1928results about "Acceleration measurement" patented technology

The invention is a portable gait analyzer comprising of at least one independent rear foot motion collection unit, at least one independent lower shank motion collection unit, plantar pressure collection unit, at least one processing and display unit, and a soft casing unit. A plurality of accelerometers, rate sensors, force sensor resistors, and pressure sensors provide for the acquisition of acceleration signals, angular velocity signals, foot force signals, and foot pressure signals to be processed. At least one central processing unit, a plurality of memory components, input/output components and ports, telemetry components, calibration components, liquid crystal displays components for the processing and outputting of three dimensional acceleration, angular velocity, tilt, and position. The rearfoot motion collection unit and lower shank motion collection unit interact with the processing and display unit to calculate rear foot kinematic data crucial to identify the motions of pronation and supination. The plantar pressure collection unit interacts with the processing and display unit to calculate plantar pressure data crucial to identify the center of pressure line and excessive and abnormal loads on the sole of the foot. These factors of rear-foot kinematics and plantar pressure lead to gait style identification.

An orientation and position tracking system in three-dimensional space and over a period of time utilizing multiple inertial and other sensors for determining motion parameters to measure orientation and position of a moveable object. The sensors, for example vibrational and angular velocity sensors, generate signals characterizing the motion of the moveable object. The information is received by a data acquisition system and processed by a microcontroller. The data is then transmitted via wireless communication to an external data reception system (locally based or a global network). The information can then be displayed and presented to the user through a variety of means including audio, visual, and tactile.

The acceleration of a mobile asset is sensed and compared to threshold acceleration levels when the speed of the mobile asset is above a threshold speed. When the acceleration exceeds a threshold a report is created allowing aggressive driving behavior to be logged.

A combination of sensors, including solid-state gyros and force-sensitive resistors, are mounted in an insole suitable for insertion into a shoe. Data from the sensors is recorded by an in situ Programmable Interface Controller (PIC), logged into on-board EEPROM/Flash memory and relayed to a base station computer via a miniature telemetry transmitter triggered by RFID tagging. Software then uses this data to compute the cadence and ankle power of the subject, as well as other parameters, in order to analyze and assess the gait and activity of the subject.

An application of rate gyros and accelerometers allows electronic measurement of the motion of a rigid or semi-rigid body, such as a body associated with sporting equipment including a fly rod during casting, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet or a golf club during swinging. For instance, data can be collected by one gyro according to the present invention is extremely useful in analyzing the motion of a fly rod during fly casting instruction, and can also be used during the research, development and design phases of fly casting equipment including fly rods and fly lines. Similarly, data collected by three gyros and three accelerometers is extremely useful in analyzing the three dimensional motion of other sporting equipment such as baseball bats, tennis racquets and golf clubs. This data can be used to support instruction as well as design of the sporting equipment.

A method for communicating data is provided that includes collecting data associated with an individual using an accelerometer. The accelerometer is operable to monitor activity associated with the individual. The method also includes communicating the data to a computing device, which can receive the data and perform any number of operations.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method, an apparatus and a system for automatically recognizing motions and actions of moving objects such as humans, animals and machines.

Measuring instruments are attached to an object under observation. The instruments measure a status change entailing the object's motion or action and to issue a signal denoting the measurements. A characteristic quantity extraction unit extracts a characteristic quantity from the measurement signal received which represents the motion or action currently performed by the object under observation. A signal processing unit for motion/action recognition correlates the extracted characteristic quantity with reference data in a database containing previously acquired characteristic quantities of motions and actions. The motion or action represented by the characteristic quantity with the highest degree of correlation is recognized and output.

Systems and methods for processing motion sensor data using various power management modes of an electronic device are provided. Power may be provided to a motion sensor during a first power mode of the device. In response to the motion sensor detecting a motion event with a magnitude exceeding a threshold, the sensor may transmit a wake up signal to a power management unit of the device. In response to receiving the wake up signal, the power management unit may switch the device to a second power mode. The device may provide power to a processor and load the processor with a motion sensing application when switching to the second power mode. During the second power mode, motion sensor data may be processed to determine that the motion event is not associated with an intentional user input and the device may return to the first power mode.

Transitioning between a high-resolution input mode, such as a mouse-based interface, and a low-resolution input mode, such as a touch-based interface, is described. A change of orientation of a touch screen between a first orientation and a second orientation is detected. Transitioning between the two input modes and corresponding user interfaces (UIs) is based on the detected change of orientation. A change of orientation can be detected with one or more sensors, such as an accelerometer, position sensors, etc. Transitioning from one mode to another can include modifying an item displayed in the UI of the one mode into a corresponding item displayed in the UI of the other mode. The modifying can include enlarging/reducing, obscuring/unobscuring, moving, etc. For example, an item can be obscured by the visual effect of sliding it off of the screen.

