Reaction Training Device Using Directional Stimuli and Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports training systems fail to accurately measure reaction time to stimuli as they do not account for the user's actual physical movement and can be influenced by visual detection of the stimulus source, leading to irrelevant measurements.
Innovation Solution
A device that generates a stimulus only when the user's presence is detected by a proximity sensor, with indicators providing directional cues for specific movements, allowing users to train physical reactions without visual identification of the stimulus source, and includes a reaction sensor to log and differentiate correct from incorrect responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the system uses a single light source that illuminates all directions simultaneously, then the device structure is simple, but the user must visually identify which direction the stimulus originates from, adding time to the reaction measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The single light source is segmented into multiple directional light emitting elements (first light emitting element, second light emitting element, etc.), each indicating a specific direction. This allows the user to immediately identify the stimulus direction without visual search, reducing reaction time while maintaining clear directional indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulus indication is enhanced by adding directional information through spatial arrangement of multiple light emitting elements positioned at different locations (front, rear, left, right sides). This dimensional differentiation allows instantaneous directional identification without increasing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the system measures reaction time without requiring actual physical movement, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurements become irrelevant as they do not reflect actual sports reaction scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates movement detection feedback by using light receiving elements to detect when the user's body parts (hand, foot, etc.) interrupt the light beams. This feedback mechanism confirms that actual physical movement occurred, ensuring measurement relevance while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The user's own movement serves as the measurement trigger - when the user moves their body parts to respond to the directional stimulus, their movement automatically interrupts the light beams and triggers the measurement, eliminating the need for external measurement intervention.
3Loss of information
If the system allows users to visually monitor all first means to identify the stimulus source, then the user can accurately identify the stimulus, but the reaction time includes the time needed to locate the stimulus source rather than just react to it
Solution Approach 1:
Each light emitting element is positioned at a specific location (front, rear, left, right sides) and emits light in a specific direction. This localized directional indication eliminates the need for visual search across the entire environment, as the stimulus direction is immediately apparent from the local light source position.
Solution Approach 2:
The directional light emitting elements are pre-positioned and configured to emit light in specific directions before the stimulus is presented. This preliminary arrangement of light sources ensures that when a stimulus occurs, the directional information is already available, eliminating stimulus localization time from the reaction measurement.
4Loss of time
If the system uses multiple light emitting elements indicating different directions, then the user can immediately identify the stimulus direction without visual search, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light emitting elements serve dual functions: they indicate directional stimulus information and simultaneously serve as the measurement medium for detecting user response. The same light beams used for directional indication are also used to detect when users interrupt them with their body parts, eliminating the need for separate detection systems.
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 approach enables precise measurement of reaction time by ensuring the user triggers the stimulus upon detection, improving the accuracy of reaction time determination and allowing for targeted physical movement training, distinguishing between correct and incorrect reactions.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity sensor adapted to detect presence in a proximal sensing range of the proximity sensor
Implementation Method 2
Each indicator 20 of the device 1 is indicative for a direction... Upon detection of presence, only one of the indicators 20 generates a stimulus 200 indicative for a respective direction
Implementation Method 3
The reaction sensor determines a reaction time between generation of the stimulus and detection of movement along the corresponding respective direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) for exercising reaction to stimuli (200), said device (1) comprising a proximity sensor (10), adapted to detect presence (100) in a proximal sensing range (11) of said proximity sensor (10); CHARACTERIZED IN THAT: said device (1) further comprises: - two or more indicators (20), each indicator (20) being configured to generate a respective stimulus (200) indicative for a respective direction (300); and - a controller (21) configured to instruct one of said two of more indicators (20) to generate said respective stimulus (200) for said respective direction (300) upon detection of said presence (100).