A gyroscope-based neck posture measurement system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope, which includes angle data acquisition, angle data storage, and data analysis algorithms; the angle data acquisition includes two sets of devices, one set is used as a measurement device and is worn on the human head in a headband, and the other set is used as a reference device and is fixed on a tight-fitting garment for the human body to wear. The two sets of devices each include a hardware system and a software system. The hardware system includes a power supply module, an IMU, and an MCU; the software system includes four parts: data acquisition, data transfer, data storage, and data analysis; the angle data is stored in a cloud database. Based on the above-mentioned neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope, the present invention has a reasonable design structure, brings great comfort to the wearer, and the obtained angle information is tested by a high-precision turntable, greatly improving the accuracy of the detection results.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of wearable devices, and in particular relates to a neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope. Background Art

[0002] With the development of society, more and more people have neck diseases. Nowadays, many people have more or less cervical problems due to lack of exercise, long-term work and study with the habit of bowing their heads. Therefore, it is very necessary to detect the daily activity state of the neck. Because of the complexity of human movement, in order to simplify the measurement, we propose a method to measure the change in the angle of the human head relative to the body to achieve the purpose of measuring the neck posture. This can not only prevent and treat cervical spondylosis in advance, but also has important significance for increasing human lifespan and reducing the social burden brought by population aging. The wearable device market in our country is in its infancy. Due to its own stability and reading accuracy, gyroscopes are widely used in various fields of industry and engineering. There are very few products that combine gyroscopes with wearable devices. Therefore, applying it to wearable devices has considerable prospects, huge market demand and commercial potential. There are roughly two existing solutions for measuring cervical spine posture. The first is to directly observe people's behaviors or observe people's videos manually. The second is to use radar imaging plus data processing. The first solution is time-consuming and laborious, and the detection results are greatly affected by subjectivity. Although the second solution eliminates the need for manual labor, its cost is high, and the algorithms in the data processing part are complex and difficult to popularize.

[0003] Some foreign research groups have designed a helmet-like device to obtain human neck posture movement data. Although this device can detect and record the changes in neck posture angles, this helmet device is not suitable for complex scenarios. Similarly, the comfort brought by the helmet is very poor, which will affect the reliability of neck data compared with the data in the natural state. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a neck posture detection instrument with relatively low cost, small size, high data reliability, easy to popularize, and comfortable and gentle to wear. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope to solve the problems of low data reliability and poor wearing comfort existing in the above technologies.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides a neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope, including angle data acquisition, angle data storage, and data analysis algorithms; the angle data acquisition includes two sets of devices. One set is used as a measurement device and is worn on the human head in a headband, and the other set is used as a reference device and is fixed on a tight-fitting garment for the human body to wear. The device includes a hardware system and a software system, and the angle data storage is a cloud database.

[0006] Preferably, the hardware system includes three parts: a power module, an IMU, and an MCU. The MCU is used to store code and execute it in a loop, establish a data link with the outside world through an external antenna and Wi-Fi, and obtain device information from the outside. The software system includes four parts: data acquisition, data transmission, data storage, and data analysis.

[0007] Preferably, the IMU adopts a combination of an angle sensor and a magnetometer, and the magnetometer compensates for the drift existing in the yaw axis of the angle sensor.

[0008] Preferably, the angle sensor adopts an angle sensor integrating a 16-bit ADC three-axis accelerometer and a 16-bit ADC three-axis gyroscope. When the ADC three-axis gyroscope rotates around an axis, the analog-to-digital converter samples the voltage frequency received by the ADC three-axis gyroscope, and calculates the angle value from the voltage value.

[0009] Preferably, first, the network configuration function is used for network configuration to provide conditions for subsequent data uploading to the cloud. The data acquisition adopts an angle processing function, and the angle processing function processes the original acceleration and angular velocity information acquired by the sensor into three-dimensional angles in degrees.

[0010] Preferably, the specific steps of the data acquisition are as follows: The data transmission uses the device's inherent MAC address to transfer the data from the slave device to the master device through the device-to-device data transfer function to achieve communication between multiple devices. Then, the master device uses the MQTT protocol to package the data of the two devices and send them to the cloud database, or directly store them in the memory card without using the MQTT protocol.

