Apparatus for automated multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimulation

Abstract

An apparatus, means and method for supporting and providing multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimulation to a user includes a plurality of base joint mechanisms, a seat cushion, an actuator, an acoustic speaker, a display illumination, a sensor, a Holter monitor, and a computing device. The Holter monitors and sensors provide a current set of signal information of the user's physical condition and environment to a computing device of the apparatus. A computing device of the apparatus then interprets the current set of signal information as well as the past set of information using an artificial intelligence algorithm to optimize and activate the actuation of the base joints, audio speakers and lighting and create coordinated and rhythmic multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimuli for the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a piece of furniture, a reclining chair, a sitting or resting device. Specifically, this invention relates to electronically controlled and mechanically articulated chairs or beds that incorporate embedded sensors for providing feedback to a computer device, and to methods for controlling them and for providing multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimulation to a user. Background Art

[0002] The need for a safe and gentle method for relieving stress, pressure sores, muscle atrophy, general discomfort, lack of activity, boredom, and body pain has led to a solution in the form of a device and method in the present invention that provides passive exercise to a user through the transfer of the user's own body weight. The device in the present invention further provides sitting support, resting support, and a method for relaxing the user through multi-sensory stimulation to meet the above-mentioned needs of the user.

[0003] Chairs or resting devices with articulated joints, actuators, and automated functions are very useful for relaxation, rest, physical recovery, health, and passive exercise. These chairs can generally be found in homes, offices, care facilities, or gyms. Generally speaking, these devices include seat cushions with multiple articulated joints to allow the user to recline. Some chairs include functions to automatically articulate, vibrate, or massage the user. Specifically, chairs that provide passive exercise to the user are not common and have limited functions.

[0004] In a related prior embodiment, a relaxation device for a user is a reclining chair. For relaxation purposes, the user sits on such a stationary reclining chair, which may include mechanical levers for control, such as U.S. Patent Nos. 9,504,327 and 9,504,328, European Patent Specification EP2995223, or is automatically controlled by a motor, such as patents US5813727, US7063383, and US7832800. However, in these chairs, the reclining angle selection is limited, and the angle is static after selection. The reclining angle in these chairs is also limited to being close to but not exceeding the flat lying angle and curling backward, and curling backward is useful for passive exercise. These described prior arts also do not have a method for stretching the user's muscles by design.

[0005] In another related prior embodiment, a reclining chair causes relaxation to the user through specific passive exercise, such as US9586084, which is configured to provide a specific abdominal exercise through a rocking motion. However, this prior art method is limited to abdominal exercise and does not provide passive exercise for full-body stretching.

[0006] In another related prior embodiment, the reclining chair includes electric recline control and an automatic massage function, such as those in US7063383 and US7832800. The massage functions provided by these prior arts, such as kneading, squeezing, or pinching, are tactile stimulations to specific parts of the user's body. These prior art massage methods are different from the method of the present invention which transfers the user's own body weight to achieve passive exercise of full body stretching.

[0007] The prior arts do not provide a method of passive exercise for body curling both forward and backward, nor a method for relieving pressure sores or muscle atrophy.

[0008] The prior arts also do not provide real-time biofeedback or historical data or cloud computing to calculate the optimal chair articulation movement amplitude, speed, or time limit to avoid the risk of overuse, such as deep vein thrombosis caused by sitting in a chair for a long time. These limitations result in a poor or unsatisfactory user experience.

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

[0010] The prior arts also do not provide a means for synchronizing or coordinating multi-sensory stimulations.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for a solution that includes a safe and automatic method to overcome the deficiencies of the prior arts in providing relief for one of the above-mentioned pressures, pressure sores, muscle atrophy, general body discomfort, lack of activity, boredom, body pain, and their combinations for the user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is embodied in a device in the form of an automatic chair, which includes a base mechanism connected to a plurality of spinal joints. The device further includes a seat, a set of backrests, and a set of leg rests, all connected to the plurality of spinal joints. A pair of armrests are provided on both sides of the seat. A computing device is provided within the device to control a plurality of actuators in the base mechanism and the spinal joints to mechanically articulate the device to support the user in various postures.

