WIRELESS MOTION SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20180139518A1
• Filed: 12/21/2017
• Published: 05/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elias Bachaalany, Hadi Murr, Imad Maalouf, Pierre A. Touma
• Original Assignee: Elias Bachaalany, Hadi Murr, Imad Maalouf, Pierre A. Touma
• Inventors: Touma, Pierre A., Murr, Hadi, Bachaalany, Elias, Maalouf, Imad
• Granted Patent: US 10,433,033 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A motion analysis system comprises a human wearable peripheral, a human wearable communication hub, a beacon, a data analysis server, and a cloud server. The peripheral comprises an orientation sensor that comprises an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope. The peripheral further comprises a processor and a wireless communication module. The hub comprises a communication module that communicates with the peripheral, as well as a sensor and a second wireless communication module. The beacon comprises a sensor and a communication module that communicates with the second communication module of the hub. The data analysis server communicates with the beacon and receives information from the beacon sensor, the hub sensor, and the orientation sensor. The data analysis server further comprises an internet connection with which the data analysis server can communicate with the cloud server. The cloud server is configured to assess a risk factor in response to the orientation sensor, the hub sensor, and the beacon sensor.

Claims

1. A motion analysis system comprising a first wearable peripheral, a first wearable communication hub, a beacon, a data analysis server, and a cloud server, wherein:

the first wearable peripheral is configured to be worn by a first person;

the first wearable peripheral comprises;

a first orientation sensor comprising an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope;

a first wearable peripheral processor responsive to the first orientation sensor; and

a first wearable peripheral short-range communication module configured for transmitting a wireless signal responsive to the first orientation sensor using a radio frequency technology selected from the group of ANT, Bluetooth, LoRA, Near Field Communication, Neul, Sigfox, and Z-Wave;

the first wearable communication hub is configured to be worn by the first person;

the first wearable communication hub comprises a minimum of two communication modules and a sensor comprising;

a first wearable communication hub short-range communication module configured for receiving the first wearable peripheral short-range communication module wireless signal;

a first wearable communication hub sensor selected from the group of an acceleration sensor, an altitude sensor, a chemical sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a gyroscope, a human physiology sensor, a humidity sensor, an impact sensor, a magnetic sensor, a microphone, a position sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a vibration sensor; and

a first wearable communication hub long-range communication module configured for receiving and transmitting a wireless signal using a radio frequency technology selected from the group of Bluetooth, cellular, LoRA, Neul, satellite, Sigfox, WiFi, Zigbee, and Z-Wave wherein the first wearable communication hub long-range communication module signal is responsive to the first wearable peripheral short-range communication module signal and the first wearable communication hub sensor;

the beacon comprises;

a beacon long-range communication module configured for receiving and transmitting information to and from the first wearable communication hub and the data analysis server;

a beacon sensor wherein the beacon sensor is responsive to an environmental parameter selected from the group of a pressure, a temperature, a humidity, a position, and an altitude; and

the data analysis server comprises;

a data analysis server long-range communication module configured for receiving information from the beacon long-range communication module wherein the beacon long-range communication module information comprises first orientation sensor information, first wearable communication hub sensor information, and first beacon sensor information;

a data storage module responsive to the beacon long-range communication module information;

a data analysis module responsive to the beacon long-range communication module information;

a graphical data presentation module responsive to the data analysis module; and

a data analysis server internet connection configured for communication over the internet; and

the cloud server comprises;

a cloud server internet connection configured for communication over the internet with the data analysis server; and

a web server wherein the web server is configured for assessing a risk factor in response to;

the first orientation sensor;

the first wearable communication hub sensor; and

the first beacon sensor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first wearable peripheral is configured to be worn on the first person'"'"'s head;

the first orientation sensor is configured to be responsive to a linear acceleration and a rotational acceleration;

the first wearable peripheral is configured to immediately send a signal if the acceleration of the first orientation sensor exceeds a threshold value;

the first wearable peripheral communications module is configured for transmitting a signal using a Bluetooth Class 3 protocol at 2.4 gigahertz;

the first wearable communication hub sensor comprises an impact sensor;

the first wearable communication hub long-range communication module is configured for transmitting a signal using a Bluetooth Class 1 protocol at 2.4 gigahertz;

the beacon further comprises;

a fixed beacon configured for stationary placement; and

a cellular data modem configured for transmitting a signal over a cellular telephone network;

the beacon sensor is configured for measuring a position of the beacon; and

the graphical data presentation module is configured for displaying the number of times an acceleration event has occurred and the magnitude of each acceleration event; and

