Remote limb guiding system

Abstract

This invention discloses a remote limb guidance system designed to assist in rehabilitation guidance through virtual reality technology. The system includes a first sensing module and a first virtual reality device to sense the position of the instructor's body parts and generate standard position signals, thereby establishing a three-dimensional standard posture model in the virtual reality environment. The system also includes a second sensing module and a second virtual reality device to real-time sense the trainee's comparison position signals and convert them into comparison coordinate data. When the trainee's comparison coordinate data falls within the three-dimensional standard posture model, the system issues a valid rehabilitation notification. Thus, this invention achieves the goal of accurately guiding limb movements and providing real-time feedback on rehabilitation effectiveness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a guidance system, and more particularly to a remote limb guidance system and method. Prior Technology

[0002] In modern life, the importance of exercise and fitness for personal health cannot be ignored. Maintaining good exercise or fitness habits can promote physical and mental health, and offer numerous benefits such as boosting immunity, improving sleep, enhancing cognitive function, and increasing social opportunities. Therefore, more and more people are choosing activities such as exercise, fitness, yoga, and dance to improve their quality of life.

[0003] While the aforementioned sports offer many benefits, they can easily lead to injuries if proper technique is not followed. Therefore, many people avoid sports injuries by participating in group classes or receiving individual coaching.

[0004] However, both group classes and individual coaching sessions are limited by the number of coaches, space, location, time, and cost. In other words, it is not easy to have a personal coach for everyone, which limits the promotion of fitness and exercise.

[0005] Therefore, the inventor believed that the above-mentioned defects could be improved. So he devoted himself to research and applied scientific principles, and finally proposed an invention that is reasonably designed and effectively improves the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a remote limb guidance system and method that addresses the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0007] This invention discloses a remote limb guidance system, comprising: a first sensing module for wearing on an instructor, the first sensing module being capable of sensing the positions of multiple body parts of the instructor to generate multiple standard position signals; a first virtual reality device connected to the first sensing module, the first virtual reality device being worn on the instructor's head, and the first virtual reality device comprising: a first communication unit and a first image unit; and a first computing unit electrically coupled to the first communication unit and the first image unit, the first computing unit being capable of establishing a virtual reality environment through the first image unit; the first computing unit being capable of converting the multiple standard position signals into multiple standard posture data, and the first computing unit establishing a three-dimensional standard posture model in the virtual reality environment based on the multiple standard posture data; and a second sensing module for wearing. On a trainee, the second sensing module can instantly sense the location of multiple body parts of the trainee to generate multiple comparison position signals; and a second virtual reality device is connected to the second sensing module. The second virtual reality device is worn on the trainee's head, and the second virtual reality device includes: a second communication unit connected to the first communication unit; a second image unit; and a second computing unit electrically coupled to the second communication unit and the second image unit. The second computing unit can respond to the first virtual reality device through the second image unit to construct the virtual reality environment and the three-dimensional standard posture model. The second computing unit converts the multiple comparison position signals into multiple comparison coordinate data corresponding to the virtual reality environment, and the second computing unit issues an effective rehabilitation notification when the multiple comparison coordinate data fall within the three-dimensional standard posture model.

[0008] This invention also discloses a remote limb guidance method applied to a remote limb guidance system. The guidance method includes: sensing the positions of multiple body parts of an instructor to generate multiple standard position signals; converting the multiple standard position signals into multiple standard posture data; establishing a three-dimensional standard posture model based on the multiple standard posture data and a student's physiological characteristic information; detecting the student's physiological characteristic information, and issuing an attention notification when the physiological characteristic information exceeds a threshold; judging the student's learning status through a virtual reality environment and issuing a correction notification.

[0009] In summary, the remote limb guidance system and method disclosed in this invention, through the design of "the first sensing module being able to sense the location of multiple body parts of the instructor to generate multiple standard position signals", "the first computing unit being able to convert the multiple standard position signals into multiple standard posture data, and the first computing unit establishing a three-dimensional standard posture model in the virtual reality environment based on the multiple standard posture data", "the second imaging unit being able to respond to the first virtual reality device to construct the virtual reality environment and the three-dimensional standard posture model", and "the second computing unit issuing an effective rehabilitation notification when the multiple comparison coordinate data fall within the three-dimensional standard posture model", allows the instructor and the student to conduct instruction remotely, and the instructor can instantly know the student's learning status and provide timely movement corrections.