[0013] The base mechanism includes the plurality of actuators to achieve mechanical articulation of left roll, right roll, forward pitch, and backward pitch.

[0014] The base mechanism is further attached to a set of casters for device mobility.

[0015] The plurality of spinal joints include the plurality of actuators connected to adjacent vertebrae to enable the spinal joints to perform a large range of mechanical articulation within a large angle range to achieve articulation of upward curling and backward curling. Such a large range of articulation does not exist in the prior arts.

[0016] The seat, backrest, and legrest include a plurality of cushions. These cushions further comprise at least one selected from a plurality of heating devices, sound speakers, sensors, display lighting, and combinations thereof.

[0017] At least one or a combination of the selected armrests can slide parallel to the seat to facilitate user entry into the seat.

[0018] At least one or a combination of the selected armrests further comprises at least one selected from a plurality of Holter monitors, control panels, and combinations thereof.

[0019] The computing device is connected to the control panel, the plurality of Holter monitors, the plurality of actuators, the plurality of sensors, the plurality of display lighting, the plurality of sound speakers, and the plurality of heating devices.

[0020] The computing device is further connected to the Internet for data processing and cloud computing.

[0021] The computing device uses artificial intelligence algorithms to process inputs from the user (through the control panel), signals from the Holter monitors, signals from the sensors, and the information from cloud computing to provide a means of coordinated, rhythmic, and periodic multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimulation that does not exist in the prior art to a wide range of users with different levels of sensory capabilities, while supporting the user on the device.

[0022] The device in the present invention provides a means and method for implementing at least one of backward curling, upward curling, left rolling, right rolling, mechanical articulation, and combinations thereof. The mechanical articulation transfers the user's weight to provide kinesthetic stimulation of passive exercise and body stretching to the user supported on the device.

[0023] The device in the present invention further provides a means and method that utilizes feedback information from the Holter monitors and the sensors to implement at least one of coordinated, rhythmic, periodic, and combinations thereof of multi-sensory stimulation and kinesthetic stimulation of audio, visual, thermal, and combinations thereof to induce and optimize the relaxation level of the user supported on the device.

[0024] Therefore, the main objective of the present invention is to meet the user's needs in relieving stress, boredom, and general discomfort through the method of multi-sensory stimulation and kinesthetic stimulation of at least one of vision, audio, thermal, and combinations thereof, and to provide relaxation and rejuvenation to the user.

[0025] Another objective of the present invention is to provide passive exercise through the method of kinesthetic stimulation to relieve symptoms such as pressure sores, muscle atrophy, muscle pain, or muscle stiffness.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for passive exercise for users as an aid in physical therapy or physical exercise.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide a seat for users as a reclining chair for sitting, resting, reading or any leisure activity.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is to provide a seat for users as a chair for desk work.

[0029] Technical problems

[0030] The need to support a user's body while providing automatic full-body passive exercise and kinesthetic stimulation by natural body postures such as upward curling, backward curling, forward pitching, backward pitching, left rolling and right rolling requires a device including a complex mechanism with computer control. Devices with such features do not currently exist or are not sufficient in the prior art.

[0031] The need to support a user's body while providing an effective method of sensory stimulation for a wide user group with different levels of sensory ability requires a set of multisensory and kinesthetic stimulations. Currently, such a method does not exist or is not sufficient in the prior art.

[0032] Supporting a user's body while providing coordinated multisensory and kinesthetic stimulation and utilizing biofeedback from the user is useful and necessary for achieving optimal relief for the user from the above-mentioned stress, pressure sores, muscle atrophy, general discomfort, lack of activity, boredom, body pain. Such a method does not exist or is not sufficient in the prior art.