the web server is configured for assessing the risk of an injury to the first person in response to;

the first orientation sensor;

the first wearable hub sensor; and

the beacon sensor.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first wearable peripheral is configured to be worn on the first person'"'"'s head;

the first wearable peripheral processor is configured to change from a power-conserving sleep mode to an active mode in response to the first orientation sensor;

the first wearable peripheral processor is configured for processing a first orientation sensor signal using a filter selected from the group of a Kalman filter and a Madgwick filter;

the system further comprises a second wearable peripheral wherein the second wearable peripheral comprises;

a second orientation sensor wherein the second orientation sensor is responsive to movement of the first person'"'"'s trunk;

a second wearable peripheral processor; and

a second wearable processor short-range communication module configured for transmitting a wireless signal responsive to the first orientation sensor using a radio frequency technology selected from the group of ANT, Bluetooth, LoRA, Near Field Communication, Neul, Sigfox, and Z-Wave;

the first wearable communication hub long-range communication module signal is responsive to the second orientation sensor.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first wearable peripheral processor is configured to change from a power-conserving sleep mode to an active mode in response an acceleration event wherein the acceleration event comprises an acceleration of the first person'"'"'s head that is greater than a concussion threshold value;

the first wearable peripheral processor is configured for processing a first orientation sensor signal using a quaternion wherein the quaternion is a 4-dimensional hyper-complex number;

the first wearable communication hub comprises a global positioning sensor, a microphone, and a human physiology sensor;

the first wearable communication hub human physiology sensor is responsive to a human physiology parameter selected from the group of gait pattern, nystagmus, heart rate, speed, acceleration, and vestibulo-ocular reflex;

the first wearable communication hub long-range communication module is configured for communicating using Bluetooth Class 1 technology; and

the data analysis server is configured for generating an alarm in response to;

the acceleration event;

the human physiology parameter at a time prior to the acceleration event; and

the human physiology parameter at a time after the acceleration event.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first wearable communication hub comprises a chemical sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a gyroscope, a human physiology sensor, a humidity sensor, an impact sensor, a magnetic sensor, a microphone, a global positioning system sensor, a pressure sensor, a structural integrity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a vibration sensor.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the system comprises a second wearable peripheral and a second wearable communication hub configured to be worn by a second person;

the first wearable communication hub is configured for transmitting a first person position signal responsive to the position of the first person to the data analysis server; and

the second wearable communication hub is configured for transmitting a second person position signal responsive to the position of the second person to the data analysis server.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the web server is configured for assessing whether the first person has fallen.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the system is configured for controlling a vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the system is configured for use in an American football application;

the first wearable peripheral is configured to be worn on the first person'"'"'s head; and

the web server is configured for assessing the risk of a concussion to the first person.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first orientation sensor comprises a nine-axis inertial measurement unit further comprising;

at least two axes of accelerometer rotation input;

three axes of accelerometer linear displacement input;

three axes of gyroscope rotational input; and

at least one axis of magnetometer orientation input.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first orientation sensor comprises a nine-axis inertial measurement unit further comprising;

at least two axes of accelerometer rotation input;

three axes of accelerometer linear displacement input;

three axes of gyroscope rotational input; and

at least one axis of magnetometer orientation input;

the first sensor hub comprises a position sensor wherein the position sensor is responsive to a signal from a global positioning system satellite; and

the data analysis module is responsive to the nine-axis inertial measurement unit and the first sensor hub position sensor.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first orientation sensor comprises a nine-axis inertial measurement unit further comprising;

at least two axes of accelerometer rotation input;

three axes of accelerometer linear displacement input; and

three axes of gyroscope rotational input; and

at least one axis of magnetometer orientation input;

the system further comprises a second orientation sensor comprising a nine-axis inertial measurement unit further comprising;

at least two axes of accelerometer rotation input;

three axes of accelerometer linear displacement input; and

three axes of gyroscope rotational input; and

at least one axis of magnetometer orientation input; and

the first wearable hub is responsive to the second orientation sensor.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first orientation sensor is responsive to a linear acceleration and a rotational acceleration;

the first wearable peripheral processor is configured to change from a power-conserving sleep mode to an active mode in response to the first orientation sensor; and

the web server is configured for assessing the risk factor in response to a change in posture of the first person.

