Wearable position or motion sensing systems or methods
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- an external flexing sensing element, configured to be externally coupled to or externally worn on a human or animal body, the sensing element providing an indication of an external longitudinal axial bending, twisting, or elongation due to movement of at least one body part, the sensing element comprising a flexible elongate member, the flexible elongate member comprising a lumen carrying a flowable substance comprising at least one of a liquid, a gas, or a gel; and
a transducer, in flowable substance communication with the lumen of the sensing element, the transducer configured to transduce an indication of the longitudinal axial bending, twisting, or elongation of the sensing element into at least one output indication of body part movement to be provided to a user or a device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wearable system of one or more body position or motion sensors can include a flexible sensing element to be coupled to or worn on a body. When straight, the flexible sensing element defines a longitudinal axis. It includes a lumen carrying a flowable substance, such as a liquid, gas, or gel. A measurable parameter of the flowable substance, such as pressure, volume, or flow, provides an indication of a longitudinal axial bending, twisting, or elongation, such as due to movement of at least one body part to which the sensing element is coupled. The lumen is coupled to a transducer by at least one conduit for the flowable substance. The transducer converts the measurable parameter of the flowable substance into a transducer output signal indicative of the longitudinal axial bending, twisting, or elongation of the sensing element, from which body part position or movement information can be derived.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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an external flexing sensing element, configured to be externally coupled to or externally worn on a human or animal body, the sensing element providing an indication of an external longitudinal axial bending, twisting, or elongation due to movement of at least one body part, the sensing element comprising a flexible elongate member, the flexible elongate member comprising a lumen carrying a flowable substance comprising at least one of a liquid, a gas, or a gel; and a transducer, in flowable substance communication with the lumen of the sensing element, the transducer configured to transduce an indication of the longitudinal axial bending, twisting, or elongation of the sensing element into at least one output indication of body part movement to be provided to a user or a device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method comprising:
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externally sensing an external longitudinal axial bending, twisting, or elongation of an external flexible elongate member sensing element that is externally coupled to or worn on a human or animal body, the sensing including using a flowable substance carried by a lumen of the flexible elongate member, the flowable substance comprising at least one of a liquid, a gas, or a gel; and externally transducing an indication of the longitudinal axial bending, twisting, or elongation of the sensing element into at least one output indication of body part movement to be provided to a user or a device. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An apparatus comprising:
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means for externally sensing an external longitudinal axial bending, twisting, or elongation of an external flexible elongate member sensing element that is externally coupled to or externally worn on a human or animal body, the sensing including using a flowable substance carried by a lumen of the flexible elongate member, the flowable substance comprising at least one of a liquid, a gas, or a gel; and means for externally transducing an indication of the longitudinal axial bending, twisting, or elongation of the sensing element into at least one output indication of body part movement to be provided to a user or a device. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification