Device for automated multisensory and kinesthetic stimulation

Abstract

An apparatus, means, and method for supporting a user and providing multisensory and kinesthetic stimulation includes a plurality of base joint mechanisms, a seat cushion, actuators, sound speakers, display lighting, sensors, a Holter monitor, and a computing device. The Holter monitor and sensors provide current signal information of the user's physical state and the environment to the computing device of the apparatus. The computing device of the apparatus then uses an artificial intelligence algorithm to interpret the current set of signal information and the past set of signal information, and optimizes and activates the base joints, audio speakers, and lighting to provide coordinated and rhythmic multisensory and kinesthetic stimulation to the user.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to furniture, reclining chairs, seating or resting devices, and more particularly to an electronically controlled, mechanically articulatable chair or bed that includes embedded sensors for providing feedback to a computing device, and methods for controlling the same, and methods for providing multisensory and kinesthetic stimulation to a user. [Background technology]

[0002] The need for a safe and gentle way to relieve stress, bedsores, muscle wasting, general fatigue, inactivity, boredom, and body pain has led to the present invention providing a solution with a device that provides a way for a user to passively exercise through the user's own weight shift. The device of the present invention further addresses the aforementioned needs of the user by providing seating support, resting support, and a way for the user to relax through multi-sensory stimulation.

[0003] Chairs or resting devices with articulating joints, actuators, and automation are useful for relaxation, rest, recovery from exertion, maintaining health, passive exercise, and the like. Such chairs can be found in homes, offices, nursing homes, or gyms. Typically, such devices include a seat cushion with multiple articulations that allows the user to recline. Some chairs also include automatic articulation, vibration, and massage functions. Chairs that provide passive exercise to the user are not common and have limited functionality.

[0004] In a related prior art embodiment, the relaxation device for the user is a reclining chair. For relaxation purposes, the user sits in such a stationary reclining chair. Such chairs are automatically controlled by a motor, as in U.S. Patent No. 6,299,299 to Ledat and U.S. Patent No. 6,299,299 to Garland, U.S. Patent No. 6,299,299 to Lin, Chang-Chen, or U.S. Patent No. 6,299,299 to Sugawa et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,299,299 to Wu, and U.S. Patent No. 6,299,299 to Lo. However, these chairs have limited reclining angle options, and the angle is fixed upon selection. Furthermore, the reclining angle of these chairs is limited to angles close to flat, but not beyond flat for backward curls, which are useful for passive exercise. Furthermore, these prior art designs lack a method for allowing the user's muscles to stretch.

[0005] In further related prior embodiments, a reclining chair induces relaxation in a user through specific passive motion, such as U.S. Patent No. 6,299,949 to Duke, which is configured to provide specific abdominal exercise through a rocking motion. However, this prior art method is limited to abdominal exercise and does not provide passive whole-body stretching.

[0006] In another related prior art embodiment, a reclining chair includes a power recliner control and an automatic massage function, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,999,492 to Wu and U.S. Patent No. 5,999,492 to Lo. These prior art massage functions provide tactile stimulation to specific targeted areas of the user's body, such as kneading, squeezing, and kneading. The massage methods of these prior art differ from the method of the present invention, which effectively provides passive exercise by shifting the user's own body weight to stretch the entire body.

[0007] The prior art does not provide a method for both forward and backward body curl passive exercise, or a method for alleviating pressure sores or muscle wasting.

[0008] The prior art also does not provide real-time biofeedback, historical data, or cloud computing to calculate optimal chair articulation range, speed, and time limits to avoid overuse risks, such as deep vein thrombosis, from sitting in the chair for extended periods of time, which can result in a suboptimal or undesirable experience for the user.

[0009] The prior art also does not provide easy access to the seat of the device, which is important for users with limited mobility.

[0010] The prior art also does not provide a means for synchronizing or coordinating multisensory stimulation.

