Dynamic Balance Estimation Using Foot Sensor Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods do not provide a practical way to estimate dynamic balance in daily life, which is essential for assessing frailty and fall risk.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic balance estimation device that acquires feature amount data from sensor data regarding foot motion, uses an estimation model to output a dynamic balance index, and provides information on the estimated dynamic balance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If dynamic balance is estimated using sensor data from footwear in daily life, then practical application and ease of operation are improved, but measurement precision and reliability are worsened due to lack of controlled conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepractical application in daily lifeVSAvoiddynamic balance estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs dynamic balance estimation using sensor data from daily life gait, then provides feedback by comparing the estimated value with the actual FRT measurement. This feedback loop enables continuous improvement and validation of the estimation algorithm, allowing practical daily life application while maintaining measurement precision through iterative refinement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the measurement parameters from controlled clinical FRT conditions to natural daily life gait parameters. By extracting feature amounts from accelerometer and gyroscope data during normal walking, the system enables practical application while the estimation model compensates for the loss of controlled conditions through sophisticated parameter transformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If dynamic balance estimation is performed using natural daily life gait data, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates compared to controlled FRT conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural gait measurementVSAvoidestimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an estimation model as an intermediary between natural gait data and dynamic balance assessment. This intermediary processes raw sensor data from daily life walking, extracts relevant feature amounts, and produces estimated dynamic balance values that approximate controlled FRT measurements, thereby maintaining precision while enabling natural measurement conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical FRT measurement system (requiring manual positioning and measurement) with a sensor-based automatic estimation system. Accelerometers and gyroscopes in footwear substitute for the manual goniometer and clinometer used in FRT, enabling natural daily life measurement while the estimation algorithm maintains accuracy by replicating FRT assessment principles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If feature amounts are extracted from sensor data during gait phases, then productivity and automation are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic dynamic balance estimationVSAvoiddata processing system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the gait cycle into distinct phases (stance phase, swing phase, etc.) and extracts feature amounts specific to each phase. This segmentation enables automatic dynamic balance estimation by processing data in manageable segments rather than continuous streams, improving productivity while the modular structure helps manage device complexity through organized data handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts specific feature amounts from raw sensor data, separating the essential dynamic balance information from unnecessary data. By taking out only the relevant feature amounts (acceleration, angular velocity, gait phase timing) needed for estimation, the system improves productivity through focused processing while reducing the effective complexity by eliminating redundant data handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250031995A1Dynamic balance estimation device, dynamic balance estimation system, dynamic balance estimation method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 NEC CORP

AI summary

Provided is a dynamic balance estimation device that includes a data acquisition unit that acquires feature amount data including a feature amount to be used for estimating dynamic balance of a user, the feature amount data being extracted from sensor data regarding motion of a foot of the user, a storage unit that stores an estimation model that outputs a dynamic balance index according to an input of the feature amount data, an estimation unit that inputs the acquired feature amount data to the estimation model to estimate the dynamic balance of the user in accordance with the dynamic balance index output from the estimation model, and an output unit that outputs information on the estimated dynamic balance of the user.