Sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement

Abstract

A sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body motion, characterized in that it comprises a garment (1) intended to be worn by a user, comprising a plurality of markers (2) arranged in different areas of said garment (1) corresponding to points on the user's body, such as joints, each marker (2) comprising inertial sensors (2.1) comprising accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers, and wireless transmission means (2.2) configured to send data representative of body motion to a control unit (3), in which said data are received and processed.

Description

Sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention, as its title indicates, is a sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement. This innovation offers advantages previously unknown within current techniques. The present invention is characterized by the special functional and constructive features of the elements that make up the device, such that they all contribute to the creation of a sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement, designed to capture and analyze the user's movements in real time. This system allows for the comparison of recorded actions with pre-established patterns or an ideal reference, facilitating the identification of areas for improvement in movement execution. Thanks to its precision and analytical capabilities, this garment is especially useful in fields such as sports training, physical rehabilitation, and motor skills learning.By providing detailed feedback, the user can correct flaws and efficiently refine their technique, even forcing the correction of movements by compelling the user to adopt the proper posture, with physical elements that force them to correct their movements. TECHNICAL SECTOR Therefore, the present invention falls within the scope of motor skill enhancement devices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, although various designs of motion capture devices are known, the existence of any other that presents structural and constitutive technical characteristics similar to those presented by the invention claimed herein is unknown. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement, designed to analyze and improve human performance in various activities. This garment combines motion capture with movement learning, creating a versatile and functional tool. Specifically, the invention proposes, as previously mentioned, a sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement. This garment is made of elastic and lightweight materials that ensure comfort and freedom of movement. This ergonomic design is especially suited for physical activities such as sports training, dance, or any other practice requiring precise movements. Thanks to its adaptability, the garment fits different body types and allows for a wide range of unrestricted movement. A key feature of the garment is the incorporation of strategically placed markers at key points on the body. These markers are positioned at major joints, such as shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles, allowing for detailed tracking of the wearer's movements. The precise placement of the markers facilitates biomechanical analysis, providing valuable information about body dynamics. Each marker comprises sensors that work together to measure linear acceleration, angular variations, and orientation relative to the Earth's magnetic field. The combination of these sensors allows for the generation of a precise three-dimensional representation of each movement, which is essential for technical analysis and error correction. The garment may include additional accessories that expand its functionality. For example, gloves designed to record hand and finger movements, equipped with markers similar to those on the main garment. These gloves are ideal for analyzing manual activities such as playing musical instruments or performing specific gestures in sports. Additionally, devices can be incorporated to capture head and neck movements, such as headbands with integrated markers. These accessories allow for a more comprehensive body analysis, which is especially useful in disciplines where postural control plays a crucial role. A key advantage of the garment is its ability to transmit data wirelessly in real time. Inertial sensors send information from the garment to a control unit, where the data is processed and analyzed. This system eliminates the need for cables, offering the user greater freedom and comfort during use. The control unit acts as the brain of the system. It receives data sent by markers distributed throughout the garment and processes it to create a virtual model of the user. This model not only allows visualization of the movements performed but also recording them for later analysis. This functionality is especially useful in learning processes that require constant repetition and correction to achieve technical perfection. The garment may also include a haptic system that provides tactile feedback to the user. The control unit compares the captured movements with a preset pattern or previous recording and, based on the degree of similarity between the two, triggers vibrations in the markers. The haptic system is designed to vary the intensity of the vibrations according to the accuracy of the movement performed. If the discrepancy between the current movement and the pattern is small, the vibration will be mild; if it is significant, it will be more intense. Furthermore, the system allows for adjusting the comparison threshold, offering flexibility in the evaluation based on specific training objectives. This type of tactile feedback is invaluable for correcting errors in real time, facilitating more efficient and personalized learning. Both the user and the trainer can configure the level of intensity of the haptic system according to the training needs. Depending on its configuration, the garment may include an exoskeleton attached to the main garment. This mechanical component acts as additional support, limiting or enabling certain movements according to instructions sent from the control unit. The exoskeleton is designed to ensure that only correct movements are performed, preventing errors that could hinder learning or pose risks to the user. This functionality is especially useful in contexts where precision is essential, such as physical rehabilitation or advanced technical training. By restricting incorrect movements, the exoskeleton helps the user develop proper motor habits from the start. Sensor-enabled garments for capturing and transmitting body motion have applications in a wide variety of fields, from professional sports to medical rehabilitation and artistic training. Their ability to capture movements with pinpoint accuracy, provide haptic feedback, and allow for customized adjustments makes them a versatile and powerful tool. This innovation promises to transform how we learn new skills and refine our techniques, providing personalized tools to achieve higher levels of performance. Undoubtedly, the future of physical learning is shaped by technological solutions like this. Unless otherwise stated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meanings commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Similar or equivalent procedures and materials to those described herein may be used in the practice of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complete the description being made and in order to help in the better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by figures in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement. Figure 2 is a representation of the markers (2). PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the figures, a preferred, though not limiting, embodiment of the proposed invention is described below, which consists of a sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement. As shown in the figures, the sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement comprises a garment (1) made of a lightweight, elastic material that allows freedom of movement and comfort for the user. This ergonomic design facilitates its use in physical activities, such as sports training or choreography practice. Furthermore, the material used provides flexibility, adapting to different body types and movements. The garment (1) comprises a plurality of markers (2) strategically located at key points on the body. These markers (2) are positioned at the user's major joints, including shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles. The precise placement of the markers allows for the capture of detailed data on body movements, which is essential for subsequent biomechanical analysis. Each marker (2) comprises inertial sensors (2.1), which are devices capable of detecting acceleration, rotation, and position. These inertial sensors (2.1) comprise accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers that work together to provide accurate information about the dynamics of body movement. The accelerometers measure changes in linear velocity, while the gyroscopes record angular variations, and the magnetometers detect orientation with respect to the Earth's magnetic field. This combination allows for a detailed three-dimensional representation of the user's movements. To record all body movements, the sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body motion may include additional accessories that complement the motion capture. Among these accessories are gloves (1.1) designed to record hand and finger movements. These gloves (1.1) include markers (2) similar to those on the garment (1), allowing for detailed analysis of manual activities. Additionally, head-mounted devices such as headbands (1.2) with integrated markers (2) can be added. These accessories are useful for capturing head and neck movements. A key feature of the sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement is its ability to transmit data in real time via wireless transmission media (2.2). Inertial sensors (2) send information from the garment (1) to a control unit (3), where the data is processed and analyzed. This system eliminates the need for cables, offering greater comfort and freedom to the user while wearing the garment. The control unit (3) is a key component that acts as the brain of the garment. This device receives information from markers (2) strategically distributed on the garment. These markers (2) send the data to the control unit (3), which then processes it to create a virtual model of the wearer. This virtual model not only allows users to visualize their movements but also to record them for later analysis. This way, users can review their actions or compare them with previous recordings, which is invaluable in learning processes where repetition and correction are essential for achieving technical perfection. The control unit (3), depending on the mode of implementation, can be an electronic device such as a personal computer, smartphone, digital tablet, smartwatch or similar, on which a specific software application has been installed. The garment also provides haptic feedback through an integrated haptic system. The control unit (3) not only records movements but also compares them to a preset pattern or previous recording. Based on the degree of similarity between the two movements, the unit sends signals to the markers, activating the haptic system. The haptic system comprises a plurality of vibrators (4) to generate tactile sensations that vary according to the precision of the movement performed. If the difference between the current movement and the comparison pattern is small, the user will experience a mild vibration. Conversely, if the discrepancy is significant, a more intense vibration will be generated. The control unit (3) not only records the movements but also compares them to a preset pattern or previous recording. Based on the degree of similarity between the two movements, the unit sends signals to the markers, activating the haptic system. Furthermore, the haptic system allows for adjusting the comparison threshold. The control unit (3) allows the user to configure the degree of similarity required to activate the haptic responses. This means that the user or trainer can determine how rigorous the movement assessment will be, based on specific training objectives. Additionally, depending on the embodiment, the garment may include an exoskeleton (not shown in the drawings) attached to the garment (1). The exoskeleton functions as a mechanical support that, through precise instructions sent from the control unit (3), limits or enables certain movements. In this way, the garment is configured to allow only the correct movements, preventing errors that could hinder learning or pose risks to the user. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field may understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it, it being noted that, within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other modes of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and which will also achieve the protection sought provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

1. A sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement, characterized in that it comprises a garment (1) intended to be worn by a user, comprising a plurality of markers (2) arranged in different areas of said garment (1) corresponding to points on the user's body, such as joints, each marker (2) comprising inertial sensors (2.1) comprising accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers, and wireless transmission means (2.2) configured to send data representative of body movement to a control unit (3), in which said data are received and processed.

2. A sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises additional accessories that complement the motion capture, such as gloves (1.1) comprising markers (2) configured to record the movements of the hands and fingers. 3.A sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises additional accessories that complement the motion capture, such as headbands (1.2) comprising markers (2) configured to record head and neck movements.

4. A sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the garment (1) comprises a plurality of vibrators (4).

5. A sensorized garment for capturing and transmitting body movement, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (3) is an electronic device of the personal computer, smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or similar type.