Wearable Kinetic Blocking Detection via Posture-Adaptive Acceleration Thresholds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobility assistance devices for individuals with motor disorders due to neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, fail to accurately detect kinetic blocking episodes, leading to untimely triggering of auditory stimulation and reduced user compliance.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device equipped with an accelerometer to measure horizontal and vertical accelerations, storage means for predefined threshold values, and calculation means to determine posture and duration of acceleration crossings, allowing for precise triggering of auditory stimulation to prevent and address kinetic blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If auditory stimulation is triggered based on simple acceleration threshold detection, then the device can detect kinetic blocking episodes, but it produces false positives and untimely triggering reducing user compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the detection system adaptive to the user's changing postures and activities. The system dynamically adjusts detection parameters based on real-time posture classification (standing, sitting, walking) and modifies threshold values accordingly. This allows the device to maintain high detection accuracy across different scenarios while reducing false positives, thereby improving user compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying acceleration thresholds based on detected posture and activity context. Different threshold values are applied for different postures (e.g., higher thresholds during walking to avoid false positives from normal gait variations, lower thresholds during standing to detect subtle kinetic blocking). This contextual parameter adjustment significantly reduces false positives while maintaining reliable detection.
2Reliability
If the device uses posture-specific acceleration thresholds and duration criteria, then it reduces false positives, but it increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the detection system into distinct modules: posture classification module, acceleration detection module, duration calculation module, and decision logic module. Each module handles a specific aspect of the detection process with dedicated algorithms and parameters. This modular segmentation manages complexity by organizing functions into independent, manageable units while achieving high detection precision through their coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a posture classification system that acts as a mediator between raw acceleration data and kinetic blocking detection. The posture classifier processes acceleration data first, determines the user's current posture, and then passes this contextual information to the kinetic blocking detection algorithm. This intermediary layer enables posture-specific threshold adjustment without requiring the entire system to be overly complex.
3Speed
If the device triggers auditory stimulation immediately upon threshold crossing, then it provides timely intervention, but it causes false alarms during normal gait variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing posture classification and context assessment before triggering the auditory stimulation. When acceleration threshold crossing is detected, the system first verifies the user's posture and activity context, then checks if the duration criteria are met before issuing the warning. This preliminary verification step prevents false alarms during normal gait variations while maintaining rapid response to actual kinetic blocking episodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by requiring that acceleration threshold crossing be sustained for a minimum duration before triggering stimulation. Instead of immediate response to any threshold crossing, the system monitors the duration of the event and only triggers auditory stimulation when the crossing persists beyond a predetermined time threshold. This periodic verification effectively filters out transient false positives from normal gait variations while maintaining timely intervention for genuine kinetic blocking.
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 device effectively detects kinetic blocking episodes and provides timely auditory stimulation to aid in preventing gait disruptions, enhancing user mobility and reducing false positives.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer (1) adapted to be worn by the person to measure accelerations in at least a first direction which corresponds to the horizontal axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention concerns an assistance device intended for a person (1) suffering motor disorders of neurological origin, comprising: an accelerometer suitable for being worn by the person for measuring accelerations; and storage means storing a plurality of previously defined alert acceleration threshold values; and means (5) for transmitting an auditory stimulation perceptible to the person wearing the accelerometer; and calculation means configured to carry out the following steps: a) determining a posture of the person from the measured accelerations, b) comparing the accelerations measured by said accelerometer in the first direction relative to at least one anticipatory acceleration threshold value associated with said posture; c) controlling the transmission of an auditory stimulation depending on the crossing of said anticipatory acceleration threshold value associated with said posture during a predefined period associated with said anticipatory acceleration threshold value.