Joint angle indication system
First Claim
1. A joint angle indication system for providing information related to an angular relationship between a first body part and a second body part which are pivotally coupled at a joint, the system comprising:
- a first arm member operable for attachment to the first body part, the first arm member having a first proximal end and a first distal end;
a second arm member operable for attachment to the second body part, the second arm member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end of the second arm member pivotally coupled to the first proximal end of the first arm member;
at least one joint angle variation sensor for providing at least one electrical characteristic which varies based on variation in a joint angle of the first arm member relative to the second arm member, where the joint angle is variable over an angular range which includes a first angle and a second angle, the at least one joint angle variation sensor comprising first and second potentiometers coupled between the first and second arm members for providing a first electrical resistance of the first potentiometer and a second electrical resistance of the second potentiometer;
a biofeedback circuit operable to generate a first feedback signal when the first electrical resistance of the first potentiometer indicates the joint angle is less than or equal to the first angle, operable to generate the second feedback signal when the first electrical resistance of the first potentiometer indicates the joint angle is greater than or equal to the second angle, and operable to generate no feedback signal when the first electrical resistance of the first potentiometer indicates the joint angle is less than the second angle and greater than the first angle; and
an angle display circuit for visually displaying a joint angle value based on at least the second electrical resistance.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A joint angle indication system provides information related to an angular relationship between a first body part and a second body part that are pivotally coupled at a joint. The system includes a first arm member attached to the first body part, and a second arm member attached to the second body part. One end of the second arm member is pivotally coupled to one end of the first arm member. The system includes one or more joint angle variation sensors that provide one or more electrical characteristics that vary based on variation in the joint angle between the first and second arm members. The joint angle is variable over an angular range that includes a first angle and a second angle. A biofeedback circuit generates a first feedback signal when the joint angle is less than or equal to the first angle, generates a second feedback signal when the joint angle is greater than or equal to the second angle, and generates no feedback signal when the joint angle is less than the second angle and greater than the first angle. Preferably, the first and second feedback signals are audio signals, and the second feedback signal has a different frequency from the first feedback signal. The system also includes an angle display circuit that is electrically coupled to the one or more joint angle variation sensors. The angle display circuit visually displays a joint angle value based on the one or more electrical characteristics.
102 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A joint angle indication system for providing information related to an angular relationship between a first body part and a second body part which are pivotally coupled at a joint, the system comprising:
-
a first arm member operable for attachment to the first body part, the first arm member having a first proximal end and a first distal end;
a second arm member operable for attachment to the second body part, the second arm member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end of the second arm member pivotally coupled to the first proximal end of the first arm member;
at least one joint angle variation sensor for providing at least one electrical characteristic which varies based on variation in a joint angle of the first arm member relative to the second arm member, where the joint angle is variable over an angular range which includes a first angle and a second angle, the at least one joint angle variation sensor comprising first and second potentiometers coupled between the first and second arm members for providing a first electrical resistance of the first potentiometer and a second electrical resistance of the second potentiometer;
a biofeedback circuit operable to generate a first feedback signal when the first electrical resistance of the first potentiometer indicates the joint angle is less than or equal to the first angle, operable to generate the second feedback signal when the first electrical resistance of the first potentiometer indicates the joint angle is greater than or equal to the second angle, and operable to generate no feedback signal when the first electrical resistance of the first potentiometer indicates the joint angle is less than the second angle and greater than the first angle; and
an angle display circuit for visually displaying a joint angle value based on at least the second electrical resistance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A joint angle indication system for providing information related to an angular relationship between a first body part and a second body part which are pivotally coupled at a joint, the system comprising:
-
a first arm member operable for attachment to the first body part, the first arm member having a first proximal end and a first distal end;
a second arm member operable for attachment to the second body part, the second arm member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end of the second arm member pivotally coupled to the first proximal end of the first arm member;
at least one joint angle variation sensor for providing at least one electrical characteristic which varies based on variation in a joint angle of the first arm member relative to the second arm member, where the joint angle is variable over an angular range which includes a first angle and a second angle;
a biofeedback circuit operable to generate a first feedback signal when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the joint angle is less than or equal to the first angle, operable to is generate a second feedback signal when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the joint angle is greater than or equal to the second angle, and operable to generate no feedback signal when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the joint angle is less than the second angle and greater than the first angle, where the second feedback signal is aurally different from the first feedback signal;
an angle display circuit for visually displaying a joint angle value based on the at least one electrical characteristic;
