Myoelectric feedback system

• US 5,679,004 A
• Filed: 12/07/1995
• Issued: 10/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Movit Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Movit Incorporated
• Inventors: Hostettler, Steve G., McGowan, Chris S., Kovvuri, Somasekhar R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US08/568,956
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 434/247, 434/252, 434/253, 482/6-8, 482/9, 482/900, 482/901, 128/733, 128/734, 128/741, 128/774, 128/782, 473/202, 473/212, 473/215, 473/217, 473/266, 473/269, 473/270, 473/276, 473/277, 473/409, 73/379.01, 73/379.02
• US Class Current: 434/247
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/08 other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

A system and method is provided for learning, training and rehabilitation in which comparison is made of representative electrical signals produced by both a teacher (12) and a student (14) during attempted replication by the student (14) of a movement behavior demonstrated by the teacher (12), with corresponding feedback to the student (14) to inform the student (14) as to whether the replication is suitably compliant to the demonstration. The preferred embodiment is a myoelectric feedback system (10) employing wireless transmission of the myoelectric signals generated by the relevant muscles of the teacher (12) and the student (14) during the demonstration and attempted replication, with vibratory feedback to the student (14) upon comparison of the myoelectric signals at a remote processing station (18). A delayed or "non-live" teaching capability is provided by a videotape processing machine (28) and a computer (30). An alternative embodiment provides that the video images of the demonstration performed by the teacher are stored in digitized form, e.g. on a CD-ROM (74). In the alternative embodiment, decision-making software (76) may be incorporated to provide for an interactive learning system.

Claims

1. A learning system for teaching a movement behavior by a teacher to a student, comprising:

first detection means for producing a first ,electrical signal representative of a movement behavior made by a teacher;

second detection means for producing a second electrical signal representative of a movement behavior made by a student, the movement behavior made by the student made in an effort to substantially duplicate the movement behavior made by the teacher;

comparison means for comparing the first electrical signal with the second electrical signal, said comparison means generating a feedback signal based on the comparison; and

feedback means for providing the feedback signal as sensory input to the student.

2. The learning system of claim 1 wherein

said first and second detection means includes means for detecting myoelectric activity.

3. The learning system of claim 1 wherein

said comparison means includes means for digitizing at least one of the first and second electrical signals, and further includes computer means for storage and processing of such a digitized signal.

4. The learning system of claim 3 further including

image processing means for storage and playback of digitized video images of at least one of the teacher and student made while performing the movement behavior to be learned.

5. The learning system of claim 3 further including

decision-making software for interactive learning by the student.

6. A neuromuscular training and rehabilitation system for teaching of a movement behavior by a teacher to a student, comprising:

first myoelectric sensing means for producing a first electrical signal representative of myoelectric activity generated by the teacher;

second myoelectric sensing means for producing a second electrical signal representative of myoelectric activity generated by the student;

comparison means for comparing the first electrical signal with the second electrical signal, said comparison means generating a feedback signal if the second electrical signal is relatively dissimilar to the first electrical signal;

first transmission means for transmitting the first electrical signal to said comparator means;

second transmission means for transmitting the second electrical signal to said comparator means; and

feedback means for providing the feedback signal as sensory input to the student.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein

each of said first and second myoelectric sensing means includes electrode means positioned adjacent to muscle sites determined to be relevant to the movement behavior to be taught for detecting the myoelectric signals of such muscle sites.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein

the electrode means include at least one electrode secured to fabric material that may be worn such that the electrode is appropriately positioned at the relevant muscle site by the wearing of the fabric material.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein

at least one of said first and second transmission means includes transmitter means and receiver means for wireless transmission of at least one of the first and second electrical signals.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein

said feedback means includes vibratory means for providing the sensory input in the form of vibrations perceptible on the skin of the student.

11. The system of claim 6 further including

computer means for digital storage and processing of at least one of said first and second electrical signals.

12. The system of claim 11 further including

video processing means for video recording and playback of the movement behavior taught by the teacher, and synchronization means for synchronizing such a digitally stored first electrical signal with the video recording.

13. The system of claim 6 wherein

each of said first and second myoelectric sensing means includes amplifier means for providing an amplified output and filter means for providing a filtered output.

14. A method of teaching a physical movement, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing means for producing electrical signals representative of the performance by the teacher .of the physical movement when the teacher demonstrates the physical movement;

(b) providing means for producing electrical signals representative of the performance by the student of the physical movement when the student attempts to replicate the demonstration of the teacher;

(c) providing means for comparing the representative electrical signals of the teacher and the student; and

(d) providing means for sensory feedback to the student based on the comparison.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein

said means for producing representative electrical signals of the teacher and the student includes means for detecting the myoelectric activity generated by the muscles of the teacher and the student during the performance of the physical movement.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein

said means for comparing the representative electrical signals of the teacher and the student includes means for digitization of at least one of the representative electrical signals, and further includes computer means for storage and processing of such a digitized representative electrical signal.

17. The method of claim 16 further including the step of

(e) providing image processing means for video image storage and playback of the physical movement performed by at least one of the teacher and student.

18. The method of claim 17 further including the step of

(f) providing decision-making software for interactive learning by the student.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein

said means for comparing the representative electrical signals includes means for wirelessly transmitting at least one of the representative electrical signals.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein

said means for sensory feedback includes means for stimulation of the skin of the student.