Patent US5570301A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5570301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System for unencumbered measurement and reporting of body posture
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1994-07-15
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Granted: 1996-10-29
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Expires: 2014-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A system for unencumbered measurement of body posture or attitude utilizeson-encumbering force or proximity sensors to monitor an individual, where the individual need not be aware of the presence or action of the sensors. Outputs from these sensors are analyzed to infer body posture or attitude. In one embodiment, a set of sensors is attached to a chair, or other surroundings such as the floor, at locations where a person may be in contact with or in close proximity to one or more of the sensors or where movement of the chair could be detected. Each sensor has an output which provides a signal indicative of a response of the sensor to forces exerted by or motions of the individual. The outputs of the sensors are processed to estimate the body posture of the individual.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Barrus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/011; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1116; A61B5/68; A61B5/6887; A61B5/6892; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/44; G01G23/00; G01G23/18; G01G23/36; G01G23/37; G01G23/3728; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/20; G01L1/205; G01L5/00; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/02; A61B2562/0247; A61B2562/0252; A61B2562/04; A61B2562/046; A63; A63B; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/50; A63B2220/51; A63B2220/52; A63B2220/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A computer system for non-encumbered measurement of positional attitude of an individual, comprising: a non-encumbering device adapted to be used by said individual when operating said computer system; a plurality of sensors associated with said device, each sensor having an output which provides a signal indicative of a response of the sensor to the individual using said device; means for estimating a positional attitude of the individual relating to said device from the signals output by said plurality of sensors; and, means for displaying an animated image of the individual on said computer display in a positional attitude which mimics the estimated positional attitude of the individual.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A computer system for non-encumbered measurement of positional attitude of an individual, comprising: a non-encumbering device adapted to be used by said individual when operating said computer system; a plurality of sensors associated with said device, each sensor having an output which provides a signal indicative of a response of the sensor to the individual using said device; means for estimating a positional attitude of the individual relating to said device from the signals output by said plurality of sensors; and, means for displaying an animated image of the individual on said computer display in a positional attitude which mimics the estimated positional attitude of the individual.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said device includes a floor and said plurality of sensors are attached to the floor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said estimating means includes means for comparing the outputs of the sensors to pre-determined outputs of said sensors corresponding to a plurality of pre-determined postures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein estimating means includes a kinematic model of the human body which processes the sensor inputs to identify a posture of the human body in which the body is in equilibrium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensors are force sensitive resistors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensors are proximity sensors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said estimating means includes: means for selecting a plurality of pre-determined postures; means for directing the individual to assume each of the selected postures; and means for storing the status of the outputs of said sensors in response to each of the selected postures assumed by the individual.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said device includes a chair.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 wherein estimating means includes a dynamic model of the human body which processes the sensor inputs to identify a posture of the human body in which the body is in equilibrium.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
63 words
A system for non-encumbered measurement of body posture of an individual, comprising: means for monitoring forces an individual exerts on an environment in a non-encumbering manner; means for processing the monitored forces to infer the body posture of the individual; and, means for displaying an animated character on a computer display such that the animated character mimics the body posture of the individual.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
63 words
A system for non-encumbered measurement of body posture of an individual, comprising: means for monitoring forces an individual exerts on an environment in a non-encumbering manner; means for processing the monitored forces to infer the body posture of the individual; and, means for displaying an animated character on a computer display such that the animated character mimics the body posture of the individual.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 10, wherein the means for monitoring includes an plurality of force sensing resistors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the force sensing resistors are attached to a chair, at locations where a person may be in contact with one or more of the sensors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the force sensing resistors are attached to a floor, at locations where a person may be in contact with one or more of the sensors.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
63 words
A system for non-encumbered measurement of body posture of an individual, comprising: means for monitoring motions of an individual in an environment in a non-encumbering manner; means for processing the monitored motions to infer the body posture of the individual; and, means for displaying an animated character on a computer display such that the animated character mimics the body posture of the individual.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
63 words
A system for non-encumbered measurement of body posture of an individual, comprising: means for monitoring motions of an individual in an environment in a non-encumbering manner; means for processing the monitored motions to infer the body posture of the individual; and, means for displaying an animated character on a computer display such that the animated character mimics the body posture of the individual.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 14, wherein the means for monitoring includes an plurality of proximity sensors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the proximity sensors are attached to a chair, at locations where a person may be in close proximity to one or more of the sensors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the proximity sensors are attached to a floor, at locations where a person may be in close proximity to one or more of the sensors.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
105 words
A computer system for non-encumbered measurement of positional attitude of an individual comprising: a non-encumbered device adapted to be used by said individual in operating said computer system; a plurality of sensors associated with said device, each sensor having an output which provides a signal indicative of a response of a sensor to the individual using said device; and, means for estimating a positional attitude of the individual relating to said device from the signals output by said plurality of sensors, said estimating means including means for comparing the outputs of the sensors to predetermined of said sensors corresponding to a plurality of predetermined postures.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
105 words
A computer system for non-encumbered measurement of positional attitude of an individual comprising: a non-encumbered device adapted to be used by said individual in operating said computer system; a plurality of sensors associated with said device, each sensor having an output which provides a signal indicative of a response of a sensor to the individual using said device; and, means for estimating a positional attitude of the individual relating to said device from the signals output by said plurality of sensors, said estimating means including means for comparing the outputs of the sensors to predetermined of said sensors corresponding to a plurality of predetermined postures.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
129 words
A computer system for non-encumbered measurement of positional attitude of an individual comprising: a non-encumbered device adapted to be used by said individual in operating said computer system; a plurality of sensors associated with said device, each sensor having an output which provides a signal indicative of a response of a sensor to the individual using said device; and, means for estimating a positional attitude of the individual relating to said device from the signals output by said plurality of sensors, said estimating means including means for selecting a plurality of predetermined postures, means for directing the individual to assume each of the selected postures and means for storing the status of the outputs of said sensors in response to each of the select postures assumed by the individual.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
129 words
A computer system for non-encumbered measurement of positional attitude of an individual comprising: a non-encumbered device adapted to be used by said individual in operating said computer system; a plurality of sensors associated with said device, each sensor having an output which provides a signal indicative of a response of a sensor to the individual using said device; and, means for estimating a positional attitude of the individual relating to said device from the signals output by said plurality of sensors, said estimating means including means for selecting a plurality of predetermined postures, means for directing the individual to assume each of the selected postures and means for storing the status of the outputs of said sensors in response to each of the select postures assumed by the individual.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer system for non-encumbered measurement of positional attitude of an individual comprising: a non-encumbered device adapted to be used by said individual in operating said computer system; a plurality of sensors associated with said device, each sensor having an output which provides a signal indicative of a response of a sensor to the individual using said device; and, means for estimating a positional attitude of the individual relating to said device from the signals output by said plurality of sensors, said estimating means including a dynamic model of human body which processes the sensor inputs to identify a posture of the human body in which the body is in equilibrium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer system for non-encumbered measurement of positional attitude of an individual comprising: a non-encumbered device adapted to be used by said individual in operating said computer system; a plurality of sensors associated with said device, each sensor having an output which provides a signal indicative of a response of a sensor to the individual using said device; and, means for estimating a positional attitude of the individual relating to said device from the signals output by said plurality of sensors, said estimating means including a dynamic model of human body which processes the sensor inputs to identify a posture of the human body in which the body is in equilibrium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-29 | 2000-04-29 | 2000-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-29 | 2004-04-29 | 2004-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-29 | 2008-04-29 | 2008-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |