Posture Feedback Device for Accurate Rehabilitation Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring rehabilitation indices are inaccurate due to difficulties in maintaining correct postures and motions, leading to human error and subjectivity in evaluation.

Innovation Solution

A measurement device and method that acquire positional information, calculate angles or distances as ability indexes, and determine the propriety of a test subject's posture, outputting results accordingly to ensure accurate measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a test subject performs motion without automated posture verification, then the measurement process is simple and quick, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to incorrect posture and human error

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of rehabilitation index measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of measurement system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the test subject's posture during measurement and provides real-time feedback by comparing actual posture against predetermined correct posture criteria. This automated feedback loop ensures measurement accuracy without requiring manual verification, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system performs self-verification by automatically detecting posture correctness and determining whether to proceed with measurement or request posture correction. This eliminates the need for external operators to manually verify posture, maintaining high measurement precision while managing system complexity through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual posture verification is performed by a measuring person, then measurement precision can be maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to the burden of checking multiple examination items

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of evaluationVSAvoidmeasurement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical process of manual posture verification with an automated computational system that uses sensors and algorithms to detect and evaluate posture correctness. This substitution maintains measurement precision while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating the time-consuming manual checking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The automated system provides immediate feedback on posture correctness, allowing the measurement process to proceed efficiently without manual intervention. This feedback mechanism ensures measurement precision is maintained while productivity increases due to the elimination of manual verification delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the system provides detailed posture guidance, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased complexity for the test subject

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrectness of measured valueVSAvoidsimplicity of measurement process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides posture guidance selectively - only when posture deviations are detected - rather than requiring the test subject to consciously manage all posture parameters. This partial action approach maintains measurement precision by correcting only necessary deviations while preserving ease of operation by avoiding overwhelming the test subject with excessive instructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3315068B1Device, method, and computer program for providing posture feedback during an exercise
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 NEC SOLUTION INNOVATORS LTD
  • EP3315068B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3315068B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3315068B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a measurement device including an acquisition unit that acquires positional information or direction information on a predetermined portion in a limb of a test subject, a calculation unit that calculates angles or distances serving as ability indexes of the limb of the test subject on the basis of the acquired positional information or direction information, a determination unit that determines whether or not a posture of the test subject is proper, on the basis of the acquired positional information or direction information, and an output processing unit that outputs the calculated angles or distances in a state corresponding to a determination result regarding whether or not the posture of the test subject is proper.