[0011] Therefore, a need exists for a solution that includes a safe and automatic method that overcomes the inadequacies of the prior art in providing a user with relief from one of the aforementioned stress, bedsores, muscle wasting, general fatigue, inactivity, boredom, physical pain, and combinations thereof. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,504,327 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 9,504,328 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 5,813,727 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 7,063,383 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent No. 7,832,800 [Patent Document 6] U.S. Patent No. 9,586,084 [Patent Document 7] U.S. Patent Documents [Patent Document 8] European Patent No. 2995223 [Non-patent literature]

[0013] [Non-Patent Document 1] Mutsuhiro Nakao, “Heart Rate Variability and Perceived Stress as Measurements of Relaxation Response”, J Clin Med.2019 Oct; 8(10):1704. [Non-patent document 2] Willeke Van Dijk, Anja C. Huizink, Jasmin Muller, Kerstin Uvnas-Moberg, Anette Ekstrom -Bergstrom and Linda Handlin, “The Effect of Mechanical Massage and Mental Training on Heart Rate Variability and Cortisol in Swedish Employees-A Randomized Exploratory Pilot Study”, Front.Public Health, March 19,2020. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The present invention is embodied in an apparatus in the form of an automated chair, including a base mechanism connected to a plurality of spine joints, the apparatus further including a seat portion, a pair of backrests, and a pair of leg rests connected to the plurality of spine joints, a pair of armrests disposed on either side of the seat, and a computing device disposed within the apparatus for controlling a plurality of actuators of the base mechanism and the spine joints to mechanically articulate the apparatus to support a user in various postures.

[0015] The base mechanism includes the plurality of actuators that allow mechanical articulation of roll left, roll right, pitch forward, and pitch backward.

[0016] The base mechanism is further mounted on a set of caster wheels for mobility of the device.

[0017] The spine joints include the actuators connected to adjacent spines to enable a wide range of mechanical articulation of the spine joints over a wide range of angles to achieve upward curl and backward curl articulation, such a wide range of articulation not present in the prior art.

[0018] The seat, backrest and legrest include a plurality of cushions, and the cushions further include at least one selected from a plurality of heating devices, sound speakers, sensors, display lights and combinations thereof.

[0019] At least one of the selected armrests or combinations thereof is slidable parallel to the seat to allow easy user access to the seat.

[0020] At least one of the selected armrests or combinations thereof further includes at least one of a plurality of Holter monitors, a control panel, and combinations thereof.

[0021] The computing device is connected to the control panel, the Holter monitors, the actuators and sensors, display lights, sound speakers, and heating devices.

[0022] The computing device is further connected to the Internet for data manipulation and cloud computing.

[0023] The computing device utilizes artificial intelligence algorithms to process the information from user input via a control panel, signals from the Holter monitor, the sensors, and cloud computing, supporting the user on the device while providing a means of coordinated rhythmic and periodic multisensory and kinesthetic stimulation for a wide range of users with varying levels of sensory ability that is not available in the prior art.

[0024] The device of the present invention provides a means and method for achieving at least one of the following mechanical articulations: a backward curl-over, an upward curl, a leftward roll, a rightward roll, and combinations thereof, which transfer the user's weight and provide passive exercise and a stretching kinesthetic stimulation to the user supported by the device.

[0025] The device of the present invention further provides means and methods for achieving coordinated, rhythmic, periodic and combination multisensory stimulation of at least one of audio, visual, thermal and combinations thereof, and kinesthetic stimulation, using information obtained using feedback from the Holter monitor and the sensors to induce and optimize a relaxation level in a user supported by the device.

[0026] Therefore, it is a primary objective of the present invention to address the needs of the user to relieve stress, boredom, and general fatigue, and provide relaxation and rejuvenation to the user through multisensory and kinesthetic stimulation methods of at least one of visual, auditory, thermal, and combinations thereof.

