CA3003320C - Method to assist with using a seating device, and electronic object implementing said associated method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) to assist with using a tilting seating device, said device comprising a spherical foot (1), a seating portion (3), a body rigidly engaging at a first end with said foot (1) and at a second end with the seating portion (3), and a position-measurement sensor (23, 24) rigidly engaging with said device. The invention also relates to a remote electronic object (50) implementing said method by the processing unit thereof, the remote electronic object (50) furthermore including output means (30) and communication means providing communication with said seating device. Said electrical object also comprises a memory of programs comprising instructions of a computer program product (P), the execution or interpretation of which by the processing unit causes the implementation of the assistance method (100).

Description

Method for assisting in the use of a seating device, electronic object implementing said method and associated system The invention relates to a method of assisting in the use of a seating device, said method being implemented by a remote electronic object advantageously communicating with said device seat. Said method can be used for all types in use and preferably but not limited to, as part of the implementation of rehabilitation and / or muscle strengthening.
As an example of a preferred application but not limiting, the invention will be described through a application in connection with a dynamic pendulum stool allowing isometric contraction of groups muscles of the lower limbs and waist abdominal when sitting.
Around the world, dozens, if not hundreds, of million people work and spend their days sitting in a seat in front of a desk. In the area of seats or the like, such as stools or more generally seating devices, seats are often designed so that the body of the person sitting in front of the desk, be taken supported in an ideal sitting position in which anatomical constraints are avoided to guarantee the user comfort. These seats are generally consisting of a base carrying a seat and a backrest, the backrest can be articulated to the base with a reminder to improve the comfort of the seat. However, such office chairs have

2 the disadvantage of not straining the muscles of the legs and back, so the users of these seats risk degeneration of the spinal muscles and vertebral damage, such as, for example, wear and tear discs due to poor posture. To overcome these disadvantages, in order to have good posture, some sedentary workers have taken the side to use a Pezzie balloon for example. Such Pezzie balloons allow a user to sit on it and work the leg muscles and back. However, such a Pezzie balloon prove be particularly bulky and therefore unsuitable for use in an office in particular.
Many gymnastic devices have also been developed, such as, for example, cycling, the press or the rower, making it possible to work the leg muscles and abdominal muscles. However, such devices have the drawback, in addition to the fact that they cannot be used in an office, to require movements limiting the use of said devices, either by a lack of mobility of the user, either by a lack of space. Alternatively, to make up for the lack of space, devices electrostimulation types, allowing contraction isometric leg muscles and muscles abdominals, can be used. However, they are difficult to implement especially in an office, the placement of electrodes requiring stripping.
In order to remedy all or part of the disadvantages previously mentioned, many seats or stools said dynamic have already imagined, such as, for example, those described in connection with the documents of

3 German patents DE 2314717 and DE 19533558 in particular. The German patent application DE 2314717 describes a seat comprising two ball joints fitted with springs in which the user is in unstable equilibrium, so that he can return to a normal position by means of a lateral deviation by active footwork. Requirement German patent DE 19533558 describes, for its part, dynamic active seat with a foot which has a curved base surface, with concavity facing upwards, to allow a tilting movement, a column integral with the foot and a seat mounted at one point of support at the upper end of said column. The curved base surface of the foot rests directly on the ground and has a spherical curvature in at least one partial area. The seat is mounted at its fulcrum so that you can tilt from any side. Said point support is either located below the center of curvature of the base surface, either adjustable within a height range whose lower limit is located in below the center of curvature and whose limit upper is located above the center of curvature.
The seat is mounted on a connecting element consisting by an elastic element, forming a spring and taking support on a support secured to the upper end of the column. Such devices, described for example in connection with the German patent documents DE
2314717 and DE 19533558, have the disadvantage of being bulky and not allow a contraction isometric of muscle groups of limbs especially lower.

4 By offering a dynamic pendulum stool, simple and inexpensive design, as disclosed in document W02014 / 174227, further allowing a isometric contraction of muscle groups of lower limbs and abdominal belt in sitting position, a lot of disadvantages previously described have been removed. Indeed, unlike previous devices, such device has a very small footprint allowing a punctual use, instead of a classic office chair, or use keep on going.
Such a dynamic pendulum stool, according to a mode non-limiting embodiment, and its operation are described in particular in connection with Figures 1 and 2. Said stool T has a leg 1, an integral column 2 said foot 1 and a seat 3 secured to the end upper of said column 2. Said column 2 can advantageously consist of a telescopic column comprising a lower part 2a secured to a foot spherical 1, possibly having a diameter less than or equal to twenty centimeters, and part upper 2b whose free end is provided with a articulation 9 comprising three degrees of freedom and secured to the underside of the seat 3. As example, according to Figures 1 and 2, the column can be consisting of two circular section tubes, one first tube forming the lower part 2a provided at its lower end of a threaded rod 4 extending coaxially with said tube, and a second tube forming the upper part 2b, said second tube having a outer diameter just less than the diameter inside the tube from the bottom so that the upper part 2b can slide in the part lower 2a. Such sliding makes it possible in particular to ability to adjust length of column based on

