Patent Publication Number: US-2019183388-A1

Title: Body monitoring and training device

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Reference is hereby made to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/376,467, filed Aug. 18, 2016, entitled: UPPER BACK AND NECK MONITORING AND TRAINING DEVICE, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference and priority of which is hereby claimed pursuant to 37 CFR 1.78(a). 
     Reference is also made to PCT Application No. PCT/IB2014/059041, filed Feb. 17, 2014, and entitled POSTURE DETECTION DEVICE, published Aug. 21, 2014 as PCT Published Patent Application WO 2014/125448 A1, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Reference is also made to PCT Application No. PCT/IL2016/050847, filed Aug. 3, 2016, and entitled BODY MOVEMENT FEEDBACK SYSTEM AND METHOD, the description of which is hereby incorporated by reference and priority of which is hereby claimed pursuant to 37 CFR 1.78(a). 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to body motion training systems and methodologies. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There exist various systems and devices for body motion training. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention seeks to provide improved systems and devices for body motion training. 
     There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a body movement feedback system including at least one position sensor operative to sense at least relative positions of mutually articulated body portions of a user, and particularly the upper back, chest or neck orientation relative to the gravity or relative to the head orientation in real time and to provide sensor outputs, a mutually articulated body portion position processor, receiving the sensor outputs of the at least one position sensor and providing processor outputs representing relative movements of the mutually articulated body portions and a real time user feedback generator operative to generate predetermined feedback to the user in response to predetermined selected movements of the mutually articulated body portions. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the body movement feedback system also includes a user feedback selector adapted to receive feedback selection inputs from a person and operative to assign selectable user feedbacks to selectable movements of the mutually articulated body portions. 
     Preferably, the at least one position sensor includes at least two body portion orientation sensors attached to the upper back, chest or neck and the head. Alternatively, the at least one position sensor includes at least one body portion orientation sensor attached to the upper back, chest or neck and the head. 
     Preferably, the predetermined feedback includes at least one of tactile feedback, auditory feedback and visual feedback. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one position sensor includes at least one first sensor mounted onto a user&#39;s upper back, chest or neck preferably by a necklace, headset (as LG TONE, SOL REPUBLICK Shadow) or headphone (as LG TONE, SOL REPUBLICK Shadow) that lays on the user&#39;s neck at a first location. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the at least one position sensor includes at least one first sensor mounted onto a user&#39;s upper back, chest or neck preferably by a necklace, headset (as LG TONE, SOL REPUBLICK Shadow) or headphone (as LG TONE, SOL REPUBLICK Shadow) that lays on the user&#39;s neck at a first location and at least a second sensor mounted to the user&#39;s head, preferably by an earphone, earring, audio aid device, hat, hair pin, eye-glasses and hair bow at a second location, the first and second locations being mutually separated. 
     Preferably, the real time user feedback generator includes a feedback transducer operative to provide a real time notification to a user when at least one predetermined orientation is reached. 
     Preferably, the body movement feedback system also includes a portable controller communicating wirelessly with the microprocessor. 
     There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for body movement feedback including the steps of sensing, preferably the user&#39;s upper back, chest or neck relative to gravity and alternatively the user&#39;s upper back, chest or neck and head relative positions of a user in real time and providing sensor outputs, receiving the sensor outputs and providing processor outputs representing relative movements and generating predetermined feedbacks to the user in response to predetermined movements. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method for body movement feedback also includes receiving feedback selection inputs from a person and assigning selectable user feedbacks to selectable movements of the mutually articulated body portions. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the sensing the orientation of at one body portions includes measuring orientation of the upper back, chest or the neck relative to gravity. Alternatively, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the sensing the orientation of the upper back, chest or neck and the head includes measuring mutual orientation. Preferably, the predetermined feedback includes at least one of tactile feedback, auditory feedback and visual feedback. 
