Force Measurement System Using Immersive Visual Stimuli
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional force measurement systems for balance assessment are cumbersome, inflexible, and lack the ability to accurately assess balance using modern technology, particularly in virtual reality scenarios, which limits their effectiveness and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A force measurement system with a displaceable force measurement assembly and immersive visual display device that uses data processing to generate virtual reality scenarios, including blurred concentric bands and three-dimensional tunnel effects, to create a flexible and interactive testing environment, allowing for accurate balance assessment and immersive experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional balance systems with fixed images and displaceable background enclosures are used, then balance assessment can be performed, but the system becomes cumbersome, inflexible, and difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical displaceable background enclosure with a digital display system that presents virtual backgrounds and images electronically. This substitution eliminates the physical complexity of moving enclosures while maintaining the ability to present different visual stimuli for balance assessment, thereby improving ease of operation while preserving assessment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts visual parameters such as image position, background displacement, and stimulus presentation based on real-time force plate measurements of subject balance. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to remain flexible and responsive without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation
2Measurement precision
If conventional force measurement systems are used, then force and moment quantification is achieved, but the system lacks adaptability to different testing schemes and virtual reality scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single system by combining force plate measurements with a programmable digital display system. This universal platform can accommodate various testing schemes, virtual reality scenarios, and balance assessment protocols while maintaining precise force and moment quantification, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes visual parameters (image position, background displacement, stimulus type) based on force measurement data to create different testing scenarios. This parameter-based adaptability allows the same hardware system to perform multiple testing functions without compromising measurement precision, addressing the versatility limitation
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 provides a more accurate and flexible method for balance assessment, enhancing user engagement and clinical utility by immersing subjects in interactive virtual reality scenarios, thereby improving balance testing and training outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to the surface of the force measurement assembly by the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A force measurement system is disclosed herein. The force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly configured to receive a subject thereon, at least one visual display device having an output screen, and one or more data processing devices configured to generate a screen image comprising a plurality of substantially concentric bands on the output screen of the at least one visual display device that is configured to create a visual stimuli for the subject disposed on the force measurement assembly. A method for testing a subject is also disclosed herein. The method for testing a subject utilizes reality-altering glasses that are used to perturb a visual input of a subject. Also, in one or more embodiments, the reality-altering glasses are used in conjunction with a force measurement assembly configured to receive the subject thereon.