Auxiliary device for arm and leg exercises for toddlers

Abstract

Auxiliary device for arm and leg exercises for toddlers, including: i) a platform 101 positioned above a floor surface and configured with a shaft 102, wherein a curved seat 103 is arranged with the shaft 102 by means of a motorized circular slider and is accessible to a user to accommodate a small child above the seat 103; ii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201, installed above shaft 102 to capture and process images of the infant, on the basis of which a microcontroller connected to the imaging unit 201 determines the dimensions of the infant's legs and arms; iii) a vertical motorized sliding unit installed above the shaft 102 and actuated by the microcontroller to move a ring configured with the secondary glider with respect to positioning the ring at a suitable height in accordance with the detected dimension, wherein a plurality of rods 202 are configured with the outer circumference of the ring, which are reached by the infant via the infant's foot and hands to exert pressure on the rods 202, resulting in a movement of the seat 103 over the glider to perform an exercise for arms and legs; iv) a contact proximity sensor installed above each of the bars to monitor the distance of the infant's legs and arms from the bars 202, whereupon the microcontroller 5 actuates a motorized pin joint installed between each of the bars 202 and the ring to align the bars 202 at an angle to prevent collision of the bars 202 with the infant's legs and arms; and v) an interactive touch display 104 installed above the platform 101, which the user can access to make inputs that determine the child's age, whereupon the microcontroller actuates the slider to resist the rotational displacement of the seat 103 in accordance with the child's age, enabling the child to perform arm and leg exercises.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an arm and leg exerciser for infants capable of accommodating an infant to perform exercises for the arms and legs of the infants by determining the dimensions of the legs and arms of the infants, thereby performing exercises for the infants in a safe manner. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Exercise is any physical activity performed with the goal of improving or maintaining physical fitness, health, and overall well-being. Arm and leg exercises for toddlers are crucial for their physical development as they help strengthen muscles, improve coordination, and promote motor skills such as crawling, standing, and eventually walking. These exercises also help lay a solid foundation for future physical activities and overall health. Traditionally, infants are placed on their stomachs, which encourages them to lift their heads and push themselves up with their arms, thereby strengthening the neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. However, these were early techniques performed manually by the infant's caregiver, and the method does not provide optimal exercise movements for the infant's legs and arms.

[0003] Baby bouncers and baby swings were designed to assist toddlers with leg and arm exercises. Gentle rocking motions encourage leg movement and help soothe children while providing a subtle form of exercise. These seats allowed toddlers to bounce and kick their legs, strengthening leg muscles and improving coordination. However, these devices were unable to accommodate a toddler in a way that would allow the child's arms and legs to be exercised by monitoring the child's leg and arm dimensions. Play gyms and interactive toys were designed to assist toddlers with proper leg and arm movement. However, these devices / methods were unable to conduct exercises in accordance with the child's age specified by the user.

[0004] CN107440405B discloses an infant movement device comprising a device base, a movable support platform, a seat for securing the seat, a movement mechanism, and a seat assembly. The movable support platform is linearly movable on the device base. The seat holder is rotatably connected to the platform. The movement mechanism includes a sliding mechanism and a rotating mechanism. The sliding mechanism connects the movable table and the device base to slide the movable table relative to the device base along the sliding direction. The rotating mechanism is arranged on the movable support platform and is connected to the seat mounting seat so that the seat mounting seat can rotate about the rotating shaft. The seat assembly is detachably connected to the seat mounting seat so that the seat assembly and the seat mounting seat slide and rotate together.While the CN'405 is capable of safely exercising a toddler's arms and legs, the device in question is not capable of providing accommodation for an infant as a means of performing arm and leg exercises by monitoring the dimensions of the infant's legs and arms, thereby failing to perform exercises for the infants in a safe manner.

[0005] US20080103027A1 discloses a stationary exercise bike with a removable infant seat mounted near the handlebars of the bike so that the infant faces the parent or other caregiver. The infant seat is connected to the bike's pedal mechanism via a drive belt, which generates gentle vibrations and oscillations when the pedals are depressed. This exercise device allows the exerciser to keep an infant or toddler in close proximity during exercise while providing a pleasant experience for the infant, particularly through gentle vibrations and oscillations. US'027 is capable of exercising a toddler's arms and legs through cycling.However, the cited disclosure is not able to perform the training in accordance with the child's age specified by the user and therefore fails to perform exercises for the child's arms and legs in a safe manner.

[0006] Conventionally, there are many devices that assist users in exercising a toddler's legs and arms. However, the available devices are not capable of performing arm and leg exercises for infants by monitoring the dimensions of the infant's legs and arms. Furthermore, the devices are not capable of performing exercises in accordance with the infant's age specified by the user, thus ensuring a safe and effective exercise of the infant's arms and legs.