[0011] Preferably, the specific steps for obtaining data from the cloud are as follows: First, log in to the account of the cloud database; second, click to download the angle data in the required table; finally, download the angle data to the local PC.

[0012] Preferably, the angle data downloaded to the local PC is used to implement data analysis through Matlab programming.

[0013] Preferably, the Matlab programming sets the processing and analysis results of the angle data as a visual interface. The visual interface part includes the curve graph display of the angle data, the number of times the pitch, roll, and yaw angles are greater than the preset threshold, and then compares with normal people to analyze the neck usage habits of the wearer.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention adopts the above-mentioned neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope. Under the combined action of angle data acquisition, angle data storage, and data analysis algorithms, it solves the problems of low data reliability and poor wearing comfort existing in the prior art.

[0015] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 It is a hardware block diagram of a neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the angle sensor MPU6050 module and its peripheral circuit of a neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the calibration magnetometer module and its peripheral circuit provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the charging circuit provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the DC-DC module provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 It is a code flowchart provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 It is a data flow script diagram for transferring the Alibaba Cloud object model data of a neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope according to the present invention to an RDS database;

[0023] Figure 8 It is an interface for exporting angle data of an RDS database provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 9 It is an interface for downloading the angle data stored in the RDS database to a local computer and opening it with Excel provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the actual wearing mode of a human body of a neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 11 It is an interface for Matlab angle analysis curve and statistics of the number of times greater than the threshold provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0027] Embodiment

[0028] The following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present invention, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] Please refer to Figures 1-11 , a gyroscope-based neck posture measurement system, which includes angle data acquisition, angle data storage, and data analysis algorithms; angle data acquisition includes two sets of devices. One set is used as a measurement device and is worn on the human head inside a headband, and the other set is used as a reference device and is fixed on a bodysuit for the human body to wear. Each set of devices includes a hardware system and a software system. The hardware system includes a power module, an IMU, and an MCU. The MCU is used to store code and execute it in a loop, and establish a data link with the outside world through an external antenna and wifi to obtain device information from the outside; the IMU adopts a combination of an angle sensor and a magnetometer. The magnetometer can measure the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field, thereby compensating for the drift of the yaw axis of the angle sensor. The angle sensor adopts an angle sensor integrating a 16-bit ADC three-axis accelerometer and a 16-bit ADC three-axis gyroscope. When the gyroscope rotates around an axis, the analog-to-digital converter samples the voltage frequencies received by the three axes, and the angle value can be deduced from the voltage value; the software system includes four parts: data acquisition, data transfer, data storage, and data analysis; the angle data is stored in an Alibaba Cloud RDS database; first, use the network configuration function to configure the network to provide conditions for subsequent data to be uploaded to the cloud. The data acquisition part uses an angle processing function. The angle processing function processes the original acceleration and angular velocity information obtained by the sensor into three-dimensional angles in degrees. The data transfer uses the device's inherent MAC address and the data transfer function between devices to transfer the data from the slave device to the master device. The master device then uses the MQTT protocol to package the data of the two devices and send them to the cloud database, or directly store them in the memory card without using the MQTT protocol to achieve communication between multiple devices. The data acquisition steps are as follows: first, log in to the account of the Alibaba Cloud RDS database; second, click to download the angle data in the required table; finally, download the angle data to the local PC. The data downloaded to the PC is used to implement data analysis through Matlab programming, including analysis algorithms and interfaces. Matlab programming sets the processing and analysis results of the angle data as a visual interface. The visual interface part includes a curve graph display of the angle data, the number of times the three groups of angles of pitch, roll, and yaw are greater than the preset threshold, and then compare with normal people to analyze the neck usage habits of the wearer.

