Gait-Based Muscular Strength Estimation Using Wearable Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for estimating muscular strength index, such as grip strength, are not suitable for everyday life as they require specific equipment like grip strength meters and do not effectively utilize gait data for estimation.

Innovation Solution

A muscular strength index estimation device that acquires feature amount data from gait patterns using sensors in footwear, inputs this data into an estimation model to estimate the muscular strength index, and outputs the estimated information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If grip strength is measured using a communication type grip strength meter, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring specialized equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscular strength measurement precisionVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the grip strength measurement function by using gait data from wearable sensors to estimate muscular strength indices. Instead of requiring a physical grip strength meter, the system calculates equivalent strength information from gait patterns, thereby eliminating the need for specialized measurement equipment while maintaining estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical measurement system (grip strength meter) with a computational system that processes gait data. The mechanical device that directly measures grip strength is substituted by an information processing system that estimates muscular strength from gait characteristics, reducing hardware complexity while achieving the same measurement objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If grip strength is measured using a communication type grip strength meter, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring specialized equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscular strength measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to obtain muscular strength assessment services through their own gait data without requiring external specialized equipment or assistance. The wearable sensors continuously collect gait information, and the estimation device automatically processes this data to provide strength indices, making the measurement process as easy as normal walking while eliminating the need for separate measurement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary data collection during everyday activities by continuously acquiring gait data through wearable sensors before actual measurement is needed. This preliminary collection of movement information enables instantaneous strength estimation without requiring users to perform separate measurement actions, thereby simplifying the operational process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If gait data is used to estimate muscular strength index, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate compared to direct measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement operation easeVSAvoidmuscular strength estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct strength measurement to indirect estimation through gait parameter analysis. By identifying and utilizing specific gait parameters that correlate with muscular strength, the system achieves accurate strength estimation through parameter transformation rather than direct measurement, maintaining precision while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces gait data as an intermediary between the measurement objective and the actual measurement process. Instead of directly measuring grip strength, the system uses gait patterns as an intermediate indicator that correlates with muscular strength, enabling indirect but accurate assessment through this mediating parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250032024A1Muscular strength index estimation device, muscular strength index estimation system, muscular strength index estimation method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 NEC CORP

AI summary

Provided is a muscular strength index estimation device that includes a data acquisition unit that acquires feature amount data including a feature amount, the feature amount being extracted from a feature of gait of a user and being used for estimation of a muscular strength index of the user, a storage unit that stores an estimation model that outputs the muscular strength index in accordance with an input of the feature amount data, an estimation unit that inputs the acquired feature amount data to the estimation model to estimate the muscular strength index of the user, and an output unit that outputs information regarding the estimated muscular strength index.