5 user morphology and / or difficulty sought in the context of work on the muscles of legs.
The spherical base 1 can advantageously be obtained in a non-slip material and, preferably, in a elastomer, in order to prevent the stool T from slipping on smooth floors, such as on tiles for example.
Furthermore, the spherical base 1 may include a sleeve 6 extending radially and provided with a thread internal 7 cooperating with a threaded rod 4 integral with the lower end of the lower part of the column. In addition, the seat 3 has a shape substantially parallelepipedic whose width is substantially equal to the width of a person's pelvis of average weight. The upper part of said seat 3 may have a resilient layer 8 allowing improve user comfort. Said seat is articulated at the upper end of the part upper 2b of column 2 by joint 9. In this embodiment, said articulation 9 consists of a ball joint comprising a seat 10 secured to the underside of the seat 3, in its central part, and receiving a ball 11 secured to the upper free end of the part upper 2b of column 2. Advantageously, the seat 10 of the joint 9 can be secured to the seat 3 by a threaded rod 12 integral with said seat 10 and cooperating with a thread 13 practiced in

6 said seat 3. Thus, the seat 3 can be changed quickly, depending on user preferences especially.
As mentioned earlier, the operation of the stool T is described with reference to Figure 2.
The user sets the length of the column 2, in particular according to its morphology, then he places the seat 3 under his buttocks, the foot 1 being in support on the ground. In this way, column 2 can form an angle between 30 and 90 with a plane horizontal formed by the ground, said angle depending on the user size and selected length of said column 2. So when the user has taken place on the stool T, plus the angle of the column with the weaker the horizontal plane, the more the work of muscle groups of the lower extremities is large.
In this position of use, the stool causes then an isometric muscle contraction of the muscles twins, hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, back lumbar and absidial. Muscle contraction isometric is carried out by proprioception work and balancing of the user who compensates instability of the stool. Indeed, the articulation of the seat 3 on the column 2 and the only fulcrum of the spherical foot 1 provide a lateral tilt, front and rear forcing the user to have a stable position in which the shoulder line is parallel to that of the pelvis, support on the feet causing isometric contraction of the muscles of the lower limbs and compensated unstable gluteal support by proprioception and muscle contraction lumbar and abdominal.

7 Incidentally, it is expected that column 2 and / or the seat of said stool T may include a sensor position (not shown in Figures 1 or 2), as an accelerometer for example, connected to a means of wireless communication, such as a Bluetooth transmitter, Wifi or similar. In this way, the position of the column 2 and / or seat 3 may be transmitted to a remote electronic object, such as a smart cell phone (also known as Anglo-Saxon name Smartphone), a tablet IT (also known as Anglo-Saxon Digital Tablet), and / or a computer staff. The electronic object can advantageously include a computer program for display the current position of the column 2 and / or seat 3 relative to a position ideal predetermined.
As previously stated, the stool T can be advantageously arranged to allow contraction isometric of muscle groups of limbs lower and abdominal belt in position seated. So the stool is particularly useful and usable in offices, but is also usable in physical rehabilitation programs and / or muscle building. However, well that offering a tool, in the form of a device of particular seat, adapted to set up rehabilitation or reinforcement protocols, the stool pendulum, like all seating devices previously mentioned, presents a number disadvantages. Indeed, many are the users a seating device which, after taking a position

8 on said seating device, do not know the exercises and / or movements, including amplitude, speed and repeatability are predetermined to meet specific constraints and aim for a muscle development and / or rehabilitation functional. It is thus necessary, even in in some cases mandatory, to use a supervisor, a therapist, such as for example a physiotherapist, or a coach or sports trainer to learn, or even deepen, if necessary, the appropriate sequences.
On the other hand, it can be relatively ungrateful to long to sit on a stool, or more generally any seating arrangement provided for sometimes repetitive rehabilitation and / or reinforcement and boring. When it comes to exercising alone, say independently without the help of a guide, users often find it difficult to invest themselves and draw stimulation first and the energy necessary to train, but also to adhere to a complete training protocol and the repeat regularly. Finally, when users improperly use the seating device, they may not reach their goal and eventually weary of the tool for lack of perception of a progress in their practice and end up to discourage.
The invention makes it possible to respond to all or part of the drawbacks raised by the known solutions.
Among the many advantages brought by a process assistance in using a compliant seating device WO 2017/07219

9 to the invention we can mention that this one allows:
- to propose a process allowing a proper operation of a device seat, more specifically a stool pendulum dynamics, optimizing all possibilities offered by said device seat;
- provide an effective solution to create regular and profitable membership of a seating device, improving the benefit by stimulating the patient and / or user, without need to have a therapist or sports coach, by offering assistance to the use of the fun device and recreational;
- make the most of the devices already employed today, by privileging the autonomy of its user.
To this end, there is in particular a method of assistance when using a seating device, said device comprising a spherical base, a seat, a body cooperating integrally at a first end with said foot and at a second end with the seat, a cooperating position measurement sensor jointly with said device, said method being implemented by an object processing unit remote electronics, the remote electronics object further comprising outlet means and means for communication ensuring communication with said seating device. Said method comprises:

- a step to decode a position message from the pendulum seating device, said message being received by the means of communication of the distant electronic object carrying 5 position data, and to extract the content said position data, - a step to trigger the display, by the means of exit, of a first indicator translating said extracted position data.

10 To ensure proper use of the device by the user by imposing objectives targets, a method of assisting in the use of a device seat according to the invention further comprises a step to develop reference position data determined translating a target to be reached and a stage subsequent to trigger the display, by the means output, a second indicator translating said reference position data.
In order to encourage the user to subscribe to a therapeutic rehabilitation protocol and / or muscle building, the first and / or second indicators, displayed by the output means in accordance with a method of assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention can consist of first and / or second avatars.
To allow a user to reproduce exercises and / or movements, including the amplitude, speed and repeatability are predetermined for meet specific constraints and aim for a muscle development and / or rehabilitation goal functional, a method of assisting in the use of a seating device can be used iteratively.

