Wearable UWB Posture Measurement Using Time-of-Flight and Angle-of-Arrival
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing posture measurement systems face challenges in accurately determining body posture with high precision and scalability, particularly in providing real-time feedback to correct poor posture habits that contribute to back pain and overall health issues.
Innovation Solution
A wearable ultra-wide-band (UWB) transceiver-based system comprising a leader sensor node and follower sensor nodes that use time-of-flight and angle-of-arrival measurements to determine body posture, with a processor configured to transmit and receive UWB signals, calculate posture values, and provide corrective feedback through an RF transceiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If accelerometer sensors are used to detect posture, then real-time posture detection is achieved, but measurement precision is insufficient for accurate posture determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces accelerometer-based mechanical sensing with UWB electromagnetic signal-based sensing. The system transmits UWB signals between a leader sensor node and follower sensor nodes, measuring time-of-flight and angle-of-arrival to calculate spatial relationships and posture, eliminating the need for mechanical accelerometers and their associated inaccuracies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces UWB electromagnetic signals as an intermediary medium to transfer spatial information between sensor nodes. Instead of directly measuring posture through mechanical sensors on the body, the system uses UWB signals to indirectly determine spatial relationships through time-of-flight and angle-of-arrival measurements, improving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor nodes are deployed to improve measurement precision, then posture determination accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the posture measurement system into multiple independent sensor nodes (one leader node and multiple follower nodes), each equipped with minimal components (UWB transceiver, antenna, processor). This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through distributed spatial measurement while keeping individual node complexity low and enabling modular scalability.
3Productivity
If real-time posture feedback is provided to correct posture habits, then health benefits are achieved, but system response time must be extremely fast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous UWB signal transmission and real-time posture calculation, eliminating gaps in measurement. The system continuously measures time-of-flight and angle-of-arrival, continuously determines spatial relationships, and continuously provides feedback, ensuring zero dead time and maintaining constant posture monitoring for immediate correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration to establish reference spatial relationships between sensor nodes and the user's body. This preliminary action enables the system to directly compare real-time measurements against known good posture configurations, allowing for immediate feedback without requiring complex real-time analysis, thus reducing processing time.
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
The system achieves high accuracy in posture measurement and scalability, allowing for real-time correction of posture habits, thereby improving user health by providing precise and timely feedback on posture adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
an ultra-wide-band, UWB, transceiver coupled to the processor; at least two antennas coupled to the UWB transceiver
Implementation Method 2
determine a time-of-flight value of a signal transmitted between the wearable leader sensor node and the wearable follower sensor node from the first UWB signal and the second UWB signal
Implementation Method 3
determine an angle of arrival value of the second UWB signal
Data Source
AI summary
A posture measurement apparatus and method is described. The posture measurement system includes a wearable sensor leader node comprising a UWB transceiver coupled to at least two antennas and one or more wearable sensor follower nodes each comprising a UWB transceiver coupled to one antenna. A first UWB signal is transmitted from the wearable sensor leader node to the one or more wearable follower sensor nodes. A second UWB signal is received by the wearable sensor leader node from each follower sensor node in response to receiving the first UWB signal. A time-of-flight value of a signal transmitted between the wearable leader sensor node and the wearable follower sensor node is determined from the first UWB signal and the second UWB signal. An angle of arrival value is determined from the second UWB signal. The body posture can be determined from the time-of-flight and angle-of-arrival value.