Motion Parameter Determination via Effective Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion determination technologies for users, such as pedometers and sports computers, face challenges in accurately measuring overall user motion, energy expenditure, speed, and distance without requiring step identification, which complicates calculation algorithms and increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a processor to obtain instantaneous acceleration values from lower limb motion, form effective acceleration values over multiple steps, and determine motion parameters using scaling factors specific to walking and running motions, allowing for simplified calculation and reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If step identification is used to determine overall user motion, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the step identification process from the overall motion determination system. By directly calculating motion parameters from acceleration data without identifying individual steps, the system reduces algorithmic complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy for purposes like energy expenditure and speed estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the acceleration data into distinct phases (foot strike, mid-air, toe-off) and processes each phase separately using specific calculation methods. This segmentation allows accurate motion parameter determination without requiring complex step identification algorithms, as each phase is handled with targeted processing rather than unified complex analysis.
2Measurement precision
If step identification is used to determine overall user motion, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the energy-intensive step identification process from the calculation methodology. By directly computing motion parameters from acceleration data without the intermediate step detection stage, the system significantly reduces processor workload and energy consumption while maintaining sufficient accuracy for motion monitoring applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial processing by focusing calculation resources only on the essential acceleration data processing needed for motion parameter determination, rather than performing complete step identification and analysis. This selective processing approach maintains adequate measurement precision for energy expenditure and speed estimation while minimizing unnecessary computational energy consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If simplified calculation algorithms are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different segments of the acceleration data. Each motion phase (foot strike, mid-air, toe-off) receives targeted processing appropriate to its characteristics, allowing accurate motion parameter extraction without requiring uniformly complex processing across all data. This localized quality approach maintains precision while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters and calculation methods based on the motion phase being analyzed. By adapting the calculation approach to match the specific characteristics of each acceleration phase, the system achieves accurate motion parameter determination using optimized, energy-efficient algorithms rather than applying a single complex algorithm throughout.
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 determination of user motion parameters like speed and distance without identifying individual steps, simplifying algorithms and minimizing energy consumption, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of motion tracking devices.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer for measuring instantaneous acceleration values of a lower limb of the user
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, a method, and a computer program are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a processor. The processor is configured to obtain instantaneous acceleration values representing lower limb motion of a user, to form an effective acceleration value from the instantaneous acceleration values over a plurality of steps of the user, and to determine a motion parameter representing overall motion of the user by means of the effective acceleration value.