Gait Identification Device Footwear Normalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying individuals based on gait struggle with accuracy due to variations in the waveform caused by different types of footwear.

Innovation Solution

An identification device that includes a detection unit for identifying walking events from a walking waveform, a waveform processing unit for normalizing the waveform based on detected events, and an identification unit for recognizing users based on the normalized waveform.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If load information is used for identification, then personal authentication can be performed without hardware, but identification accuracy deteriorates due to waveform variations caused by different footwear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication system implementationVSAvoididentification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting walking events (heel contact, toe off) before performing the identification process. By pre-identifying key gait events in the waveform, the system can segment and normalize the gait data, removing variations caused by footwear before comparison. This preliminary event detection enables subsequent accurate identification despite initial waveform differences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the raw load waveform into a normalized representation based on detected walking events. The system changes the parameter reference frame from absolute load values to relative gait phase positions, allowing comparison of gait patterns independent of footwear-induced amplitude and timing variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If raw walking waveform is used for identification, then the identification process is simple, but footwear type causes waveform differences that reduce identification reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoididentification reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the continuous walking waveform into distinct segments based on detected walking events such as heel contact and toe off. By segmenting the gait cycle into measurable phases, the system can analyze specific portions of the waveform that are less affected by footwear variations, improving reliability while maintaining manageable processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces walking events (heel contact, toe off) as intermediary markers between the raw waveform and the identification process. These events serve as reference points that mediate the comparison process, allowing the system to align and compare gait patterns from different users regardless of footwear-induced waveform variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12299100B2Identification device, identification system, identification method, and program recording medium using a walking waveform of a user

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 NEC CORP

AI summary

Provided is an identification device for identifying an individual on the basis of gait irrespective of the type of footwear, the identification device comprising a detection unit that detects a walking event on the basis of a walking waveform of a user, a waveform processing unit that normalizes the walking waveform on the basis of the detected walking event and generates a normalized waveform, and an identification unit that identifies the user on the basis of the normalized waveform.