[0033] Solutions to the problems

[0034] Therefore, to solve the technical problem of providing means and methods for automatic full-body passive exercise and kinesthetic stimulation for users, the device in the present invention utilizes a computing device, a base mechanism, a plurality of spinal joints and a plurality of actuators to achieve automatic mechanical articulation within a large angle range of at least one of the selected upward curling, backward curling, forward pitching, backward pitching, left rolling, right rolling and their combined movements, to support the user's body and transfer the user's body weight into multiple postures.

[0035] Therefore, to solve the technical problem of providing multisensory stimulation, the device in the present invention provides a means to support the user's body and provides multisensory stimulation by using a pair of audio speakers, a lighting display and a heating device. Therefore, the device is capable of providing at least one of the selected audio, visual, thermal and their combined stimulations and kinesthetic stimulation for the user.

[0036] Therefore, to solve the problem of providing a method for coordinating multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimuli and optimizing the relief from one of the above-mentioned selected pressure, bedsores, muscle atrophy, general discomfort, lack of activity, boredom, body pain, and their combinations, the device utilizes a computing device and artificial intelligence algorithms to process inputs from a control panel, feedback signals from an in-built Holter monitor and sensors, and information from cloud computing to provide the user with an optimized and personalized set of coordinated, rhythmic, and periodic multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimuli while supporting the user in the device.

[0037] Advantages of the Invention

[0038] The device of the present invention relieves one of the above-mentioned selected pressure, bedsores, muscle atrophy, general discomfort, lack of activity, boredom, body pain, and their combinations 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 whole-body exercise through natural stretching, with less intervention in the body compared to the squeezing or pressing of specific body areas commonly used in massage chairs in the prior art.

[0039] The device of the present invention further provides multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimuli, enabling a wide range of user groups with different sensory ability levels to use it. The multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimuli help guide the user into a relaxation, rejuvenation, and enjoyment mode, which is useful for relieving the user's boredom and stress and improving the user's quality of life.

[0040] The device of the present invention further utilizes biofeedback from Holter monitors and sensors and artificial intelligence algorithms to provide multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimuli in a coordinated, rhythmic, and periodic pattern. The advantage of this method based on user biofeedback and artificial intelligence is that it achieves a relaxation level for the user in a unique and optimal way that is personalized.

[0041] The device of the present invention further provides the user with means for body support, rest, or entertainment in a unique and personalized posture.

[0042] The device of the present invention further provides the user with the visual display lighting feedback of the status of the user's Holter monitor, guiding the user into a deeper relaxation level in a unique and personalized way to obtain a sense of enjoyment or personal accomplishment. Description of the Drawings

[0043] The following description of the drawings is an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments in the present disclosure are an example of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 1The side view shows the architecture of the device in the present invention according to a preferred embodiment, including some of its main components in the view.

[0045] Figure 2 The front isometric view shows the architecture of the device in the present invention according to a preferred embodiment, including some of its main components in the view.

[0046] Figure 3 The rear isometric view shows the architecture of the device in the present invention according to a preferred embodiment, including some of its main components in the view.

[0047] Figure 4 The top view shows the architecture of the device in the present invention according to a preferred embodiment, including some of its main components in the view.

[0048] Figure 5 The front isometric view shows an example of a use case of the device in the present invention according to a preferred embodiment, in an example of a body posture supported by the mechanical hinge structure of the device.

[0049] Figure 6 An example of the backward curling mechanical hinge structure of the device in the present invention according to a preferred embodiment is shown.

[0050] Figure 7 An example of the combined upward curling and backward pitching mechanical hinge structure of the device in the present invention according to a preferred embodiment is shown.

[0051] Figure 8 The sliding armrest structure of the device in the present invention according to a preferred embodiment is shown.

[0052] Figure 9 An example of a user case of a user using the device in the present invention according to a preferred embodiment, in a backward curling body posture supported by the backward curling mechanical hinge structure of the device is shown.