[0027] It is a further object of the present invention to provide passive exercise for the relief of conditions such as pressure sores, muscle wasting, muscle pain, and muscle stiffness through methods of kinesthetic stimulation.

[0028] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of passive exercise for a user as an adjunct to physical therapy or physical exercise.

[0029] A further object of the present invention is to provide a seat for a user to sit, rest, read a book or as a leisure chair for any leisure activity.

[0030] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a seat for a user as a chair for desk work. [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0031] The need to support a user's body while providing automatic whole-body passive movement and kinesthetic stimulation by stretching the user's body in a natural manner in the following body positions: curl up, curl back, pitch forward, pitch backward, roll left, and roll right requires a device with complex mechanisms involving computer control, which are currently absent or inadequate in the prior art.

[0032] The need to support the user's body while providing effective sensory stimulation for a wide range of users with varying levels of sensory ability requires a set of multisensory and kinesthetic stimuli that are currently absent or inadequate in the prior art.

[0033] The need to support the user's body while providing coordinated multisensory and kinesthetic stimulation through biofeedback from the user is useful and necessary to achieve optimal user relief from the aforementioned stress, pressure sores, muscle wasting, general fatigue, inactivity, boredom, and physical pain. Such methods are currently absent or inadequate in the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0034] Therefore, to solve the technical problem of providing a means and method for automatic whole-body passive exercise and kinesthetic stimulation for a user, the apparatus of the present invention utilizes a computing device, a base mechanism, and a plurality of actuators, and multiple spine joints with the multiple actuators enable wide-angle range automatic mechanical articulation of at least one of selected upward curl, backward curl-over, forward and backward pitch, left roll, right roll, and combinations thereof, to support the user's body and transition the user's weight into a plurality of postures.

[0035] Therefore, to solve the technical problem of providing multi-sensory stimulation, the device of the present invention provides a means for providing multi-sensory stimulation by supporting the user's body and using a pair of audio speakers, a lighting display, and a heating device, so that the device can provide the user with at least one of selected audio, visual, thermal, and combinations thereof, and kinesthetic stimulation.

[0036] Thus, to solve the technical problem of providing a method for coordinating multisensory and kinesthetic stimulation to optimize relief from a selected one of the aforementioned stress, pressure sores, muscle wasting, general fatigue, inactivity, boredom, bodily pain, and combinations thereof, the device processes inputs from a control panel, feedback signals from an on-board Holter monitor and sensors, and information from cloud computing, utilizing computing devices and artificial intelligence algorithms, and provides an optimized, personalized set of coordinated, rhythmic, and periodic multisensory and kinesthetic stimuli for the user while supporting the user with the device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0037] The device of the present invention provides relief from selected one of the aforementioned stress, bedsores, muscle wasting, general fatigue, inactivity, boredom, physical pain, and combinations thereof in a safe and gentle manner by transferring the user's own body weight. The advantage of transferring the user's body weight is that it provides passive exercise of the entire body through natural stretching, and is less intrusive to the body than pressure or compression of targeted areas of the body, as commonly deployed in prior art massage chairs.

[0038] The device of the present invention further provides multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimulation to enable use by a wide range of users with varying levels of sensory ability, which serves to induce relaxation, rejuvenation, and enjoyment in users, relieving users from boredom and stress and helping to provide users with quality of life.

[0039] The device of the present invention further utilizes biofeedback from the Holter monitor and sensors and artificial intelligence algorithms to provide multisensory and kinesthetic stimulation in coordinated, rhythmic, and cyclical patterns. The advantage of such a user biofeedback- and artificial intelligence-based method is that it allows the user to achieve a level of relaxation in a way that is personal, unique, and optimal for the user.

[0040] The device of the present invention further provides the user with a means of physical support, rest or recreation in a unique and personalized position.

[0041] The device of the present invention further provides the user with illuminating feedback that visually indicates the status of the user's Holter monitor, leading the user to deeper levels of relaxation in a unique and personalized way, creating a sense of enjoyment or personal accomplishment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] The following description of the accompanying drawings is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, with the understanding that the preferred embodiment in the present disclosure is an illustration of the present invention.

