Audio feedback for motor control training

Abstract

An audio feedback signal for a subject engaged in an exercise includes a reference note (of a musical scale) that provides a marker of the goal or target position of the exercise for the subject, and a sequence of real-time feedback notes that define progress towards the goal while the exercise is underway. By providing the reference note with the feedback note, the listener can instantly understand whether they have presently reached the goal. The progress is defined by having at least 3 distinct feedback notes mapped to respective sensed ranges of positions within the exercise, and this provides multiple opportunities for the exerciser to compare the feedback and reference notes, and provides cognitive feedback to the exerciser.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates, in general, to equipment for training of motor control using audio feedback and, in particular, relates to audio feedback for motor control training, and methods and apparatus for providing it.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]There are many situations where it is desirable for a subject to learn or relearn how to control muscles. For example, there are medical therapies and interventions, such as physiotherapy, as well as professional, athletic, and recreational training. In many instances, motor control exercises are needed to encourage subjects to achieve a goal that can be determined prior to commencing the exercise, and for which achievement of the goal is gradual such that, in real time, feedback can be provided to the subject to guide the subject throughout the exercise.[0003]Music has been shown to have a strong pain-reducing effect; it also has demonstrated therapeutic qualities associated with distraction and stress...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Applicant has invented a feedback technique that guides a subject during an exercise in moving towards a goal by providing audio feedback that permits intuitive distinction between non-goal and goal points within the exercise. In accordance with the invention, a persistent note (called herein a reference note) taken from a musical scale is provided for comparison with real-time feedback notes that each represent respective positions of the subject in the exercise as measured by a sensor. The reference note is related to the goal of the exercise, in that it matches a feedback note associated with the goal in a distinctive manner. For example, the feedback note of the goal and reference note may be the same, one or more octave(s) apart, or simply much more consonant with each other than at least the feedback notes associated with the positions nearing the goal. During the course of the exercise, the reference note is emitted with the appropriate (based on the position of a part of the subject) real-time feedback note; together they provide feedback that can be instantly discerned by most subjects who are not hearing impaired, permitting direct determination as to whether the goal is reached.

Problems solved by technology

People are not generally very good at retaining a pitch in their head and making comparisons between heard and remembered sounds.

Difficulty for a wide audience to discern the reference tone from the dynamic audio feedback is made all the more difficult because of the small differences in frequencies that are associated with small displacements in sway.

It may be very difficult for many users to discern small changes in frequencies hearing only one at a time.

Small frequency differences will be difficult to discern for many subjects.

Furthermore, it would not be helpful for Carnahan's stated purpose to provide a single comparative tone as this would complicate the signal unnecessarily, and not assist the listener in hearing the soundscape that is associated with desired and undesired strokes.

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