Apparatus for sensing body attitude

• US 5,402,107 A
• Filed: 01/29/1993
• Issued: 03/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allied Services Foundation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Allied Services Foundation Incorporated
• Inventors: Rencavage, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/011,336
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/689, 340/323 R, 128/782, 482/8, 377/24.2, 33/366
• US Class Current: 340/573.7
• 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: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0244 with signalling or indicating means, e.g. of incorrect posture, for deep-breathing exercises

Abstract

The apparatus is attached to a body part (for example, the back) of the user. The apparatus detects when the body part attitude exceeds a specific attitude range. For every such attitude violation, the apparatus sounds a buzzer and increments a displayed counter value that indicates the total number of such attitude violations. The apparatus may be used as part of physical therapy to modify the behavior of the user during routine physical activities. The sensitivity of the apparatus may be adjusted by controlling the specific attitude range.

Claims

1. An apparatus for attachment to a body part of a user, comprising:

(a) a sensor module comprising;

(1) sensing means for generating a first signal when the attitude of said body part, relative to the direction of the force of gravity, falls outside an attitude range;

(2) a first section; and

(3) a second section for housing said sensing means, wherein said first section is releasably secured to said body part and said second section is releasably coupled to said first section at one of two or more orientations to adjust said attitude range;

(b) a controller module comprising;

(1) a power supply for providing electrical power to said sensor module and said controller module;

(2) counting means for receiving said first signal and for incrementing a counter value after receiving said first signal; and

(c) means for electrically connecting said sensor module to said controller module to transfer power from said power supply to said sensing means and to transmit said first signal from said sensing means to said counting means;

wherein said second section comprises a first cylindrical portion, said first section comprises a second cylindrical portion, one end of said first cylindrical portion fitting over one end of said second cylindrical portion, and said sensor module further comprises fastening means for releasably coupling said second section to said first section at said one of said two or more orientations.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller module further comprises a buzzer for receiving said first signal from said sensing means and for generating an audible tone in response to receiving said first signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensing means is a mercury switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said counting means is a binary-coded decimal counter and said controller module further comprises a binary-coded decimal to decimal converter and a light emitting diode display, wherein said counter generates a binary-coded decimal signal in accordance with said counter value, said converter receives said binary-coded decimal signal from said counter and converts said binary-coded decimal signal to a converted signal, and said display receives said converted signal from said converter and displays a decimal number in accordance with said converted signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said counter is a CMOS 4553 integrated circuit, said converter is a CMOS 4543 integrated circuit, and said display is a three-digit multiplexed display, wherein said counter transmits one binary-coded digit of said counter value to said converter at a time, said converter transmits one digit of said converted counter value to said display at a time, and said display displays one digit of said decimal number at a time.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller module further comprises a reset switch, wherein said reset switch causes said counting means to reset said counter value to zero when said reset switch is engaged.

7. An apparatus for attachment to a body part of a user, comprising:

(a) a sensor module comprising;

(1) sensing means for generating a first signal when the attitude of said body part, relative to the direction of the force of gravity, falls outside an attitude range;

(2) a first section; and

(3) a second section for housing said sensing means, wherein said first section is releasably secured to said body part and said second section is releasably coupled to said first section at one of two or more orientations to adjust said attitude range;

(b) a controller module comprising;

(1) a power supply for providing electrical power to said sensor module and said controller module;

(2) counting means for receiving said first signal and for incrementing a counter value after receiving said first signal; and

(c) means for electrically connecting said sensor module to said controller module to transfer power from said power supply to said sensing means and to transmit said first signal from said sensing means to said counting means;

wherein said counting means is a binary-coded decimal counter and said controller module further comprises a binary-coded decimal to decimal converter and a light emitting diode display, wherein said counter generates a binary-coded decimal signal in accordance with said counter value, said converter receives said binary-coded decimal signal from said counter and converts said binary-coded decimal signal to a converted signal, and said display receives said converted signal from said converter and displays a decimal number in accordance with said converted signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said controller module further comprises a buzzer for receiving said first signal from said sensing means and for generating an audible tone in response to receiving said first signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said sensing means is a mercury switch.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said counter is a CMOS 4553 integrated circuit, said converter is a CMOS 4543 integrated circuit, and said display is a three-digit multiplexed display, wherein said counter transmits one binary-coded digit of said counter value to said converter at a time, said converter transmits one digit of said converted counter value to said display at a time, and said display displays one digit of said decimal number at a time.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said controller module further comprises a reset switch, wherein said reset switch causes said counting means to reset said counter value to zero when said reset switch is engaged.