System and method of training by providing motional feedback

• US 8,608,480 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2008
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Chan, Alistair K., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Musselman, Timothy A
• Application Number:
  US12/290,668
• Publication Number:
  US 20100112533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,873 Days
• Field of Search: 434247-261, 434/236, 600/23, 600 26- 28, 600300-301, 600481-484, 600/529, 600544-545, 600558-559, 607 1- 2, 607/45, 607 55- 68, 607/137, 463/7, 463/36
• US Class Current: 434/258
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/005 images, e.g. video
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0072 with application of electrical currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 Motion, e.g. physical activity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements

Abstract

A method is generally described which includes providing training by altering a user'"'"'s motional response includes directing a user to perform specified motions in accordance with a training sequence and detecting the user'"'"'s motions, by a feedback sensor device, the motions associated with the user. The method also includes generating, by the control program, control data based on the data representative of the detected motions and the training sequence. The control program is configured to receive data representative of the detected motions and to receive the training sequence. The control program has a control algorithm configured to generate control data based on the data representative of the detected motions and the information. Further, the method includes running the control program by a controller configured to output control signals based on the control data. Further still, the method includes delivering current, during a repeating phase in which the user is attempting to repeat the training sequence, from the current source to a vestibular stimulation device configured to deliver a stimulation current to at least one electrical contact, in response to the control signals. The at least one electrical contact is configured to contact flesh of the user.

Claims

1. A system for providing training by altering a user'"'"'s motional response, the system comprising:

a current source;

a reference source including information associated with a sequence of desired motions of a user, wherein the desired motions include a series of movements corresponding to walking;

a sensor configured to detect the motions associated with the user;

a control program configured to receive data representative of the detected motions and to receive the information associated with the sequence of desired motions of the user, the control program having a control algorithm configured to generate control data based on comparing the data representative of the detected motions and the information associated with the sequence of desired motions of the user;

a controller configured to run the control program and output control signals based on the control data; and

a vestibular stimulation device configured to deliver a current from the current source to the vestibular system device of the user in response to the output control signals,

wherein the control data is used to effectuate vestibular stimulation of the user if the user is not in process of performing motions of the sequence of desired motions of the user as provided by the reference source.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control program includes an objective function, and wherein the control data is configured to induce walking by the user or a change of direction of walking by the user.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control program includes a target.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control program includes a performance score.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control program includes an output including instructions for the user.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an output device configured to provide output to the user when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the sequence of the desired motions.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an output device configured to provide output to the user when a user'"'"'s actions correctly follow the sequence of the desired motions.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an output device configured to provide output to the user when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the sequence of the desired motions and the output is a reinforcement learning signal.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an output device configured to provide output to the user when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the sequence of the desired motions and the output device includes a nerve stimulation device.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an output device configured to provide output to the user when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the sequence of the desired motions and the output device includes a tactile stimulation device.

11. A system for providing training by altering a user'"'"'s motional response, the system comprising:

a current source;

an output device configured to output a series of training signals, the training signals being representative of desired motions of a user during a training phase, wherein the desired motions correspond to a series of dance steps including a series of movements corresponding to characteristics of a musical piece;

a vestibular stimulation device configured to deliver a current from the current source to the vestibular system of the user in response to the training signals;

a recording device;

a sensor configured to detect motions associated with the user and the sensor providing sensor information to the recording device during a repeating phase, the repeating phase intended to have the user repeat the motions performed during the training phase; and

an evaluation program configured to provide an evaluation to the user as to the performance of the user compared with the desired motions.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

the output device configured to provide an indication of a user'"'"'s performance score.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

the output device configured to provide output to the user to aid the user in performing the desired motion.

14. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

the output device configured to provide output to the user to aid the user in performing the desired motion, wherein the output device includes an audio device.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

the output device configured to provide output to the user to aid the user in performing the desired motion, wherein the output device includes an audio device and the output includes music.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

the output device configured to provide output to the user to aid the user in performing the desired motion, wherein the output device includes a video device.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the output device provides output based on a difference between detected and reference motion.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the output device provides output based on output of a reference source.

