Inertial Sensor Array for Precise Joint Movement Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking human movement, such as computer vision, are limited by the need for visual identifiers and cameras, and struggle with accuracy, especially in detecting small movements like those in joints like the knee, making it difficult to assess mobility and coordination, especially in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
Innovation Solution
The use of sensor devices attached to the body with microcontrollers, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and communication modules to track movement without visual analysis, allowing for three-dimensional reconstructions and remote monitoring, enabling accurate tracking of movements and comparisons to predefined movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If computer vision with cameras and visual identifiers is used to detect body movement, then movement detection capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates for small movements like joint movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical/mechanical computer vision system with an inertial sensing system using accelerometers and gyroscopes. These sensors directly measure acceleration and angular velocity, providing precise detection of small movements without relying on visual identifiers or camera systems. The inertial sensors are attached to body segments and provide direct mechanical measurement of movement parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the body into multiple segments (e.g., torso, limbs) and attaches separate sensor units to each segment. This segmentation allows independent measurement of each body part's movement, enabling precise tracking of joint movements and relative positions between segments. Each sensor unit measures local inertial parameters that are then integrated to reconstruct full-body movement.
2Reliability
If computer vision systems are used for movement detection, then visual identifier detection is enabled, but reliability deteriorates in remote or hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor units are self-contained with onboard processing capabilities, power supplies, and wireless communication modules. Each unit independently collects inertial data, processes it locally, and transmits results without requiring external camera systems or visual infrastructure. This self-sufficiency enables reliable operation in remote areas where computer vision systems would fail due to lack of visual identifiers or camera coverage.
3Measurement precision
If sensor devices with microcontrollers and communication modules are attached to body parts, then measurement precision improves for small movements, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (acceleration measurement, angular velocity measurement, time-stamping, and wireless communication) into integrated sensor units. Each unit merges an accelerometer, gyroscope, microcontroller, and communication module into a single compact assembly that is attached to body segments. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high measurement precision.
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
This solution provides accurate and reliable tracking of human movement without the need for visual analysis, improving assessment of mobility and coordination, and enabling remote monitoring and feedback, enhancing medical diagnosis and sports analysis.
Implementation Method 1
Each sensor device may include an accelerometer configured to obtain accelerometer data indicative of an acceleration of the sensor device
Implementation Method 2
Each sensor device may include a gyroscope configured to obtain gyroscope data indicative of an angular velocity or an orientation of the sensor device
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for using sensor devices to detect and monitor movement of a body. The sensor devices may be coupled to a body in a predefined arrangement, where a sensor device is positioned on a particular portion of the body in accordance with the predefined arrangement. The sensor devices measure a position of the portion of the body to which the band is secured during movement and communicate the position to a client device to be used in generating and updating a graphical representation of the movement performed in near-real-time. Further, the client device may determine whether the movement performed conforms to an ideal movement and, in response to the movement not conforming to the predefined movement, a suggested change in the movement can be identified that, if performed, would conform to the ideal movement.