EP1369146A1 - Posture detector - Google Patents

Posture detector Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1369146A1
EP1369146A1 EP02405460A EP02405460A EP1369146A1 EP 1369146 A1 EP1369146 A1 EP 1369146A1 EP 02405460 A EP02405460 A EP 02405460A EP 02405460 A EP02405460 A EP 02405460A EP 1369146 A1 EP1369146 A1 EP 1369146A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
angle
signaling means
computer
means comprise
limit values
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
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EP02405460A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Christophe Van Dongen
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP02405460A priority Critical patent/EP1369146A1/en
Priority to EP03724758A priority patent/EP1511540B1/en
Priority to PCT/CH2003/000332 priority patent/WO2003103780A1/en
Priority to AU2003229225A priority patent/AU2003229225A1/en
Priority to US10/518,744 priority patent/US20050237209A1/en
Priority to CA002485637A priority patent/CA2485637A1/en
Priority to DE60301966T priority patent/DE60301966T8/en
Priority to AT03724758T priority patent/ATE306972T1/en
Publication of EP1369146A1 publication Critical patent/EP1369146A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
    • A63B23/02—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for the abdomen, the spinal column or the torso muscles related to shoulders (e.g. chest muscles)
    • A63B23/0244—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for the abdomen, the spinal column or the torso muscles related to shoulders (e.g. chest muscles) with signalling or indicating means, e.g. of incorrect posture, for deep-breathing exercises

