Posture Control via Integrated Sole and External Tactile Stimuli
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing posture control devices struggle to effectively assist in unconscious posture control actions, such as maintaining posture, as most posture control actions are performed unconsciously.
Innovation Solution
A posture control device that includes a posture information detection unit to detect contact pressures on the sole, a tactile stimulus application unit to apply tactile stimuli, and an external tactile stimulus application unit to provide external stimuli, integrating these through sensory integration to assist posture control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If skin sensory stimuli are applied to alert the user to posture changes, then the user becomes aware of posture changes, but the ability to prompt actions related to unconsciously performed posture control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple types of stimuli (tactile, auditory, visual) into an integrated posture control system. The stimulus generation unit synthesizes various stimulus types and the output unit delivers them through multiple channels simultaneously, creating a multi-sensory approach that effectively prompts unconscious posture control actions by engaging multiple sensory pathways at once
2Device complexity
If only tactile stimuli are applied to the sole, then the device structure remains simple, but the integration with external sensory systems is insufficient for effective posture control
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulus generation unit is designed to generate multiple types of stimuli (tactile, auditory, visual) from a single integrated control system. This multi-functional approach allows the device to adapt to different sensory modalities and integrate with external sensory systems while maintaining a relatively simple core structure that can produce diverse stimulus types
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 device effectively assists in stabilizing posture by integrating tactile and external stimuli, promoting specific actions based on unconscious posture control, thereby enhancing posture stability and reducing the risk of tripping.
Implementation Method 1
The stimulus applicator applies a vibration to the user, inducing at least one of a response that tenses toes of the user and a response that lifts tips of the toes
Implementation Method 2
The weak vibrations amplify tactile signals transmitted from the sole based on stochastic resonance upon ground contact
Implementation Method 3
The strong vibrations induce firing of neural impulses
Data Source
AI summary
A posture control device includes a posture information detection unit, a tactile stimulus application unit configured to apply tactile stimuli to the somatosensory receptors of a user, and an external tactile stimulus application unit configured to apply external tactile stimuli to the user. The posture information detection unit is configured to detect contact pressures at multiple parts of the sole and detect a change in posture based on temporal changes in the detected contact pressures. The external tactile stimulus application unit is configured to apply external tactile stimuli to the user, at a specified point in time that is based on a detection result of the posture information detection unit, to assist user posture control by integrating external tactile stimuli with tactile stimuli applied by the tactile stimulus application unit through sensory integration.