[0030] The method for detecting human head movement is as follows:

[0031] S1. After the device is powered on and calibrated and networked using the mobile phone app, establish a data communication link with the Alibaba Cloud Internet of Things cloud device through the device certificate, and at the same time ensure that the person to be measured wears the device correctly;

[0032] S2. The device works normally, reads and uploads the read angle data in real time, and the head device obtains the angle data information transmitted from the body device and packages it and sends it to the Alibaba Cloud Internet of Things platform;

[0033] S3. The Alibaba Cloud Internet of Things platform obtains the angle data sent by the head device in real time, and writes a data transfer script inside the Alibaba Cloud platform to transfer and store the data in the Alibaba RDS database;

[0034] S4. Log in to the Alibaba Cloud RDS database, enter the data download interface to select the corresponding table, and download the angle data with timestamps in the table to the local PC;

[0035] S5. Import the angle information data downloaded to the PC into Matlab, use the neck posture simulation algorithm to count the neck postures within the working time of the two devices, and present the results on the visualization interface;

[0036] In addition, a computer-readable storage area is provided. The computer downloads the program code to the board to implement the debugging of the board, and finally realizes the program for obtaining angle data. When the neck posture detection program is executed by the processor, it realizes the detection of head movement.

[0037] Specifically, the overall hardware block diagram selected in this embodiment and their relationships are as Figure 5 shown, clearly showing the connections between device units. It includes, but is not limited to, the schematic diagram of the MPU6050 as Figure 2 shown, the schematic diagram of the magnetometer as Figure 3 shown, the schematic diagram of the charging circuit as Figure 4 shown, the schematic diagram of the power supply buck module as Figure 5 shown. The above hardware system ensures good compatibility and enables the power energy to be supplied to support the operation of the system as much as possible. The angle data acquisition code is written based on the Arduino environment, and its code structure schematic diagram is as Figure 6 shown, including Smartconfig intelligent network configuration, DMP three-dimensional angle data acquisition, using the esp-now function to realize data transfer between devices, and uploading data to the Alibaba Cloud Internet of Things platform. In the Alibaba Cloud Internet of Things platform, a data transfer script needs to be written to transfer and store the data from the physical model of the Alibaba Cloud Internet of Things platform to the Alibaba RDS database. Figure 7 is the written data transfer script. After the data is transferred to the RDS database, the data will be stored in a pre-set table. As Figure 8 shown, download any device data uploaded to the RDS database to the computer PC through logging in to the RDS database administrator account for subsequent processing. Figure 9 is a partial data format after the data in the Alibaba Cloud RDS database is downloaded to the PC and opened with Excel.

[0038] As Figure 10As shown, device 1 is fixed to a headband and worn on the forehead or the back of the head of a human body, and device 2 is fixed to the chest or back of the person to be tested using a tight-fitting garment. To minimize errors as much as possible, the two test devices should be placed on the same vertical line, that is, the back of the head and the back form a group, and the forehead and the chest form a group. The Matlab algorithm provided by the present invention includes the following steps:

[0039] S1. After wearing the two devices, keep them on the same vertical line and perpendicular to the horizontal plane and turn on the power. At this time, all six angles of the two devices are 0. This process can be regarded as calibration.

[0040] S2. After uploading the data to the Alibaba Cloud Internet of Things platform, download the data of the two devices obtained when a person wears the device and moves freely from the RDS database as Figure 8 shown. Calculate the differences respectively, that is, Δθ yaw = θ A2 - θ D2 , Δθ pitch = θ B2 - θ E2 , Δθ roll = θ C2 - θ F2 (the angle of the main device minus the angle of the reference device). It can be seen that the value of Δθ can be positive or negative, and the angle data of each dimension contains two directions, and these two directions can be well corresponded with positive and negative.

[0041] S3. Because the device will have drift, analyze the data to obtain the amount of drift, which is used to compensate and update the judgment threshold. Record the number of data greater than the threshold as one head movement. Use Matlab programming to screen out the values greater than the threshold as one head movement. The final result interface is as Figure 11 shown.

[0042] Through the above steps, the number of times greater than the threshold in six dimensions (each dimension of the three-dimensional angle has positive and negative) can be counted. In this way, count the number of neck movements of normal people as a reference, and then count the number of movements of the population to be tested to judge the neck lesion situation of the person to be tested, and thus make corresponding treatment or recovery plans.

[0043] Therefore, the present invention adopts the above-mentioned neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope to solve the problems of low data reliability and poor wearing comfort existing in the prior art. The design structure of the present invention is reasonable, bringing great comfort to the wearer. The obtained angle information is tested by a high-precision turntable, greatly improving the accuracy of the detection result.