19. A method for providing training by altering a user'"'"'s motional response, the method comprising:

directing a user to perform specified motions in accordance with a training sequence, wherein the specified motions include a series of movements corresponding to walking;

detecting the user'"'"'s motional response, by a feedback sensor device, the motions associated with the user;

generating, by a control program, control data based on comparing data representative of the detected motions and the training sequence, the control program configured to receive the data representative of the detected motions and to receive the training sequence, the control program having a control algorithm configured to generate the control data based on comparing the data representative of the detected motions and the training sequence;

running the control program by a controller configured to output control signals based on the control data; and

delivering a current, during a repeating phase in which the user is attempting to repeat the training sequence, from the current source to a vestibular stimulation device configured to deliver a stimulation current to at least one electrical contact, in response to the output control signals, the at least one electrical contact configured to contact flesh of the user.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising computing, by the control program, a value of an objective function, wherein the control data is configured to induce walking by the user or a change of direction of walking by the user.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

generating the output control signals in an effort to approach a defined target.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

generating a performance score.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the training sequence.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the training sequence and the output is a reinforcement learning signal.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the training sequence of desired motions and the output device includes a nerve stimulation device.

26. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the training sequence of desired motions and the output device includes a tactile stimulation device.

27. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the training sequence and the output device includes a visual stimulation device.

28. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the training sequence and the output device includes an audio stimulation device.

29. A method for providing training by altering a user'"'"'s motional response, the method comprising:

directing a user to perform specified motions in accordance with a training sequence, the training sequence having a size, wherein the specified motions include a series of movements corresponding to walking;

detecting motions of the user, by a feedback sensor device, the motions associated with the user;

generating, by a control program, control data based on comparing data representative of the detected motions and the training sequence, the control program configured to receive the data representative of the detected motions and to receive the training sequence, the control program having a control algorithm configured to generate the control data based on comparing the data representative of the detected motions and the training sequence;

running the control program by a controller configured to output control signals based on the control data;

delivering current, during a repeating phase in which the user is attempting to repeat the training sequence, from a current source to a vestibular stimulation device configured to deliver a stimulation current to at least one electrical contact, in response to the control signals, the at least one electrical contact configured to contact flesh of the user; and

changing the size of the training sequence based on a performance score.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, to aid the user in performing the training sequence, wherein the output device includes an audio device.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, to aid the user in performing the specified motion, wherein the output device includes an audio device and the output includes music.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, to aid the user in performing the training sequence, wherein the output device includes a video device.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, to aid the user in performing the training sequence, wherein the output device includes a video device.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

increasing the size in response to an increase in a performance score.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

decreasing the size in response to an decrease in a performance score.

36. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

maintaining the size when a specified performance score is reached.

37. A method for providing training by altering a user'"'"'s motional response, the method comprising:

directing a user to perform specified motions in accordance with a training sequence, the training sequence having a size, wherein the specified motions correspond to a series of dance steps including a series of movements corresponding to characteristics of a musical piece;

detecting the user'"'"'s motions, by a feedback sensor device, the motions associated with the user;

generating, by a control program, control data based on data representative of the detected motions and a performance score, the performance score having been generated during at least one previous performance of the specified motions, the control program configured to receive the data representative of the detected motions and to receive the training sequence, the control program having a control algorithm configured to generate control data based on the data representative of the detected motions and the training sequence;

running the control program by a controller configured to output control signals based on the control data; and

delivering a current, during a repeating phase in which the user is attempting to repeat the training sequence, from a current source to a vestibular stimulation device configured to deliver a stimulation current to at least one electrical contact, in response to one or more control signals, the at least one electrical contact configured to contact flesh of the user.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising computing, by the control program, a value of an objective function, wherein the control data is configured to drive the user to move in accordance with the series of movements corresponding to the musical piece.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

generating the output control signals in an effort to approach a defined target.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

generating a performance score.

41. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the training sequence.

42. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the training sequence and the output is a reinforcement learning signal.

43. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the training sequence of desired motions and the output device includes a nerve stimulation device.

44. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the training sequence of desired motions and the output device includes a tactile stimulation device.

45. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the training sequence and the output device includes a visual stimulation device.

46. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

providing output to the user, by an output device, when a user'"'"'s actions do not follow the training sequence and the output device includes an audio stimulation device.