Method and System for Improving Bodily Dexterity

• US 20150119122A1
• Filed: 09/12/2012
• Published: 04/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Embodify APS
• Original Assignee: Embodify APS
• Inventors: Holme, Sren
• Granted Patent: US 9,586,137 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/7
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/814 Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1068 being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/30 characterized by output arrangements for receiving control signals generated by the game device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8047 Music games

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for improving bodily dexterity is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of wearable sensor units and a processing unit. The plurality of wearable sensor units, in each of its sensor unit includes a sensor adapted to sensing a user action, a generating module adapted to generating an action signal that includes information about the user action performed on at least one of the plurality of sensor units, and a sensor transmitter adapted to transmitting the action signal. The processing unit includes a processing unit receiver adapted to receiving the action signal, an interpretation module adapted to interpreting the action signal in accordance with a set of pre-assigned criteria, and an output signal generator adapted to generating an output signal based on the interpreted action signal.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of wearable sensor units comprising;

a sensor, in each of the plurality of sensor unit, adapted to sensing a user action,

a generating module, in each of the plurality of sensor units, adapted to generating an action signal that includes information about the user action performed on at least one of the plurality of sensor units,

a sensor transmitter, in each of the plurality of sensor units, adapted to transmitting the action signal; and

a processing unit comprising;

a processing unit receiver adapted to receiving the action signal,

an interpretation module adapted to interpreting the action signal in accordance with a set of pre-assigned criteria,

an output signal generator adapted to generating an output signal based on the interpreted action signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, until a condition is met,

the generating module is adapted to producing a series of action signals that includes information about a series of user actions performed on the at least one of the plurality of sensor units,

the interpretation module is adapted to interpreting the series of action signals in accordance with the set of pre-assigned criteria;

and

the output signal generator is adapted to generating a series of output signals based on a series of interpreted action signals.

3. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit is wearable.

4. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of sensor units and the processing unit are portable.

5. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of sensor units and/or the processing unit individually comprises a mounting means for mounting the plurality of sensor units and/or the processing unit on a body part of the user.

6. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein mounting orientation of the plurality of sensor units and/or the processing unit is selected from a group consisting of a front facing orientation, side facing orientation, an upward facing orientation, a back facing orientation, and a combination thereof.

7. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting means is an elastic band means.

8. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting means is a wraparound strapping means having a fastening means selected from a group consisting of a loop-and-hook assembly, zipper assembly, hook-and-eye closure assembly, laces, buckle assembly, buckle-and-hole assembly, button-and-hole assembly, snap fastener assembly, magnetic closure assembly and a combination thereof.

9. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the output signal comprises instructions for producing a perceivable effect.

10. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the perceivable effect is selected from a group consisting of a number of visual effects, a number audio effects, a number of smoke effects, a number of vibrational effects, variation in the perceivable effect and a combination thereof.

11. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of sensor units are individually adapted to produce the perceivable effect in accordance with the output signal.

12. The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a device that is communicatively connected to the processing unit and is capable of producing the perceivable effect.

13. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein more than one sensor of the plurality of sensor units are adapted to sense the user action performed, simultaneously/substantially simultaneously, on the more than one sensor.

14. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein more than one sensor of the plurality of sensor units are adapted to sense the user action performed, within a specified time period/as an overlapping user action, on the more than one sensor.

15. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

each generating module associated individually with the more than one sensor of the plurality of sensor units separately produces an action signal, thereby collectively producing more than one action signal;

and

each sensor transmitter associated individually with the more than one sensor of the plurality of sensor units transmits the action signal generated by the respective generating module.

16. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

the processing unit receiver receives the more than one action signal simultaneously/substantially simultaneously or within the specified time period or as an overlapping signal;

the interpretation module collectively interprets the more than one action signal in accordance with the set of pre-assigned criteria; and

the output generator generates a collective output signal based on the collective interpretation of the more than one action signal.

17. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the generated collective output signal is different from the output signals generated for individual sensors of the more than one sensors if the individual-sensors sense the user action outside the requirement of user action performed simultaneously/substantially simultaneously/within a specified time period/as an overlapping action.

18. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit generates an activation signal indicating at least one sensor unit requiring the user action.

19. The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising

a processing unit transmitter adapted to transmitting an activation signal;

and

a sensor receiver, in each of the plurality of sensor units, adapted to receiving the activation signal that indicates at least one of the plurality of sensor units requiring the user action.

20. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activation signal comprises instructions for producing a perceivable effect on at least one of the plurality of the sensor unit, the produced perceivable effect indicating the sensor unit requiring the user action.

21. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the perceivable effect produced by the activation signal is same as the perceivable effect produced by the output signal or the collective output signal.

22. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the perceivable effect produced by the activation signal is different than the perceivable effect produced by the output signal or the collective output signal.

23. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the generating module generates the action signal that includes information about the user action performed on the at least one sensor unit of the plurality of sensors requiring the user action.

24. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, until the condition is met, the processing unit generates a series of activation signal indicating at least one sensor unit requiring the user action.

25. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, until the condition is met,

the processing unit transmitter is adapted to transmit the series of activation signal;

the sensor receiver of at least one of the sensor unit receiving the series of activation signal that indicates at least one of the plurality of sensor units requiring the user action;

the generating module of the at least one sensor unit requiring the user action is adapted to producing a series of action signals that includes information about a series of user actions on the sensor requiring the user action,

the interpretation module is adapted to interpreting the series of action signals in accordance with the set of pre-assigned criteria; and

the output signal generator is adapted to generating a series of output signals based on a series of interpreted action signals.

26. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit transmitter transmits the activation signal to more than one sensor unit of the plurality of sensor units, thereby indicating more than one sensor requiring the user action.

27. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein more than one sensor, requiring the user action, of the plurality of sensor units are adapted to sense the user action performed, simultaneously/substantially simultaneously, on the more than one sensor requiring user action.

28. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein more than one sensor, requiring the user action, of the plurality of sensor units are adapted to sense the user action performed, within a specified time period or as an overlapping user action, on the more than one sensor.

29. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

each generating module associated individually with the more than one sensor, requiring the user action, of the plurality of sensor units separately produces an action signal, thereby collectively producing more than one action signal;

and

each sensor transmitter associated individually with the more than one sensor, requiring the user action, of the plurality of sensor units transmits the action signal generated by the respective generating module.

30. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor in each of the plurality of sensor unit is selected from a group consisting of pressure sensor, tactile sensor, level sensor, proximity sensor, touch sensor, motion sensor, piezo electric sensor, mechanical button, digital button, vibration sensor, accelerometer, micro-gyros, 3-D compass, audio sensor and a combination thereof.

31. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the user action is a body movement selected from a group consisting of touching the sensor, applying pressure to the sensor, and moving the body part to which sensor unit is mounted, and a combination thereof.

32. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein characteristics of the user action is selected from a group consisting of duration for which the user action is performed, and the pressure that is applied during the performance of the user action on the sensor.

33. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor transmitter-sensor receiver of each sensor unit and the processing unit transmitter-processing unit receiver include a communication interface for providing communication link between each of the plurality of sensor units and the processing unit.

34. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication interface is selected from a group consisting of a wired link and a wireless link, such as radio communication link selected from a group consisting of RFID, wi-fi, bluetooth, and NFC.

35. The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a first power source, such as a battery, in each of the plurality of sensor units.

36. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit is adapted to processing the action signal, and generating the output signal.

37. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit comprises a user interface for selecting the activation signal.

38. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the user interface is selected from a group consisting of physical buttons, graphical touch screen, and a combination thereof.

39. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit comprises a second power source, such as a battery.

40. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of sensor units and/or the processing unit comprises rechargeable means to recharge the first power source and the second power source respectively.

41. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit comprises a storage means for storing the information included in the action signal, and information to be associated with the output signal.

42. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit comprises a storage means for storing the information included in the activation signal.

43. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit is adapted to access information stored in the storage means.

44. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit comprises a communication slot for exchanging information with an external storage media.

45. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein processing unit is communicatively connected to a storage device, the processing unit being adapted to download data from the storage device and to upload information to the storage device.

46. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication connection is selected from a group consisting of a wired connection and a wireless connection.

47. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit calculates performance of the user based on the interpreted user actions and a set of pre-specified parameters.

48. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the storage means records the calculated performance and maintains a performance-log of the user.

49. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit is integrated within one of the plurality of sensor units.

50. The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a clothing accessory including a means for attaching the at least one sensor unit of the plurality of sensor units and/or the processing unit.

51. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the clothing accessory is selected from a group consisting of shirt, t-shirt, trousers, leggings, cap, gloves, mitten, socks, shoes, and scarf.

52. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the attaching means is selected from a fixed attaching mechanism, such as a stitch mechanism, and a re-attachable mechanism such as a hook-and-loop mechanism.

53. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the clothing accessory is made up of a material that produces a tactile effect in response to an output signal/collective output signal.

54. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the clothing accessory includes a tactile producing system, the tactile producing system producing a tactile sensation in response to the output signal/collective output signal.

55. The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a pluggable means comprising a connectable end adapted to couple with an electronic device.

56. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pluggable means comprises executable instructions in order to provide a set of functionality of the processing unit to the electronic device such as a portable smartphone.

57. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the integrated pluggable means with the electronic device is configured to operate like the processing unit when communicatively interfaced with the plurality of sensor units.

58. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system is communicatively connected with another system, wherein the system and the another system individually has features included in any of the preceding claims 1 to 57.

59. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

the system comprises a first plurality of sensor units and a first processing unit;

and

the another system comprises a second plurality of sensor units and a second processing unit.

60. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

the first processing unit communicates with the first plurality of sensor units;

and/or

the second processing unit communicates with the second plurality of sensor units.

61. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first processing unit of the system communicates with the second processing unit of the second system.

62. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein only the first processing unit of the system receives the action signal from at least one of the second plurality of sensor units.

63. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

the first processing unit of the system receives the action signal from at least one of the second plurality of sensor units;

and

the second processing unit of the another system receives the action signal from at least one of the first plurality of sensor units.

64. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

the first plurality of sensor units are mounted on a first user;

and

the second plurality of sensor units are mounted on a second user.

65. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

the first plurality of sensor units sense the user action from the second user;

and

the second plurality of sensor units sense the user action from the first user.

66. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system use includes using the system as a gaming unit, as a gaming controller, as a controller in home automation, in physical therapies, as an exercise unit, as a music accessory, as a stage performance accessory, as an accessory in applications such as in mobile applications, etc.

72. The method in accordance with any of the claims 67 to 71, further comprising features of any of the preceding claims 1 to 66.

74. The system in accordance with claim 73, further comprising features of any of the claims 1 to 72.

76. The method in accordance with claim 75, further comprising features in any of the claims 1 to 74.

77. A combined system comprising:

a first system comprising features of any of the preceding claims 1 to 66; and

a second system comprising features of any of the preceding claims 1 to 66, the first system and the second system being communicatively connected to each other.

78. The combined system according to claim 77, wherein

the first system comprises a first plurality of sensor units and a first processing unit;

and

the second system comprises a second plurality of sensor units and a second processing unit.

79. The combined system according to any of the preceding claims 77 to 78, wherein

the first processing unit communicates with the first plurality of sensor units;

and/or

the second processing unit communicates with the second plurality of sensor units.

80. The combined system according to any of the preceding claims 77 to 79, wherein the first processing unit of the system communicates with the second processing unit of the second system.

81. The combined system according to any of the preceding claims 77 to 80, wherein only the first processing unit of the system receives the action signal from at least one of the second plurality of sensor units.

82. The combined system according to any of the preceding claims 77 to 81, wherein

the first processing unit of the system receives the action signal from at least one of the second plurality of sensor units;

and

the second processing unit of the another system receives the action signal from at least one of the first plurality of sensor units.

83. The system according to any of the preceding claims 77 to 82, wherein

the first plurality of sensor units are mounted on a first user;

and

the second plurality of sensor units are mounted on a second user.

