Haptic Gait Cadence System Using Smartphone Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to effectively and efficiently provide a predetermined gait cadence to individuals with asymmetrical or irregular gait due to cerebrovascular accidents or nervous system diseases like Parkinson's, and lack a method for synchronizing gait cadences between individuals over distance, especially for rehabilitation and performance enhancement.
Innovation Solution
A haptic system comprising a portable telecommunication device and vibrotactile devices that generate vibrations responsive to wireless signals, allowing users to adjust their gait cadence through cadence pulses, with optional sensors for real-time feedback and synchronization, enabling remote gait training and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If haptic feedback systems are used to restore gait awareness in patients with peripheral neuropathy, then patients become aware of their gait progression, but the system complexity and device requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensor systems with a simplified approach using a smartphone's existing accelerometer and haptic feedback capabilities. The smartphone's motion sensing replaces dedicated gait sensors, and its vibration motor replaces specialized haptic actuators, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the smartphone as a multi-functional device that serves both as a communication tool and a rehabilitation device. The smartphone's accelerometer, processor, and haptic motor are repurposed for gait analysis and feedback, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and reducing overall system complexity
2Productivity
If remote gait cadence synchronization is implemented across multiple users, then gait training coordination improves, but communication security and system reliability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that coordinates gait cadence synchronization between multiple users. The server receives cadence data from trainers and clients, processes it securely, and distributes appropriate feedback signals, thereby coordinating remote training while maintaining communication security through centralized controlled access
3Stability of the object's composition
If continuous haptic feedback is provided to maintain gait cadence, then gait regularity improves, but energy consumption and user discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic haptic feedback rather than continuous feedback, delivering vibrations at specific gait cycle moments (such as heel strike or toe-off). This periodic approach maintains gait regularity by providing cues at critical transition points while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous vibration
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides haptic feedback only when necessary to correct or maintain gait cadence, rather than continuously. The feedback intensity and frequency are adjusted to provide just enough stimulation to guide gait regularity, minimizing energy consumption and user discomfort while achieving the therapeutic goal
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 enables quicker restoration of regular gait cadence with reduced stress and discomfort for patients, facilitates synchronized gait training and performance enhancement, and allows for guided navigation without external communication, improving rehabilitation and athletic performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one motor configured to generate vibrations that can be perceived by the subject
Data Source
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AI summary
A haptic system (10,20,30,50,60,70) for providing a gait cadence to a subject (1,2) comprising a portable telecommunication device (16,26) with a control unit (17,27) and a wireless transmission means (18,28); a vibrotactile device (11, 11d,11s, 21, 21 d, 21s) configured to be tightly worn on a portion (6,6d,6s) of the subject's (1, 2) body, including at least one motor (12, 22) configured to generate vibrations (13, 23) that can be perceived by the subject (1, 2) and an actuation unit (14, 24) configured to actuate the motor (12, 22). The actuation unit (14, 24) is configured to receive wireless signals (15, 25) from the wireless transmission means (18,28) of the portable telecommunication device (16,26) and to cause the motor to produce vibrations (12, 22) responsive to the wireless signals (15,25). In the control unit (17, 27) a generation program is resident configured to generate cadence signals (17') and to transmit the wireless signals (15) responsive to the cadence signals (17') by the wireless transmission means (18,28) to the actuation unit (14, 24). The generation program is configured to provide corresponding cadence pulses (19,29) to the motor (12, 22), in order to cause the motor to generate the vibrations (13,23) in such a way that the subject (1, 2) can cadence the gait responsive to the cadence pulses (19, 29), the generation program configured to generate, through the cadence signals: a cadence pulse rate (19,29) set between 0,5 and 3 pulses per second; a single pulse duration (D) set between 0,1 and 1,0 second; a repeating the pulses (19,29) for at least 30 seconds.