plurality of connecting points connected to each other and the connecting points are adapted to be separated in sequence in response to the strain.

9. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting element comprises an elastic hydraulic rod, and a volume change of the elastic hydraulic rod will be generated in response to the strain.

10. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the processing element comprises a switch connected to the elastic hydraulic rod and the volume change of the elastic hydraulic rod will be generated in response to the sensing signal.

11. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processing element further comprises a timer, adapted to compute a period of the volume change of the elastic hydraulic rod, and when the period is over the predetermined period, the switch outputs the sensing signal.

12. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alert element comprises a motor and the alert signal outputted by the motor is a vibration signal.

13. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alert element comprises a buzzer and the alert signal outputted by the buzzer is a beep tone.

14. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alert element comprises a radio frequency generator and the alert signal outputted by the radio frequency generator is an electric current signal.

15. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an electric source electrically connected to the processing element and the alert element.

16. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 1, where the attachment element is a soft patch completely attached on the human body.

17. The posture sensing alert apparatus as claimed in claim 1, where the predetermined period is adjustable.