The invention provides a system, method and device which allows for real time monitoring of an athlete's performance during an athletic event, such as a boxing match or kick-boxing match, to provide a greater quantity of information to a viewer of the event. The system (9) includes a plurality of monitoring articles (10) attached to each fighter (202 and 204) and a computing device (50) positioned outside of the fighting environment (200). Each of the plurality of monitoring articles (10) preferably includes a motion sensing device (34), a microprocessor (18) and a wireless transceiver (38). The monitoring article (10) creates a real-time impact force signal for each punch or kick, which is wirelessly transmitted outside of the fighting environment (200) to a computing device (50) for processing into an impact value for transmission to and image on an electro-optical display (250).

A fingerprint sensing system includes an image sensor, a rate sensor and a sensor circuit. The image sensor includes a linear array of capacitive sensors for capacitive sensing of ridge peaks and ridge valleys of a fingerprint on a swiped finger. The rate sensor senses the speed of the finger as it is swiped across the image sensor. The sensor circuit supplies image drive signals to the image sensor and detects image signals in response to the drive signals. The sensor circuit supplies rate drive signals to the rate sensor and detects rate signals in response to the rate drive signals. The sensor circuit further coordinates the image signals and the rate signals to provide a fingerprint image. The image sensor may be configured as an image pickup plate and multiple image drive plates formed on a substrate, such as a flexible printed circuit board or other flexible substrate which may conform to the shape of the finger.

Disclosed herein is an improved input device for a processing system, such as, for example a computer system; and an improved method for operating that input device. The system monitors at least one indicia, such as an operating parameter of the input device, where the operating parameter has a first characteristic when the input device is in one operating position or state, but where are the operating parameter has a second characteristic when the input device is in another position or state. In one example, the operating parameter includes generally vertical movement of the input device. In other embodiments, other operating parameters may be relied upon.

Methods and systems are disclosed for determining speed, power and/or impact (sporting characteristics) of persons involved in activity. Wireless signals may be generated indicative of the sporting characteristics for receipt and display on a watch worn by the user or on a remote display. Sensors may attach to the person or to a vehicle ridden by the person, to gauge activities such as jogging, hockey, biking, football and aerobics.

A condition of impaired speed and torque control of a parallel electrically variable transmission due to factors beyond nominal modeling and estimation errors is diagnosed under low speed operation. The transmission includes at least one electric machine and a motor torque controller for regulating the transmission input speed and output torque. The motor torque controller includes an open-loop control path based on predetermined torques and accelerations and a closed loop control path based on input speed error. The presence of a larger than expected closed-loop correction magnitude, combined with low output speed and one or more other conditions is used to diagnose a condition of potential torque error, in which case the transmission control is altered to prevent unwanted operation.

A highly sensitive silicon micro-machined sensor package is provided for use in a micro-g environment that can also resist high shock in excess of 5000 g. The sensor is provided to measure acceleration in cooperation with associated electronics which are required to have electrical contact with sensor elements. The sensor is sealed in a high vacuum environment, and is arranged and designed to be free of temperature induced stress to the sensor. The sensor die package assembly comprises a silicon micro-machined sensor die, a ceramic package, two contact springs, a shorting clip, solder preform, a metal lid and a getter foil for ensuring a good vacuum for an extended period. The sensor die comprises a moving mass with eight supporting flexures on both sides of the proof mass. The proof mass's movement is protected on both sides by a top and a bottom cap. Acceleration applied to the package and the die causes the proof mass to move vertically in relation with the adjacent caps. The changes in distance between the proof mass and the caps in turn generate a change in an electrical signal which corresponds to the capacitance changes between the gaps. The sensor die package arrangement provides that the sensor die be secured within an evacuated ceramic case. Electrical connections made between external contacts of the case and contacts of the sensor die within the case are made through conductive springs, thereby minimizing materials in the interior of the case which would outgass in the vacuum environment.

A device for monitoring eating behavior of a user is provided. The device includes at least one sensor mounted on a head of the user, the sensor being capable of detecting jaw muscle movement and sound while not occluding an ear canal of the user.

The present invention relates to ambulance cots, cot systems and methods of using the same. In particular, the present invention provides an ambulance cot comprising a hydraulic system and a tip angle monitoring, recording and alert system, and methods of using the same (e.g., to transport subjects and/or to detect and/or record operational data related to cot usage).

The invention relates to devices and methods for monitoring one or more athletic performance characteristic of a user. An example apparatus includes a sensing unit adapted to be attachable to a shoe of a user, the sensing unit including a first sensor adapted to monitor an movement of a foot of the user while the user is in motion, the first sensor comprising a gyroscopic sensor, processing means for determining a first performance characteristic of the user based upon an output from the first sensor, the first performance characteristic comprising a foot strike location of a foot of the user upon striking a ground surface, and transmitting means for transmitting a data package representative of the performance characteristic to a remote receiver.

Systems and methods for recognizing the gestures of an entity, notably a human being, and, optionally, for controlling an electrical or electronic system or apparatus, are discussed. The system uses sensors that measure signals, preferentially representative of inertial data about the movements of said entity, and implements a process for enriching a dictionary of said gestures to be recognized and a recognition algorithm, for recognition among the classes of gestures in said dictionary. The algorithm implemented is preferably of the dynamic time warping type. The system carries out preprocessing operations, such as the elimination of signals captured during periods of inactivity of the entity, subsampling of the signals, and normalization of the measurements by reduction, and preferentially uses, to classify the gestures, specific distance calculation modes and modes for merging or voting between the various measurements by the sensors.