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device intended to be applied to a person to detect and memorize certain postures such as bending and exaggerated extension of the trunk.
  • the wearer of such a device can thus improve his gestural awareness and therefore prevent one of the main causes of back pain: movements exaggerated forwards and backwards of the trunk when standing.
  • Back pain is one of the major pathologies of our society.
  • the mode of sedentary life leads to a loss of kinesthetic (common sense), which makes it incapable to feel precisely the physiologically permitted postures.
  • kinesthetic common sense
  • the discomfort and expense caused by these back pain is of concern and requires, more than ever, a policy preventive reinforced with technical means.
  • patent WO 96/17548 refers to a housing applied to the level of the wearer's spines. When the latter leans, the pressure exerted by the thorns on the support zones of the device allows to override some kind of switch and thus trigger an alarm. The areas concerned are therefore obviously restricted and the movements of life current quickly move the case, which is no longer effective.
  • the document WO 90/07360 describes an apparatus one side of which is intended to be leaning against the body. Part of this face is cut to form a control plate. When this plate is pressed beyond a threshold determined, it activates a vibration generator constituting an alarm Touch. The setting of the triggering threshold is however difficult and does not does not correspond precisely to certain postures.
  • the present invention provides an inexpensive device capable of signaling a poor posture of the wearer, the detection threshold can be defined with precision by a therapist. In addition, its installation and use does not provide no discomfort in the daily movements of a user normal.
  • the inclinometer used is an accelerometer.
  • the device has an interface allowing, using push buttons, to memorize the two limit values of the angle of inclination in the computer.
  • the signaling means advantageously comprise, on the one hand, a light and / or acoustic and / or vibrating alarm and, on the other hand, an external readable memory comprising a plurality of affected registers in successive time slices grouping a plurality of cycles, the computer then programmed to account in each of these registers, i.e. the exceedances of the front and rear limit values observed at each of the cycles of the current time slot, i.e. the maximum value of exceedances of the front and rear limit values observed during this section of time.
  • said cycles and said time slots have a duration 100 ms and 15 minutes respectively.
  • FIGS. 1a and 1b the device according to the invention is shown at 10, installed on the sternum of a carrier. It is held in place by a belt chest 12 produced by means of an elastic band the length of which is adjustable with a buckle.
  • Figure 1a is a side view of the wearer in different positions. We will call ⁇ the angle made by the device 10, with respect to the vertical, when it is applied against the sternum.
  • the wearer In the center, the wearer stands straight, heels, buttocks, shoulder blades and head resting against a vertical, which corresponds to a reference posture for the trunk.
  • the angle ⁇ then has the reference value ⁇ 0 .
  • the therapist determines the front limit, corresponding to an angle ⁇ 1, from which repeated overshoots would be harmful over time.
  • the therapist determines the rear limit, corresponding to an angle ⁇ 2 , from which repeated overshoots would also be harmful over time.
  • the device 10 essentially comprises a inclinometer 26 providing a signal representative of the angle of inclination ⁇ , a microprocessor 28 for receiving and processing this signal, a type memory EEPROM 30 associated with the microprocessor, the interface 14, already mentioned, and a connector 32 making it possible to connect the microprocessor and the memory to a computer 34.
  • the inclinometer 26 is, in fact, an accelerometer, such as that sold under the reference ADXL202EB by the firm Analog Device. It produces tension proportional to the sine of the angle of inclination ⁇ .
  • the microprocessor is, by example, the PIC16F873 model from Microchip clocked at 32 kHz.
  • the use of the device according to the invention implies that its microprocessor 28 has previously recorded the limit angles ⁇ 1 and ⁇ 2 .
  • the operation can be carried out with a therapist who invites the person to lean forward or backward until reaching the position that the practitioner considers as limit. At this point, the therapist only has to press the two buttons 18 and 20 simultaneously and then, for example, press the button 18 or the button 20 so that, respectively, the angle ⁇ 1 or the angle ⁇ 2 is memorized in microprocessor 28. Since this technique is well known to those skilled in the art for many fields of application, it will not be described here in more detail.
  • the microprocessor 28 is programmed to observe the behavior of the carrier in 15-minute increments and, within each tranche, perform cyclically the operations shown in Figure 3. Typically, the cycle period is 100 ms.
  • the first operation 36 is the measurement of the angle ⁇ from the signal delivered by the inclinometer 26.
  • the system determines, at 38, whether ⁇ is less than ⁇ 1 or greater than ⁇ 2 .
  • the system increments by one, at 44, the register of the memory 30 allocated, for the 15-minute period in progress, to the accounting, as the case may be, for exceeding the front limit or the rear limit.
  • the next operation is, then, in 46, the engagement of the alarms 22 and / or 24 and / or 25 which signal the wearer of a posture error. The cycle therefore ends.
  • the alarms are not stopped but, on the contrary, the signals transmitted go on amplifying.
  • the device according to the invention can remain several days on the person and thus record, every 15 minutes, the number of overstepping, forward or backward, of the posture limits set by the therapist. During the night, the device can be deactivated by a function of pause.
  • the therapist connects it to computer 34 which can provide, in the form of a table or graph, the number of threshold crossings, forward and backward, occurred by 15-minute increments throughout the observation period, with, in addition, the breaks.
  • This histogram is very useful for specifying the etiology of the condition and teach what preventive measures should be considered.
  • the system could provide the maximum value of the overshoots front and rear limit values, for each reference time slot.
  • the microprocessor of so that the wearer is warned when he approaches, typically, unless four degrees, front and rear limits.
  • the alarms emit a different signal (for example, weaker) than that emitted in the event of exceeded.
  • the histogram obtained may also show the actual use of the device by the wearer. We could, for example, predict that the memory of a larger size, can record, at a fixed frequency, either the number of overshoots, but all the angle values, which will allow to detect that the device has been placed without the pause being activated.

Abstract

The posture monitoring device (10) has an inclinometer (26) delivering a signal representing angle of inclination of the sternum to the vertical. A computer (28) cyclically obtains the angle, compares it to two stored angles for maximum forward and backward inclination of the body, and generates a warning signal if an angle is exceeded. A connector (32) links an external computer (34).

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif destiné à être appliqué sur une personne pour détecter et mémoriser certaines postures telles que la flexion et l'extension exagérées du tronc.The present invention relates to a device intended to be applied to a person to detect and memorize certain postures such as bending and exaggerated extension of the trunk.

Le porteur d'un tel dispositif peut ainsi améliorer sa conscience gestuelle et donc prévenir une des causes principales des douleurs de dos : les mouvements exagérés vers l'avant et vers l'arrière du tronc lors de la position debout.The wearer of such a device can thus improve his gestural awareness and therefore prevent one of the main causes of back pain: movements exaggerated forwards and backwards of the trunk when standing.