[0053] Figure 10 An example of a user case of a user using the device in the present invention according to a preferred embodiment, in a combined upward curling and backward pitching body posture brought about by the combined upward curling and backward pitching mechanical hinge structure in the device is shown.

[0054] Figure 11 An example of the combined upward curling, backward pitching and left rolling mechanical hinge structure of the device in the present invention according to a preferred embodiment is shown.

[0055] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the preferred method in the present invention is shown. Detailed Description

[0056] The following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is an example of a preferred embodiment of the device in the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are only examples of the present invention.

[0057] Figures 1 to 12 Preferred embodiments of the device in the present invention are presented. The preferred embodiments of the device in the present invention will hereinafter be referred to as device 100.

[0058] Figure 12 Preferred embodiments of the method in the device 100 of the present invention are presented.

[0059] The device 100 is in the form of an automatic chair and includes base mechanisms 101-1 to 101-n connected to a plurality of spinal joints 105-1 to 105-n. The device 100 further includes a plurality of seat cushions, backrest cushions, and leg rest cushions 102-1 to 102-n connected to the plurality of spinal joints. A pair of armrests 104-1 to 104-2 are provided on both sides of the seat. A computing device 1201 is provided in the device 100 to control a plurality of actuators in the base mechanisms 101-1 to 101-n and the spinal joints 105-1 - 105-n to mechanically articulate the device 100 to support a user in various postures.

[0060] As Figure 1 shown, the base mechanisms 101-1 to 101-n include a base 101-1, a base link 101-2, and a base seat 101-n connected to each other.

[0061] The base 101-1 is further designed to sit on the ground.

[0062] As Figure 1 and Figure 4 shown, the base 101-1 is further attached to a plurality of casters 106-1 to 106-n to achieve the mobility of the device.

[0063] The casters 106-1 to 106-n further include a lockable feature to prevent the wheels from rotating and to keep the device in place during operation.

[0064] The base mechanisms 101-1 to 101-n further include a plurality of base actuators 107-1 to 107-n to achieve the mechanical articulation of the device 100 for rolling left, rolling right, pitching forward, and pitching backward. As Figure 1 and Figure 4 shown, the base actuator 107-1 is used for the mechanical articulation of the device 100 for rolling left and rolling right. As Figure 1As shown, at least one or a combination of the base actuators 107-2 to 107-n is used to implement the mechanical articulation for the forward pitch and backward pitch of the device 100.

[0065] As Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the plurality of spine joints 105-1 to 105-n include 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, which enables the spine joints to perform a large range of mechanical articulation within a large angular range to achieve upward curling and backward curling articulation, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown.

[0066] Referring to Figure 2 , the armrests 104-1 to 104-2 include at least one of a selected plurality of Holter monitors 201-1 to 201-n, a plurality of sensors, and their combination, as well as a control panel 202. As Figure 8 shown, the armrests 104-1 and 104-2 can slide laterally 801 along the seat cushion 102-1 to allow the user 501 to enter easily.

[0067] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the plurality of cushions 102-1 to 102-n have a cushion shape with a slightly curved profile to provide comfort to the user and firmly support the user's 501 body during various mechanical articulations of the device 100. Figure 5 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 show examples of how the user 501 is supported in the device 100.

[0068] The cushions 102-3 to 102-5 for supporting the upper body of the user 501 further include high-profile cushions as a privacy feature and better fix the body during the mechanical articulation of the device 100.

[0069] As Figures 1 to 11As shown, the cushions 102-3 to 102-5 for supporting the upper body of the user 501 further include at least one of a selected plurality of lighting displays 108-1 to 108-n, each lighting display including a variety of LED colors and combinations thereof. The plurality of lighting displays 108-1 to 108-n show interpretation information from a plurality of Holter monitors 201-1 to 201-n, including at least one of the heart rate, heart rate variability of the user 501, and combinations thereof, as a form of biofeedback to the user 501. The plurality of lighting displays 108-1 to 108-n also provide a means to indicate an urgent need for attention to external personnel.

