Balance training system

• US 8,900,165 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2011
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
• Original Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
• Inventors: Agada, Peter, Anson, Eric, Jeka, John
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US13/038,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20110212810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/595
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/004 Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• 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 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

Provided is a balance training system for improving postural control of a user by providing visual feedback regarding the user'"'"'s center of mass (CoM) to the user on a display. The balance training system includes a balance improvement module connected to the display, and a first sensor which captures information about a position of the user with respect to a platform of the balance training system on which platform the user is moving and which provides the captured information to the balance improvement module. The balance improvement module is configured to extract CoM information of the user from the captured information, to compare the extracted CoM information with a target area for the user'"'"'s CoM on the platform, and to provide results of the comparison to the display for displaying the results to the user.

Claims

1. A balance training system for improving postural control of a user by providing visual feedback regarding the user'"'"'s center of mass (CoM) to the user on a display, the balance training system comprising:

a balance improvement module connected to the display; and

a first sensor which captures information about a position of the user with respect to a platform of the balance training system on which platform the user is moving and which provides the captured information to the balance improvement module,

wherein the balance improvement module is configured to extract CoM information of the user from the captured information, to compare the extracted CoM information with a target area for the user'"'"'s CoM located on the platform, and to provide results of the comparison to the display for displaying the results to the user,

wherein the first sensor captures the information about the position of the user by tracking movement of a marker affixed to the user and provides the captured information to the balance improvement module, and the balance improvement module periodically provides a current position of the user'"'"'s CoM to the display with respect to the target area based on a current detected position of the marker.

2. The balance training system claim 1, further comprising:

an article worn by the user or attached to the user, the article including on its exposed surfaces the marker.

3. The balance training system of claim 1, wherein the balance improvement module comprises a deviation determining module, the deviation determining module applied to the captured information about the position of the user with respect to the platform and the user'"'"'s CoM to determine deviation information representing the user'"'"'s position and corresponding points in time when the user'"'"'s CoM deviates from the target area, and providing the deviation information to the display for displaying the deviation information to the user.

4. A balance training system for improving postural control of a user by providing visual feedback regarding the user'"'"'s center of mass (CoM) to the user on a display, the balance training system comprising:

a balance improvement module connected to the display; and

a first sensor which captures information about a position of the user with respect to a platform of the balance training system on which platform the user is moving and which provides the captured information to the balance improvement module,

wherein the balance improvement module is configured to extract CoM information of the user from the captured information, to compare the extracted CoM information with a target area for the user'"'"'s CoM located on the platform, and to provide results of the comparison to the display for displaying the results to the user,

wherein the balance improvement module determines power spectral density of the CoM information of the user at each frequency of movement by the user.