Le mal de dos est une des pathologies majeures de notre société. Le mode de vie sédentaire entraíne une perte du (bon) sens kinesthésique, ce rend incapable de sentir précisément les postures physiologiquement permises. Concernant le dos, on estime que 80% de la population présente, dans sa vie, une défaillance et des douleurs du dos. L'inconfort et les dépenses occasionnés par ces dorsalgies sont préoccupants et nécessitent, plus que jamais, une politique préventive renforcée de moyens techniques.Back pain is one of the major pathologies of our society. The mode of sedentary life leads to a loss of kinesthetic (common sense), which makes it incapable to feel precisely the physiologically permitted postures. Regarding back, it is estimated that 80% of the population presents, in their life, a failure and back pain. The discomfort and expense caused by these back pain is of concern and requires, more than ever, a policy preventive reinforced with technical means.

Plusieurs solutions ont déjà été décrites pour aider les personnes souffrant du dos à corriger une mauvaise posture.Several solutions have already been described to help people suffering from back to correct bad posture.

Par exemple, le brevet WO 96/17548 fait référence à un boítier appliqué au niveau des épines vertébrales du porteur. Lorsque ce dernier se penche, la pression exercée par les épines sur les zones d'appui du dispositif permet d'écraser une sorte d'interrupteur et, ainsi, de déclencher une alarme. Les zones concernées sont donc évidemment restreintes et les mouvements de la vie courante déplacent rapidement le boítier, qui n'est alors plus efficace.For example, patent WO 96/17548 refers to a housing applied to the level of the wearer's spines. When the latter leans, the pressure exerted by the thorns on the support zones of the device allows to override some kind of switch and thus trigger an alarm. The areas concerned are therefore obviously restricted and the movements of life current quickly move the case, which is no longer effective.

Le document WO 90/07360 décrit un appareil dont une face est destinée à être appuyée contre le corps. Une partie de cette face est découpée pour former une plaque de commande. Quand cette plaque est pressée au delà d'un seuil déterminé, elle enclenche un générateur de vibrations constituant un avertisseur tactile. Le réglage du seuil de déclenchement est cependant malaisé et ne correspond pas précisément à des postures déterminées.The document WO 90/07360 describes an apparatus one side of which is intended to be leaning against the body. Part of this face is cut to form a control plate. When this plate is pressed beyond a threshold determined, it activates a vibration generator constituting an alarm Touch. The setting of the triggering threshold is however difficult and does not does not correspond precisely to certain postures.

Quant au brevet WO 91/06082, il mentionne une lamelle appuyée en flexion sur le creux lombaire du porteur et reprenant une position de repos lorsqu'une posture incorrecte est adoptée. Elle joue alors le rôle d'un interrupteur et actionne un avertisseur vibro-tactile. Cette méthode souffre cependant d'un inconvénient fondamental : elle restreint la mobilité lombaire, nécessaire à la vie des disque intervertébraux.As for patent WO 91/06082, it mentions a lamella supported in bending on the lumbar hollow of the wearer and resuming a rest position when a incorrect posture is adopted. It then plays the role of a switch and activates a vibro-tactile warning. However, this method suffers from a fundamental disadvantage: it restricts lumbar mobility, necessary for life intervertebral discs.

La présente invention propose un dispositif peu coûteux, capable de signaler une mauvaise posture du porteur, le seuil de détection pouvant être défini avec précision par un thérapeute. De plus, son installation et son utilisation ne procurent aucune gêne dans les mouvements du quotidien d'un utilisateur normal.The present invention provides an inexpensive device capable of signaling a poor posture of the wearer, the detection threshold can be defined with precision by a therapist. In addition, its installation and use does not provide no discomfort in the daily movements of a user normal.

De façon plus précise, l'invention concerne un dispositif destiné à être appliqué sur une personne pour détecter ses mauvaises postures, c'est-à-dire des postures à risque pathologique, caractérisé en ce qu'il se place sur un segment du corps et comporte :