A system includes a thin-film battery and an activity-activated switch. The system is placed on a substrate with an adhesive backing. In some embodiments, the substrate is flexible. Also formed on the substrate is an electrical circuit that includes electronics. The activity-activated switch places the thin-film battery in electrical communication with the circuit and electronics. The battery and the circuit are formed on the substrate and may be comprised of one or a plurality of deposited layers.

Provided is a swing speed analyzer for mounting on a swinging implement and comprising a first accelerometer, a processor and a shock attenuator. The processor uses an output from the first accelerometer to compute a swing speed of the swinging implement. The shock attenuator is comprised of a material that is sized and dimensioned to dampen an impact shock wave by more than 50% at 125 Hz. The material is preferably sized and dimensioned to dampen the impact shock wave from more than 1000 g to less than 500 g. Suitable attenuators can include viscoelastomeric materials such as foam. The swing speed analyzer can advantageously include any of a releasable attachment mechanism, a liquid crystal or other visual display, a second accelerometer, and a strain gauge. The analyzer can advantageously be attached to a golf club, a tennis racket, a baseball bat, or a hockey stick.

An encapsulated MEMS device and a method to form an encapsulated MEMS device are described. An apparatus includes a first substrate having a silicon-germanium seal ring disposed thereon and a second substrate having a metal seal ring disposed thereon. The metal seal ring is aligned with and bonded to the silicon-germanium seal ring to provide a sealed cavity. A MEMS device is housed in the sealed cavity. A method includes forming a silicon-germanium seal ring on a first substrate and forming a metal seal ring on a second substrate. The metal seal ring is bonded to the silicon-germanium seal ring to provide a sealed cavity that houses a MEMS device.

A brain and/or skull impact measurement system has a body mounted impact device. The body mounted impact device includes a tri-axial accelerometer configured to measure impacts to an individual's body where the sensor produces impact data in response to the impact. A reader is provided with a data processor and a transmitter/receiver that receives the impact data. The reader is coupled to the body mounted impact device and can be a handheld device.

The invention discloses a device for monitoring the state of a power transmission line tower-line system, which fully utilizes the advantages of corrosion resistance, wide operation temperature range, anti-electromagnetic interference, passivity, long measuring distance, reliable operation and long service life and the like of optical fiber sensors to configure the optical fiber sensors on a transmission conductor and a tower in a quasi-distributed structure for detecting the temperature, the strain and the acceleration of the transmission conductor and the multipoint stress variation on the tower which are transmitted to an optical modulator demodulator for demodulating and are sent to a computer analyzing and processing system for calculating to obtain the icing quality, the waving amplitude, the breeze vibration amplitude and frequency and the sag of the transmission conductor, and the inclination angle of the tower, thus realizing the simultaneous monitoring on the icing, the waving, the breeze vibration and the sag of the transmission conductor, and the inclination angle state of the tower, and being capable of finishing long-time reliable operation under the on-site severe environment conditions.

The present invention relates to ambulance cots, cot systems and methods of using the same. In particular, the present invention provides an ambulance cot comprising a hydraulic system and a tip angle monitoring, recording and alert system, and methods of using the same (e.g., to transport subjects and/or to detect and/or record operational data related to cot usage).

The invention detects loft time and/or speed of a vehicle and/or person during activities of moving and jumping. A loft sensor detects leaving the ground and returning to the ground. A microprocessor subsystem converts the sensed information to determine a loft time. A display shows the recorded loft time to a user of the system. A speed sensor can detect speed for selective display to the user, and height may also be determined during airtime.

An attitude- and motion-sensing system for an electronic device, such as a cellular telephone, a game device, and the like, is disclosed. The system, which can be integrated into the portable electronic device, includes a two- or three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis magnetic compass. Data about the attitude of the electronic device from the accelerometer and magnetic compass are first processed by a signal processing unit that calculates attitude angles (pitch, roll, and yaw) and rotational angular velocities. These data are then translated into input signals for a specific application program associated with the electronic device.

A golf swing analyzer that can be attached to a golf club shaft. The analyzer includes a housing with an integral shaft mount. The housing contains an internal chamber in which an accelerometer, microprocessor and data storage are contained, and an output display screen mounted to the housing. The analyzer measures acceleration during a golfer's swing and calculates the frequency of a club that would be straight at ball impact.

A system is disclosed that can measure the vertical height and/or the hang time of a jump. The system includes an acceleration detector, a controller, a display, a power source and a case that houses the components in a manner that allows the device to be worn or held by a person or object. The acceleration detector is used to determine the start of a jump and the end of a jump. Based on the time elapsed between the start of the jump and the end of the jump, the controller can determine the vertical height of the jump and/or the hang time.

A method and apparatus for testing a football helmet utilizes a weighted pendulum arm to impart an impact force upon the helmet. Linear head acceleration and rotational head acceleration caused by the impact force is measured and a Head Impact Power Index is computed and used as a standard to judge the ability and effectiveness of the football helmet in preventing injury to a football player.