a flexible sleeve operable to substantially surround the first and second body parts;
the first arm member having a first attachment plate pivotally attached thereto proximate the first distal end;
means for mechanically coupling the first attachment plate to the flexible sleeve;
the second arm member having a second attachment plate pivotally attached thereto proximate the second distal end; and
means for mechanically coupling the second attachment plate to the flexible sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
-
-
10. A joint angle indication system for providing information related to an angular relationship between a first body part and a second body part which are pivotally coupled at a joint, the system comprising:
-
a first arm member operable for attachment to the first body part, the first arm member having a first proximal end and a first distal end;
a second arm member operable for attachment to the second body part, the second arm member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end of the second arm member pivotally coupled to the first proximal end of the first arm member;
at least one joint angle variation sensor for providing at least one electrical characteristic which varies based on variation in a joint angle of the first arm member relative to the second arm member, where the joint angle is variable over an angular range which includes a first angle and a second angle, an audio output circuit for generating an audio angle indication signal having a frequency that varies in relation to a variation in the at least one electrical characteristic;
a biofeedback circuit operable to generate a first feedback signal when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the joint angle is less than or equal to the first angle, operable to generate a second feedback signal when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the joint angle is greater than or equal to the second angle, and operable to generate no feedback signal when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the joint angle is less than the second angle and greater than the first angle, where the second feedback signal is aurally different from the first feedback signal;
an angle display circuit for visually displaying a joint angle value based on the at least one electrical characteristic;
a microphone for generating an audio annotation signal; and
an audio recording device operable to record audio information on at least first and second audio information channels, the audio recording device for receiving the audio angle indication signal and recording the audio angle indication signal on the first audio information channel, and for receiving the audio annotation signal and recording the audio annotation signal on the second audio information channel.
-
-
11. A joint angle indication system for providing information related to an angular relationship between a first, body part and a second body part which are pivotally coupled at a joint, the system comprising:
-
a first arm member operable for attachment to the first body part, the first arm member having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first arm member forked at the first proximal end to form a first prong portion and a second prong portion;
a second arm member operable for attachment to the second body part, the second arm member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end of the second arm member disposed between and pivotally coupled to the first and second prong portions of the first arm member;
a first potentiometer disposed between the second arm member and the first prong of the first arm member, the first potentiometer having a first electrical resistance which varies based on variation in a joint angle of the first arm member relative to the second arm member, where the joint angle is variable over an angular range which includes a first angle and a second angle;
a second potentiometer disposed between the second arm member and the second prong of the first arm member, the second potentiometer having a second electrical resistance which varies based on the variation in the joint angle;
a biofeedback circuit operable to generate a first feedback signal having a first audio frequency when the first electrical resistance indicates the joint angle is less than or equal to the first angle, operable to generate a second feedback signal having a second audio frequency which is higher than the first audio frequency when the first electrical resistance indicates the joint angle is greater than or equal to the second angle, and operable to generate no feedback signal when the first electrical resistance indicates the joint angle is less than the second angle and greater than the first angle; and
an angle display circuit for visually displaying a joint angle value based on the second electrical resistance.
-
-
12. A joint angle indication system for providing information related to an angular relationship between a first body part and a second body part which are pivotally coupled at a joint, the system comprising:
-
a first arm member operable for attachment to the first body part, the first arm member having a first proximal end and a first distal end;
a second arm member operable for attachment to the second body part, the second arm member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end of the second arm member pivotally coupled to the first proximal end of the first arm member;
at least one joint angle variation sensor for providing at least one electrical characteristic which varies based on variation in a joint angle of the first arm member relative to the second arm member, where the joint angle is variable over an angular range which includes a first angle and a second angle;
a biofeedback circuit operable to generate a first feedback signal when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the joint angle is less than or equal to the first angle, operable to generate a second feedback signal when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the joint angle is greater than or equal to the second angle, and operable to generate no feedback signal when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the joint angle is less than the second angle and greater than the first angle, where the second feedback signal is aurally different from the first feedback signal;
an audio output circuit for generating an audio angle indication signal having a frequency which varies in relation to a variation in the at least one electrical characteristic;
a microphone for generating an audio annotation signal; and
an audio recording device operable to record audio information on at least first and second audio information channels, the audio recording device for receiving and recording the audio angle indication signal on the first audio information channel, and for receiving and recording the audio annotation signal on the second audio information channel.
