Walking Phase Determination With Synchronized Sole-Pressure Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining walking phases in a walking cycle are subjective and lack accuracy, particularly for inexperienced physical therapists or orthopedic surgeons, making it difficult to support patients with physical disabilities in improving their walking posture.
Innovation Solution
A walking phase determination support system that includes an imaging unit to capture walking motion, a detection unit to detect changes in sole pressure, and a control unit to display synchronized still images and estimated skeletal data, aiding in precise phase determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If walking phase determination is performed by visual observation alone, then the method is simple and requires no additional equipment, but the accuracy is low especially for inexperienced professionals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of pressure sensors embedded in the sole, imaging units, and a determination support device. These intermediaries objectively measure and capture walking phase information, serving as a mediator between the professional and the patient's walking motion, thereby improving determination accuracy without requiring extensive experience from the professional.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/subjective visual observation method with an automated measurement system using pressure sensors and imaging units. This substitution of the mechanical observation process with electronic sensing and digital imaging systems enables more precise and objective walking phase determination.
2Measurement precision
If multiple types of detection units are used to capture comprehensive walking data, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into a single integrated determination support device. The pressure sensors, imaging units, and processing capabilities are combined in one system that coordinates their operations to capture comprehensive walking phase information, reducing the complexity of managing multiple separate devices while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination support device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a universal system that handles pressure detection, imaging, data processing, and walking phase determination all within one device. This universal approach allows comprehensive measurement without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A walking phase determination support system includes an imaging unit configured to image a walking motion of a pedestrian; a detection unit configured to detect a change over time in a force applied to each part of a sole of the pedestrian in synchronization with imaging; an input unit configured to be operated to designate a walking-phase-to-be-determined; a display unit configured to display a video; and a control unit configured to display a moving image captured and, as display still images, still images captured at different timings from among still images forming the moving image. The control unit is configured to estimate, based on a change over time in a detection value, as a specific timing, a timing at which the walking phase becomes the walking-phase-to-be-determined, and is configured to display one display still image corresponding to the specific timing in a form associated with the walking-phase-to-be-determined.