[0070] Each of the plurality of lighting displays 108-1 to 108-n further includes at least one of red, green, amber, white LEDs, and combinations thereof, and enables the user to personalize the color and combinations of colors.

[0071] The cushion 102-5 for supporting the upper body of the user 501 further includes a pair of audio speakers 203-1 and 203-2 to project sound to the user 501 in coordination with the kinesthetic stimulation provided by the mechanical articulation of the device 100.

[0072] At least one of the plurality of cushions 102-1 to 102-n and combinations thereof further includes a heating device to provide a means of thermal sensory stimulation to the user 501. Such thermal stimulation helps to assist and relieve the user during physical recovery, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

[0073] The plurality of cushions 102-1 to 102-n are further connected to a plurality of spinal joints 105-1 to 105-n and articulated by at least one of a selected plurality of spinal actuators 103-1 to 103-n, a plurality of base actuators 107-1 to 107-n, and combinations thereof.

[0074] The plurality of spinal actuators 103-1 to 103-n and the plurality of base actuators 107-1 to 107-n are further powered by at least one of a selected electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, and combinations thereof.

[0075] The plurality of spinal actuators 103-1 to 103-n and the plurality of base actuators 107-1 to 107-n can further be powered individually or as part of a linkage mechanism.

[0076] The control panel 202 includes a set of tactile buttons connected to the computing device 1201 and provides the user 501 with means to set the static and dynamic configurations and movements of the mechanical articulation of the device.

[0077] The control panel 202 further provides the user 501 with means to start, pause, and stop the operation of the device 100.

[0078] As Figure 6 shown, the mechanical articulation of the device 100 can curl backward by articulating the plurality of cushions 102-1 to 102-n by utilizing the plurality of spine actuators 103-1 to 103-n.

[0079] As Figure 7 shown, the mechanical articulation of the device 100 can also curl upward by articulating the plurality of cushions 102-1 to 102-n by utilizing the plurality of spine actuators 103-1 to 103-n.

[0080] The mechanical articulation of the device 100 can also pitch forward and backward by articulating the plurality of spine joints 105-1 to 105-n by utilizing the plurality of base actuators 107-1 to 107-n. Figure 7 is an example of the combined backward pitch and upward curl mechanical articulation of the device 100.

[0081] The mechanical articulation of the device 100 can also roll left and right by articulating the plurality of spine joints 105-1 to 105-n by utilizing the plurality of base actuators 107-1 to 107-n. Figure 11 is an example of the combined backward pitch, upward curl, and left roll mechanical articulation of the device 100.

[0082] Thus, through the capabilities of the above mechanical articulation, the device 100 can provide different degrees of mechanical articulation of the device 100 to bring corresponding postural changes to the user 501 while supporting the user 501 in the device. Figure 9 and Figure 10 are examples of two of the many variants of possible articulations and postures.

[0083] Referring Figure 12 to the schematic diagram of the preferred method in, the device utilizes the on-board computing device 1201 as a core part of the method to calculate and control the operation of the device to provide the coordinated multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimuli to the user 501.

[0084] The computing device 1201 is connected to the control panel 202 to receive direct commands and information from the user 501.

[0085] The computing device 1201 is further connected to a plurality of Holter monitors 201-1 to 201-n and sensors to receive biofeedback signals from the Holter monitors 201-1 to 201-n and sensors for interpreting the state of the user 501 of the device. The state of the user 501 from the Holter monitors 201-1 to 202-n and sensors includes at least one of a selected heart rate, heart rate variability, body temperature, body weight, and combinations thereof. The interpretation of the state of the user 501 from the biofeedback signals includes the relaxation level, cardiovascular response, and health of the user 501.

[0086] The computing device 1201 is further connected to an actuator driver 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 such that the mechanical articulation of the device 100 can perform a variety of rhythmic and periodic motion configurations.

