Non-intrusive movement measuring apparatus and method using wearable electro-conductive fiber

• US 8,348,865 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2009
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
• Inventors: Jeong, Ji Wook, Jang, Yong Won, Kim, Seung Hwan, Park, Seon Hee
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): Foreman, Jonathan M
• Application Number:
  US12/539,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20100137749A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/595
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/221 Ergometry, e.g. by using bicycle type apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance

Abstract

There is provided a non-intrusive movement measuring apparatus and method using wearable electro-conductive fibers. A non-intrusive movement measuring apparatus using wearable electro-conductive fibers according to an aspect of the invention may include a signal measurement device measuring a plurality of movement signals using a plurality of electro-conductive fibers put on user'"'"'s body parts and having resistances varying according to the volume of the user'"'"'s body parts; a movement analysis device analyzing the plurality of movement signals to obtain a user'"'"'s movement patterns and movement intensity; and a movement display device displaying a movement analysis result of the movement analysis device. Accordingly, user'"'"'s movement can be measured without limiting the user'"'"'s radius of action.

Claims

1. A non-intrusive movement measuring apparatus comprising:

a plurality of electro-conductive fibers configured to exhibit variable resistances when the electro-conductive fibers are folded, bent, twisted, and straightened;

a signal measurement device coupled to the electro-conductive fibers and configured to measure a plurality of movement signals from the electro-conductive fibers such that the movement signals corresponding to the variable resistances of the electro-conductive fibers, wherein the signal measurement device comprises;

a signal detection section configured to output analog voltage signals that correspond to the variable resistances of the electro-conductive fibers;

a signal conversion section configured to amplify, filter and convert digitally the analog voltage signals into movement signals; and

a signal transmission section configured to transmit the movement signals to a movement analysis device;

the movement analysis device configured to analyze the movement signals and configured to obtain movement patterns and movement intensity of the electro-conductive fibers; and

a movement display device configured to display a movement analysis result from the movement analysis device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electro-conductive fibers are attachable to a user'"'"'s skin or clothing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electro-conductive fibers are woven into clothing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electro-conductive fibers are arranged in a spiral fashion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electro-conductive fibers are arranged in a zigzag fashion.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement display device comprises:

an image output section configured to output an image that corresponds to the analysis result of the signal analysis section;

a sound output section configured to output sound that corresponds to the analysis result of the signal analysis section; and

an external apparatus communication section configured to connect to a server on an external network and configured to supply information about the analysis result of the signal analysis section to the server.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal detection section comprises:

a voltage supply unit configured to supply a driving voltage; and

a plurality of voltage division units configured to vary voltage division ratios in accordance to the variable resistances of the electro-conductive fibers so as to generate the analog voltage signals that correspond to the variable resistances of the electro-conductive fibers.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal measurement device further comprises a detection signal display section configured to display changes in the variable resistances of the electro-conductive fibers.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement analysis device comprises:

a signal reception section configured to receive the movement signals transmitted from the signal measurement device;

a signal analysis section configured to analyze the movement signals to obtain movement patterns and movement intensity of the electro-conductive fibers; and

a signal output section configured to output an analysis result of the signal analysis section to the movement display device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the signal analysis section further comprises a signal analysis reference, and is configured to analyze the movement patterns and movement intensity based on the signal analysis reference to additionally calculate exercise intensity, activity intensity or calorie expenditure.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal measurement device, the signal analysis device and the movement display device are configured to communicate with each other through a wired, wireless or infrared connection.

12. A non-intrusive movement measuring apparatus comprising:

a plurality of electro-conductive fibers configured to exhibit variable resistances when the electro-conductive fibers are folded, bent, twisted, and straightened;

a signal measurement device coupled to the electro-conductive fibers and configured to measure a plurality of movement signals from the electro-conductive fibers such that the movement signals corresponding to the variable resistances of the electro-conductive fibers;

the movement analysis device configured to analyze the movement signals and configured to obtain movement patterns and movement intensity of the electro-conductive fibers; and

a movement display device configured to display a movement analysis result from the movement analysis device, wherein the movement display device comprises;

an image output section configured to output an image that corresponds to the analysis result of the signal analysis section;

a sound output section configured to output sound that corresponds to the analysis result of the signal analysis section; and

an external apparatus communication section configured to connect to a server on an external network and configured to supply information about the analysis result of the signal analysis section to the server.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the signal measurement device comprises:

a signal detection section configured to output analog voltage signals that correspond to the variable resistances of the electro-conductive fibers;

a signal conversion section configured to amplify, filter and digitally convert the analog voltage signals into movement signals; and

a signal transmission section configured to transmit the movement signals to a movement analysis device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the signal detection section comprises:

a voltage supply unit configured to supply a driving voltage; and

a plurality of voltage division units configured to vary voltage division ratios in accordance to the variable resistances of the electro-conductive fibers so as to generate the analog voltage signals that correspond to the variable resistances of the electro-conductive fibers.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the movement analysis device further comprises:

a signal reception section configured to receive the movement signals transmitted from the signal measurement device;

a signal analysis section configured to analyze the movement signals to obtain movement patterns and movement intensity of the electro-conductive fibers; and

a signal output section configured to output an analysis result of the signal analysis section to the movement display device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the signal analysis section further comprises a signal analysis reference, and is configured to analyze the movement patterns and movement intensity based on the signal analysis reference to additionally calculate exercise intensity, activity intensity or calorie expenditure.

17. A non-intrusive movement measuring method using wearable electro-conductive fibers, the method comprising:

putting the electro-conductive fibers on a user'"'"'s body parts;

measuring a plurality of movement signals such that the movement signals corresponding to variable resistances of the electro-conductive fibers;

outputting analog voltage signals that correspond to the variable resistances of the electro-conductive fibers;

amplifying, filtering and digitally converting the analog voltage signals into movement signals;

transmitting the movement signals to a movement analysis device;

analyzing the movement signals to obtain movement patterns and movement intensity of the electro-conductive fibers on the user'"'"'s body; and

displaying a movement analysis result from the movement analysis device; and

notifying the user of the movement patterns and movement intensity.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the electro-conductive fibers are arranged on at least one of the user'"'"'s body parts comprising cervical vertebral joints, left and right shoulder joints, left and right elbow joints, left and right wrist joints, left and right hip joints, left and right knee joints, left and right ankle joints, thorax, back, and abdomen.