[0010] To further understand the features and technical content of this invention, please refer to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. However, these descriptions and drawings are only for illustrating the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the invention in any way. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a remote limb guidance system according to the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the use of the remote limb guidance system of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a student using a second sensing module and a second virtual reality device of the remote limb guidance system of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4 is another schematic diagram of the use of the second sensing module and the second virtual reality device of the remote limb guidance system of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 5 is another schematic diagram of the use of the second sensing module and the second virtual reality device of the remote limb guidance system of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the remote limb guidance system of the present invention using multiple position sensors in the form of a grip and a watch strap.

[0017] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the remote limb guidance system of the present invention using multiple position sensors in the form of a watchband.

[0018] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the remote limb guidance method of the present invention. Implementation

[0019] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the "remote limb guidance system and method" disclosed in this invention. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of this invention from the content disclosed in this specification. This invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of this invention. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings of this invention are for simple illustrative purposes only and are not depictions of actual dimensions; this is stated beforehand. The following embodiments will further describe the relevant technical content of this invention in detail, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0020] It should be understood that while terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used in this document to describe various components or signals, these components or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are primarily used to distinguish one component from another, or one signal from another. Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein should, as appropriate, include any combination of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0021] Please refer to Figures 1 to 8, which disclose a remote limb guidance system 100 and method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The remote limb guidance method can be applied to the remote limb guidance system 100 (but the present invention is not limited thereto). Therefore, the following first describes the components of the remote limb guidance system 100 and their connection relationships, followed by the implementation steps of the remote limb guidance method.

[0022] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. The remote limb guidance system 100 can be used to enable a student S to perform exercise classes (e.g., yoga classes or fitness classes) with correct postures at home or in any suitable exercise venue. In other words, the student S can receive movement guidance from an instructor C at home without having to go to a physical location (e.g., a gym or yoga studio).

[0023] The remote limb guidance system 100 includes a first sensing module 1, a first virtual reality device 2, a second sensing module 3, and a second virtual reality device 4. In this embodiment, the first sensing module 1, the first virtual reality device 2, the second sensing module 3, and the second virtual reality device 4 can be wirelessly connected via a wireless communication protocol (e.g., Internet, Bluetooth). In practical use, the remote limb guidance system 100 enables the instructor C and the student S to conduct remote online instruction through the first virtual reality device 2 and the second virtual reality device 4. Furthermore, the instructor C can provide timely and appropriate movement corrections based on the student S's learning progress.

[0024] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. The first sensing module 1 is worn on multiple body parts of the instructor C, and the first sensing module 1 is composed of multiple first position sensing devices 11. Furthermore, when the instructor C performs a standard action, the first sensing module 1 can be used to sense the location of multiple body parts of the instructor C (e.g., wrist, ankle, neck, waist, etc.) to generate multiple standard position signals, which are simultaneously sent to the first virtual reality device 2.

[0025] The first virtual reality device 2 is worn on the head of the instructor C, and the first virtual reality device 2 may be, for example, virtual reality glasses, so that the instructor C can interact with the student S in a virtual reality environment V through the first virtual reality device 2. The first virtual reality device 2 includes a first communication unit 21, a first image unit 22, and a first computing unit 23 electrically coupled to the first communication unit 21 and the first image unit 22.

[0026] The first communication unit 21 is used to receive or transmit signals to the second virtual reality device 4. That is, the first virtual reality device 2 can receive or transmit signals to the second virtual reality device 4 through the first communication unit 21.

