Standing Position Balance Evaluation Using Head and Body Center of Gravity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies are inadequate for evaluating standing position balance, which is crucial for assessing locomotive syndrome, dementia, and fatigue, as they only consider pressure balance on the soles of the feet without examining the relationship between the head and body positions.
Innovation Solution
A standing position evaluation apparatus that includes a center-of-gravity position detection unit to measure the head-center-of-gravity and body-center-of-gravity positions projected onto a floor surface, using an overhead 3D camera and body pressure sensor, and an evaluation unit to assess the balance by analyzing the relationship between these positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing technologies are used to evaluate standing position balance, then the evaluation can be performed, but the evaluation is insufficient because it only considers pressure balance on the soles of the feet without examining the relationship between head and body positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the body into distinct segments (head and body) and separately detects their center of gravity positions. The head center of gravity is detected using an overhead camera, while the body center of gravity is detected using a pressure sensor mat. This segmentation allows independent measurement of each segment's position, enabling comprehensive evaluation of their spatial relationship and improving balance evaluation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple detection systems (overhead camera for head position and pressure sensor mat for body position) into a unified evaluation apparatus. By combining these different detection methods, the system achieves comprehensive measurement of both head and body center of gravity positions, thereby obtaining complete information about the spatial relationship between these segments for accurate balance assessment.
2Measurement precision
If a comprehensive evaluation system detecting both head and body center of gravity positions is implemented, then standing position balance evaluation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead camera system serves multiple functions: it detects the head center of gravity position, captures body posture information, and provides spatial reference data. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each measurement, thereby simplifying the overall apparatus structure while maintaining comprehensive evaluation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the overhead camera as an intermediary device that indirectly provides information about body posture and spatial relationships through image processing. Instead of requiring direct mechanical linkage or complex sensor arrays, the camera captures visual data that can be processed to infer center of gravity positions and spatial relationships, simplifying the physical structure of the evaluation system.
Data Source
AI summary
A standing position evaluation apparatus includes a center-of-gravity position detection unit that detects a head-center-of-gravity position that is a position of a center of gravity of a head of a subject in a standing position projected onto a floor surface and a body-center-of-gravity position that is a position of a center of gravity of a body of the subject in the standing position projected onto the floor surface, and an evaluation unit that evaluates a standing position balance of the subject by using the detected head-center-of-gravity position and the detected body-center-of-gravity position.