  • un inclinomètre délivrant un signal représentatif de l'angle d'inclinaison de ce segment par rapport à la verticale,
  • un calculateur recevant ledit signal et programmé pour effectuer cycliquement les opérations :
    • d'obtention d'une mesure de l'angle d'inclinaison,
    • de comparaison de cette mesure à deux valeurs limites mémorisées dudit angle, correspondant respectivement à des position penchées vers l'avant et vers l'arrière qui constituent un risque pathologique pour la personne , et
    • de production d'une indication de ces dépassements, et
  • des moyens de signalisation, répondant à ladite indication, pour informer la personne et/ou le thérapeute.
More specifically, the invention relates to a device intended to be applied to a person to detect bad postures, that is to say postures with pathological risk, characterized in that it is placed on a segment of the body and includes:
  • an inclinometer delivering a signal representative of the angle of inclination of this segment relative to the vertical,
  • a computer receiving said signal and programmed to carry out the operations cyclically:
    • obtaining a measurement of the angle of inclination,
    • comparison of this measurement with two memorized limit values of said angle, corresponding respectively to positions leaning forwards and backwards which constitute a pathological risk for the person, and
    • producing an indication of these exceedances, and
  • signaling means, responding to said indication, to inform the person and / or the therapist.

De façon avantageuse, l'inclinomètre utilisé est un accéléromètre.Advantageously, the inclinometer used is an accelerometer.

En outre, le dispositif comporte une interface permettant, à l'aide de boutons-poussoirs, de mémoriser les deux valeurs limites de l'angle d'inclinaison dans le calculateur.In addition, the device has an interface allowing, using push buttons, to memorize the two limit values of the angle of inclination in the computer.

Selon l'invention, les moyens de signalisation comportent avantageusement, d'une part, une alarme lumineuse et/ou acoustique et/ou vibrante et, d'autre part, une mémoire lisible de l'extérieur comprenant une pluralité de registres affectés à des tranches de temps successives regroupant une pluralité de cycles, le calculateur étant alors programmé pour comptabiliser, dans chacun de ces registres, soit les dépassements des valeurs limites avant et arrière observés à chacun des cycles de la tranche de temps en cours, soit la valeur maximale des dépassements des valeurs limites avant et arrière observés durant cette tranche de temps.According to the invention, the signaling means advantageously comprise, on the one hand, a light and / or acoustic and / or vibrating alarm and, on the other hand, an external readable memory comprising a plurality of affected registers in successive time slices grouping a plurality of cycles, the computer then programmed to account in each of these registers, i.e. the exceedances of the front and rear limit values observed at each of the cycles of the current time slot, i.e. the maximum value of exceedances of the front and rear limit values observed during this section of time.

Typiquement, lesdits cycles et lesdites tranches de temps ont une durée respective de 100 ms et de 15 minutes.Typically, said cycles and said time slots have a duration 100 ms and 15 minutes respectively.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lumière de la description qui suit, faite en regard du dessin annexé, sur lequel :

  • la figure 1 est, en a, une vue de profil et, en b, une vue de face d'une personne équipée du dispositif selon l'invention et occupant différentes postures caractéristiques ;
  • la figure 2 est un schéma de principe du dispositif ; et
  • la figure 3 est un schéma logique résumant le principe de fonctionnement du dispositif.
The invention will be better understood in the light of the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawing, in which:
  • Figure 1 is, in a , a side view and, in b , a front view of a person equipped with the device according to the invention and occupying different characteristic postures;
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram of the device; and
  • Figure 3 is a logic diagram summarizing the operating principle of the device.

Sur les figures 1a et 1b, on a représenté en 10 le dispositif selon l'invention, installé sur le sternum d'un porteur. Il est maintenu en place par une ceinture thoracique 12 réalisée au moyen d'une bande élastique dont la longueur est ajustable par une boucle.In FIGS. 1a and 1b, the device according to the invention is shown at 10, installed on the sternum of a carrier. It is held in place by a belt chest 12 produced by means of an elastic band the length of which is adjustable with a buckle.

On voit, sur la figure 1b, que le boítier du dispositif comporte une interface 14 comprenant :

  • un interrupteur 16 permettant de mettre l'appareil en fonction ou hors-fonction,
  • deux boutons-poussoirs 18 et 20, par l'intermédiaire desquels on peut programmer les seuils de détection d'une mauvaise posture et sélectionner différents modes d'utilisation, et
  • une diode émettrice de lumière (LED) 22, une alarme acoustique (buzzer) 24 et un vibreur 25 qui peuvent avertir le porteur en cas de détection d'une mauvaise posture.
We see, in Figure 1b, that the device housing includes an interface 14 comprising:
  • a switch 16 enabling the appliance to be switched on or off,
  • two push buttons 18 and 20, by means of which the thresholds for detecting poor posture can be programmed and different modes of use to be selected, and
  • a light emitting diode (LED) 22, an acoustic alarm (buzzer) 24 and a vibrator 25 which can warn the wearer in the event of detection of poor posture.

