Wearable Light Feedback for Exercise Technique
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional feedback systems for exercise technique, such as running style, are not intuitive, real-time, or easily customizable, often disrupting the exercise by requiring users to view screens or wear impractical devices, and may interfere with hearing or movement.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a pressure-sensitive insole to collect data, translating it into real-time visual feedback via a wearable light-emitting device with a color-coded scale, allowing users to focus on specific aspects of their technique without distracting from their activity, and enabling customization of color preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If audio feedback is used to provide exercise technique feedback, then feedback can be provided during exercise, but it restricts the user's ability to hear and may interfere with listening to music or receiving instructions from a coach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visual intermediary (light source with color scale) that conveys feedback information without using audio signals. The light-emitting device acts as a mediator between the sensor data and the user, translating biomechanical parameters into visual color representations that do not interfere with the user's auditory environment.
2Ease of operation
If a screen is used to provide visual feedback, then feedback can be displayed, but it limits portability and requires the user to restrict arm movement to view the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential feedback information (biomechanical parameter values) and presents it in a simplified visual form (color scale with light emission) rather than using a complex screen display. This extraction of core information allows feedback to be provided through a minimal visual indicator that does not require the user to focus on or restrict movement to view a screen.
3Loss of information
If complex biomechanical parameters are displayed in detail, then comprehensive feedback is provided, but it becomes difficult to interpret in real-time during exercise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color changes as a visual encoding system to represent complex biomechanical parameters. Different colors on the scale correspond to different parameter values or ranges, allowing the user to quickly interpret feedback information at a glance without needing to read or process numerical data. This color-based representation transforms complex information into an intuitively understandable visual format.
4Adaptability or versatility
If feedback is provided for multiple aspects of exercise technique simultaneously, then comprehensive technique analysis is available, but it distracts the user from focusing on improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic feedback mode selection that allows the user to choose which aspect of exercise technique to receive feedback on at any given time. The system can switch between different feedback modes (e.g., different biomechanical parameters) based on user selection, providing comprehensive analysis capabilities while allowing the user to focus on one specific aspect of technique improvement at a 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
Provides intuitive, real-time feedback that allows users to improve their exercise technique without interrupting their movement or hearing, while allowing for customization to personal preferences, enhancing the effectiveness of exercise feedback.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensitive surface configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a pressure distribution exerted on the pressure sensitive surface during running
Implementation Method 2
a light source configured to emit light of variable color based on the mapped color value
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A system (100) and method for generating feedback on exercise technique. The system (100) comprises a sensor (10) and readout device (20) to generate sensor data (Sd) based on the exercise technique, e.g. pressure signal (Sp) exerted by a foot. A data processor (30) processes the sensor data (Sd) to calculate a feedback value (Sx). A color mapper (40) maps the feedback value (Sx) onto a color map (Cx) to transform the feedback value into a color value (Sc). A wearable feedback device (50) comprising a light source (52) generates a variable color light output (Sf) based on the color value (Sc). For example, a mode selector (60) provides selection between a plurality of feedback modes (M1,M2), wherein the selection of a feedback mode result in selection of a feedback algorithm (Ax) for the data processor (30) and selection of a color map (Cx) for the color mapper (40).