Tactile Sensing Floor Covering for 3D Pose Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in producing wearable sensors that are mass-producible at a low cost, capable of enabling human activity learning, and generating rich tactile datasets for predictive outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tactile sensing floor covering and a processing system that receives tactile sequences, compares them against a database correlating tactile information to activities, and identifies the activity, using machine learning and neural information processing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are incorporated into textiles using weaving techniques, then the garments can provide sensing functionality, but the garments become rigid to semi-rigid and less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible conductive threads woven into the textile that maintain the fabric's flexibility and comfort while providing sensing functionality. The conductive threads are integrated throughout the textile structure, allowing the garment to bend and move with the body without becoming rigid, thus resolving the contradiction between sensing capability and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite textile by combining conventional textile fibers with conductive sensing threads. This composite structure allows the textile to maintain the softness and flexibility of traditional fabrics while adding the sensing capability of conductive materials, enabling both comfort and sensing functionality simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If embroidery techniques are used to incorporate sensors, then the textiles remain comfortable and functional, but the process is not scalable for mass production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensing function directly into the textile manufacturing process itself, rather than adding sensors separately through embroidery. The conductive threads are woven into the fabric during the textile production process, allowing for automated, large-scale manufacturing while maintaining comfort and functionality. This integration eliminates the need for separate, manual sensor placement steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal textile structure where conductive threads are integrated throughout the entire fabric, enabling sensing functionality across the whole garment rather than requiring separate sensor components. This multi-functional approach allows the same textile manufacturing process to produce both the fabric structure and the sensing capability, making the process scalable and cost-effective for mass production.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing smart textile techniques are used, then sensing capability is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing function into individual conductive threads that can be independently woven into the textile during standard manufacturing processes. This segmentation allows the sensing capability to be distributed throughout the fabric rather than requiring expensive, complex sensor assemblies, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the textile by incorporating conductive threads with specific electrical properties into the fabric structure. This allows the textile to provide sensing functionality through its material composition rather than through complex electronic components, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs while maintaining adaptability for various sensing applications.
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
Enables the identification of human activities with high accuracy, generates rich datasets for human-environment interaction learning, and supports scalable manufacturing of conformal sensing textiles, facilitating applications in wearable electronics and health monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoresistive pressure sensing matrix fabricated by aligning a network of orthogonal conductive threads as electrodes on each side of a commercial piezoresistive film
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for estimating 3D poses of a subject based on tactile interactions with the ground. Test subject interactions with the ground are recorded using a sensor system along with reference information (e.g., synchronized video information) for use in correlating tactile information with specific 3D poses, e.g., by training a neural network based on the reference information. Then, tactile information received in response to a given subject interacting with the ground can be used to estimate the 3D pose of the given subject directly, i.e., without reference to corresponding reference information. Certain exemplary embodiments use a sensor system in the form of a pressure sensing carpet or mat, although other types of sensor systems using pressure or other sensors can be used in various alternative embodiments.