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the architecture of the device according to the present invention in a side view, including some of the main components in the figure, according to a preferred embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows the architecture of the device of the present invention in a front isometric view, including some of the main components in the figure, according to a preferred embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows the architecture of the device according to the present invention in a rear isometric view, including some of its main components, according to a preferred embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the architecture of the device according to the present invention according to a preferred embodiment from a top view, including some of its main components. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a front isometric view of a user using a device according to the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment, with the supported body posture provided by the mechanical articulation of the device. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 shows an example of a rear curl-over mechanical joint configuration of the device of the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary combination of curl up and pitch back mechanical articulation configurations for a device according to the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the sliding armrest of the device according to the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a user case in which a user utilizing a device according to the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment is in a curled-back supported body position provided by the curled-back mechanical articulation configuration of the device. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 illustrates an example user case of a user utilizing a device according to the present invention in a combined curl up and pitch back body posture resulting from the combined curl up and pitch back mechanical articulation configuration of the device in accordance with a preferred embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary combination of curl up, pitch back and roll left mechanical articulations for a device of the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows an outline of a preferred method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] The detailed description of the accompanying drawings below is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, with the understanding that the preferred embodiment in this disclosure is an illustration of the present invention.

[0045] A preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 12. Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention will be referred to as device 100.

[0046] FIG. 12 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the method in the device 100 of the present invention.

[0047] The apparatus 100 is in the form of an automated chair including a base mechanism 101-1 through 101-n connected to a plurality of spine joints 105-1 through 105-n. The apparatus 100 further includes a plurality of seat, backrest, and legrest cushions 102-1 through 102-n coupled to the plurality of spine joints. A pair of armrests 104-1 through 104-2 are disposed on either side of the seat. A computing device 1201 is disposed within the apparatus 100 and controls a plurality of actuators within the base mechanisms 101-1 through 101-n and the spine joints 105-1 through 105-n to mechanically articulate the apparatus 100 to support a user in various postures.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, the base mechanisms 101-1 to 101-n each include a base 101-1, a base link 101-2, and a base sheet 101-n, which are connected to each other.

[0049] The base 101-1 is further designed to be placed on the ground surface.

[0050] The base 101-1 is further attached to a plurality of caster wheels 106-1 to 106-n to allow mobility of the device, as illustrated in FIGS.

[0051] The plurality of caster wheels 106-1 to 106-n further include lockable elements to prevent the wheels from rotating and to keep the device in place during operation.

[0052] The base mechanisms 101-1 to 101-n further include a plurality of base actuators 107-1 to 107-n for enabling left roll, right roll, forward pitch, and backward pitch mechanical articulation of the device 100. The base actuator 107-1 is utilized for the left roll and right roll mechanical articulation of the device 100, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. At least one of the base actuators 107-2, 107-n, and combinations thereof is utilized for enabling the forward pitch and backward pitch mechanical articulation of the device 100, as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0053] The plurality of spine joints 105-1 to 105-n includes the plurality of spine actuators 103-1 to 103-n connected to each adjacent spine joint 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, 105-4, 105-5, and 105-n, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, allowing mechanical articulation of the spine joints over a wide range of angles to achieve upward curl and backward curl articulation, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0054] 2, the armrests 104-1 to 104-2 include at least one selected from a plurality of Holter monitors 201-1 to 201-n, a plurality of sensors, and combinations thereof, and a control panel 202. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the armrests 104-1 to 104-2 have the function of sliding in a lateral direction 801 along the seat cushion 102-1, allowing easy access for a user 501.

[0055] 2 and 4, the plurality of cushions 102-1 through 102-n include cushion shapes with slightly curved profiles to provide comfort to a user and ensure support for the body of a user 501 during the various mechanical articulation movements of the device 100. Figures 5, 9, and 10 show examples of how a user 501 is supported in the device 100.