[0087] The computing device 1201 uses the method of the artificial intelligence algorithm 1202 to interpret the state of the user 501 from the biofeedback signals to determine a desired configuration of the rhythmic and periodic motion configuration of the mechanical hinge to provide passive exercise and relaxation to the user 501 while supported on the device 100.

[0088] The computing device 1201 is further connected to a pair of audio speakers 203-1 to 203-2 to provide audio projection in coordination with the desired rhythmic and periodic mechanical articulation configuration determined by the artificial intelligence algorithm 1202 to guide the user 501 to perform regular breathing, body movement, and a desired relaxation state.

[0089] The computing device 1201 is further connected to a cloud server 1203 on the Internet or in a separate network to enable the upload and download of historical data, current data, and aggregated data, and to enable artificial intelligence-based data mining and cloud computing. The information and interpretation of the cloud server 1203 are used by the computing device to assist in determining the type, limits, and configuration of the multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimuli provided to the user 501 in the device during operation.

[0090] The computing device 1201 further provides a means for limiting the duration of use of the user 501 in the device 100 within a safe time period between each use. This safe time period is personalized and determined by the user 501 to limit the multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimuli and is guided by the user's age group and health condition.

[0091] The computing device 1201 further provides a means for restricting the physical range of the mechanical articulation of the user 501 in the device 100 to remain within a safe articulation angle and configuration range. This safe articulation angle and configuration range are personalized and determined by the user 501 and are guided by the user's age group and health condition.

[0092] The safe time period, the safe articulation angle and configuration range, age, and usage-related information from the user are stored locally and in the cloud server 1203 as machine profile data 1205 to implement the machine learning method 1202-1 based on the artificial intelligence algorithm 1202 and the motion control 1202-2 of the device 100.

[0093] In another preferred embodiment, the computing device 1201 incorporates computer-generated speech and is connected to a microphone and an infrared sensor. The computing device 1201 is capable of detecting the user around the chair and interpreting voice commands from the user 501. An example is the device reminding the user 501 to experience a relaxation process at a specific time of the day: "Good morning, Julia, would you like to relax now?". Another example is a reminder message sent via the Internet: "It's almost 7 pm now. Don't forget to call Janet" or "You have an appointment with Dr. James at 8 am tomorrow".

[0094] Therefore, the device 100 of the present invention has the ability to provide at least one of user-customizable preferred static postures, periodic motions, and combinations thereof to meet various needs or intentions. For the user 501, an example of a preferred periodic motion is gentle rocking, which has at least one of forward and backward pitching, left and right rolling, or a combination thereof, for the purpose of inducing sleep or pleasure. For the user 501, an example of a preferred static posture is a posture of combined upward curling and backward pitching, for the purpose of reading or watching TV. For the user 501, another example is a preferred combination of a static posture and a periodic motion, which enables the user 501 to be mainly in a static posture but occasionally automatically undergoes mechanical articulation to change the user 501's posture to encourage occasional body movement of the user 501 supported on the device. The control panel allows the user 501 to set the motion or posture configuration in these examples.

[0095] Therefore, the device 100 of the present invention is a unique device form that can provide means and methods for automatic whole-body passive exercise and kinesthetic stimulation within a wide range of supported body postures for the user 501 in a safe and natural manner to relieve stress, pressure sores, muscle atrophy, general discomfort, lack of activity, boredom, and body pain of the user 501.

[0096] Therefore, the device 100 of the present invention is also a unique form of device that can utilize biofeedback, artificial intelligence algorithm 1202, and cloud computing to provide a method of coordinated multi-sensory and kinesthetic stimulation, enabling a wide user group to use it to guide users into a relaxation, rejuvenation, and enjoyment mode, which is very useful for relieving users' boredom and stress and providing users with a high-quality life.