[0044] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions of the present invention or make equivalent replacements, and these modifications or equivalent replacements do not enable the modified technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gyroscope-based neck posture measurement system, characterized in that: It includes angle data acquisition, angle data storage, and data analysis algorithms; the angle data acquisition includes two sets of devices. One set is used as a measurement device and is worn on the human head inside a headband, and the other set is used as a reference device and is fixed on a tight-fitting garment for the human body to wear. The devices include a hardware system and a software system, and the angle data is stored in a cloud database; The hardware system includes an IMU, and the IMU uses a combination of an angle sensor and a magnetometer. The magnetometer compensates for the drift existing in the yaw axis of the angle sensor; Data transmission uses the MAC address inherent in the device to transfer the data from the slave device to the master device through the inter-device data transfer function to achieve mutual communication between multiple devices. The master device then uses the MQTT protocol to package the data of the two devices and send them to the cloud database together, or directly store them in the memory card without using the MQTT protocol. The device works normally, reads the angle data in real time and uploads it. The head device obtains the angle data information transmitted from the body device and packages it and sends it to the Alibaba Cloud Internet of Things platform; Finally, use Matlab programming to set the processing and analysis results of the angle data as a visual interface. The visual interface part includes the curve graph display of the angle data, the number of times the three groups of angles of pitch, roll, and yaw are greater than the preset threshold, and then compare with normal people to analyze the neck usage habits of the wearer; The measurement device is fixed on the headband and worn on the forehead or back of the human head, and the reference device is fixed on the chest or back of the person to be measured using a tight-fitting garment. The two devices should be placed on the same vertical line, that is, the back of the head and the back are a combination, and the forehead and the chest are a combination; The Matlab algorithm includes the following steps: S1. After wearing the two devices, keep them on the same vertical line and perpendicular to the horizontal plane and turn on the machine. At this time, all 6 angles of the two devices are 0. This process is regarded as calibration; S2. After uploading the data to the Alibaba Cloud Internet of Things Platform, download the data of the two devices obtained when the human-worn device moves freely in the RDS database, and calculate the difference, namely Δθ yaw = θ A2 - θ D2 , Δθ pitch = θ B2 - θE2, Δθ roll = θ C2 - θ F2 , subtract the angle of the reference device from the angle of the master device. The value of Δθ can be positive or negative. The angle data in each dimension contains two directions, and these two directions can be well corresponded with positive and negative; S3. Because the device will have drift, obtain the amount of drift through data analysis, which is used to compensate and update the judgment threshold. Record the number of data greater than the threshold as one head movement; Use Matlab programming to screen out the values greater than the threshold as one head movement; Through the above steps, count the number of times the 6 dimensions are greater than the threshold. Each of the three-dimensional angles has positive and negative values. Count the number of neck movements of normal people as a reference, and then count the movement times of the population to be measured to judge the neck lesion situation of the person to be measured.

2. The neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope according to claim 1, wherein: The hardware system includes three parts: a power module, an IMU, and an MCU. The MCU is used to store the code and execute it in a loop, and establish a data link with the outside world through an external antenna and wifi to realize the external acquisition of device information; The software system includes four parts: data acquisition, data transmission, data storage, and data analysis.

3. A neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope according to claim 2, characterized in that: The angle sensor uses an angle sensor integrating a 16-bit ADC three-axis accelerometer and a 16-bit ADC three-axis gyroscope. When the ADC three-axis gyroscope rotates around the axis, the analog-to-digital converter samples the voltage frequency received by the ADC three-axis gyroscope, and calculates the angle value from the voltage value.

4. A neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: First, use the power distribution function to perform power distribution to provide conditions for subsequent data to be uploaded to the cloud. The data acquisition adopts an angle processing function, which processes the original acceleration and angular velocity information obtained by the sensor into three-dimensional angles in degrees.

5. The neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope according to claim 4, characterized in that, The specific steps to obtain data from the cloud are as follows: First, log in to the account of the cloud database; second, click to download the angle data in the required table; finally, download the angle data to the local PC.

6. The neck posture measurement system based on a gyroscope according to claim 5, characterized in that: The angle data downloaded to the local PC is used to implement data analysis through Matlab programming.

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