-
-
13. A method for providing information related to an angular relationship between a first body part and a second body part which are pivotally coupled at a joint, the method comprising:
-
(a) providing at least one electrical characteristic which varies based on variation in a joint angle of the first body part relative to the second body part, where the joint angle is variable over an angular range which includes a first angle and a second angle;
(b) generating an audio angle indication signal having a signal characteristic which varies in relation to a variation in the at least one electrical characteristic;
(c) generating an audio annotation signal;
(d) recording the audio angle indication signal on a first audio information channel of an audio recording device, and recording the audio annotation signal on a second audio information channel of the audio recording device;
(e) accessing the audio angle indication signal from the first audio information channel of the audio recording device, and accessing the audio annotation signal from the second audio information channel of the audio recording device;
(f) operating on the audio angle indication signal to derive a joint angle signal therefrom;
(g) displaying a joint angle value on a display device based on the joint angle signal; and
(h) providing an audible rendition of the audio annotation signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A joint angle indication system for providing information related to an angular relationship between a first body part and a second body part which are pivotally coupled at a joint, the system comprising:
-
a first arm member operable for attachment to the first body part, the first arm member having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first arm member forked at the first proximal end to form a first prong portion and a second prong portion;
a second arm member operable for attachment to the second body part, the second arm member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end of the second arm member disposed between and pivotally coupled to the first and second prong portions of the first arm member;
a first potentiometer disposed between the second arm member and the first prong of the first arm member, the first potentiometer having a first electrical resistance which varies based on variation in a joint angle of the first arm member relative to the second arm member, where the joint angle is variable over an angular range which includes a first angle and a second angle; and
a second potentiometer disposed between the second arm member and the second prong of the first arm member, the second potentiometer having a second electrical resistance which varies based on the variation in the joint angle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
-
20. A joint angle indication system for providing information related to an angular relationship between a first body part and a second body part which are pivotally coupled at a joint, the system comprising:
-
a first arm member operable for attachment to the first body part, the first arm member having a first proximal end and a first distal end;
a second arm member operable for attachment to the second body part, the second arm member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second proximal end of the second arm member pivotally coupled to the first proximal end of the first arm member;
at least one joint angle variation sensor for providing at least one electrical characteristic which varies based on variation in a joint angle of the first arm member relative to the second arm member, where the joint angle is variable over an angular range which includes a first angle and a second angle;
a biofeedback circuit operable to generate a first feedback signal when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the joint angle is less than or equal to the first angle, operable to generate a second feedback signal when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the joint angle is greater than or equal to the second angle, and operable to generate no feedback signal when the at least one electrical characteristic indicates the joint angle is less than the second angle and greater than the first angle, where the second feedback signal is aurally different from the first feedback signal;
an audio output circuit for generating an audio angle indication signal having a frequency which varies in relation to a variation in the at least one electrical characteristic; and
an audio recording device operable to receive and record the audio angle indication signal. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
-
22. A method for providing information related to an angular relationship between a first body part and a second body part which are pivotally coupled at a joint, the method comprising:
-
(a) providing at least one electrical characteristic which varies based on variation in a joint angle of the first body part relative to the second body part, where the joint angle is variable over an angular range which includes a first angle and a second angle;
(b) generating an audio angle indication signal having a signal characteristic which varies in relation to a variation in the at least one electrical characteristic;
(c) recording the audio angle indication signal on a first audio information channel of an audio recording device;
(d) accessing the audio angle indication signal from the first audio information channel of the audio recording device; and
(e) operating on the audio angle indication signal to derive a joint angle signal there from. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
-
Specification