84. The system according to any of the preceding claims 77 to 83, wherein

the first plurality of sensor units sense the user action from the second user;

and

the second plurality of sensor units sense the user action from the first user.

85. The combined system according to any of the preceding claims 77 to 84, further including a plurality of communicatively connected systems, wherein each system of the plurality of systems individually comprise features of any of the preceding claims 1 to 66.

86. The combined system according to any of the preceding claims 77 to 85, further comprising features of any of the claims 1 to 76.

88. The method according to claim 87, further comprising features of any of the claims 1 to 86.

91. The system according to any of the preceding claims 84 to 87, further comprising features of any of the claims 1 to 88.

95. The method according to any of the preceding claims 92 to 94, further comprising features of any of the claims 1 to 91.

98. The pluggable means according to any of the claims 96 to 97, further comprising feature of any of the claims 1 to 95.

104. The clothing accessory according to any of the preceding claims 99 to 103, further comprising features of any of the claims 1 to 98.

108. The system in accordance with any of the claims 105 to 107, further comprising features of any of the claims 1 to 104.

67. A method comprising:

mounting a plurality of sensor units on at least a body part of a user;

communicatively interfacing the plurality of sensor units with a processing unit;

performing a user action on at least one sensor unit of the plurality of sensor units;

generating an action signal that includes information about the user action;

transmitting the action signal to a processing unit;

interpreting the action signal in accordance with a set of pre-assigned criteria; and

generating an output signal based on the response signal.

68. The method in accordance with claim 67, further comprising generating an activation signal indicating at least one sensor unit requiring the user action.

69. The method in accordance with any of the preceding claims 67 to 68, further comprising

transmitting the activation signal to the at least one sensor unit of the plurality of sensor units;

and

receiving the activation signal at the at least one sensor unit, the activation signal indicating the at least one sensor unit requiring the user action.

70. The method according to any of the preceding claims 67 to 69, further comprising performing the user action on the at least one sensor unit requiring the user action and generating an action signal that includes information about the user action.

71. The method according to any of the preceding claims 67 to 70, further comprising determining if a condition based stop is to be made and stopping the system if the stop condition is met.

73. A system comprising:

a plurality of wearable sensor units comprising;

a sensor receiver, in each of the plurality of sensors, adapted to receiving the activation signal that indicates at least one of the plurality of sensor units requiring the user action;

a sensor, in each of the plurality of sensor unit, adapted to sensing a user action,

a generating module, in each of the plurality of sensor unit, adapted to generating an action signal that includes information about the user action performed on at least one of the plurality of sensor units,

a sensor transmitter, in each of the plurality of sensor units, adapted to transmitting the action signal; and

a processing unit comprising;

a processing unit transmitter adapted to transmitting an activation signal;

a processing unit receiver adapted to receiving the action signal,

an interpretation module adapted to interpreting the action signal in accordance with a set of pre-assigned criteria,

an output signal generator adapted to generating an output signal based on the interpreted action signal.

75. A method comprising:

mounting a plurality of sensor units on at least a body part of a user;

communicatively interfacing the plurality of sensor units with a processing unit;

transmitting an activation signal to the at least one sensor unit of the plurality of sensor units, the activation signal indicating the at least one sensor unit requiring the user action;

receiving the activation signal at the at least one sensor unit requiring the user action,

performing a user action on at least one sensor unit requiring the user action;

generating an action signal that includes information about the user action;

transmitting the action signal to a processing unit;

interpreting the action signal in accordance with a set of pre-assigned criteria; and

generating an output signal based on the response signal.

87. A method comprising:

mounting a first plurality of sensor units of a first system on at least a body part of a first user;

mounting a second plurality of sensor units of a second system on at least a body part of a second user;

communicatively interfacing the first plurality of sensor units with a first processing unit;

communicatively interfacing the second plurality of sensor units with a second processing unit; and

communicatively connecting a first processing unit of the first system with a second processing unit of the second system.

