Depth Sensor Assisted Mobility Aid Usage Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring the use of assistive devices like canes and crutches are unreliable, as they often require special sensors, are bulky, and lack privacy protection, making it difficult to track disease severity and treatment response over time.
Innovation Solution
A system using a 3D depth sensor to capture depth maps of a room, processing the data to determine the probability of assistive device use without requiring special devices or sensors on the individual, ensuring privacy by not using visual light or video, and storing data for frequency and duration analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If canes or crutches with embedded sensors are used, then assistive device use can be measured, but the devices become bulky, expensive, and provide only low-quality, high-noise data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a depth sensor as an intermediary device that captures spatial information about the assistive device without requiring modification of the device itself. The depth sensor acts as a mediator between the assistive device and the measurement system, enabling indirect measurement through spatial mapping and object recognition algorithms that identify the device's presence, position, and movement in the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sensor embedding approach with an optical/electromagnetic field-based system. Instead of embedding physical sensors in the assistive device, the system uses a depth sensor to capture light-based spatial information and processes this data through computational algorithms to derive usage metrics, substituting mechanical sensing with optical sensing and digital processing.
2Ease of operation
If surveys or questionnaires are used to measure assistive device use, then no special devices are needed, but the methods rely on memory and active participation which require a lot of effort and are not very reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service measurement system where the depth sensor automatically captures and processes spatial data without requiring active participation from the individual being monitored. The system autonomously identifies assistive device use through object recognition algorithms, eliminating the need for self-reporting while maintaining continuous and reliable measurement of device usage frequency and duration.
3Measurement precision
If visual light or video is used to monitor individual activity, then movement can be tracked, but the individual's privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing the depth sensor's measurement capability specifically on the spatial region where the assistive device is located, rather than capturing comprehensive visual data of the entire environment. The system processes depth information locally to identify the device's presence and movement, maintaining privacy by avoiding capture of the individual's visual appearance while still achieving accurate motion tracking of the assistive device.
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 accurate tracking of assistive device use without modifying the device or requiring special sensors, allowing for effective monitoring of disease severity and treatment response over time while safeguarding individual privacy.
Implementation Method 1
depth data for a field of view is generated based at least in part on a time of flight
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology relates generally to systems for measuring the frequency and duration of an individual's use of an assistive device for mobility, such as a cane, in day-to-day life at home. In certain embodiments, the system is a stand-alone unit that does not require the monitored individual to wear any special sensors or use any special assistive devices. Further, in certain embodiments, the system does not require the use of visual-light images or video. The systems and methods, in certain embodiments, gather day-to-day metrics of frequency and duration of assistive-device use and may be used to monitor changes over time of the use of an assistive device by an individual for ambulation.