Wearable Sensor Array for Body Joint Movement Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motion capture technologies are either complex and expensive, restrictive in mobility, or inadequate for capturing complex full-body motion in diverse environments, particularly in sports and outdoor activities.
Innovation Solution
A wearable sensor array integrated into clothing that uses flexible electromagnetic, light, or sonic energy pathways to non-intrusively measure body motion, posture, and configuration, providing a mobile, unobtrusive, and reasonably priced solution for diverse environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If camera-based motion capture systems are used to achieve accurate measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex camera-based optical systems with simpler flex sensor arrays integrated into clothing. The flex sensors use flexible printed circuit boards with conductive traces that bend with body motion, converting mechanical deformation into electrical signals for motion detection, thereby eliminating the need for complex camera equipment while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of motion capture functionality using flex sensors that directly measure body segment motion through bending, rather than using cameras to optically track and calculate position. This copied approach achieves sufficient measurement precision for athletic applications with dramatically reduced system complexity
2Measurement precision
If multi-camera systems are used to capture full-body motion, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to mobility constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the motion capture system into distributed flex sensor units integrated at multiple locations on the clothing (torso, limbs, etc.). Each sensor unit independently measures local body segment motion, and the combined data provides comprehensive full-body motion tracking, enabling accurate measurement while allowing complete mobility freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible, wearable sensor arrays that move dynamically with the body rather than fixed camera positions. The clothing-integrated sensors adapt to body motion in real-time, maintaining measurement accuracy across all ranges of motion without restricting the subject's mobility
3Device complexity
If single-camera systems are used to reduce cost and complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to occlusion limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places multiple independent flex sensor units at different locations on the body (torso, arms, legs, etc.), allowing each sensor to independently measure its local segment's motion. This segmented approach eliminates occlusion problems since each sensor directly contacts and measures its specific body part without needing line-of-sight from external cameras
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the clothing fabric and body surface as intermediaries to transmit motion information directly to the sensors. The flex sensors are embedded in or attached to the clothing, which acts as an intermediary medium that moves with the body and transmits mechanical deformation to the sensors, enabling accurate measurement without external line-of-sight requirements
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is a sensor array which longitudinally spans a body joint in order to measure movement of that body joint. In an example, this sensor array can comprise four longitudinal sensors which span the body joint in four different radial quadrants, respectively. In an example, this sensor array can comprise six longitudinal sensors which span the body joint in six different radial hextants, respectively. In an example, this sensor array can further comprise a first accelerometer which is proximal to the body joint and a second accelerometer which is distal to the body joint.