BALANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF

• US 20180001126A1
• Filed: 09/18/2017
• Published: 01/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Slacteq LLC
• Original Assignee: Slacteq LLC
• Inventors: KLOPMAN, James E.
• Application Number:
  US15/708,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20180001126A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/09 Rehabilitation or training
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4023 Evaluating sense of balance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0033 Lower limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0038 One foot moving independently from the other, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2026/006 with feet supports below their pivotal point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/06 User-manipulated weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/18 with elements, i.e. platforms, having a circulating, nutating or rotating movement, generated by oscillating movement of the user, e.g. platforms wobbling on a centrally arranged spherical supporthoop exercising apparatus A63B19/00; eccentric weights put into orbital motion by nutating movement of the user A63B21/0608; pots rotating or rocking by moving the whole body A63G23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 : Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 : Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/10 : electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 : for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 4/00 : Balance beams
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 7/085 : Balancing on a band tensioned between two anchor points, e.g. Slackline type
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2218/12 : Classification; Matching
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/245 : by locating a pattern; Special marks for positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/23 : Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training

Abstract

Balance measurement systems and methods thereof include at least one measurement device or indicator and an unstable or dynamic device or surface or other balance device. In example forms, the at least one measurement device is generally removably mounted to a portion of the body of a user (and/or to a portion of the balance device) such that the movements and body behavior of a user (and/or the balance device) can be measured as the user attempts to balance on the balance device. According to one example form, the unstable device includes a suspended rope or slackline. According to other example forms, the balance device includes a generally unstable platform.

Claims

1. A balance measurement system comprising:

one or more measuring devices to be worn or generally removably coupled to a user; and

a dynamic or unstable device or surface, the user attempting to balance on the device or surface while the one or more measuring devices obtain measurements produced by movement of the user reacting to the dynamic or unstable device or surface that the user is attempting to balance on.

2. The balance measurement system of claim 1, further comprising a network generally in communication or linked to the one or more measuring devices.

3. The balance measurement system of claim 2, further comprising an electronic device generally linked or in communication with the network and/or the one or more measuring devices.

4. The balance measurement system of claim 3, wherein the electronic device provides a user interface for the balance measurement system.

5. The balance measurement system of claim 1, wherein the one or more measurement devices obtain real time measurements of the movement and body behavior of the user while attempting to balance.

6. The balance measurement system of claim 1, wherein the one or more measuring devices each comprise at least one of a gyrometer, an accelerometer, and a magnetometer.

7. The balance measurement system of claim 1, further comprising a power supply for powering the one or more measurement devices.

8. A system for measuring the movement and behavior of a user balancing comprising:

a balancing device;

at least one component coupled to the user or balancing device;

a measurement system to track in real time the movement and behavior of the at least one component while the user balances on the balancing device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one component comprises at least one of a gyrometer, an accelerometer, and a magnetometer.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the measurement system comprises an electronic device generally linked or in communication with the at least one component.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one component comprises an identifiable marker for being tracked by one or more motion capture cameras.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of identifiable markers coupled to the user and balancing device.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the balancing device comprises a stabilization component such that the allowable movement of a platform can be adjusted between a substantially loose configuration and a substantially tensioned configuration.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein in the substantially tensioned configuration the platform is restricted to minimal side-to-side movement or oscillation of between about 0.25-4 inches.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein in the substantially loose configuration the platform is capable of side-to-side movement or oscillation of between about 12-35 inches.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a motor and linkage coupled to the stabilization component such that adjustment to the stabilization component can be controlled remotely in real time.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein the balance device comprises a central member, a pair of outer bow members coupled to the central member, a pair of upper arm members coupled to the outer bow members and providing a plurality of height settings, a pair of leg members coupled to the outer bow members, a slackline generally positioned at one of the plurality of height settings of the upper arm members, and a platform positioned atop the line to provide a standing platform for the user to stand on when attempting to balance.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a tensioning mechanism coupled to a portion of the platform to provide adjustment to the allowable side-to-side movement of the platform.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein a generally resilient band couples between the platform and the tensioning mechanism, and wherein the tensioning mechanism can be manipulated to increase or decrease the tension of the band and thereby adjust the allowable side-to-side movement of the platform.

20. The system of claim 8, further comprising a brain scanner for scanning the brain of the user while the user balances on the balancing device.