Garment Inertial Sensor Orientation Independence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing step counting devices inaccurately count steps when placed elsewhere on the body due to their specific placement requirements and lack of orientation independence, limiting their versatility and accuracy in monitoring human activity.
Innovation Solution
An inertial sensor integrated into a garment that processes acceleration data to determine user activity statistics such as speed, distance, and number of steps, regardless of device placement or orientation, using a system comprising an activity identification engine, motion processor, and wireless communication for data transmission to multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If step counting devices are placed at specific locations on the body (e.g., hip, shoe, or belt), then step counting accuracy is improved, but device versatility and ease of operation deteriorate due to placement restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal step counting device that can accurately count steps regardless of placement location on the body. The system uses multiple accelerometers positioned at different orientations within a single housing, enabling the device to function accurately whether clipped to the hip, worn in a shoe, or attached to a belt, thus eliminating placement restrictions while maintaining counting precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple independent accelerometers, each oriented along different axes. This segmentation allows the system to process acceleration data from multiple directions simultaneously, enabling accurate step detection regardless of the device's orientation or placement location on the user's body
2Device complexity
If inertial sensors wirelessly transmit raw acceleration data to a mobile device for processing, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information increases due to data transmission errors or loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of acceleration data directly within the sensor device before wireless transmission. The system identifies step events locally by analyzing acceleration patterns and only transmits processed step count data or compressed event information to the mobile device, thereby preserving data integrity while reducing transmission requirements and device complexity
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 accurate counting of periodic human motions and user activity monitoring across various activities, providing detailed statistics and feedback, while maintaining versatility and accuracy regardless of device placement or orientation.
Implementation Method 1
accelerations are monitored from an inertial sensor disposed in a garment
Data Source
AI summary
A method for monitoring human activity using an inertial sensor includes monitoring accelerations from an inertial sensor integrated into a garment. The accelerations are processed to determine one or more acceleration statistics, and transmit the acceleration statistics.