11 In addition, the step to develop position data benchmark of such a process can develop values position data different from those developed during the previous iteration.
Advantageously but not limited to, the values reference position data of a process according to the invention can be determined according to a function or scenario taking into account the values of previous reference position data.
As a variant or in addition, the data values reference position of a process according to the invention can be determined from a list of ordered reference position values and predetermined.
To allow the user of a device to observe his progress in the use of such a device, a method of assisting in the use of this last conforming to the information may further include a step to record occurrences, when from which the values of the extracted position data device and reference position data are substantially identical.
Preferably but not limited to, a method of assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention may further comprise a step to trigger the display, by the output means of the electronic object, the current value of the counter occurrences.
In order to allow customization of the process assistance in using a compliant seating device to the invention and to improve the adhesion of a user said process, the latter may also include a

12 step, prior to displaying the first or second indicator, to select from a plurality of specific graphic representations, a first graphical representation, as soon as values differ between the extracted position data and reference position data, and / or a second graphical representation, as soon as values match between the extracted position data and reference position data.
As a variant or in addition, in order to increase the possibilities of using said seating device, this the latter may further include a sensor for measuring pressure exerted along an axis passing through the body from the seat to the spherical base. According to this particular arrangement, a method of assisting the use of a seating device may further comprise:
- a step to decode a pressure message relating to said pendulum seating device, said message being received by means of communication of the remote electronic object and conveying pressure data, and for extract the content of said pressure data, - a step to implement a treatment determined in response to pressure data greater than a determined threshold.
As a preferred but nonlimiting example, the specific treatment of a process according to the invention may consist of a step to develop an order for validation of a graphic menu returned by means of output of the electronic object.
As a variant or in addition, in order to facilitate the use of said seating device, the latter may

13 include or cooperate with a support accessory under the shaped like a stick, said accessory comprising a sensor of position measurement delivering position data accessory transmitted in the position message together with the body position data of the device. According to this specific arrangement, the step for decode a position message of a process in accordance with the invention can also consist in extracting from said message the values of the accessory position data.
Furthermore, said process may include a step to trigger the display, by the output means, a third indicator translating said data from accessory position.
According to a second object, whatever the variant of an aid process in accordance with the invention, and in order to adapt an electronic object communicating so that he can implement such method, the invention relates to a program product computer comprising a plurality of instructions program which, when they are:
- previously saved in a memory of programs of an electronic object, comprising in in addition to a processing unit, means of communication ensuring communication with a remote seating device, exit means, said program memory, the means of cooperating communication and restitution with said processing unit;
- executed or interpreted by said unit of treatment,

14 cause the implementation of a method of assisting in the use of said seating device in accordance with first object of the invention.
According to a third subject, the invention relates, in in addition, an electronic object comprising a unit of processing, program memory, means of communication ensuring proximity communication with a remote seating device, means of restitution, said program memory, said means of communication and said means of restitution cooperating with said processing unit. So that a electronic object can guarantee assistance to the use of a seating device, the memory of programs of such an electronic object includes the instructions from a compliant computer program product the second object of the invention.
Finally, according to a fourth object, the invention relates to a help system for using a device seat comprising said seat device, an object remote electronics in communication with said seating device, said electronic object being in accordance with the third object of the invention, that is to say implementing a method of assisting in the use of the seating device according to said invention.
As a variant or in addition, a system conforming to the invention may also include a support accessory in the form of a stick cooperating with said device seat. According to this particular arrangement, the object electronics according to the invention also can have instructions in its program memory of a computer program product conforming to the invention, allowing said object to exploit the data transmitted by said accessory via said seating device.

Other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows and to the examination of the figures which accompany it among which:
10 - Figure 1, previously described, illustrates a view in longitudinal section of an embodiment preferred but not limiting of a seating device known, in the form of a pendulum stool dynamic;

FIG. 2, previously described, shows diagrammatically a perspective view of a user taking position on a known seating device, under the shape of a dynamic pendulum stool;
- Figure 3 presents a graphic description of a first embodiment of a support system for the use of a seating device in accordance with the invention;
- Figure 4 schematically describes an example of output means, in the form of an interface graphic, electronic object of a system assistance with the use of a seating device according to the invention;
- Figure 5 illustrates a simplified flowchart of a method of assisting in the use of a device seat according to the invention;
- Figure 6 presents a graphic description of a second embodiment of a support system for

16 the use of a seating device in accordance with the invention.
Figures 3 and 6 show descriptions graphics of first and second embodiments a help system for using a device seat according to the invention, comprising in particular a seating device and a remote electronic object cooperating with said seating device.
A pendulum seating device conforming to the invention is similar to a known seating device.
Thus, such a seating device comprises a foot 1, advantageously spherical. As previously mentioned, the presence of such a foot 1 allows the seating device create instability, forcing the user of a such seating device to perform a work of proprioception and balancing, ultimately allowing perform exercises related to contraction isometric muscle, which can be the object of protocol physical rehabilitation and / or muscle strengthening.
Furthermore, said seating device comprises a seat 3, on which a user of said device can take place device. Furthermore, the seating device comprises also a body cooperating solidly in a first end with said foot 1 and in a second end with seat 3. As an example of preferred but nonlimiting application, such pendulum seating device may consist of a pendulum dynamic stool, such as, for example, that described in connection with Figures 1 and 2 or that present within the system described in connection with the Figures 3 and 6. According to this preferred example, in accordance