La figure 1a est une vue de profil du porteur dans différentes positions. On appellera α l'angle que fait le dispositif 10, par rapport à la verticale, lorsqu'il est appliqué contre le sternum.Figure 1a is a side view of the wearer in different positions. We will call α the angle made by the device 10, with respect to the vertical, when it is applied against the sternum.

Au centre, le porteur se tient droit, talons, fesses, omoplates et tête appuyés contre une verticale, ce qui correspond à une posture de référence pour le tronc. L'angle α a alors la valeur de référence α0.In the center, the wearer stands straight, heels, buttocks, shoulder blades and head resting against a vertical, which corresponds to a reference posture for the trunk. The angle α then has the reference value α 0 .

Quand le porteur se penche en avant, le thérapeute détermine la limite avant, correspondant à un angle α1, à partir de laquelle des dépassements répétés seraient néfastes dans le temps.When the wearer leans forward, the therapist determines the front limit, corresponding to an angle α 1, from which repeated overshoots would be harmful over time.

De même, lorsque le porteur se penche en arrière, le thérapeute détermine la limite arrière, correspondant à un angle α2, à partir de laquelle des dépassements répétés seraient également néfastes dans le temps.Similarly, when the wearer leans back, the therapist determines the rear limit, corresponding to an angle α 2 , from which repeated overshoots would also be harmful over time.

Comme représenté sur la figure 2, le dispositif 10 comporte essentiellement un inclinomètre 26 fournissant un signal représentatif de l'angle d'inclinaison α, un microprocesseur 28 pour recevoir et traiter ce signal, une mémoire de type EEPROM 30 associée au microprocesseur, l'interface 14, déjà mentionnée, et un connecteur 32 permettant de relier le microprocesseur et la mémoire à un ordinateur 34.As shown in FIG. 2, the device 10 essentially comprises a inclinometer 26 providing a signal representative of the angle of inclination α, a microprocessor 28 for receiving and processing this signal, a type memory EEPROM 30 associated with the microprocessor, the interface 14, already mentioned, and a connector 32 making it possible to connect the microprocessor and the memory to a computer 34.

L'inclinomètre 26 est, en fait, un accéléromètre, tel que celui commercialisé sous la référence ADXL202EB par la firme Analog Device. Il produit une tension proportionnelle au sinus de l'angle d'inclinaison α. Le microprocesseur est, par exemple, le modèle PIC16F873 de Microchip cadencé à 32 kHz.The inclinometer 26 is, in fact, an accelerometer, such as that sold under the reference ADXL202EB by the firm Analog Device. It produces tension proportional to the sine of the angle of inclination α. The microprocessor is, by example, the PIC16F873 model from Microchip clocked at 32 kHz.

L'utilisation du dispositif selon l'invention implique que son microprocesseur 28 ait enregistré préalablement les angles limites α1 et α2.The use of the device according to the invention implies that its microprocessor 28 has previously recorded the limit angles α 1 and α 2 .

L'opération peut s'effectuer chez un thérapeute qui invite le personne à se pencher en avant ou en arrière jusqu'à atteindre la position que le praticien considère comme limite. A ce moment, il suffit au thérapeute de presser sur les deux boutons 18 et 20 simultanément puis, par exemple, de presser le bouton 18 ou le bouton 20 pour que, respectivement, l'angle α1 ou l'angle α2 soit mémorisé dans le microprocesseur 28. Cette technique étant bien connue de l'homme de métier pour de nombreux domaines d'application, elle ne sera pas décrite ici de manière plus détaillée.The operation can be carried out with a therapist who invites the person to lean forward or backward until reaching the position that the practitioner considers as limit. At this point, the therapist only has to press the two buttons 18 and 20 simultaneously and then, for example, press the button 18 or the button 20 so that, respectively, the angle α 1 or the angle α 2 is memorized in microprocessor 28. Since this technique is well known to those skilled in the art for many fields of application, it will not be described here in more detail.

