Abstract:
A system for and method of mapping and monitoring posture disclosed. The system includes sensor units that independently collect posture data corresponding to body locations or body positions on subjects and generate posture signals. The posture signals are wirelessly transmitted to one or more computers that are used to process the posture signals and generate posture feedback of the subjects in real-time. The sensor units are preferably accelerometer sensor units. Sensor units are assigned or learn the body locations or body positions, classify body locations or body positions, map and monitor posture, assign posture or activities of subjects and transmit the posture signals to the one or more computers by low-power radio transmitters to provide posture feedback. The system collectively is adaptive for mapping and monitoring posture from body locations or body positions corresponding to spines, arms, legs, necks, heads, thighs, hips, feet and hands of the subjects.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/987,537, filed on Aug. 5, 2013, and titled “POSTURE MONITORING SYSTEM”, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from the Co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/850,950, filed on Feb. 28, 2013, and titled “POSTURE DETECTION SYSTEM”. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/987,537, filed on Aug. 5, 2013, and titled “POSTURE MONITORING SYSTEM”, and the Co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/850,950, filed on Feb. 28, 2013, and titled “POSTURE DETECTION SYSTEM” are both hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0002]    This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from the Co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/497,100, filed on Nov. 9, 2016, and titled “POSTURE MONITORING SYSTEM”, the contents of which are also hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention relates to systems for and methods of mapping posture and monitoring posture. More specifically, this invention relates to systems and methods that use sensor technology to monitor body movement and body positions of human subjects to provide posture feedback to help maximize optimal posture for improved health and/or therapy while performing activities. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Posture has been linked to a person&#39;s overall wellness or health. While there are some body positions that are considered to represent optimized posture, body positions often need to be customized for a particular persons&#39;s situation. Further, proper range of motion and body positions often need to be customized to meet a person&#39;s therapeutic needs while preforming one or more activities. 
         [0005]    Achieving and maintaining good or proper posture often requires changes in behavior, habits and lifestyle. Achieving good posture is often a process, with optimized posture being the end goal. In order to achieve this goal, it is useful to have systems that map and monitor posture dynamically, continuously and/or in real-time. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to systems and methods that use sensor technology to monitor posture of individuals, hereafter subjects, and provide posture feedback of the subjects. The posture feedback is provided directly to the subjects or to a data-base that can be viewed by the subjects and/or healthcare providers. 
         [0007]    Posture, herein, refers to body positions and body movements. Posture, herein refers to static body positions while performing sedentary activities, such sitting or sleeping and to dynamic body positions and body movements while performing activities, such as running or swimming. The present invention is used to monitor overall posture of subjects or postures as it relates body positions or body locations of sensors on the subjects. For example, the system and method are used to monitor postures from spines, arms, legs, necks, heads, thighs, hips, feet and hands of the subjects, or any combinations thereof. 
         [0008]    Posture feedback is provided to encourage subjects to progress towards a posture goal for improving wellness, health and/or therapeutic results while performing activities. The posture goal may, or may not, represent what is considered to be an optimal posture because posture goals often need to be tailored to a particular situation or need of a subject. For example, posture goals for a subject with a spinal injury will be different than posture goals for a subject with a healthy spine. Also, posture goals for a subject undergoing physical therapy from a significant arm, leg or hip injury will be different than posture goals for a subject without a significant arm, leg or hip injury. 
         [0009]    The sensor technology that is used in the system and method of the present invention includes pressure or contact sensors, photo sensors, optical or camera sensors, flex sensors, accelerometers or any combination thereof. In operation, the sensors provide body location data, body position data and/or range of motion data, hereafter posture data, of a subject. The posture data is transmitted as posture signals to a computer system. The computer system then provides feedback to the subject and/or healthcare monitoring system based on a posture protocol that compares and analyzes the posture signals relative to a posture goal or predicted posture signals. 
         [0010]    The computer system preferably includes a server or central computer that is accessible over the internet and/or a cellular network from a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet and/or a smart phone, hereafter, mobile internet enabled device. The server or central computer includes a processor and memory for running programs that compare and analyze the posture signals sent from sensor units that are attached at or near body locations or positions on a subject. 
         [0011]    In operation, the mobile internet enabled device acquires the posture signals and transmits the posture signals to the server or central computer over a network (internet or cellular). The posture signals can be sent as raw posture data or the posture signals can be analyzed or partially analyzed and processed on the mobile internet enabled device. Regardless of where the posture signals are analyzed and processed, the posture signals are used to provided posture feedback. It will be clear to one skilled in the art that any number of intermediary computing devices can be used to run software that analyzes and processes posture signals to generate posture information that is then used to provide posture feedback. A server or central computer, a mobile internet enabled device or any intermediary computing devices is also referred to herein as computing unit. 