[0056] The cushions 102-3 to 102-5 for supporting the upper body of the user 501 further include high profile cushions for privacy features and to better secure the body during the mechanical articulation of the device 100.

[0057] 1 to 11, the cushions 102-3 to 102-5 for supporting the upper body of the user 501 further include at least one selected from a plurality of light displays 108-1 to 108-n each including a plurality of LED colors and combinations thereof. The plurality of light displays 108-1 to 108-n display interpreted information from a plurality of Holter monitors 201-1 to 201-n including at least one of the user's 501 heart rate, heart rate variability, and combinations thereof, as a form of biofeedback for the user 501. The plurality of light displays 108-1 to 108-n further provide a means for externally indicating that urgent attention is required.

[0058] The plurality of lighting displays 108-1 to 108-n further each include at least one of red, green, amber, and white color LEDs and combinations thereof, allowing a user to personalize the colors and color combinations.

[0059] The cushion 102-5 for supporting the upper body of the user 501 further includes a pair of audio speakers 203-1 to 203-2 for enabling sound to be projected to the user 501 in coordination with the kinesthetic stimulation provided by the mechanical articulation of the device 100.

[0060] At least one selected one of the plurality of cushions 102-1 to 102-n, and combinations thereof, further includes a heating device for providing a means of thermal sensory stimulation to the user 501. Such thermal stimulation is useful for supporting and relieving the user during physical recovery, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

[0061] The plurality of cushions 102-1 to 102-n are further connected to a plurality of spine joints 105-1 to 105-n, each of which is articulatable by at least one of a selected plurality of spine actuators 103-1 to 103-n, a selected plurality of base actuators 107-1 to 107-n, and combinations thereof.

[0062] The plurality of spine actuators 103-1 to 103-n and the plurality of base actuators 107-1 to 107-n are further powered by at least one selected from electricity, pneumatics, hydraulics, and combinations thereof.

[0063] The plurality of spine actuators 103-1 to 103-n and the plurality of base actuators 107-1 to 107-n may further be individually powered or may be powered as part of a linkage.

[0064] A control panel 202 includes a set of tactile buttons connected to the computing device 1201 and provides a means for a user 501 to set the static and dynamic configuration and movement of the mechanical joints of the apparatus.

[0065] The control panel 202 further provides the user 501 with the means to start, pause and stop operation of the device 100 .

[0066] The mechanical articulation of the device 100 can be curled over backward, as illustrated in FIG. 6, by utilizing the spine actuators 103-1 through 103-n to articulate the cushions 102-1 through 102-n.

[0067] The mechanical articulation of the device 100 can further be curled upward, as illustrated in FIG. 7, by utilizing the spine actuators 103-1 to 103-n to articulate the cushions 102-1 to 102-n.

[0068] The mechanical articulation of the device 100 can further be pitched forward and backward by utilizing the plurality of base actuators 107-1 through 107-n to articulate the plurality of spine joints 105-1 through 105-n. Figure 7 is an illustration of a combined pitch backward and curl upward mechanical articulation of the device 100.

[0069] The mechanical articulation of the device 100 can further roll left and roll right by utilizing the base actuators 107-1 through 107-n to articulate the spine joints 105-1 through 105-n. Figure 11 is an illustration of a combination of mechanical articulation of the device 100 to pitch backward, curl upward, and roll left.

[0070] Thus, the mechanical joint capabilities allow the device 100 to provide various degrees of mechanical articulation of the device 100, and corresponding posture changes for the user 501 while supporting the user 501 with the device. Figures 9 and 10 are illustrative of two of the multiple variations in articulation and posture possible.

[0071] Referring to the schematic diagram of a preferred method in FIG. 12, the apparatus utilizes the on-board computing device 1201 as the central part of the method to calculate and control the operation of the apparatus to provide the coordinated multisensory and kinesthetic stimuli to the user 501.