On va maintenant décrire la suite des opérations effectuées par le microprocesseur 28 dès la mise en marche du dispositif 10 placé sur le sternum de la personne et ayant en mémoire les angles α1 et α2.We will now describe the sequence of operations performed by the microprocessor 28 as soon as the device 10 placed on the sternum of the person is started and having the angles α 1 and α 2 in memory.

Le microprocesseur 28 est programmé pour observer le comportement du porteur par tranches de 15 minutes et, à l'intérieur de chaque tranche, effectuer cycliquement les opérations représentées sur la figure 3. Typiquement, la période des cycles est de 100 ms.The microprocessor 28 is programmed to observe the behavior of the carrier in 15-minute increments and, within each tranche, perform cyclically the operations shown in Figure 3. Typically, the cycle period is 100 ms.

La première opération 36 est la mesure de l'angle α à partir du signal délivré par l'inclinomètre 26.The first operation 36 is the measurement of the angle α from the signal delivered by the inclinometer 26.

Puis, le système détermine, en 38, si α est inférieur à α1 ou supérieur à α2. Then, the system determines, at 38, whether α is less than α 1 or greater than α 2 .

Si ce n'est pas le cas, cela signifie que le porteur n'a dépassé aucune des limites fixées. L'opération suivante est, alors, en 40, la mise hors fonction des avertisseurs 22 et/ou 24 et/ou 25 qui, s'ils se trouvent enclenchés depuis le cycle précédent, cessent leur action. Le cycle se termine donc.If this is not the case, it means that the carrier has not exceeded any of the limits fixed. The next operation is, then, in 40, the deactivation of the alarms 22 and / or 24 and / or 25 which, if activated since the cycle previous, cease their action. The cycle therefore ends.

Lorsque, au contraire, le système a détecté que α est inférieur à α1 ou supérieur à α2, cela signifie que le porteur a dépassé la limite avant ou la limite arrière. L'opération suivante est, alors, en 42, la vérification que le dépassement a déjà été comptabilisé.When, on the contrary, the system has detected that α is less than α 1 or greater than α 2 , this means that the carrier has exceeded the front limit or the rear limit. The next operation is, then, in 42, the verification that the excess has already been recorded.

Si ce n'est pas le cas, cela signifie que le dépassement vient juste de se produire. Le système incrémente donc d'une unité, en 44, le registre de la mémoire 30 affecté, pour la tranche de 15 minutes en cours, à la comptabilisation, selon le cas, des dépassements de la limite avant ou de la limite arrière. L'opération suivante est, alors, en 46, l'enclenchement des avertisseurs 22 et/ou 24 et/ou 25 qui signalent au porteur une erreur de posture. Le cycle se termine donc.If this is not the case, it means that the overshoot has just been produce. The system therefore increments by one, at 44, the register of the memory 30 allocated, for the 15-minute period in progress, to the accounting, as the case may be, for exceeding the front limit or the rear limit. The next operation is, then, in 46, the engagement of the alarms 22 and / or 24 and / or 25 which signal the wearer of a posture error. The cycle therefore ends.

Lorsque, au contraire, il a été constaté, en 42, que le dépassement détecté a déjà été comptabilisé, cela signifie que le porteur occupe toujours, depuis le cycle précédent, au moins, une position dépassant les limites fixées et que les avertisseurs sont toujours en action. Dans ce cas, le système vérifie, en 48, si le dépassement dure depuis plus de cinq secondes.When, on the contrary, it has been noted, in 42, that the detected overrun has already been counted, this means that the holder has always occupied, since the previous cycle, at least, a position exceeding the fixed limits and that the alarms are still in action. In this case, the system checks, at 48, whether the passing lasts for more than five seconds.

Si c'est le cas, cela signifie que le porteur est dans une posture stable (car, par exemple, il lace ses chaussures,..... ) et qu'il est donc inutile de l'importuner davantage en laissant les avertisseurs en action. Le système met alors, en 50, les avertisseurs hors fonction et le cycle se termine.If this is the case, it means that the wearer is in a stable posture (because, by example, he lace his shoes, .....) and that it is therefore useless to bother him more by leaving the alarms in action. The system then puts, in 50, the alarms off and the cycle ends.

