Seat-Based Motion Control for Hands-Free Object Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for interacting with computers and electronic devices require increased user skill and dexterity, and continuous use of pointing devices can lead to physical discomfort and health issues, necessitating a hands-free control solution that is responsive to pelvic and thigh movements.
Innovation Solution
An occupant support device and system that allows hands-free control of objects by detecting and responding to movements in the coronal, transverse, and sagittal planes, using sensors and a processor to facilitate natural motions and balance adjustments, enabling control of virtual or tangible objects without the need for hand-controlled devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hand-controlled devices are used for interaction, then control precision is improved, but user physical comfort deteriorates and health issues arise from continuous use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hand-controlled mechanical input devices with a seat-based control system that detects pelvic and thigh movements through sensors. The mechanical action of hands operating mice or keyboards is substituted by the body's natural pelvic movements while seated, detected by sensors integrated into the seat structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat acts as an intermediary device between the user's body movements and the computer control system. Sensors embedded in the seat detect pelvic angle and thigh position, converting these bodily movements into control signals without requiring direct hand operation of input devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex pointing devices are used, then control capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to required user skill and dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the user's own body movements and posture naturally while seated as the control input mechanism. No special skills or dexterity are required - the user simply sits and makes natural pelvic and thigh movements, and the seat sensors automatically detect and translate these into control commands.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex hand-operated pointing devices are replaced with a biomechanical interface that leverages the user's natural seated posture and pelvic movements. This substitution eliminates the need for learned motor skills associated with traditional input devices.
3Productivity
If hand-controlled devices are continuously used, then task completion is improved, but physical strain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes continuous hand operation with seated pelvic and thigh movements. Users can control computers while maintaining a seated position, leveraging larger muscle groups in the lower body rather than continuous use of hand muscles, thereby reducing physical strain during extended use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables periodic alternation between different control methods - users can switch between pelvic angle adjustments and thigh position changes to control different functions, distributing physical effort across different muscle groups and reducing continuous strain on any single area.
Data Source
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AI summary
An occupant support system is disclosed for controlling a computer-generated representation of an object, comprising: (i) a support device comprising a plurality of support members configured to support an occupant, and a corresponding plurality of independently movably supported suspension systems such to provide at least one independent motion selected from vertical, lateral, tilt and azimuthal motions and longitudinal roll motion of the support members. The support system further comprises (ii) a plurality of sensors which are operatively coupled with the support members and configured to measure a parameter which is indicative of an input provided by the occupant, while occupying the device, in a hands-free manner and to produce a signal, wherein the input changes a state of the support device; (iii) a memory module comprising computer-executable instructions; and (iv) a processor operative to receive the produced signal and determine a state of the occupant support device based on the produced signal and the computer-executable instructions, and to provide instructions for controlling the computer-generated object representation.