     There is further provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention a body position training device for measuring a user&#39;s posture by measuring the upper back, chest or neck orientation including at least one sensor mounted onto a user&#39;s upper back, chest or neck preferably by necklace, headset (as LG TONE, SOL REPUBLICK Shadow), headphone (as LG TONE, SOL REPUBLICK Shadow) that lays on the user&#39;s neck, a microprocessor receiving inputs from sensor for calculating an orientation of the users posture and a feedback transducer operative to provide a real time notification to a user when a predetermined orientation of the upper back, chest or neck is reached. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a body position training device for measuring a user&#39;s posture and the orientation of the upper back, chest or neck relative to the head including at least one first sensor mounted onto a user&#39;s upper back, chest or neck preferably by necklace, headset (as LG TONE, SOL REPUBLICK Shadow), headphone (as LG TONE, SOL REPUBLICK Shadow) that lays on the user&#39;s neck, at least a second sensor mounted to the user&#39;s head preferably by an earphone, earring, audio aid device, hat, eye-glasses and hair bow, a microprocessor receiving inputs from the first and second sensors for calculating an orientation of the user&#39;s posture and the orientation of the head relative to the upper back, chest or neck and a feedback transducer operative to provide a real time notification to a user when a predetermined orientation is reached. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the body position training device for measuring a user&#39;s posture and/or the orientation of the head relative to the upper back, chest or neck orientation also includes a portable controller communicating wirelessly with the microprocessor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified illustration of a body position training system including a body-mounted body position training device and a portable control device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified perspective illustration of the body-mounted body position training device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified perspective illustration of a body position training device constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C  are simplified pictorial illustrations of two phases in the operation of the body position training system for training; 
         FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C  are simplified pictorial illustrations of two phases in the operation of the body position training system for training; 
         FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C  are simplified pictorial illustrations of two phases in the operation of the body position training system for training; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are simplified illustrations of an alternative embodiment of the second sensor mounted on a hearing aid device; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are simplified illustrations of an alternative embodiment of the second sensor mounted on glasses; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are simplified illustrations of an alternative embodiment of the second sensor mounted on an earring; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are simplified illustrations of an alternative embodiment of the second sensor mounted on a hair bow; and 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are simplified illustrations of an alternative embodiment of the second sensor mounted on a hat. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which is a simplified illustration of a body position training system including a body-mounted body position training device  100  that is preferably worn by a user and a portable control device  110  that is preferably controlled by the user, and to  FIG. 2 , which illustrates the body position training device  100  seen in  FIG. 1 . 
     The body-mounted body position training device  100  is preferably controlled by portable control device  110 , which may be embodied in a generic smartphone, a smartwatch or any other suitable mobile communication device, which may or may not be specifically designed for use in the system. 
     The portable control device  110  preferably communicates wirelessly with the body-mounted body position training device  100  and wirelessly, typically via the Internet, with a server  120 . The user preferably is the only person who can control the body position training device  100 . 
     The server  120  may provide selectable access to one or more of the following: a user database  130 , a training program database  140  and an exercise protocol database  150 . Training programs from training program database  140  and exercise protocols from exercise protocol data base  150 , as well as other data and information, may be sent, via server  120 , to portable control device  110 , to be carried out by the user. 
     Programmed commands and conditions related to the assigned training programs and exercise protocols may be sent from the portable control device  110  to the body position training device  100 . According to these commands and conditions, the body position training device  100  collects data from the user and administers feedback to the user during monitoring and training. For example, such data and feedback could be related to the user&#39;s incorrect head orientation relative to his neck. 
     Information sent to a user&#39;s portable control device  110 , such as exercise protocols, training programs and data collected by the body position training device  100 , is preferably stored in the user&#39;s profile in the user database  130 . Furthermore, the aforementioned user profile may preferably be accessed, preferably by the user, via the server  120 . 
     During use of the system, data collected by the body position training device  100  is sent wirelessly by the body position training device  100  to the portable control device  110 . From the portable control device  110 , information and data preferably is exported to the server  120 . 
