SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SENSING BALANCED-ACTION FOR IMPROVING MAMMAL WORK-TRACK EFFICIENCY

• US 20170203154A1
• Filed: 10/18/2016
• Published: 07/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James C. Solinsky
• Original Assignee: James C. Solinsky
• Inventors: SOLINSKY, James C.
• Granted Patent: US 10,105,571 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0223 Magnetic field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/375 using biofeedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/005 with correlation of navigation data from several sources, e.g. map or contour matching G01C21/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0092 Pressure sensor associated with other sensors, e.g. for measuring acceleration or temperature G01L9/025, G01L9/045, G01L9/065, G01L9/085, G01L9/105, G01L9/125, G01L19/02, G01L19/04 take precedence; measuring two or more variable G01D21/02; temperature sensors with pressure compensation G01K1/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0073 using a semiconductive diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/06 using galvano-magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports

Abstract

An example system includes one or more sleeves, each configured for attachment to a leg and comprising a pressure sensor, an accelerometer and a magnetometer. A processor processes sensor signals from the pressure sensor, the accelerometer and the magnetometer to estimate action (A) and work (W) using event detections of peak stance and valley swing events associated with leg movement, for optimizing energy efficiency for maintaining a balance of the body leaning forward in a gravity pull-down force, with the periodic upward force of the sequential foot-thrusts with the toes.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

one or more sleeves, each configured for attachment to a leg and comprising a pressure sensor, an accelerometer and a magnetometer;

a processor for processing sensor signals from the pressure sensor, the accelerometer and the magnetometer to estimate action (A) and work (W) using event detections of peak stance and valley swing events associated with leg movement, wherein the processor detects small changes during swing from brain feedback of proprioception sensing of the lower body component locations and movement dynamics to adjust the swing reversal behavior with feedback for a minimum off-unbalance and use of friction in stepping forward with each stance step.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each sleeve comprises a board to which the pressure sensor, the accelerometer and the magnetometer are affixed.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the magnetometer and accelerometer are affixed to a first side of the board and the pressure sensor is affixed to a second, opposite side of the board.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein each sleeve further comprises a wireless module for communication with the processor.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processor detects small changes in the muscle contractions and expansions in conjunction with leg orientation to the ground, which are used to automatically assess locomotion efficiency and abnormal or disordered behavior.