[0007] To overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, there is a need to develop a device that is capable of safely accommodating an infant and providing the infant with individualized exercises according to its body measurements. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The main object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of enabling the placement of an infant as a means of performing exercises for the arms and legs of the infants by monitoring the dimensions of the legs and arms of the infant, thereby performing exercises for the infants in a secure manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of performing exercises in accordance with the age of the toddler specified by the user, thereby exercising the arms and legs of the toddler in a safe manner.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of monitoring vital health parameters of the infant and, in case the monitored vital health parameters exceed / fall below a predefined value, notify the user accordingly, who evaluates the abnormal vital health parameters to take the necessary measures.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon closer examination of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an arm and leg exercise device for infants capable of providing a means for accommodating an infant to perform arm and leg exercises by determining the dimensions of the infant's legs and arms. Furthermore, the proposed device is also capable of performing exercises according to the child's age specified by the user, thereby performing arm and leg exercises in a safe manner.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an arm and leg exercise assistive device for toddlers comprises a platform positioned above a floor surface and configured with a shaft; a curved seat connected to the shaft by means of a motorized circular slider to accommodate a toddler above the seat; an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed above the shaft to determine the dimensions of the toddler's legs and arms; a motorized slider unit installed above the shaft to slide a ring configured with the slider; a plurality of rods configured with the outer periphery of the ring, which the child accesses to slide the seat via the slider to perform arm and leg exercises; and a motorized pin joint installed between each of the rods and the ring.to align the rods in an inclined manner, an interactive touch display installed above the platform to provide inputs regarding the child's age, and a speaker installed above the platform to generate a voice command to inform the user of the abnormal vital health parameters.

[0015] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations are possible which would fall within the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings: Fig. shows an isometric view of an arm and leg exercise device for toddlers. Fig. shows an internal view of the proposed device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following description contains the preferred best mode for carrying out an embodiment of the present invention. From this description of the invention, it will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0018] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms “comprising,” “comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with “including,” “with,” and “characterized by”) may be replaced by the respective partially closed terms “consists essentially of,” “consists essentially of,” and the like, or the respective closed terms “consists of,” “consists of,” and the like.

[0019] The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” used here refer to both the singular and the plural, unless expressly intended to refer to only the singular.

[0020] The present invention relates to an arm and leg exercise device for infants capable of holding an infant to perform arm and leg exercises by detecting the dimensions of the infant's legs and arms. Furthermore, the proposed device is also capable of notifying the user of detected abnormal vital health parameters to take the necessary measures.

[0021] Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig.2, an isometric and internal view of an arm and leg exercise assist device for infants is shown, including a platform 101 positioned above a floor surface and configured with a shaft 102, a curved seat 103 arranged with the shaft 102 by means of a motorized circular slider, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201 installed above the shaft 102, a plurality of rods 202 configured with the outer periphery of the ring, and a touch-sensitive interactive display panel 104 installed above the platform 101.

[0022] The device disclosed herein includes a platform 101 designed such that the platform 101 is positioned above a floor surface. The platform 101 is configured with a shaft 102, with a curved seat 103 connected to the shaft 102 via a motorized circular slider that can be accessed by a user to place an infant on the seat 103.

[0023] An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201 is embedded in the shaft 102 and is operated by a built-in microcontroller to capture images of the infant. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201 is equipped with a camera lens and a processor, the camera lens being capable of capturing a series of images of the infant. The processor performs a series of image processing operations, including preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification.

[0024] The image captured by the imaging unit 201 is a real-time image of the infant. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller. After receiving the image signals, the microcontroller compares the received image signal with the data stored in a database and continuously determines the dimensions of the infant's legs and arms.

[0025] Based on the determined dimensions of the child's legs and arms, the microcontroller actuates a motorized slider unit mounted above shaft 102 to move a ring configured with the slider, allowing the ring to be positioned at the appropriate height according to the determined dimension. The motorized slider unit consists of a motor and a rail unit with ball bearings that enable smooth linear movement.

[0026] As the motor rotates, the rotational motion of the motor is converted into linear motion via a pair of belts and rods. This linear motion ensures stable running and allows the ring to be moved to position it at the correct height. Furthermore, several bars 202 (areas 2-4) are connected to the outer perimeter of the ring, which the child can access with their feet and hands to apply pressure to the bars 202 and slide the seat 103 via the slider to perform arm and leg exercises.

[0027] The runner consists of a motor and a track unit with ball bearings that enable smooth linear motion. As the motor rotates, the rotational motion of the motor is converted into linear motion via a pair of belts and linkages. This linear motion ensures a stable path and allows the seat to perform arm and leg exercises.