17 in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6, the body of said device seat can consist of a column 2, advantageously telescopic, said column 2 comprising a part lower 2a integral with the spherical foot 1 and a part upper 2b whose free end is provided with a articulation 9 comprising three degrees of freedom and secured to the underside of the seat 3.
The invention cannot however be limited to this alone.
application example: it can be used in conjunction with all seating devices, such as those previously mentioned in accordance with the state of the art, comprising a spherical foot, a seat and a body, cooperating at each of its ends with said foot and the seat, thus creating instability for the user taking place on said device.
In accordance with Figures 3 and 6, the device also includes a measurement sensor 23, 24 position cooperating jointly with said device. Preferably but not limited to, such a position measurement sensor may include a accelerometer or a gyrometer. Within the meaning of the invention and throughout the document the position of the seating device is defined as the position of said device relative to a horizontal surface predefined, such as the ground, in a repository terrestrial or inertial in a benchmark in two or three dimensions. Also throughout the document, the term position could possibly be replaced by tilt or acceleration. Also, such a sensor position measurement can advantageously cooperate or communicate with an object processing unit remote electronics 50 and issue or transmit a

18 position message or signal. Such a message or signal position can advantageously include two types information, i.e. continuous position measurement or position detection. According to a first mode of embodiment, the position measurement sensor can thus cooperate according to a mechanical connection, that is to say being advantageously fixed, with said device, more particularly on the body of said device.
According to the preferred application example, described in link with FIG. 4, such a position measurement sensor 23, 24 can advantageously be placed on and / or in the telescopic column 2. According to a first example, said position measuring sensor 23 can be attached to or in joint 9, ensuring cooperation between the seat 3 and the telescopic column 2. Alternatively or in addition, according to a second example, said sensor position measuring device 24 can advantageously be positioned on or in the lower part 2a of the telescopic column 2, near the spherical base 1.
The invention cannot however be limited to these only variants. Such a position measurement sensor can advantageously cooperate with and be fixed on any element of said device, the positioning of such a sensor depending on the function desired. The invention may also provide for the use concomitant with a plurality of measurement sensors position.
As already mentioned, the invention relates, according to a first object, a method of assisting the use a pendulum seat device. Such a process allows in particular to improve the time, the technicality, the

19 ease and monitoring of the use of said device seat, without the need to resort to the help of a specialized support, such as a therapist or sports coach.
Such a method of assisting in the use of a device seat is advantageously implemented with an object remote electronics 50 of said seating device, said object being advantageously communicating. As examples of preferred but nonlimiting applications, a such electronic object 50 may consist of a telephone smart, a computer tablet and / or a personal computer. More precisely, the object electronics 50 has a processing unit (not shown in the figures), consisting of one or several microcontrollers or microprocessors, loaded to implement said method of aid for use of a seating device or any other treatment on data, such as position data previously transmitted by a seating device.
The electronic object 50 also comprises a memory for programs (not shown in the figures), said memory cooperating advantageously with the unit of processing by means of internal communication buses or by coupling, arranged to include, in the form of a product computer program previously loaded at within said memory, a method of assisting the use a seating device according to the invention. Said data can advantageously be, for all or games, recorded on one or more memories of data (not shown in the figures), generally electrically erasable and writable. The memory of data can advantageously cooperate with the unit of processing via internal communication buses and / or form a single entity with the previously mentioned program memory.
Furthermore, the electronic object 50 includes 5 outlet means 30 advantageously cooperating with the processing unit by means of communication bus internal. Such output means 30 ultimately allow to deliver and / or return to a user of the seating device rendering or representation 10 position data graph in particular, preferably but not limited to two or three dimensions. Such a graphical representation can, advantageously and before its display, be set, so that either automatically or 15 manually selected, for example color, color size and / or shape of such a representation.
The invention cannot however be limited to these alone settings. Also, by way of nonlimiting examples, such outlet means 30 can advantageously

20 consist of a man-machine interface or interface graphic, screen, possibly touch screen, or any other equivalent means suitable for displaying said Graphic Representation.
In addition, in order to receive data from the world outside and more particularly of a device seat, an electronic object 50 includes means for communication (not shown in the figures) with outside, ensuring communication, possibly proximity, with said remote seating device, said means of communication also cooperating with the processing unit by means of communication bus internal. Said means of communication can thus

21 ensure communication, possibly wired or wireless wire, for example when the means of communication wireless communication, implementing WiFi or Bluetooth communication protocols, to destination of any remote device, such as example, the pendulum seating device, provided that the latter is within communication range. By through said means of communication, the object electronics 50, or more precisely its unit of processing, can send and / or receive messages or signals, hereinafter referred to as messages by measurement of simplification, possibly of position, at destination or from a pendulum seating device positioned within communication range.
In addition, so that the electronic object 50 can operate in total autonomy, the latter can advantageously include a source of electrical energy clean (not shown in the figures), in the form one or more capacitors previously charged and capable of delivering sufficient electrical energy to allow the electronic object to operate. The ability to operate an electronic object is directly related to the remaining energy capacity and available from said electronic object.
Figure 6 shows in particular a flowchart simplified of an embodiment of a method 100 assistance in the use of a seating device.
According to FIG. 6, the method 100 for assisting in the use of such a seating device, advantageously implemented by an electronic object 50, firstly comprises a step for decoding 110 a