[0027] The first computing unit 23 can establish the virtual reality environment V through the first image unit 22, and the first computing unit 23 can convert multiple standard position signals into multiple standard posture data. Specifically, the first computing unit 23 can establish the virtual reality environment V through the first image unit 22, and the instructor C can understand the learning progress of the student S through the virtual reality environment V. That is, the instructor C can view the virtual reality environment V through the first image unit 22, and the student S appears in the virtual screen V as a virtual doll D. Furthermore, the first computing unit 23 can convert the instructor C's multiple standard position signals into multiple three-dimensional coordinates and store them as the standard posture data. Further, the first computing unit 23 establishes a three-dimensional standard posture model F in the virtual reality environment V based on the multiple standard posture data; wherein the three-dimensional standard posture model F approximates the standard actions performed by the instructor C.

[0028] Next, the second sensing module 3 is worn on the student S, and the second sensing module 3 can instantly sense the location of multiple body parts of the student S to generate multiple comparison position signals and a physiological characteristic signal. The second sensing module 3 further includes multiple second position sensing devices 31 and a physiological characteristic sensing device 32. The multiple second position sensing devices 31 can be worn on multiple body parts of the student S (e.g., wrist, ankle, neck, waist, etc.) and generate multiple comparison position signals. The physiological characteristic sensing device 32 can be worn on the student S (e.g., wrist) and measures the physiological characteristic signal of the student S in real time.

[0029] The second virtual reality device 4 is worn on the head of the trainee S, and the second virtual reality device 4 may be, for example, virtual reality glasses, so that the trainee S can interact with the instructor C in the virtual reality environment V through the second virtual reality device 4. The second virtual reality device 4 includes a second communication unit 41 connected to the first communication unit 21, a second image unit 42, and a second computing unit 43 electrically coupled to the second communication unit 41 and the second image unit 42.

[0030] The second communication unit 41 can be used to receive or transmit signals to the first communication unit 21 so that the student S and the instructor C can interact through the first virtual reality device 2 and the second virtual reality device 4.

[0031] The second computing unit 43 can respond to the first virtual reality device 2 through the second image unit 42 to construct the virtual reality environment V and the three-dimensional standard posture model F, and the student S can view the virtual reality environment V through the second image unit 42. Furthermore, the second computing unit 43 can convert multiple comparison position signals into multiple comparison coordinate data corresponding to the virtual reality environment, and the second computing unit 43 issues a valid rehabilitation notification when the multiple comparison coordinate data are located within the three-dimensional standard posture model F.

[0032] Furthermore, the physiological characteristic information includes height data, weight data, heart rate data, and blood pressure data. The second virtual reality device 4 can output the physiological characteristic data to the first virtual reality device 2, and the first virtual reality device 2 can scale the three-dimensional standard pose model F based on the height data and the weight data.

[0033] In other words, the first virtual reality device 2 can scale the three-dimensional standard posture model F according to the height and weight data of the student S, so that the three-dimensional standard posture model F is scaled to be suitable for the actions performed by the student S. At the same time, the student S can imitate the standard actions of the instructor C according to the three-dimensional standard posture model F.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, in the virtual reality environment V viewed by the student S, the student S can see the back of the virtual avatar D, and the virtual avatar D changes synchronously with the student S's movements. Therefore, the student S can determine whether their movements are the same as the three-dimensional standard posture model F through the virtual avatar D. Preferably, to ensure that the virtual avatar D and the student S are synchronized and consistent in the left-right direction of the virtual reality environment V, the front of the virtual avatar D and the front of the student S face the same side. Thus, the virtual avatar D can appear as a back view to the student S.

[0035] Furthermore, when the student S performs an action similar to the three-dimensional standard posture model F, the second sensing module 3 generates multiple comparison position signals, and the second calculation unit 43 converts the multiple comparison position signals into multiple comparison coordinate data corresponding to the virtual reality environment V. When the multiple comparison coordinate data match the multiple standard posture data, the second virtual reality device 4 will issue a valid rehabilitation notification to the student S, meaning that the student S has successfully performed the standard action.

