3D Gait Acceleration Plots for Intuitive Multi-Axis Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gait analysis instruments are expensive, cumbersome, and limited to laboratory settings, failing to provide effective comparison and visualization of gait acceleration data from multiple axes, which complicates the assessment of gait quality and abnormalities.
Innovation Solution
Representing acceleration along three orthogonal axes as a three-dimensional plot, using additive manufacturing to create a physical model or employing graphical interfaces with perspective techniques to render the plot in two or three dimensions, allowing for intuitive comparison and visualization of gait acceleration patterns without arbitrary step boundaries or scaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional gait analysis instruments are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses accelerometers to capture gait data and creates simplified graphical representations (copies) of the complex acceleration signals. These graphical plots copy the essential gait pattern information in a visually intuitive format that eliminates the need for complex laboratory instruments while maintaining measurement precision for gait assessment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical gait analysis instruments with electronic accelerometers and software-based graphical analysis. The mechanical measurement systems are substituted with electronic sensing and digital signal processing, dramatically reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving measurement capabilities
2Measurement precision
If acceleration data is displayed as signal graphs, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in comparing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms one-dimensional acceleration signal graphs into two-dimensional graphical plots where the y-axis represents acceleration magnitude and the x-axis represents position within the gait cycle. This dimensional transformation allows visual comparison of entire gait patterns across different steps and individuals, making the data much easier to interpret while preserving measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges acceleration data from multiple axes into a unified graphical representation that displays the complete gait pattern in a single visual format. By combining the information that would otherwise require separate signal graphs into one integrated plot, the system enables easy visual comparison while maintaining all measurement data
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables intuitive distinction between individual gait patterns, providing a recognizable accelerometric signature for each person, facilitating diagnostic and clinical applications, as well as pedagogical understanding of gait acceleration differences.
Implementation Method 1
An accelerometer may refer to a device that measures either linear or angular acceleration
Implementation Method 2
In some types of additive manufacturing, a three dimensional printer deposits a series of layers
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments represent acceleration along three orthogonal axes at two or more times as a three dimensional plot. Each point in the plot is positioned according to three coordinates, each of which is proportional to the amount of acceleration along one of the orthogonal axes at a moment in time. Some embodiments render the three dimensional plot as a three dimensional article of manufacture in which each point in the plot is represented by a volume of material. Some embodiments represent the three dimensional plot in two dimensions in a graphical interface. System embodiments may include an accelerometer, processor, output device, and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions causing the processor to map points with coordinates proportional to acceleration along the respective axes to a virtual three-dimensional plot and then control the output device to render the plot in two or three dimensions.