22 message M of the pendulum seat position, said message M being received by the means of communication of the remote electronic object 50. Said position message M can thus comprise several informative fields, such as a device identifier one or more position data, including the values denote real-time position measurement of the seat device, i.e. the position of said seat device relative to a horizontal surface predefined on which the device is used, such as for example the soil, in a terrestrial frame of reference or inertial, accelerations and / or inclinations of said seating device according to the measurement sensor (s) position operated. Thereafter and by measurement of simplification we will name such data position data. Step 110 consists in the end of get position value (s) extracted.
Then, the electronic object 50 comprising output means 30, such as for example not limiting a human-machine interface, such as a screen or any other equivalent means, to a user of said object and / or device, said output means cooperating with the processing unit of said electronic object 50, a method 100 for using a device seat according to the invention comprises a step subsequent 120 to trigger the display, by the output means 30, of a first indicator 31 translating said extracted position data.
The display of such a first indicator can advantageously be carried out in two or three dimensions and mainly consists of the display of an object

23 virtual whose parameters can be defined or predetermined. The graphical representation of such first indicator usually depends on a lot factors, notably and as examples not of the user of the seating device, configurable elements on the output means, etc.
Thus, prior to step 120 of displaying such a first indicator, a method 100 according to the invention may possibly include a configuration step respective parameters of said output means, including and possibly representation graph of such a first indicator, notably but not limitatively the shape, the texture or the palette of colors used. A non-limiting example display of a first indicator 31 by the means of output 30 is described in connection with FIG. 4. According to this example, in which the output means 30 consists advantageously in a screen of a mobile phone smart or tablet computer, the first indicator 31 representing the position of the device, consists of a white circle, filled with black dots, delimited by a black line in a marker in two dimensions.
To ensure proper use of the seating device by the user by imposing target objectives on him position (s) and / or movement (s), according to FIG. 6, a method 100 for assisting the user of a device also includes a step to develop 130 determined reference position data translating a displacement objective or a target to achieve. According to a first example, such a step 130 can advantageously consist of the calculation or the

24 construction of position data values, using a predefined algorithm, depending on characteristics, can be defined beforehand, possibly inherent in the user, such as not limitatively, the morphology, the physical state or experience with the use of such a device seat of the user. As a variant or in addition, such a step 130 for developing position data of reference can consist in selecting the said position data values, from a list of ordered reference position values and predetermined. Advantageously, such a step 130 for develop reference position data can be also implemented in parallel, previously or after the step to decode 110 a message M
and extract position data from of the seating device.
Then, the electronic object 50 comprising output means 30, such as for example not limiting a human-machine interface, such as a screen or any other equivalent means, to a user of said object and / or device, said output means cooperating with the processing unit of said electronic object 50, a method 100 for using a device seat according to the invention comprises a step 140 to trigger the display, by the output means 30 from a second indicator 32 translating said reference position data. AT
like the first indicator, the display of such second indicator can advantageously be carried out in two or three dimensions and consists mainly of the display of a virtual object whose parameters can be defined or predetermined. The representation graph of such a second indicator depends it also, generally of a large number of factors. So, prior to step 140 of displaying such a second 5 indicator, a method 100 according to the invention can possibly include a configuration step for parameters of the graphic representation of said second indicator, in particular but not limited to the shape, the texture or the palette of colors used. A
10 non-limiting example of displaying a second indicator 32 by the output means 30 is described in link with figure 4. According to this example, in which the output means 30 advantageously consists of a screen a smart phone or tablet 15 computer, the second indicator representing the reference position consists of a white circle, filled of black diagonal lines, delimited by a black line in a two-dimensional coordinate system.
Preferably, as described in connection with 20 the example according to FIG. 4, steps 120 and 140 for trigger the respective displays of the first and second indicators are implemented simultaneously, and this, so you can compare the first and second indicators representing data from

25 the actual position of the seating device and the reference position, i.e. the target, for including giving the user the opportunity to evaluate the effort and / or the margin of progress to be provided for reach his purpose. Simultaneous display of the first and second indicator also offers a playfulness to a series of exercises, reducing annoying characters

26 and laborious of these for a user of the seating device.
In order to maximize the user's membership in a therapeutic rehabilitation protocol and / or muscle building and strengthening the fun side of rehabilitation and / or reinforcement sessions which may prove, in many cases, off-putting, it can be necessary to bring playful elements to the display first and / or second position indicators respectively extracted and reference. Besides their side playful, such elements or indicators have an effect immediate on the attitude of the user and provokes the latter optimal use of his device, that he could only achieve by asking for follow-up professional. To do this, the first and / or second indicators displayed by a process to help the use according to the invention can possibly consist of first and / or second avatars. Throughout the document and within the meaning of the invention, the concept of avatar is defined as appearance taken by an individual in a graphical environment IT, or more generally representation graphic of an individual or virtual object predefined in two or three dimensions. Alternatively, according to this mode of particular embodiment, the invention thus provides that a method 100 for using a device according to the invention may include a step, prior to the first use of said device, to automatically configure the first and / or second position indicators, by the choice of one or several particular aspects of the avatar, such as, by