     Preferably, the body position training device  100  provides feedback to the user. The body position training device  100  preferably transmits data acquired during the exercises to the portable control device  110 , typically for viewing by the user and also, preferably, transmits the data acquired, via the portable control device  110 , to the server  120 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-2 , the body position training device  100  preferably includes an enclosure  200 . Enclosure  200  includes the body position training device components described hereinbelow and preferably also includes headphones (such as LG Tone, SOL REPUBLICK Shadow) or any other suitable electronic device. 
     Disposed within enclosure  200  is a printed circuit board  210 , on which are preferably mounted a microprocessor  212 , as well as a tactile feedback generator  214 , a battery  216 , a wireless transceiver  218 , a visual feedback generator  220 , a memory  221  and an auditory feedback generator  222 , all coupled to microprocessor  212 . Optionally, an orientation sensor  224  may also be mounted on printed circuit board  210  and coupled to the microprocessor  212 . In one embodiment, an auditory compatible device  270  is incorporated within enclosure  200  of the body position training device  100 . Preferably, the audio feedback occurs through the auditory compatible device  270  and optionally, feedback may be provided through auditory feedback generator  222 . 
     Preferably, an orientation sensor  226 , preferably mounted on a circuit board  230 , is also disposed within enclosure  200 . As noted above, an additional orientation sensor  224  is optionally mounted on circuit board  210 . Circuit board  230  is preferably not rigidly coupled to printed circuit board  210 . Circuit boards  230  and  210  are preferably connected via flexible wire conductors  240 . Orientation sensors  224  and  226  are preferably model numbers BHI  160  or BMI  160  manufactured by Bosch Sensor Tech from Gerhard-Kindler-StraBe 9 72770 Reutlingen/Kusterdingen, Germany. 
     Orientation sensors  224  and  226  preferably each include an accelerometer, for measuring the angle relative to gravity, and/or a gyroscope, for measuring the orientation of the body position training device  100 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , which illustrates an alternative embodiment of the body position training device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , the body position training device, here designated by reference numeral  300 , preferably includes an enclosure  301 , which includes body position training device components, as described in detail hereinbelow, and preferably also includes headphone components (such as LG Tone, SOL REPUBLICK Shadow) or any other suitable electronic device components. 
     Disposed within enclosure  301  is a printed circuit board  310 , on which are preferably mounted a microprocessor  312 , as well as a tactile feedback generator  314 , a battery  316 , a wireless transceiver  318 , a visual feedback generator  320 , a memory  321  and an auditory feedback generator  322 , all coupled to microprocessor  312 . An orientation sensor  324  is preferably mounted on circuit board  330 , which is connected, preferably via conductors  340 , to circuit board  310 . Optionally, an additional orientation sensor  342  may also be mounted on printed circuit board  310  and coupled to microprocessor  312 . 
     In one embodiment, an auditory compatible device  370  is incorporated within enclosure  301  of the body position training device  300 . In this embodiment, the audio feedback preferably occurs through the auditory compatible device  370  and optionally, audio feedback may be provided through auditory feedback generator  322 . 
     Also disposed within enclosure  301  of body position training device  300  is an additional orientation sensor  380 , preferably mounted on a circuit board  385 , which is not rigidly mounted to circuit board  310  and is located on the head of the user when in use, preferably in an earphone. Circuit board  385  is preferably connected to circuit board  310  via conductors  390 . Alternatively, circuit boards  310  and  385  connected via wireless connection. Orientation sensors  324 ,  342  and  380  are preferably model numbers BHI  160  or BMI  160  manufactured by Bosch Sensor Tech from Gerhard-Kindler-StraBe 9 72770 Reutlingen/Kusterdingen, Germany. 
     Orientation sensors  324 ,  342  and  380  preferably each include an accelerometer, for measuring the angle relative to gravity, and/or a gyroscope, for measuring the orientation of the body position training device  100 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of the operation of the body position training system for training. For simplicity, the description refers to body position training system of  FIGS. 1 and 2  including body-mounted body position training device  100  and portable control device  110 . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates an initial phase in which training instructions are downloaded to portable control device  110 . 