         [0012]    Posture feedback can take a number of forms. For example, posture feedback can be tactile feedback, audio feedback, visual feedback, or any combination thereof. Preferably, posture feedback is provided in the form of a graphical representation of the subjects posture relative to a posture goal. The graphical representation is preferably accessible or viewable by the subject via one or more mobile internet enabled device with a suitable display screen. 
         [0013]    Sensors are generally integrated into a housing with a wireless transmitter. A sensor, a housing, a transmitter, a battery and any other required electrical components is collectively referred to herein as a sensor unit. Multiple sensor units used in the system and method of the present invention are referred to, herein, as a sensor structure. A sensor structure or a portion of the sensor structure with multiple sensors units coupled together is referred to, herein, as a sensor module. Sensor structures and sensor modules of the present invention have several sensing zones. The sensing zones, sensors and/or sensor units can be integrated into wearable article, such as an article of clothing and/or include multiple detached sensors and/or sensor units that are configured to be positioned at or near various body locations or body positions of a subject. 
         [0014]    Where a portion the sensor structure or a sensor module is integrated in to an wearable article, the article is, but not limited to, a belt, a vest, a band, a brace, sportswear, footwear or combinations thereof. In operation, portions of the sensor structure, such as a sensor module and/or sensor units, are attached to skin of the subject through a tape and/or adhesive or are held against or near skin of the subject via the wearable article. 
         [0015]    As described above, the system and method of the present invention use sensors to map, monitor and/measure posture. The sensors are preferably accelerometer sensors. Alternative embodiments of the invention the system and method use contact sensors and/or pressure sensors, alone or in combination with accelerometer sensors. Contact sensors include, but are not limited to, flex sensors, stretch sensors and pressure sensors. Flex sensors, also known as bend sensors, are uni-directional and bi-directional. In general, all flex sensors change resistance when bent or deformed in one or more directions. Pressure sensors usually include a piezo-resistive materials. For example, a pressure sensor includes a film with a carbon-impregnated polyolefin fiber that is laminated between a highly conductive, thin and flexible textile, such as Copper-polyester taffeta fabric and/or a Nickel-copper shielding material. Further details about contact sensors and pressure sensors are provided in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/987,537, filed on Aug. 5, 2013, and titled “POSTURE MONITORING SYSTEM”, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
         [0016]    The sensor units that are used in the present invention include a wireless transmitter and electrical connections that allow the sensor units to communicate with a computing unit. The wireless transmitter is preferably a radio transmitter that transmits low-power radio signals over a peer-to peer network, such as a bluetooth network. The computing unit preferably includes a radio receiver or transducer for receiving posture signals from each of sensor units independently. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a block-flow diagram outlining the system for and the method of mapping and monitoring posture, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a sensor unit, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates a high level-block-flow diagram for analyzing posture signals from multiple posture sensors, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a sensor module that charges multiple sensor batteries used for mapping and monitoring posture, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a sensor placement template for spacing multiple sensors on a subject, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3C  illustrates applying multiple sensors to along a spine of a subject using the sensor placement template shown in  FIG. 3B , in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3D  illustrates multiple sensors positioned along a spine of a subject for mapping and monitoring posture, in accordance with the invention. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 4A-C  illustrate configurations for positioning multiple sensors on a subject for mapping and monitoring posture, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 5A-C  illustrate posture feedback graphical screen-shot representations corresponding to different spinal positions of a subject, in accordance with the invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 6A-B  illustrate positioning multiple sensors along appendages of a subject for mapping and monitoring posture, in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    The present invention is directed to a system for and a method of mapping and monitoring posture.  FIG. 1A  illustrates block-flow diagram outlining the system for and the method of mapping and monitoring posture. The system of the present invention includes sensors units  101  for generating posture data. The sensors units  101  include any number and types of sensors, such as described above, but preferably include multiple accelerometer sensors. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1B , each accelerometer sensor  153  is preferably contained within a housing  159 . The accelerometer sensor  153 , the housing  159  and any other electrical component contained within the housing  159  or attached to the housing  159  are collectively referred to herein as a sensor unit  151 . The sensor unit  151  also has a radio transmitter or transducer  155  for transmitting low-power radio signals (posture signals) to a mobile internet enabled device  103 , such as a smart phone ( FIG. 1A ) over a peer-to peer network. The sensor unit  151  also include a battery  157  for powering the transmitter or transducer  155  and connectors  161  and  163  for charging the battery  157 . The sensor unit  151  can also include a micro-processor for processing raw posture data generated by a accelerometer sensor  153  and instructing the transmitter or transducer  155  when and how to transmit posture signals to the mobile internet enabled device  103 . 