27 example, when the avatar is a human being, the kind of the avatar, hair or skin color of last, the clothes worn by the avatar, etc.
As previously stated, the protocols for physical rehabilitation and / or muscle strengthening generally consist of one or more sequences, including in particular exercises and / or movements, whose amplitude, speed and repeatability are predetermined to meet constraints specific and aim for a development objective muscle or functional rehabilitation. To answer to such protocols, it is expected that a method 100 assistance in using a compliant seating device to the invention can be implemented iteratively. he is possible, for a user of a device seat, to realize one or more series exercises, with or without an accompanying person specialized, while having the certainty, at least, a high degree of confidence in the successful completion different sequences. When using such iterative processing, step 130 to develop benchmark position data can develop position data values different from those developed during the previous iteration. Like the development examples previously described, the step for elaborate 130 position data values different from those developed during the iteration previous can be implemented by several treatments.
According to a first variant, said values of reference position data can be determined

28 according to a function or a scenario taking into account previous position data values. Employment of such a function or such a scenario with regard to others possible, may advantageously depend on inherent features of the user, such as by example his morphology, his physical state, his experience vis-à-vis the use of such a seating device or again and finally the difficulty of the work sought.
By way of nonlimiting example, within the framework of a physical rehabilitation session, depending on the muscles to re-educate or reinforce, a scenario based on a series movement exercises in S or 8 can possibly be considered. So to realize said movements, a method 100 of assistance in accordance with the invention may include a preliminary step for configure a function or a scenario, said step consisting in interpreting a user instruction or supervisor, entered or logged via an interface input cooperating with the object processing unit electronic, such as a keyboard or mouse.
Such an instruction consists in manually selecting, that is to say possibly by the user or a supervisor, or even automatically, among a plurality of scenarios or functions in a database data possibly stored in the memory of data of the electronic object implementing said process, scenario or function envisaged.
As a variant or in addition, the data values reference position can be determined at from a list of reference position values orderly and predetermined. So step 130 for developing benchmark position data involves

29 choose or select from a database possibly written to the data memory of the electronic object implementing said method, under the possible form of a list of position values existing benchmarks, position data from reference. The choice of such position data from reference can be made using the inherent features of the user, such as by example his morphology, his physical state, his experience vis-à-vis the use of such a seating device or again, finally, the difficulty of the work sought.
The invention provides, in addition, to provide further increase the motivation of a user of a seating device or supervisor of such user and thus sustain the membership of said user to their device and help it to improve its performance.
Also, a method 100 for assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention, when said process is implemented iteratively, can advantageously and also include a step 150 for count the occurrences, during which the values of position data extracted from a position emitted by the device and the values of reference position data are substantially identical. To do this, step 150 to account occurrences can advantageously include a step to compare the data values of position from the device and data values of reference position. Optionally, step 150 to account for occurrences can advantageously include a preliminary step to initialize the value from the occurrence counter to zero. When said values are substantially identical, step 150 for counting occurrences can advantageously 5 include a subsequent step to increment by one units the current value of the hit counter and then enter the current counter value occurrences within the data memory of the electronic object implementing said method 100.
10 The invention cannot however be limited to this alone example of realization: it could possibly be planned to configure, before using the device seat, the current value of the occurrence counter at a target value, by entering said value within 15 the data memory. According to this embodiment, When said compared data values are substantially identical, step 150 for accounting occurrences could then include a step to decrement the value by one 20 current occurrence counter and then write said current value of the occurrence counter, within of the data memory of the electronic object putting implementing said method 100. The rehabilitation session or reinforcement, or more particularly the series 25 years, could be considered closed when the current value of occurrences is equal to zero.
In addition, to emphasize performance or progress of a seating device user and

30 increase motivation, following step 150 to count the occurrences previously described, a method 100 for using a device

31 seat according to the invention may include a step subsequent 160 to trigger the display, by the output means 30 of the electronic object 50, of the current value of the hit counter. Such a display step of the current counter value occurrences can be implemented at the request of user or their supervisor, or whenever the hit counter is hectic. In addition, display of the current value of such a counter of occurrences can advantageously be configured or set manually or automatically, like first and second indicators previously described.
As a variant or in addition, to increase the recreational and play skills of a process to help the use of a seating device in accordance with the invention and thus improve the gain of such use, said method 100 may also include a step, prior to the display of the first or second indicator 31, 32, for selecting from a plurality of determined graphic representations, a first graphical representation, as soon as values differ between the extracted position data and reference position data, and / or a second graphic representation, as soon as said values. Graphical representations can be advantageously selected beforehand manually, that is to say possibly by the user or a supervisor, or even automatically, in a database data possibly stored in the memory of data of the electronic object implementing said process. Such graphical representations can be configurable and / or configurable, whether by

32 example in terms of color, size or shape of such a representation. Before this step, as already mentioned, said method 100 can also include preliminary steps to configure automatically the respective representations of first and / or second position indicators.
To increase the possibilities offered by a seating device, the latter may also include a sensor 24 for measuring the pressure exerted according to a axis crossing the body from the seat to the foot spherical, said measurement sensor cooperating jointly with said device. Also, such pressure measurement sensor can advantageously cooperate or communicate with a processing unit of a remote electronic object 50 and issue it or transmit a relative message or signal, for example to a pressure threshold exerted on the ground by a device seat, when a user has sat on said device. Such a message or signal relating to the pressure can advantageously include two types information, i.e. continuous pressure measurement or a detection of a pressure threshold reached. When the sensor delivers information relating to a measurement continuous, such information can thus make it possible to determine the active use time of said device seat. Preferably but not limited to, a such position measurement sensor may include a piezometer. According to a first embodiment, the position measurement sensor can thus cooperate according to a mechanical connection, i.e.
advantageously fixed, with said device. According to