[0072] The computing device 1201 is connected to a control panel 202 and receives commands and information directly from a user 501 .

[0073] The computing device 1201 is further connected to a plurality of Holter monitors 201-1 to 201-n and sensors, and receives biofeedback signals from the Holter monitors 201-1 to 201-n and sensors for interpreting the state of a user 501 using the apparatus. The state of the user 501 from the Holter monitors 201-1 to 202-n and sensors includes at least one selected from heart rate, heart rate variability, body temperature, weight, and combinations thereof. The interpretation of the state of the user 501 from the biofeedback signals includes the relaxation level, cardiovascular response, and happiness of the user 501.

[0074] The computing device 1201 is further connected to actuator drivers 1204 of the plurality of base actuators 107-1 to 107-n and the plurality of spine actuators 103-1 to 103-n to control the movement of the actuators to enable multiple rhythmic and periodic movement configurations of the mechanical joint movement of the apparatus 100.

[0075] The computing device 1201 utilizes artificial intelligence algorithms 1202 to interpret the state of the user 501 from the biofeedback signals and determine the desired rhythmic and cyclical movement configuration of the mechanical joint movements to result in passive movement and relaxation of the user 501 while supported by the apparatus 100.

[0076] The computing device 1201 is further connected to a pair of audio speakers 203-1-203-2 to provide audio projection in coordination with the desired rhythmic and periodic mechanical articulation configurations determined by an artificial intelligence algorithm 1202 to guide the user 501 for controlled breathing, physical movement, and a desired state of relaxation.

[0077] The computing device 1201 is further connected to a cloud server 1203 on the Internet or in a separate network, allowing for the uploading and downloading of historical, current, and pooled data, and enabling artificial intelligence-based data mining and cloud computing. Information and interpretations from the cloud server 1203 are utilized by the computing device to help determine the type, limits, and configuration of multisensory and kinesthetic stimuli provided to the device user 501 during operation.

[0078] The computing device 1201 further provides means for limiting the duration of use by the user 501 of the apparatus 100 to a safe period between uses, which is personalized and determined by the user 501 to limit the multisensory and kinesthetic stimulation, and is guided by the user's age group and health condition.

[0079] The computing device 1201 further provides a means for restricting the physical range of mechanical joint motion by a user 501 of the apparatus 100 to a safe range of joint angles and configurations, which are personalized and determined by the user 501 and are guided by the user's age group and health status.

[0080] The safe period, the safe joint angle and configuration ranges, age and usage related information from the user are stored locally and on a cloud server 1203 as machine profile data 1205, enabling machine learning 1202-1 and motion control 1202-2 of the device 100 based on artificial intelligence algorithms 1202.

[0081] In another preferred embodiment, the computing device 1201 incorporates a computer-generated voice and is connected to a microphone and an infrared sensor. The computing device 1201 can sense a user around the chair and interpret voice commands from the user 501. An example of a reminder from the device to the user 501 to experience a relaxation session at a specific time of day is "Good morning Julia, would you like to have a relaxation session now?" Another example is a reminder message sent over the Internet: "It's almost 7 PM, don't forget to call Janet" or "You have an appointment with Dr. James tomorrow at 8 AM."

[0082] Thus, the device 100 of the present invention has the capability and features to provide at least one of a user-customizable preferred static posture, cyclical motion, and a combination thereof for various needs or purposes. An example of a preferred cyclical motion for the user 501 is gentle rocking with at least one of forward and backward pitching, side-to-side rolling, or a combination thereof, intended to induce sleep or pleasure. An example of a preferred static posture for the user 501 is a combination of an upward curled posture and a backward pitching posture intended for reading or watching television. A further example is a preferred combination of a static posture and cyclical motion for the user 501, which allows for a primarily static posture for the user 501, but allows for occasional automatic mechanical articulation to shift the user's posture and encourage occasional body movement of the user 501 supported by the device. In these examples, the control panel allows the user 501 to configure the exercise or posture configuration.