[0028] After sliding the seat 103 over the slider, the microcontroller actuates a proximity sensor embedded above each of the bars to determine the distance of the child's legs and arms from the bars 202. The proximity sensor used here is preferably an ultrasonic proximity sensor, which uses ultrasonic waves to determine the distance of the child's legs and arms from the bars 202. The ultrasonic proximity sensor typically emits ultrasonic waves toward the infant's legs and arms, and when the infant's legs and arms are near the bars 202, the ultrasonic waves strike the infant's legs and arms that are near the bars 202 and bounce back to the sensor's receiver.

[0029] Additionally, the receiver of the ultrasonic proximity sensor is sensitive to the emitted ultrasonic waves and listens for the reflected waves. When the receiver receives the emitted ultrasonic waves, the proximity sensor sends the data to the microcontroller, which processes and analyzes the acquired data to determine the distance of the child's legs and arms from the bars 202. Based on the determined distance of the child's legs and arms from the bars 202, the microcontroller actuates a motorized pin joint integrated between each of the bars 202 and the ring to orient the bars 202 and prevent the bars 202 from collapsing with the child's legs and arms.

[0030] The pivot joint mentioned here is arranged via a motor that provides the necessary orientation to the rods 202 to limit collision of the rods 202 with the infant's legs and arms, thereby preventing further injury to the infant from collisions with the rods 202. At the same time, the microcontroller activates an interactive touch display 104 embedded in the platform 101, which the user can access to enter the infant's age.

[0031] The touch-sensitive interactive display panel 104 mentioned here is typically an LCD (liquid crystal display) screen that displays output in a visible form. The screen is equipped with touch-sensitive technology that allows the user to interact directly with the display using their fingers. A touch controller IC (integrated circuit) is responsible for processing the analog signals generated when the user enters information about the child's age. A touch controller is typically connected to the microcontroller via various interfaces, such as, but not limited to, SPI (serial peripheral interface) or I2C (inter-integrated circuit).

[0032] Based on the input data, the microcontroller actuates the slider to resist the rotational movement of the seat 103 according to the child's age specified by the user, allowing the child to exercise their arms and legs. At the same time, the microcontroller actuates a telescopic rod mounted between the slider and the seat 103 to gradually extend and position the seat 103 under the inclined rods 202. As previously mentioned, the telescopic rod is driven by a pneumatic unit that uses compressed air to extend and retract the rod. The process begins with an air compressor that compresses atmospheric air to a higher pressure.

[0033] The air cylinder of the pneumatic unit contains a piston that moves back and forth within the cylinder. The cylinder is connected to one end of the telescopic rod. The piston is attached to the telescopic rod, and its movement is controlled by the compressed air flow. To extend the telescopic rod, the piston actuates the air valve, allowing compressed air to flow into the chamber behind the piston. As the pressure in the chamber increases, the piston pushes the telescopic rod to the desired length to position the seat 103 under the inclined rods 202.

[0034] The microcontroller also controls an FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) sensor embedded above seat 103 to monitor vital health parameters of the infant. The FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) sensor consists of a short fiber optic segment with periodic variations in the refractive index along its length. These variations create a grating structure within the fiber. The periodic grating structure causes the fiber to reflect light at a specific wavelength, the Bragg wavelength. The Bragg wavelength is sensitive to changes in the physical parameters that affect the fiber.

[0035] The FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) sensor is designed to respond to specific physical parameters such as strain, temperature, or pressure, and helps measure physiological parameters such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and muscle contraction. The processed data is then sent to the microcontroller for real-time analysis to determine the infant's vital health parameters.

[0036] If the detected health parameters exceed or fall below a predefined value, the microcontroller activates a loudspeaker located above platform 101 to alert the user of the abnormal vital health parameters with a voice command. The loudspeaker is capable of producing a clear and natural sound and adjusting its volume to the ambient noise level. The loudspeaker consists of audio information in the form of recorded voice, synthesized voice, or other sounds, generated or stored as digital data. This data is often in the form of an audio file. The digital audio data is sent to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

[0037] The DAC converts the digital data into analog electrical signals. The analog signal is often weak and needs to be amplified. An amplifier increases the strength to a level that the speaker can effectively drive. The amplified audio signal is then passed to the speaker. The heart of the speaker is an electromagnet attached to a flexible cone. These sound waves propagate through the air as pressure waves and are picked up by the user's ear.

[0038] At the same time, the microcontroller controls an accelerometer attached to the seat 103 to monitor the acceleration of the seat 103. The accelerometers measure acceleration or changes in velocity. They consist of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for sensing and measuring acceleration. These sensors are incredibly small and sensitive, allowing them to accurately detect even the smallest shocks. In the context of monitoring vibrations experienced by a seat 103, when the seat 103 experiences accelerations, the accelerometers detect the acceleration of the seat 103 and provide data about the intensity and frequency of the vibrations.