14. A wireless system configured for measuring human motion, the system comprising a wearable peripheral, a communication hub, a beacon, a data analysis module, and a cloud server wherein:

the wearable peripheral is configured to be worn by a human;

the wearable peripheral comprises a first accelerometer, a processor, and a communication module;

the communication hub comprises;

a short-range communication module configured for receiving a signal from the wearable peripheral wireless communication module;

a sensor configured for measuring a parameter selected from the group of acceleration, altitude, chemistry, rotation, human physiology, humidity, impact, sound, position, pressure, temperature, and vibration; and

a long-range communication module configured for transmitting a wireless signal using a radio frequency technology;

the beacon comprises;

a module configured for receiving and transmitting information to and from the communication hub long-range communication module and the data analysis server;

a sensor configured for measuring a parameter selected from the group of pressure, temperature, humidity, position, and altitude;

the data analysis module comprises;

a transmission element configured for receiving and transmitting information to and from the beacon;

a data storage element;

a data analysis element;

a graphical data presentation element; and

an internet connection; and

the cloud server comprises;

an internet connection configured for exchanging information with the data analysis module via the internet; and

a web server wherein the web server is configured for assessing a human risk factor in response to;

the first accelerometer;

the communication hub sensor; and

the beacon sensor.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein:

the wearable peripheral further comprises a magnetometer and a gyroscope;

the wearable peripheral communication module is configured to transmit using a wireless radio frequency technology selected from the group of ANT, Bluetooth, LoRA, Near Field Communication, Neul, Sigfox, and Z-Wave;

the communication hub long-range communication module is configured to transmit and receive using a radio frequency technology selected from the group of Bluetooth, cellular, LoRA, Neul, satellite, Sigfox, WiFi, Zigbee, and Z-Wave;

the communication hub is configured to be worn by the human; and

the beacon is configured for stationary placement at a fixed location.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein:

the first accelerometer is responsive to linear acceleration and rotational acceleration in a plurality of axes;

the first accelerometer generates a tilt signal relative to a gravitational vector wherein;

the tilt signal is measured as a response of a projection of static gravity on the tilted first accelerometer;

the first accelerometer is most sensitive to tilt when the accelerometer is perpendicular to gravity; and

the tilt signal comprises a pitch signal and a roll signal where pitch and roll are rotations about two perpendicular axes orthogonal to the gravitational vector;

the system is configured for generating an alarm in response to an analysis of an acceleration event measured by the first accelerometer; and

the system records the time when the acceleration event occurs.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein:

the communication hub comprises a human physiology sensor configured for measuring a physiologic parameter for the human wherein the physiologic parameter is selected from the group of gait pattern, nystagmus, heart rate, speed, acceleration, and vestibulo-ocular reflex; and

the data analysis module is configured for generating an alarm in response to an analysis of;

an acceleration event measured by the first accelerometer;

a parameter measured by the human physiology sensor prior to the acceleration event; and

a parameter measured by the human physiology sensor after the acceleration event.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein:

the system further comprises;

a second accelerometer;

a third accelerometer;

a fourth accelerometer; and

a fifth accelerometer; and

the web server is configured for assessing the human risk factor in response to;

the second accelerometer;

the third accelerometer;

the fourth accelerometer; and

the fifth accelerometer.

19. A method for wireless communication and analysis of sensed human motion information comprising the steps of:

establishing a human-wearable peripheral comprising an accelerometer, a processor and a communication module;

establishing a communication hub comprising;

a receiver configured for receiving a signal from the human-wearable peripheral communication module;

a sensor selected from the group of an acceleration sensor, an altitude sensor, a chemical sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a gyroscope, a human physiology sensor, a humidity sensor, an impact sensor, a magnetic sensor, a microphone, a position sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a vibration sensor; and

a transmitter configured for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal using a radio frequency technology;

establishing a data analysis device comprising;

a long-range communication module configured for receiving and transmitting information;

a data storage module;

a data analysis module;

a graphical presentation module; and

an internet connection;

establishing a beacon comprising;

a long-range communication module configured for receiving and transmitting information to and from the communication hub and the data analysis device; and

a sensor configured for measuring a pressure, a temperature, a humidity, a position, or an altitude;

establishing a cloud server comprising an internet connection configured for communication over the internet with the data analysis device;

assessing a human risk factor in response to information received from the accelerometer, the communication hub sensor, and the beacon sensor via the wearable peripheral communication module, the communication hub receiver, communication hub transmitter, the beacon long range communication module, data analysis device internet connection, and the cloud server internet connection.

20. The method of claim 20 wherein:

the wearable peripheral comprises a 9-axis inertial measurement unit comprising a at least two axes of accelerator rotation input, three axes of accelerometer linear displacement input, three axes of gyroscope rotational input, and at least one axis of magnetometer orientation input;

assessing the human risk factor comprises a quaternion calculation; and

the method further comprises the step of using the system in a sports application.