[0036] However, when the student S imitates or learns the standard movements, they may be unable to perfectly perform the same movements due to insufficient flexibility or muscle endurance. Simultaneously, the student S's heart rate or blood pressure data may fluctuate drastically. Generally, when at least one of the heart rate or blood pressure data measured by the student S exceeds a threshold, the student S can be considered to have experienced a drastic change. In this case, multiple sets of comparison coordinate data and multiple sets of standard posture data cannot match, and the second virtual reality device 4 will issue a notification to the first virtual reality device 2.

[0037] Next, when the first virtual reality device 2 receives the attention notification from the second virtual reality device 4, the instructor C will determine the learning status of the student S from the virtual reality environment V and issue a correction notification. In other words, the instructor C can promptly obtain the learning status of the student S and provide appropriate feedback (e.g., posture adjustment) based on the student S's learning progress.

[0038] For example, when the instructor C and the student S begin an exercise lesson, the instructor C and the student S will jointly perform an initial movement (as shown in Figures 2 and 3) to reset the standard posture data and the comparison position data of the first sensing module 1 and the second sensing module 3 to zero. Then, when the instructor C performs the standard movement, the first computing unit 23 will construct the three-dimensional standard posture model F (as shown in Figure 4) based on the physiological characteristic signals output from the second virtual reality device 4, so that the student S can imitate or learn the standard movement through the virtual puppet D and the three-dimensional standard posture model F (as shown in Figure 5).

[0039] However, when the student S is imitating or learning the standard movements using the three-dimensional standard posture model F, they may not be able to completely imitate the movements of the three-dimensional standard posture model F due to insufficient flexibility or muscle endurance. Therefore, when the vital sign sensing device 32 detects an increase in the student S's heart rate or blood pressure data, and multiple comparison coordinate data fail to match the standard posture data, the first virtual reality device 2 will receive a attention notification from the second virtual reality device 4, and the instructor C will adjust the student S's posture according to the student S's learning status, and the first virtual reality device 2 will issue a correction notification to the second virtual reality device 4.

[0040] In this embodiment, each of the first position sensing devices 11 and each of the second position sensing devices 31 is at least one of a grip and a watch strap. That is, as shown in FIG6, the plurality of first position sensing devices 11 and the plurality of second position sensing devices 31 can be held in the palm of the instructor C or the student S in the form of a grip, and worn on multiple body parts (e.g., waist or ankle) of the instructor C or the student S in the form of a watch strap; or, as shown in FIG7, the plurality of first position sensing devices 11 and the plurality of second position sensing devices 31 can also be worn on multiple body parts (e.g., wrist, waist or ankle) of the instructor C or the student S in the form of a watch strap, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first virtual reality device 2 and the second virtual reality device 4 further include an audio unit 24, 44 and a sound receiving unit 25, 45, respectively. The first virtual reality device 2 and the second virtual reality device 4 can receive an external audio source through the sound receiving unit 25, 45, and play the external audio source through the audio unit 24, 44.

[0042] In detail, the instructor C and the student S can communicate via voice through the audio units 24 and 44 and the microphone units 25 and 45, thereby enabling them to provide each other with clearer action instructions and feedback. Furthermore, the audio units 24 and 44 can also be used to play appropriate music, enhancing the user experience for both the instructor C and the student S.

[0043] The above describes the components and their connections in the remote limb guidance system 100. The remote limb guidance method is described below. This method utilizes the aforementioned remote limb guidance system, but the invention is not limited thereto. The remote limb guidance method includes steps S110 to S150, and any one of these steps can be omitted or replaced with a reasonable variation depending on the designer's needs.

[0044] Step S110 includes: sensing the location of multiple body parts of the instructor C to generate multiple standard position signals.

[0045] Step S120 includes: converting the multiple standard position signals into multiple standard attitude data.

[0046] Step S130 includes: establishing a three-dimensional standard posture model F based on multiple standard posture data and physiological characteristic information of a student S.

[0047] Step S140 includes: detecting the physiological characteristic information of the trainee S, and issuing the attention notification when the physiological characteristic information exceeds a threshold.

[0048] Step S150 includes: determining the learning status of the student S through a virtual reality environment V, and issuing the correction notification.