[0039] If the monitored speed exceeds a threshold, the microcontroller actuates the slider to increase the resistance to rotation of the seat 103. At the same time, the microcontroller activates a weight sensor embedded above the seat 103 to detect the weight of the infant above the seat 103. The weight sensor is typically a load cell or strain gauge sensor. The infant's weight exerts a downward force on the weight sensor. The weight sensor detects this force and converts it into an electrical signal, typically in the form of voltage fluctuations. The raw electrical signal is weak and noisy.

[0040] Therefore, it passes through a signal conditioning circuit to amplify, stabilize, and filter the signal. This processed signal is then sent to the microcontroller, which continuously monitors the infant's weight. If the monitored weight exceeds a threshold, the microcontroller activates the speaker to inform the user of the exceeded weight with a voice command.

[0041] A battery is connected to the device to power the electrically powered components used within it. The battery consists of a pair of electrodes called the cathode and anode. The battery uses a chemical reaction of oxidation / reduction to perform work on the charge and generate a voltage between its anode and cathode, thus generating electrical energy that is used to perform work in the device.

[0042] The present invention functions as follows: The proposed device includes the platform 101 positioned above the floor surface, the curved seat 103 by means of the motorized circular slider to accommodate the child above the seat 103, the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201 to determine the dimensions of the child's legs and arms, the motorized slider unit to slide the ring configured with the slider, a plurality of rods 202 accessed by the child to slide the seat 103 via the slider to perform arm and leg exercises, the motorized pivot joint to align the rods 202 in the inclined manner, the interactive touch display 104 to provide inputs regarding the infant's age, the speaker to generate the voice command to notify the user of abnormal vital health parameters,an FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) sensor to monitor the infant's vital health parameters, an accelerometer to monitor the acceleration of the seat 103, a weight sensor to monitor the weight of the infant above the seat 103, and a battery to power electrical and electronically operated components connected to the device.

[0043] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of the invention. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 107440405B

[0004] US 20080103027A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] An auxiliary device for arm and leg exercises for young children, comprising: i) a platform 101 positioned above a floor surface and configured with a shaft 102, wherein a curved seat 103 is arranged with the shaft 102 by means of a motorized circular slider and is reached by a user to accommodate an infant above the seat 103; ii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 201 installed above the shaft 102 to acquire and process images of the infant, on the basis of which a microcontroller connected to the imaging unit 201 determines the dimensions of the infant's legs and arms; iii) a vertical motorized sliding unit installed above the shaft 102 and actuated by the microcontroller to translate a ring configured with the secondary slider with a view to positioning the ring at a suitable height in accordance with the detected dimension, wherein a plurality of rods 202 are configured with the outer periphery of the ring, which are reached by the toddler via the toddler's foot and hands to exert pressure via the rods 202, resulting in a translation of the seat 103 via the slider to perform an exercise for arms and legs; iv) a contact proximity sensor installed above each of the bars to monitor the distance of the infant's legs and arms from the bars 202, whereupon the microcontroller 5 actuates a motorized pin joint installed between each of the bars 202 and the ring to orient the bars 202 in an inclined manner to prevent collision of the bars 202 with the infant's legs and arms; and v) an interactive touch display 104 installed above the platform 101 and accessible by the user to provide inputs that determine the child's age, whereupon the microcontroller operates the slider to resist the rotational displacement of the seat 103 in accordance with the child's age, thereby enabling the child to perform arm and leg exercises. [2] The device according to claim 1, wherein a telescopic rod is installed between the slider and the seat 103, which telescopic rod is controlled by a microcontroller to gradually extend to position the seat 103 under the inclined rods 202, thereby making it more difficult for the infant to reach the rods 202. [3] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) sensor is installed above the seat 103 to monitor the vital health parameters of the child, and when it is determined that the monitored vital health parameters exceed or fall below a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates a speaker installed above the platform 101 to generate a voice command to inform the user of the abnormal vital health parameters. [4] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an accelerometer is incorporated into the seat 103 to monitor the acceleration of the seat 103, and when the monitored velocity exceeds a threshold, the microcontroller actuates the slider to increase the resistance to rotation of the seat 103. [5] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a weight sensor is installed above the seat 103 to monitor the weight of the infant above the seat 103, and when the monitored weight exceeds a threshold range, the microcontroller actuates the speaker to generate a voice command to inform the user of the exceeded weight. [6] The device of claim 1, wherein a battery is connected to the device to power electrical and electronically operated components connected to the device.

Images