Double Validation Step Detection Using Electrostatic Charge and Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for monitoring user activity, such as step counting, often fail to accurately account for individual variations in gait and physical conditions, leading to incorrect step counting due to unforeseen movements and activities that interfere with signal detection.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines a sensor for detecting electrostatic charge variation and an accelerometer to validate step execution by identifying characteristic signals from both sources, providing a double validation mechanism for reliable and accurate step counting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single sensor type (accelerometer) is used for step detection, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and reliability are insufficient due to inability to account for individual gait variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines an accelerometer and an electrostatic charge sensor into an integrated step detection system. The accelerometer detects mechanical acceleration patterns while the electrostatic sensor captures charge variations during movement. By merging these two different sensing modalities, the system achieves more accurate and reliable step detection that accounts for individual gait variations, overcoming the limitations of using a single sensor type.
2Reliability
If double validation with two sensors is implemented, then the reliability of step detection is improved, but the use of energy increases due to processing signals from multiple sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtering and preprocessing of signals from both the accelerometer and electrostatic charge sensor before full validation processing. By conducting initial signal conditioning and preliminary detection steps, the system reduces the computational burden of subsequent validation operations, thereby lowering overall energy consumption while maintaining high reliability through double validation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If calibration is based on average user patterns, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to individual user conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic calibration system that adapts to individual user gait patterns over time. Instead of using fixed average user patterns, the system continuously learns and adjusts to the specific user's movement characteristics by processing data from both sensors. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to accommodate individual variations in gait, step length, and movement patterns, significantly improving versatility while managing complexity through adaptive algorithms.
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
The system achieves reliable and inexpensive step counting with low computational load, reducing false positives and optimizing energy efficiency by processing signals only when necessary, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of step detection.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (6) for detecting variation of electrostatic charge of the user during execution of a step by the user
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting steps of a user includes processing circuitry and a sensor configured to detect a variation of electrostatic charge of the user during a step of the user and generate a charge-variation signal. An accelerometer is configured to detect an acceleration as a consequence of the step and generate an acceleration signal. The processing circuitry is configured to: acquire the charge-variation signal; acquire the acceleration signal; detect, in the charge-variation signal, a first characteristic identifying the step; detect, in the acceleration signal, a second characteristic identifying the step. If both of the first and second characteristics have been detected, the presence of the step can be validated.