         [0029]    Referring back to  FIG. 1A , the sensor units  101 , such as the sensor unit  151  ( FIG. 1B ) are attached or coupled to a subject, referred to as sensor locations. The sensor locations can correspond to any number of body locations or body positions or combinations of body locations or body positions on the subject. In operation, the sensors  153  continuously generate posture data corresponding the respective body locations or body positions on the subject and the transmitters or transducers  155  continuously transmitted posture signals to the mobile internet enabled device or computer unit  103  in real-time, as indicated by the arrow  111 . The posture signals are stored in memory of the mobile internet enabled device or computer unit  103  and are then analyzed by software running on the mobile internet enabled device or computer unit  103  to provide posture feedback, indicated by the arrow  107 . 
         [0030]    Alternatively or in addition to the mobile internet enabled device  103  analyzing the posture signals and providing posture feedback, the posture signals are transmitted to a server or central computer  105 , indicated by the arrow  107 , through the internet, where the posture signals are stored in memory on the server or central computer  105  and analyzed by software running on a processor of the server or central computer  105 . In this application, the mobile internet enabled device or computer unit  103  is acting as internet transmitter to relay the posture signals to the server or central computer  105 . 
         [0031]    The server or central computer  105  then can provide posture feedback to the subject  99  over the internet as indicated by the arrow  115 , or via the mobile internet enabled device  103 , as indicated by the arrow  113 . It will be clear to one skilled in the art, that various portions of the analysis of posture signals transmitted from the sensor units  101  or  151  ( FIG. 1B ) can take place between the mobile internet enabled device  103  and the server or central computer  105 , or between any number of intermediary computing devices. Where large qualities of posture data and posture signals are compiled or collected, analysis of the posture signals on the server or central computer  105  is preferred. The server or central computer  105  can be used to store posture information and provide support for personal posture accounts to any number of subjects. In operation, the server or central computer  105  supports web-pages that allow subjects to log into their posture account and view posture information, posture feedback and/or allow authorized administrators to analyze posture information or posture signals collected from multiple subjects. 
         [0032]    Sensor units  101  or  151  ( FIG. 1B ) are assigned body locations or body positions on a subject  99  using any number of suitable methods. For example, sensor units  101  or  151  ( FIG. 1B ) can transmit a radio signal that provides an address that corresponds to an assigned body location or body position of the subject  99 . For example, sensor units  101  or  151  ( FIG. 1B ) can be assigned one through four, corresponding to ascending locations or positions along a spine of the subject  99 , body locations or body positions along an appendage of the subject  99  and/or any combination thereof. Alternatively, sensor units  101  or  151  ( FIG. 1B ) can include input selectors  161  ( FIG. 1B ) that allows the assigned body position on the subject  99  to be selected and or changed. In yet further embodiments of the invention, the sensor units  101  or  151  ( FIG. 1B ) are intelligent sensor units  101  or  151  ( FIG. 1B ). Intelligent sensor units  101  or  151  ( FIG. 1B ) transmit samples of posture signals while in a learning mode. Based on an analysis of the samples of posture signals via the mobile internet enabled device  103  and/or the server or central computer  105 , the sensors units  101  or  151  ( FIG. 1B ) are assigns body locations or body positions on the subject  99 . Regardless of how the sensor units  101  or  151  ( FIG. 1B ) are assigned to body locations or body positions on the subject, the sensor units  101  or  151  ( FIG. 1B ) can be configured to use machine learning techniques and/or algorithms to better classify body locations or body positions, map and monitor posture, assign posture or activities of subjects and provide more accurate posture feedback. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a high-level method block-diagram  200  for analyzing or predicting posture from posture signals collected from multiple posture sensor units  151 ′, such as the sensor units  101  ( FIG. 1A ) or  151  ( FIG. 1B ). In operation the raw sensor signals  201  are collected from the sensors  151 ′. In the step  203  the raw sensor signals  201  are classified. For example, posture signals  201  are classified for potential movements, locations, activities and etc to generate classified posture signals  203 . The classified posture signals  205  are then matched statistically to a predicted or expected posture signals in  205 . If the predicted or expected posture signals  205  match, the posture signal  201 , they are assigned a classification and analyzed in a meta-classifier layer  207 . In the meta-classifier layer  207 , the classified signals  205  are collectively analyzed with each other or against each other to generate a final posture prediction  209 . For example, if a subject is sitting, but moving his or her arms. The arms may be assigned to a running activity and the legs may be assigned to a standing activity. While the running activity and the sitting activity may match the predicted posture signals corresponding to running and standing, the subject is not running and the subject is not standing still. In the meta-classifier layer  207 , the classified posture signals  205  are collectively analyzed to generate a posture prediction  209  corresponding to the subject lifting weights with his or her arms. As described above, the system of the present invention can use machine learning techniques and/or algorithms to better classify body locations or body positions, map and monitor posture, assign posture or activities of subjects and provide more accurate posture feedback. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a view  300  of a sensor module  301  for holding multiple sensor units  151 ″, such as  151  ( FIG. 1B ) for mapping and monitoring posture. The sensor module  301  has several cradles or slot features  303 ,  305  and  307  for holding the multiple sensor units  151 ″ and connectors  304  for electrical coupling the multiple sensor units  151 ″ to the sensor module  301 . The sensor module includes connectors  311  and  311 ′ for electrically coupling the sensor module  301  to a charger and/or a computer (not shown). 