89. A system comprising:

a plurality of sensor units, each sensor unit comprising a sensor wherein,

more than one sensor of the plurality of sensor units are adapted to sense a user action performed, simultaneously/substantially simultaneously or within a specified time period or as an overlapping action, on the more than one sensor requiring user action.

90. The system according to claim 89, wherein a collective output signal generated corresponding to the sensing of more than one user action is different from an output signals generated for individual sensors of the more than one sensors if the individual sensors sense the user action outside the requirement of user action performed simultaneously/substantially simultaneously or within a specified time period or as the overlapping action.

92. A method comprising:

performing, simultaneously/substantially simultaneously or within a specified time period, a user action on more than one sensor of a plurality of sensor units; and

generating a collective output signal based on a collective interpretation of the more than one user action performed simultaneously/substantially simultaneously or within a specified time period or as an overlapping action.

93. The method according to claim 92, wherein a collective output signal generated corresponding to the sensing of more than one user action is different from an output signal generated for individual sensors of the more than one sensors if the individual sensors sense the user action outside the requirement of user action performed simultaneously/substantially simultaneously or within a specified time period or as overlapping user action.

94. The method according to any of the claims 92 to 93, further comprising

generating an action signal from each of the sensor unit, relating to the more than one sensor, of the plurality of sensor units, thereby collectively producing more than one action signal;

transmitting the action signal from each of the sensor unit, relating to the more than one sensor, of the plurality of sensor units, thereby collectively transmitting more than one action signal;

receiving the more than one action signal simultaneously/substantially simultaneously or within the specified time period or as an overlapping signal at a processing unit; and

collectively interpreting the more than one action signal in accordance with the set of pre-assigned criteria.

96. A pluggable means comprising a connectable end adapted to couple with an electronic device, the pluggable means comprising executable instructions in order to provide a set of functionality of the processing unit to the electronic device such as a portable smartphone.

97. The pluggable means according to claim 96, wherein the integrated pluggable means with the electronic device is configured to operate like the processing unit when communicatively interfaced with the plurality of sensor units.

99. A clothing accessory comprising a means for attaching at least one sensor unit of a plurality of sensor units and/or the processing unit.

100. The clothing accessory according to claim 99, wherein the clothing accessory is selected from a group consisting of shirt, t-shirt, trousers, leggings, cap, gloves, mitten, socks, shoes, and scarf.

101. The clothing accessory according to any of the preceding claims 99 to 100, wherein the attaching means is selected from a fixed attaching mechanism, such as a stitch mechanism, and a re-attachable mechanism such as a hook-and-loop mechanism.

102. The clothing accessory according to any of the preceding claims 99 to 101, wherein the clothing accessory is made up of a conventional clothing material, preferably with material that produces a tactile effect in response to an output signal/collective output signal.

103. The clothing accessory according to any of the preceding claims 99 to 102, wherein the clothing accessory includes a tactile producing system, the tactile producing system producing a tactile sensation in response to the output signal/collective output signal.

105. A system comprising:

a plurality of wearable sensor units comprising;

a sensor, in each of the plurality of sensor unit, adapted to sensing a user action,

a generating module, in each of the plurality of sensor unit, adapted to generating an action signal that includes information about the user action performed on at least one of the plurality of sensor units;

a sensor transmitter, in each of the plurality of sensor units, adapted to transmitting the action signal; and

a processing unit comprising;

an activation signal generator for generating an activation signal, the activation signal indicating at least one sensor of the plurality of sensor units requiring the user action;

a processing unit receiver adapted to receiving the action signal,

an interpretation module adapted to interpreting the action signal in accordance with a set of pre-assigned criteria,

an output signal generator adapted to generating an output signal based on the interpreted action signal.

106. The system according to claim 105, wherein the processing unit comprises a processing unit transmitter adapted to transmitting an activation signal to an electronic device and/or the at least one of the plurality of sensor unit.

107. The system according to any of the preceding claims 105 to 106, wherein each of the plurality of sensor unit comprises a sensor receiver, in each of the plurality of sensors, adapted to receiving the activation signal that indicates at least one of the plurality of sensor units requiring the user action.