[0097] Citation List

[0098] PTL1: US 9,504,327; Ledat

[0099] PTL2: US 9,504,328; Garland

[0100] PTL3: US US5,813,727; Sugawa et al.

[0101] PTL4: US US7,063,383; Wu

[0102] PTL5: US US7,832,800; Lo

[0103] PTL6: US US9,586,084; Duke

[0104] PTL7: US Patent Document

[0105] PTL8: EP2995223 Bl; Lin, Chang-Chen

[0106] Non-Patent Literature

[0107] NPL1: Mutsuhiro Nakao, "Heart Rate Variability and Perceived Stress as Measurements of Relaxation Response", J Clin Med. 2019 Oct; 8(10): 1704.

[0108] NPL2: 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 Explorative Pilot Study", Front. Public Health, March 19, 2020.

Claims

1. A device for supporting and stimulating a user, comprising the following: A base mechanism, which includes a plurality of base joints to support the device and enable the device to be mechanically articulated; A plurality of spinal joints, which are attached above the base mechanism to enable the device to be mechanically articulated; A plurality of cushions, which are arranged in the plurality of spinal joint mechanisms; A pair of armrests, which are provided on both sides of the device; A plurality of actuators, which enable the base mechanism and the plurality of spinal joints to move electrically or automatically; A plurality of audio speakers, which are provided in at least one selected from the plurality of cushions and their combinations; A plurality of display illuminations, which are provided in at least one selected from the plurality of cushions and their combinations; A plurality of sensors, which include at least one of a microphone, an infrared detector, a weight sensor, and their combinations provided in at least one selected from the plurality of cushions and their combinations; A plurality of Holter monitors, which are provided in at least one selected from the pair of armrests and their combinations; A plurality of heating devices, which are provided in at least one selected from the plurality of cushions and their combinations; A control panel for controlling the device, which is provided in at least one selected from a selected pair of armrests and their combinations; A computing device, which is used to read and calculate information from at least one of the plurality of sensors and the plurality of Holter monitors and their combinations, and control the plurality of actuators.

2. A method, wherein the device as claimed in claim 1 utilizes the computing device, and at least one selected from the plurality of actuators and the plurality of spinal joints and their combinations, to coordinate the movement of the plurality of cushions when the user is supported on the device, so as to achieve an articulated combination of the user's body postures.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the user's body posture is to curl backward when the user is supported on the device.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the articulated combination prevents the user from sliding backward during the backward curling posture when the user is supported on the device.

5. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the user's body posture is to curl upward when the user is supported on the device, such that both the user's torso and legs are tilted upward.

6. A method, wherein the device as claimed in claim 1 utilizes the computing device, and at least one selected from the plurality of actuators and the base mechanism and the plurality of cushions and their combinations, to enable the user to roll left and right when the user is supported on the device.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the user is supported on the device, the user's body is tilted at least one of a selected backward pitch, a forward pitch, and their combinations.

8. A method, wherein the device as claimed in claim 1 utilizes at least one of the plurality of Holter monitors and the plurality of sensors and their combinations, to provide at least one of a selected current set of the user's body condition information and environmental condition information and their combinations to the computing device.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the computing device utilizes at least one of the body condition information, the environmental condition information, and combinations thereof to calculate and coordinate the control of the plurality of actuators when the user is supported on the device, and expresses the user's posture in a combination of periodic movements.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of display illuminations or a combination thereof provides a means for visual display of the user's Holter monitor information for visual feedback to the user when the user is supported on the device.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of audio speakers and combinations thereof provides a means for projecting sound in coordination with the combination of the user's periodic movements when the user is supported on the device.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of heating devices or a combination thereof provides a means for thermal stimulation during the combination of the user's periodic movements when the user is supported on the device.

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

14. A method, wherein the device according to claim 1 utilizes the computing device to provide computer-generated speech through the plurality of audio speakers and combines at least one of the selected plurality of sensors on the device or combinations thereof to detect the user and communicate with the user.

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