Device for monitoring a user's posture

• US 7,771,318 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Narayanaswami, Chandrasekhar
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US11/315,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20070149360A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,692 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 482/142, 482/148, 600/438, 600/595, 600/300, 601/33, 701/220, 738/664, 715/700, 715/706, 700/56, 700/62, 340/573.7
• US Class Current: 482/8
• 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 2208/02 posture
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/12 for the body or the legs , e.g. for the shoulders A63B71/081 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/14 for the hands, e.g. baseball, boxing or golfing gloves archer's finger tabs F41B5/1473

Abstract

A device, wearable by a user, includes: a plurality of sensor elements each for providing an indication of position of at least a part of the user'"'"'s body; a receiver for receiving each indication of position provided by each of the plurality of sensor elements to provide a composite position signal. The individual sensor readings may all be transmitted to the external entity for further analysis. The sensors may be placed in different locations or positions for measuring the curvature of at least a part of the user'"'"'s body.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring position of a user, the system comprising:

a wearable device, wearable by the user, comprising;

a composite unit comprising at least one tube disposed along the user'"'"'s spine for providing an indication of a curvature of the user'"'"'s spine where the tube is placed, said tube comprising;

a plurality of disks placed at regular intervals inside the tube, said disks having an oval shape in an un-flexed state such that when the user'"'"'s spine is bent the disks located near the bend become flexed and a resulting deformation of the disk produces an electrical signal; and

a plurality of sensor elements operatively coupled with the plurality of disks; and

wherein the composite unit further comprises;

a processing unit operatively coupled with the composite unit, the processing unit comprising;

a receiver for receiving each indication of position change provided by each of the plurality of sensor elements to provide a composite position signal wherein the plurality of sensor elements are each operatively coupled with the receiver;

a transmitter, operatively coupled with the receiver, for transmitting the composite position signal to a processor;

an internal memory for receiving an initial placement position for each of the plurality of sensor elements; and

the processor, operatively coupled with the receiver, for receiving the composite position signal and computing an indication of the user'"'"'s posture; and

a remote processing unit wirelessly coupled to the wearable device to monitor the position of the user as indicated by the curvature of the user'"'"'s spine.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver of the wearable device is configured to receive information representing a three-dimensional position of each sensor element.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver of the wearable device is configured to receive information representing the position of each sensor element continuously.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver of the wearable device is configured to receive information representing the position of each sensor element at a high sample rate.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter of the wearable device is configured to transmit the composite position signal to a physician for analysis.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter of the wearable device is configured to transmit the composite position signal to the remote processing unit for analysis.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensor elements of the wearable device is flexible.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user feedback mechanism for providing a signal to the user and wherein the signal provides information relating to correction of the user'"'"'s posture.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the user feedback mechanism comprises a computer system comprising a display for presenting a representation of the user'"'"'s posture and suggestions for improving the posture.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter of the wearable device is configured to transmit the composite position signal to a therapist for analysis.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the feedback mechanism comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of:

a watch, a phone, and a music player.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor of the wearable device is further configured for measuring a composite three dimensional contour, and wherein the three dimensional contour is calculated by integrating individual curvature readings by each sensor element.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the individual sensor readings are transmitted to an external entity for further analysis.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter of the wearable device is attached to the sensor.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter of the wearable device is a wireless device.