Electroconductive Mesh for Location-Independent Motion Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motion capture technologies are limited by constraints such as location dependency, optical occlusion, and hindrance of body motion, lacking the accuracy and versatility for full-body, ambulatory motion capture in outdoor and large-scale activities.
Innovation Solution
Motion Recognition Clothing incorporating a wearable energy-conducting mesh, lattice, or matrix with energy pathways and sensors that measure energy flow changes as body joints move, allowing for accurate estimation of joint motion without constraining the wearer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If camera-based motion capture systems are used, then motion can be captured visually, but the system is constrained to a particular location and limited by optical occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical measurement systems with electrical measurement systems. Conductive threads and sensors are embedded in the garment to directly measure body joint motion through electrical signals, eliminating the need for camera-based optical systems and their associated location and occlusion limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive garment acts as an intermediary between the body and the measurement system. The conductive threads and sensors embedded in the garment material serve as mediators that directly detect body motion without requiring external cameras or equipment, enabling location-independent measurement
2Measurement precision
If exoskeleton-based motion capture devices are used, then joint motion can be measured, but body motion is constrained or hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible conductive garment made of thin conductive threads and sensors embedded in fabric. This flexible structure conforms to the body without rigid constraints, allowing natural body motion while maintaining measurement precision through direct contact with skin and joints
Solution Approach 2:
The garment is designed to be dynamic and adaptable to body movements. The conductive elements are flexible and can stretch and move with the body, maintaining electrical contact and measurement accuracy throughout the range of motion without hindering natural movement
3Reliability
If conductive threads are woven into fabric, then the fabric becomes electroconductive, but the conductive pathways may be disrupted by fabric deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive pathways are designed to be dynamic and adaptable to fabric deformation. The conductive threads and sensors are flexible and can maintain electrical contact during stretching and bending, ensuring continuous conductivity signals even when the fabric changes shape during body motion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials combining conductive threads with flexible fabric substrates. This composite structure maintains electrical conductivity while accommodating fabric deformation, creating a material that is both electroconductive and mechanically flexible
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 minimally-intrusive, accurate full-body motion capture for various activities and medical applications, including range of motion analysis, without the limitations of camera-based or exoskeleton-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
the fabric is electroconductive and the electroconductive mesh measures changes in electrical impedance in response to body motion
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is Motion Recognition Clothing™ which measures the motion and/or configuration of a person's body using an energy-conducting mesh with a plurality of energy pathways. Energy input components direct energy into the pathways at a first set of locations. Energy sensors measure energy flow through the energy pathways from a second set of locations. As the person's body moves, the mesh stretches, elongates, and/or twists, which changes the flows of energy through pathways. These changes are then analyzed to estimate the motion and/or configuration of the person's body.