NON-INVASIVE, NON CONTACT SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT, AND ASSOCIATED METHODOLOGY FOR MINIMIZING MUSCLE STRESS AND IMPROVING CIRCULATION

• US 20100312142A1
• Filed: 06/05/2009
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Varri, Chenna K., DEMIRDJIAN, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,854,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/015 By temperature mapping of body part
• 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 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0022 for sensing anthropometric parameters, e.g. heart rate or body temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0023 for detection of driver fatigue
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0273 taking into account user data, e.g. knee height or physical state
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0278 using sensors external to the seat for measurements in relation to the seat adjustment, e.g. for identifying the presence of obstacles or the appropriateness of the occupants position
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/18 Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/24 Cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/30 Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/30 using a neural network

Abstract

A method, system, and process are described to decrease muscle fatigue and improve circulation of an individual resting on a support device, such as an adjustable chair or bed. The body pose and heat distribution of the individual are determined and used to estimate muscle fatigue and circulation. The estimated muscle fatigue and circulation are then used to determine settings for the support device or the temperature of the environment.

Claims

1. A method of minimizing muscle stress or increasing circulation of a person resting on a support device in an environment, the method comprising:

sensing body pose of the person;

sensing body heat distribution of the person;

estimating muscle stress or circulation based on the sensed body pose and the sensed body heat distribution; and

determining a setting of at least one of the support device or temperature of the environment based on the estimated muscle stress or circulation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the support device is an adjustable seat.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the support device is a hospital bed.

4. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) implementing the method according to claim 1, wherein the support device is a vehicle seat, and the determining step includes determining a setting of the vehicle seat.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the body pose sensor is a three-dimensional sensor.

5. A system configured to minimize muscle stress or improve circulation of a person on a support device in an environment, the system comprising:

a body pose sensor configured to sense body pose of the person;

a body temperature sensor configured to sense body heat distribution of the person;

an estimator configured to estimate muscle stress or circulation of the person based on the sensed body pose and the sensed body heat distribution; and

a controller configured to adjust a setting of the support device or temperature of the environment based on the estimated muscle stress or circulation.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the body temperature sensor is a heat-detecting imaging device.

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein the support device is a vehicle seat.

9. The system according to claim 5, wherein the support device is a hospital bed.

10. The system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is part of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

11. A process, implemented in a feedback loop, of minimizing muscle stress or improving circulation of a person on a support device in an environment, the process comprising:

sensing body pose and body heat distribution of the person;

estimating muscle stress or circulation based on the sensed body pose and the sensed body heat distribution;

determining setting of the support device or temperature of the environment to reduce muscle stress or to improve circulation;

controlling the setting according to the determined setting.