         [0035]    In operation the sensor units  151 ″ are placed in cradles or slot features  303 ,  305  and  307  of the posture module  301  and sensor unit batteries  157  ( FIG. 1B ) are charged through the connectors  304 . The connectors are powered through the connectors  311  and  311  that electrically couple to a charging unit (not shown). The sensor units  151 ″ are placed against or near assigned body locations or body positions of a subject. The sensor units  151 ″ are assigned body locations or body positions body of the subject using any of the techniques described above. The sensor units  151 ″ then generate posture signals that are transmitted by a radio transmitter or transducer  155  ( FIG. 1B ) to a mobile internet enabled device  103  and/or a server or a central computer  105  ( FIG. 1A ). 
         [0036]      FIG. 3B  shows a view  350  of a sensor placement template  371  with a sensor template  351  and multiple sensors  361 ,  363 ,  365  and  367 . Referring to  FIG. 3C , in operation the sensor placement template  371  is placed along a body location of a subject  367 , in this case along a spine of the subject. The sensor template  351  is then removed leaving the sensors  361 ,  363 ,  365  and  367  attached along the body location, as shown in  FIG. 3D . It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the sensor units can be placed at any number of body location and/or body positions or combinations thereof. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4A-C  show alternative body locations or positions of sensors units  405  and  407 . In  FIG. 4A , a strip of sensor units or sensor module  405  is placed along a spine of a subject  403 . In addition, a sensor unit  407  is placed on or near a head of the subject  403 . In  FIG. 4B , a strip of sensor units or sensor module  405  is placed along a spine of a subject  403 . In addition, a sensor unit  407  is placed on or near a neck or collar bone area of the subject  403 . In  FIG. 4C , a strip of sensor units or sensor module  405  is placed along a spine of a subject  403  and a sensor unit  407  is placed on or near a hip or thigh area of the subject  403 . In operation the strip of sensor units or sensor module  405  and the sensor unit  407  act collectively to generate posture signals that are used to provide posture feedback. The strip of sensor units or sensor module  405  are coupled together through a module structure  301 , or are uncoupled, such as shown in  FIG. 3D . The sensor units  405 / 407  used are preferable sensor units, similar to the sensor unit  151  described with reference to  FIG. 1B . 
         [0038]      FIG. 5A-C  show views  500 ,  525  and  550 , respectively, of arrays or sets or sensor units, such as sensor units  151  ( FIG. 1B ), sensor units  151 ′ ( FIG. 2 ) and sensor units  151 ″ ( FIG. 3A ) and corresponding graphical feedback representations of a subjects posture. In  FIG. 5A , a subject  503  is standing straight with an array or set of sensor units  505  placed along a spine of the subject  503 . On a corresponding screen shot  501  on a suitable computer or display (not shown), the set of sensor units  505  is used to generate a line  507  that represents curvature of the spine. The screen-shot  501  can also include a comparison line that represents an ideal curvature of the spine to further provide the subject  503  with posture feedback. In  FIG. 5B , the subject  533  is leaning forward with the array or the set of sensor units  535  placed along the spine of the subject  533 . On a corresponding screen-shot  526  on the computer or display, the set of sensor units  535  is used to generate a line  537  that represents curvature of the spine. In  FIG. 5C , the subject  553  is leaning backwards with the array or the set of sensor units  555  placed along the spine of the subject  553 . On a corresponding screen-shot  551  on the computer or display, the set of sensor units  555  is used to generate a line  557  that represents curvature of the spine. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 6A-B  show views  600  and  625 , respectively, of arrays or sets or sensor units  601  and  626 , such as sensor units  151  ( FIG. 1B ), sensor units  151 ′ ( FIG. 2 ) and sensor units  151 ″ ( FIG. 3A ) placed along an arm  603  of a subject and a leg  633  a subject. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the arrays or sets or sensor units  601  and  626  are used alone or in combination with others arrays or sets or sensor units, such as described with reference to  FIGS. 4A-C  and  FIGS. 5A-C , to dynamically monitor posture of the subject in real time. 
         [0040]    The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. As such, references, herein to specific embodiments and details thereof are not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, sensor units can be configured to communicate with each other through low-power radio signals, run application firmware, include user interfaces to change settings and/or include displays to indicate modes of operation. Also, while sensor units have been mostly shown herein as being placed along a spine or appendages of a subject, sensor units can be placed at any body location or body position or combinations of body locations or body positions of the subject to map and monitor posture of the subject.