     The training instructions, downloaded to portable control device  110 , preferably include instructions to the user, which are intended for display on portable control device  110 , as shown, as well as instructions to body-mounted body position training device  100 , which are preferably relayed to body-mounted body position training device  100  via the portable control device  110 . The instructions to the body position training device preferably include at least one of:
         1. Feedback generation instructions based on a predetermined operative orientation of the body-mounted body position training device  100 , such as a 30 degree bend of the upper back, as shown in  FIG. 4C .   2. Feedback generation instructions based on exceedance of a predetermined operative orientation threshold of the body-mounted body position training device  100 , such as a bend of the upper back exceeding 15 degrees, as seen in  FIG. 4B .       

     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of the operation of the body position training system for training. For simplicity, the description refers to body position training device  300  shown in  FIG. 3  including body-mounted body position training device  300  and portable control device  110 . 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates an initial phase in which training instructions are downloaded to the portable control device  110 . 
     The training instructions, downloaded to portable control device  110 , preferably include instructions to the user, which are intended for display on portable control device  110 , as shown, as well as instructions to body-mounted body position training device  300 , which are preferably relayed to body-mounted body position training device  300  via the portable control device  110 . The instructions to the body position training device preferably include at least one of:
         1. Feedback generation instructions based on a predetermined operative orientation of the body-mounted body position training device  300 , such as a 30 degree bend of the upper back, as shown in  FIG. 5C .   2. Feedback generation instructions based on exceedance of a predetermined operative orientation threshold of the body-mounted body position training device  300 , such as a bend of the upper back exceeding 15 degrees as seen in  FIG. 5B .       

     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C , which are simplified pictorial illustrations of the operation of the body position training system for training. For simplicity, the description refers to body position training device  300  shown in  FIG. 3  including body-mounted body position training device  300  and portable control device  110 . 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates an initial phase in which training instructions are downloaded to the portable control device  110 . 
     The training instructions, downloaded to portable control device  110 , preferably include instructions to the user, which are intended for display on portable control device  110 , as shown, as well as instructions to the body-mounted body position training device  300 , which are preferably relayed to body-mounted body position training device  300  via the portable control device  110 . The instructions to the body position training device preferably include at least one of:
         1. Feedback generation instructions based on a predetermined operative orientation of the body-mounted body position training device  300 , such as a 45 degree bend of the neck, as shown in  FIG. 6C .   2. Feedback generation instructions based on exceedance of a predetermined operative orientation threshold of the body-mounted body position training device  300 , such as a bend of the neck exceeding 30 degrees as seen in  FIG. 6B .       

     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , which are simplified illustrations of the body-mounted body position training device  300  as seen in  FIG. 3 . Orientation sensor  385  forms part of a hearing aid device  700  and is wirelessly connected to microprocessor  312  via wireless transceiver  318 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , which are simplified illustrations of the body-mounted body position training device  300  as seen in  FIG. 3 . Orientation sensor  385  forms part of eyeglasses  800  and is wirelessly connected to microprocessor  312  via wireless transceiver  318 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , which are simplified illustrations of the body-mounted body position training device  300  as seen in  FIG. 3 . Orientation sensor  385  is attached to an earring  900  and is wirelessly connected to microprocessor  312  via a wireless transceiver  318 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , which are simplified illustrations of the body-mounted body position training device  300  as seen in  FIG. 3 . Orientation sensor  385  is attached to a hair-bow  1000  and is wirelessly connected to microprocessor  312  via wireless transceiver  318 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , which are simplified illustrations of the body-mounted body position training device  300  as seen in  FIG. 3 . Orientation sensor  385  is attached to a hat  1100  and is wirelessly connected to microprocessor  312  via a wireless transceiver  318 . 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly claimed and includes both combinations and subcombinations of features described and shown hereinabove as well as modifications thereof which are not in the prior art.