33 the preferred application example, described in connection with the Figure 3, such a measurement sensor adapted to detect sudden pressure and / or pressure differential can advantageously be placed on and / or in the foot spherical 1.
When such a pressure measurement sensor is present, a method 100 for assisting in the use of such a seating device, advantageously implemented by a electronic object 50, may also include a step to decode a message M 'of relative pressure said pendulum seating device, said message being received by the object's means of communication remote electronic 50. Said pressure message M ' relating to said device can thus comprise several informative fields, among which one or more pressure data whose value (s) designate the current pressure exerted along an axis crossing the body from seat to spherical foot in time real seat system, possibly on the floor and / or a sudden pressure differential. The stage ultimately consists in obtaining the value of said differential sudden pressure extracted or more generally the or the values of the extracted pressure data.
Once the pressure data has been extracted, the method 100 according to the invention can furthermore include a step to implement a treatment determined in response to one or more data from pressure delivering pressure above a threshold determined. Such a threshold can be previously selected from a plurality of predetermined thresholds in a list entered in the data memory of an electronic object 50. To ensure implementation

34 of a specific treatment, the method can also understand a preliminary step to compare the value pressure data extracted to that of the threshold predetermined and check if said measured pressure is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold. The invention further provides that treatment can be selected depending on the values of the pressure data and said threshold reached in comparison. As a preferred example but not limiting, the treatment determined may consist of a stage to elaborate an order of validation of a graphic menu returned by means of output 30 of the electronic object 50. The invention does not can however be limited to this type of treatment.
As a variant or complement, once the data of position extracted, the invention provides that the process 100 according to the invention may further include a step to implement a second treatment determined in response to a position data value higher than that of a second determined threshold. As of preferred but nonlimiting example, when the position measured is relative to a tilt value, the second determined treatment may consist of a step to develop a menu sequence command graph restored by the output means 30 of the object electronic 50. The invention cannot however be limited to this type of second treatment only.
As presented by the second mode of creation of a support system for the use of a seating device according to the invention described in link with Figure 6, the latter can advantageously include or cooperate with one or more accessories supports in the form, for example, of a stick 26. The presence of one or more sticks 26 are found in some useful cases, since they help 5 lateral balancing, to improve the amplitude of movements and increase the number of exercises user-achievable and ultimately to globalize muscle strengthening of a user by the sequence of exercises also requesting the top 10 of the body. The stick (s) 26 can advantageously be made of a material making them more or less flexible, thus ensuring the creation of reactions support and better flexibility of use.
Preferably, the said stick (s) 26 can 15 advantageously include a body in the form of a tube, a gripping means, in the form of a handle, cooperating with a first end of said body and one supporting foot or ball cooperating with the other end of said body.
20 Like the seat system, to be able to ensure better use of said accessory support, the latter may include a sensor 27 of position measurement delivering position data accessory transmitted in position message M
25 together with the body position data of the device or more generally of the device as Phone. Also, such a position measurement sensor can advantageously cooperate or communicate with the unit of treatment of a seating device. Position as well 30 measured from the accessory and translated into accessory position can consist of two types information, i.e. continuous position measurement of the accessory or a position detection of the accessory. Preferably but not limited to, such an accessory position measurement sensor can include an accelerometer or a gyrometer. According to a first embodiment, the sensor for measuring position can thus cooperate in a mechanical connection embedding, that is to say being advantageously fixed, with said accessory, more particularly on the body said accessory. According to the preferred application example, described in connection with FIG. 6, such a sensor 27 of accessory position measurement can advantageously be placed on and / or in the body of said stick 26.
When the seating device includes or cooperates with a support accessory in the form of a stick 26, said accessory comprising a sensor 27 for measuring accessory position, the step to decode a message M from position of a method 100 in accordance with the invention, implemented work by the processing unit of an electronic object 50 may also consist in extracting from said message the accessory position data values. According to this particular arrangement, said position message M can thus include several information fields relating to the support accessory 26, such as an identifier of said support accessory, accessory position data whose values designate the position measurement in time real of said support accessory, that is to say the position said accessory with respect to a horizontal surface predefined on which the device and the accessory are used, such as the soil, in a terrestrial or inertial reference frame, accelerations and / or inclinations of said support accessory according to the or accessory position measurement sensors exploited. Thereafter and for the sake of simplification, we will name such data position data accessory . Step 110 ultimately consists in obtaining the values of the extracted accessory position data, concomitantly with those of the position data of the device as such.
The electronic object 50 comprising means for outlet 30, such as by way of nonlimiting example one human-machine interface, such as a screen or any other equivalent means, to a user of said object and / or device, said output means cooperating with the processing unit of said electronic object 50, a method of assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention comprises a subsequent step to trigger the display, by the output means 30, a third indicator (not shown in the figure 4) translating said accessory position data. AT
like the first and second indicators, the display of such a third indicator can advantageously be done in two or three dimensions and consist mainly by displaying a virtual object whose parameters can be defined or predetermined. So, prior to the display stage of such a third indicator, a method 100 according to the invention can possibly include a configuration step for parameters of the graphical representation of such third indicator, in particular but not limited to the shape, the texture or the color palette used.
Whatever the configuration of a process 100 assistance in using a compliant seating device to the invention, said method 100 being in accordance with the invention, a preferred mode of adaptation of an object communicating electronics, such as that described previously, is to save or download in program memory a computer program product P comprising a plurality of program instructions which, when performed or interpreted by the processing unit of said electronic object causes the implementation of said method 100 of aid for use said seating device according to the invention.
As previously mentioned, the invention also relates to a support system for the use of a pendulum seat device. Two embodiments preferred but not limiting are in particular described in link with Figures 3 and 6, said seating device advantageously being in the form of a stool dynamic pendulum.
According to FIG. 3, a system 200 for assistance with the use of a pendulum seating device according to the invention may include said device seat, a remote electronic object 50 comprising means of communication ensuring communication with said seating device, possibly wired or without wire, in the latter case, according to protocols WiFi or Bluetooth communication. Said electronic object is thus in accordance with the invention, that is to say that it additionally has in its program memory a product computer program P, allowing setting work of a method of assistance in the use of a device seat according to the invention.

