Composite Kinesthetic Feedback Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kinesthetic training systems fail to effectively integrate and provide feedback from multiple body sensors, particularly those with non-symmetrical muscle origins, limiting their ability to offer a composite display that accurately reflects combined physical performance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple body sensors and signal processing means that generates a composite signal through additive functions of individual sensor outputs, with optional weighting factors, to provide a unified feedback display that motivates improved physical performance by progressively exposing trainees to combined sensor outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple body sensors are used to monitor different muscle movements, then the ability to detect and measure physical performance is improved, but the complexity of integrating and processing signals from non-symmetrical muscle sources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines signals from multiple body sensors (EMG sensors from different muscle groups) into a single composite signal through additive functions with weighting factors. This merging approach integrates information from non-symmetrical muscle sources while reducing the complexity of processing multiple independent signals, directly resolving the technical contradiction between improved measurement precision and increased device complexity.
2Loss of information
If a composite display is provided that integrates feedback from multiple sensors, then the accuracy of reflecting combined physical performance is improved, but the difficulty of processing non-symmetrical muscle signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using weighting factors in the additive function to adjust the contribution of each sensor signal. This allows the system to handle non-symmetrical muscle signals by assigning appropriate weights to each sensor, thereby maintaining feedback accuracy while simplifying the processing of asymmetric signal patterns from different muscle groups.
3Ease of operation
If individual sensor outputs are combined through additive functions with weighting factors, then the ability to provide unified feedback is improved, but the complexity of signal processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal signal processing approach by using a general additive function with weighting factors that can accommodate multiple sensor types and muscle groups. This multi-functional processing method unifies feedback from various sensors while maintaining a consistent processing framework, thereby improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for training a subject to perform a specified physical activity is based on the presence of two or more kinesthetic body sensors, whether mounted on the body or separately from the body, that deliver signals to a processing system that, in turn, delivers a single output signal. This signal drives a display that delivers feedback to the subject. Multiple body sensor output signals may be combined in accordance with a predetermined algorithm to produce a single composite signal. This combining may be as simple as direct addition, or may include the combination of weighted values of the individual comparison signals. An operator may adjust the weighting values to be applied to the respective comparison signals, and may do so while the apparatus is in use. Alternately while the apparatus is in use, a proportional signal from one body sensor may drive the display, subject to suppression of such signal if the output from any number of other body sensors does not achieve preselected threshold values.