Sensorized Sphere Gesture Input for Neurodegenerative Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices fail to effectively capture and utilize the full range of human gestures and interactions to provide interactive output in music, data, art, gaming, and learning applications, particularly for patients with neurodegenerative disorders, and lack adaptability to individual user abilities.
Innovation Solution
A sensorized spherical input and output device with embedded sensors and a microprocessor that captures user gestures and maps them to control music, sound, video, and other systems, providing customizable feedback and tracking motor development progress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional input devices (mouse, keyboard) are used for therapy, then cognitive training can be provided, but fine motor skill rehabilitation is limited and user engagement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical device integrates multiple sensor types (touch, pressure, force, motion) into a single input interface that can accommodate users with varying motor abilities. The same device can be operated by both users with full motor function through complex gestures and users with limited motor function through simple squeezes or rests, providing universal access to music therapy and cognitive training applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The device maps different physical parameters (touch location, pressure magnitude, force direction, motion velocity) to different musical and therapeutic outcomes. This allows the system to adapt its response to the user's capabilities - a gentle rest on the sphere can trigger the same type of feedback as a deliberate squeeze, just with different intensity levels, making the interface accessible to users with neurodegenerative disorders while still engaging those with full motor function.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are embedded in the sphere to capture full range of gestures, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (capacitive touch sensors, pressure sensors, force sensors, and motion sensors) into a unified spherical device with a single microprocessor controller. This merging approach allows the system to capture comprehensive gesture data (location, pressure, force, motion) while managing complexity through integrated processing rather than separate systems for each sensor type.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical surface is divided into multiple sensing zones with sensors distributed across different locations. Each sensor captures specific local information (e.g., finger position, squeeze location), and the microprocessor integrates these segmented data points to reconstruct complete gesture patterns, achieving high measurement precision through distributed sensing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device is customized for individual user abilities, then adaptability improves, but setup time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device includes automated calibration routines that guide users through simple interaction sequences to establish their baseline capabilities. The microprocessor analyzes the user's natural gestures and automatically configures appropriate sensitivity thresholds and response mappings, eliminating the need for manual setup by therapists or technicians while still providing personalized adaptation to individual motor and cognitive abilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The device configuration is designed to be dynamically adjustable during use. Users can modify sensitivity levels, gesture thresholds, and feedback parameters in real-time based on their current state, allowing the system to adapt to fluctuating abilities throughout therapy sessions without requiring reconfiguration or technical expertise.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are embodiments of sensorized spherical input and output devices, systems, and methods for capturing gestural input from a user's physical interactions with a spherical device, including tossing, bouncing and spinning. In one embodiment, the spherical input and output device includes force sensors in a configuration to capture a variety of user gestures with the sphere. A microprocessor receives sensor input and transmits the sensor data to receiving devices which include computer software to translate the sensor signals to audio output, visual output, or various functions on receiving devices. Embodiments of the invention include the integration of inertial measurement units (IMUs), which may include a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers to capture complex user gestures involving motion, direction and spin of the sensorized sphere in three dimensional space.