As a variant or in addition, in accordance with second embodiment described in connection with the Figure 6, such a system 200 may further include a support accessory in the form of a cooperating stick 26 with said seating device and for which the object electronics 50 includes in the program memory, computer program product instructions according to the invention.
The invention has been described during its use and / or application in connection with a pendulum stool, dedicated in particular to the implementation of rehabilitation and / or muscle strengthening. She can also be implemented for all other devices dedicated, by their structural characteristics, to the implementation of rehabilitation and / or muscle building.
Other modifications may be considered without depart from the scope of the present invention defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims (16)

40 1. Process (100) assistance with the use of a device pendulum seat, said device comprising a foot spherical (1), a seat (3), a cooperating body integrally at a first end with said foot (1) and at a second end with the seat (3), a cooperating position measuring sensor (23, 24) jointly with said device, said method being implemented by an object processing unit remote electronics (50), the remote electronics object (50) further comprising outlet means (30) and means of communication ensuring communication with said seating device, said method (100) comprising:
a step for decoding (110) a message (M) from position of the pendulum seat device, said message being received by means of communication of the remote electronic object (50) and conveying position data, and for extract the content of said position data, - a step to trigger the display (120), by the output means (30), of a first indicator (31) translating said extracted position data, said method (100) being characterized in that it further includes a step for developing (130) determined reference position data translating a target to be reached and a subsequent step to trigger the display (140), by the output means (30), a second indicator (32) translating said reference position data. 2. Method (100) according to claim 1, for which the first or second indicators (31,32) consist of first and / or second avatars. 3. Method (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, implemented iteratively, for which step to generate (130) reference position data constructs different position data values of those developed during the previous iteration. 4. Method (100) according to claim 3, for which the value of the reference position data is determined according to a function or scenario counts previous position data values. 5. Method (100) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, for which the position data values benchmark is determined from a list of ordered reference position values and predetermined. 6. Method (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a step for accounting the occurrences (150), during which the values of position data extracted from the device and data of reference position are substantially identical. 7. Method (100) according to claim 6, comprising in in addition to a step for triggering the display (160), by the output means (30) of the electronic object (50), of the current value of the hit counter. 8. Method (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, also including a step, prior to the display of the first or second indicator (31, 32), to select from a plurality of specific graphic representations, a first graphical representation, if values are different between the extracted position data and reference position data, or a second graphical representation, as soon as values match between the extracted position data and reference position data. 9. Method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, said device further comprising a sensor (24) for measuring the pressure exerted along an axis crossing the body from the seat towards the foot spherical of said device, said method comprising in outraged :
- a step to decode a message (M ') of data from pressure relative to said seating device tilting, said message (M ') being received by the means of communication of the electronic object remote (50) and conveying pressure data, and to extract the content of said data from pressure, - a step to implement a treatment determined in response to pressure data greater than a determined threshold. 10. The method (100) according to claim 9, in which the determined treatment consists of a step to develop a command to validate a restored graphic menu by the output means (30) of the electronic object (50). 11. Method (100) according to any one of the claims 1 to 10, the device comprising or cooperating with a support accessory in the form of a stick (26), said accessory comprising a sensor (27) for measuring position delivering accessory position data transmitted in the position message jointly with the position data of the device body, for which the step for decoding a message (M) from position further consists in extracting from said message (M) the value of the accessory position data, said method (100) further comprising a step for trigger the display, by the output means (30), a third indicator translating said data from accessory position. 12. Program memory with a program product computer (P) having a plurality of instructions which, when they are:
- previously saved in a memory of programs of an electronic object (50), comprising furthermore a processing unit, means of communication ensuring communication with a remote seating device, exit means (30), said program memory, the means of cooperating communication and restitution with said processing unit;
- executed or interpreted by said unit of treatment, cause the implementation of a method (100) for assisting in the use of said seating device according to one any of claims 1 to 10. 13. Program memory with a program product computer (P) having a plurality of instructions which, when they are:
- previously saved in a memory of programs of an electronic object (50), comprising furthermore a processing unit, means of communication ensuring communication with a remote seating device, said device comprising or cooperating with a support accessory in the form of a stick (26), outlet means (30), said program memory, the means of cooperating communication and restitution with said processing unit;
- executed or interpreted by said unit of treatment, cause the implementation of a method (100) for assisting in the use of said seating device according to the claim 11. 14. Electronic object comprising a processing unit, a program memory, means of communication ensuring proximity communication with a remote seating device, restitution means, said program memory, said means of cooperating communication and said restitution means with said processing unit, characterized in that it contains instructions in the program memory of a computer program product according to claims 12 or 13. 15. System (200) for using a device pendulum seat, comprising said device seat, a remote electronic object (50) in communication with said seating device, said electronic object according to claim 14. 16. System (200) according to the preceding claim, further comprising a support accessory in the form a stick cooperating with said seating device and for which the electronic object (50) comprises in the program memory, product instructions computer program according to claim 13.