[0049] [Technical Effects of the Embodiments of the Invention]

[0050] In summary, the remote limb guidance system and method disclosed in this invention, through the design of "the first sensing module being able to sense the location of multiple body parts of the instructor to generate multiple standard position signals", "the first computing unit being able to convert the multiple standard position signals into multiple standard posture data, and the first computing unit establishing a three-dimensional standard posture model in the virtual reality environment based on the multiple standard posture data", "the second imaging unit being able to respond to the first virtual reality device to construct the virtual reality environment and the three-dimensional standard posture model", and "the second computing unit issuing an effective rehabilitation notification when the multiple comparison coordinate data fall within the three-dimensional standard posture model", allows the instructor and the student to conduct instruction remotely, and the instructor can instantly know the student's learning status and provide timely movement corrections.

[0051] The content disclosed above is only a preferred and feasible embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings are included within the patent scope of the present invention.

[0052] 100: Remote Limb Guidance System 1: First sensing module 11: First position sensing device 2: First Virtual Reality Device 21: First Communication Unit 22: First Image Unit 23: First Calculation Unit 24: Audio Unit 25: Radio Unit 3: Second sensing module 31: Second position sensing device 32: Vital Signs Sensing Device 4: Second Virtual Reality Device 41: Second Communication Unit 42: Second Image Unit 43: Second Calculation Unit 44: Audio Unit 45: Radio Unit F: Three-dimensional standard posture model V: Virtual screen D: Virtual Doll S: Student C: Instructor

Claims

1. A remote limb guidance system, comprising: A first sensing module, worn on an instructor, capable of sensing the positions of multiple body parts of the instructor to generate multiple standard position signals; a first virtual reality device, connected to the first sensing module, worn on the instructor's head, and comprising: a first communication unit and a first image unit; and a first computing unit electrically coupled to the first communication unit and the first image unit, the first computing unit capable of establishing a virtual reality environment through the first image unit; the first computing unit capable of converting the multiple standard position signals into multiple standard posture data, and the first computing unit establishing a three-dimensional standard posture model in the virtual reality environment based on the multiple standard posture data; a second sensing module, worn on a student, capable of real-time sensing the positions of multiple body parts of the student to generate multiple comparison position signals; and a second virtual reality device, connected to the second sensing module, worn on the student's head, and comprising: A second communication unit connected to the first communication unit; a second image unit; and a second computing unit electrically coupled to the second communication unit and the second image unit. The second computing unit can respond to the first virtual reality device through the second image unit to construct the virtual reality environment and the three-dimensional standard pose model. The second computing unit converts multiple comparison position signals into multiple comparison coordinate data corresponding to the virtual reality environment, and the second computing unit issues a valid rehabilitation notification when the multiple comparison coordinate data fall within the three-dimensional standard pose model.

2. The remote limb guidance system as described in claim 1, wherein, The first sensing module includes multiple first position sensing devices, which can be used to sense the instructor's limbs to generate multiple standard position signals; the second sensing module includes multiple second position sensing devices and a vital sign sensing device, which can be used to sense the trainee's limbs to generate multiple comparison position signals, and the vital sign sensing device can sense a physiological characteristic information of the trainee.

3. The remote limb guidance system as described in claim 2, wherein, The physiological feature information includes height data and weight data; the second virtual reality device can output the physiological feature information to the first virtual reality device, and the first virtual reality device scales the three-dimensional standard posture model according to the height data and the weight data.

4. The remote limb guidance system as described in claim 2, wherein, The physiological characteristic information includes heart rate data and blood pressure data; when at least one of the heart rate data and the blood pressure data exceeds a threshold, the second virtual reality device can send an attention notification to the first virtual reality device.

5. The remote limb guidance system as described in claim 3, wherein, Each of the first position sensing devices and each of the second position sensing devices is at least one of a grip and a watch strap.

6. The remote limb guidance system as described in claim 1, wherein, The first virtual reality device and the second virtual reality device further include an audio unit and a sound receiving unit, respectively; the first virtual reality device and the second virtual reality device can receive an external sound source through the sound receiving unit and play the external sound source through the audio unit.

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