[0083] Thus, the device 100 of the present invention is a unique type of device capable of providing a means and method for automatic, whole-body passive movement and kinesthetic stimulation in a wide range of supported body positions in a manner that is safe and natural for the user 501 to relieve the user 501 from stress, bedsores, muscle wasting, general fatigue, inactivity, boredom, and physical pain.

[0084] Thus, the device 100 of the present invention is a unique type of device that further utilizes biofeedback, artificial intelligence algorithms 1202 and cloud computing to provide a method of coordinated multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimulation, allowing use by a wide range of users with different levels of sensory ability, and useful for putting users into a state of relaxation, rejuvenation and enjoyment, relieving users from boredom and stress, and providing users with quality of life.

Claims

1. A device for supporting and stimulating user understanding, a base mechanism that supports the device and includes a plurality of base joints that allow for mechanical articulation of the device; a plurality of spine joints mounted above the base mechanism to allow mechanical articulation of the device; a plurality of cushions disposed on the plurality of spine joint mechanisms; a pair of armrests located on either side of the device; a plurality of actuators that enable powered or automated movement of the base mechanism and the plurality of spine joints; a plurality of sound speakers disposed on at least one selected from the plurality of cushions and combinations thereof; a plurality of display lights disposed on at least one selected from the plurality of cushions and combinations thereof; a plurality of sensors disposed on at least one selected from the plurality of cushions and combinations thereof, the plurality of sensors including at least one of a microphone, an infrared detector, a weight sensor, and combinations thereof; a plurality of Holter monitors disposed on at least one selected from the pair of armrests and combinations thereof; a plurality of heating devices disposed on at least one selected from the plurality of cushions and combinations thereof; a control panel for controlling devices disposed on at least one selected from a pair of armrests and combinations thereof; a computing device that reads and calculates information from at least one of the plurality of sensors, the plurality of Holter monitors, and combinations thereof, and controls the plurality of actuators; An apparatus comprising:

2. 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus utilizes the computing device and at least one selected from the plurality of actuators and the plurality of spine joints, and a combination thereof, to adjust the movement of the plurality of cushions to enable a combination of joints in a user's body posture while supported by the apparatus.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the user's body posture is curled backward while supported by the device.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the combination of joints prevents the user from sliding backward while supported by the device during the curled-back position.

5. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the user's body position is curled upward while supported by the device such that both the user's torso and legs are tilted upward.

6. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the device utilizes at least one selected from the computing device, the plurality of actuators, the base mechanism, the plurality of cushions, and combinations thereof to roll the user leftward and rightward while supported by the device.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the user's body is tilted in at least one selected from a backward pitch, a forward pitch, and a combination thereof while supported by the device.

8. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus utilizes at least one of the plurality of Holter monitors and the plurality of sensors and combinations thereof to provide at least one of selected current user physical condition information and environmental condition information and combinations thereof to the computing device.

9. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the computing device utilizes the physical state information and / or the environmental state information to calculate and coordinate the control of the plurality of actuators to articulate the posture of the user while supported by the apparatus in a combination of cyclical motions.

10. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of display lights or combinations thereof provides a means for visually displaying the user's Holter monitor information for visual feedback to the user while supported by the device.

11. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of said plurality of sound speakers and combinations thereof provides a sound projection means coordinated with said combination of cyclical movements of said user while supported by said device.

12. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of heated devices or combinations thereof provides a means of thermal stimulation during a combination of the cyclical movements of the user while supported on the device.

13. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the pair of armrests and combinations thereof provides a way for the user to access the seat of the device.

14. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the device utilizes the computing device to provide computer-generated voices through the plurality of sound speakers and, in conjunction with at least one of the plurality of sensors or a combination thereof selected on the device, detect and communicate with the user.

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