Posture measurement and feedback instrument for seated occupations
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for indirectly assessing positions and movements of body parts of a subject comprising the steps of:
- (a) applying a signal source and a receiver to either half of a hinge, causing the received signal to change when said hinge pivots, (b) choosing a suitable skin area having properties causing said skin to deform in response to a defined posture change, and (c) applying said hinge to said suitable skin area causing said hinge to pivot and change said received signal in response to said defined posture change, whereby multidimensional movement of said skin deformation is translated into one reliable plane of rotation around the axis of said hinge.
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Abstract
A posture measurement and feedback instrument comprising a signal source and a receiver attached to either half of a hinge. When the hinge is applied to the skin covering the xyphoid process, it pivots in response to slumping, changing the receiver output accordingly. Software is installed on a telecommunication device to store a posture threshold value and generate a feedback signal when the output of a posture sensing means reaches or exceeds the threshold. Software may also be installed on a computer to store posture data and generate posture feedback, while the computer is being used for an unrelated purpose. A person is alerted when sampled posture data meet or exceed a threshold of immobility. When sampled posture data reach or surpass a threshhold of postural dysfunction, exercises suited to reverse that particular dysfunction are selected from a menu.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method for indirectly assessing positions and movements of body parts of a subject comprising the steps of:
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(a) applying a signal source and a receiver to either half of a hinge, causing the received signal to change when said hinge pivots, (b) choosing a suitable skin area having properties causing said skin to deform in response to a defined posture change, and (c) applying said hinge to said suitable skin area causing said hinge to pivot and change said received signal in response to said defined posture change, whereby multidimensional movement of said skin deformation is translated into one reliable plane of rotation around the axis of said hinge.
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2. A method for indirectly measuring the degree of slump comprising the steps of:
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(a) choosing the skin area covering the xyphoid process where slumping causes the body to bend while upper and lower extremity movements and breathing have no significant effect, and (b) applying to said skin area a sensing means that provides an output in response to said bending. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. A method for posture feedback to a user of a common telecommunication device comprising the steps of:
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(a) connecting an output of a posture sensing means to said telecommunication device of said user, and (b) installing software on said telecommunication device which allows said telecommunication device to store a posture threshold value and generate a feedback signal when said output reaches or exceeds said threshold, whereby inconspicuous and cost efficient posture measurement and feedback means become available to the user of said telecommunication device.
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5. A method for posture feedback to a computer user and storage of posture data of said computer user comprising the steps of:
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(a) connecting an output of a posture sensing means to the computer of said computer user, (b) installing software on said computer which allows said computer to store said output from said posture sensing means and a posture threshold value, and (c) generating a feedback signal based on said output while said computer is being used for an unrelated purpose, wherein said feedback signal alerts said user if said output reaches or exceeds said stored threshold value.
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6. A method for providing immobility feedback comprising the steps of:
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(a) sampling posture data obtained with a posture measurement means with a defined sampling frequency, (b) subtracting values of consecutive samples, (c) adding the absolute values of said differences between said consecutive samples, (d) comparing said sum to a threshold that defines immobility, and (e) alerting a person if said sum meets or exceeds said threshold.
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7. A method for providing automatic exercise feedback comprising the steps of:
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(a) compiling a menu of exercises suited to reverse or prevent the harmful effects of postural dysfunction, (b) collecting posture data with a means of posture measurement, (c) comparing said data to a threshold that defines said postural dysfunction, and (d) automatically selecting exercises from said menu that are best suited to reverse or prevent said harmful effects of said postural dysfunction when said threshold is reached or surpassed.
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Specification