En variante, on peut prévoir que, dans un tel cas, les avertisseurs ne soient pas arrêtés mais qu'au contraire, les signaux émis aillent en s'amplifiant. Alternatively, it can be provided that, in such a case, the alarms are not stopped but, on the contrary, the signals transmitted go on amplifying.

Lorsqu'en revanche, il est remarqué que le dépassement dure depuis moins de cinq secondes, cela signifie qu'il est utile de laisser les avertisseurs en action constante. Le cycle se termine donc, sans les mettre hors fonction.When, on the other hand, it is noticed that the overtaking lasts for less than five seconds it means it is useful to leave the alarms in action constant. The cycle therefore ends, without turning them off.

Le dispositif selon l'invention, tel qu'il vient d'être décrit, peut rester plusieurs jours sur la personne et enregistrer ainsi, toutes les 15 minutes, le nombre de dépassements, en avant ou en arrière, des limites de posture fixées par le thérapeute. Pendant la nuit, le dispositif peut être désactivé par une fonction de mise en pause.The device according to the invention, as just described, can remain several days on the person and thus record, every 15 minutes, the number of overstepping, forward or backward, of the posture limits set by the therapist. During the night, the device can be deactivated by a function of pause.

Lorsque la personne remet le dispositif au thérapeute, celui-ci le connecte à l'ordinateur 34 qui peut fournir, sous forme de tableau ou de graphique, le nombre de dépassements de seuil, vers l'avant et vers l'arrière, intervenus par tranches de 15 minutes tout au long de la période d'observation, avec, en plus, les pauses. Cet histogramme est très utile pour préciser l'étiologie de l'affection et enseigner quelles mesures de prévention sont à envisager.When the person hands the device over to the therapist, the therapist connects it to computer 34 which can provide, in the form of a table or graph, the number of threshold crossings, forward and backward, occurred by 15-minute increments throughout the observation period, with, in addition, the breaks. This histogram is very useful for specifying the etiology of the condition and teach what preventive measures should be considered.

En variante, le système pourrait fournir la valeur maximale des dépassements des valeurs limites avant et arrière, pour chaque tranche de temps de référence.Alternatively, the system could provide the maximum value of the overshoots front and rear limit values, for each reference time slot.

Selon une autre variante, il est possible de programmer le microprocesseur de manière à ce que le porteur soit averti lorsqu'il s'approche, typiquement, à moins de quatre degrés, des limites avant et arrière. Dans ce cas, les avertisseurs émettent un signal différent (par exemple, plus faible) de celui émis en cas de dépassement.According to another variant, it is possible to program the microprocessor of so that the wearer is warned when he approaches, typically, unless four degrees, front and rear limits. In this case, the alarms emit a different signal (for example, weaker) than that emitted in the event of exceeded.

On notera, aussi, qu'il est utile, pour le porteur et le thérapeute, de pouvoir désactiver les avertisseurs tout en conservant actif le système d'enregistrement. Cela peut être effectué par une pression prolongée sur le bouton 16 qui les désactive, et par une pression prolongée sur l'autre bouton 18 qui les réactive.It should also be noted that it is useful for the wearer and the therapist to be able to deactivate the alarms while keeping the recording system active. This can be done by a long press on button 16 which deactivates, and by a long press on the other button 18 which reactivates them.

La présente description, donnée à titre non limitatif, a été faite en se référant à un dispositif placé sur le sternum. Il va de soi que le dispositif selon l'invention peut aussi être installé sur d'autres parties du corps, par exemple un bras ou une jambe, dans certaines conditions thérapeutiques particulières.This description, given without limitation, has been made with reference to a device placed on the sternum. It goes without saying that the device according to the invention can also be installed on other parts of the body, for example an arm or a leg, under certain specific therapeutic conditions.

L'histogramme obtenu pourra aussi témoigner de l'utilisation effective de l'appareil par le porteur. On pourra, par exemple, prévoir que la mémoire, d'une taille plus importante, puisse enregistrer, à une fréquence déterminée, non plus le nombre de dépassements, mais toutes les valeurs d'angle, ce qui permettra de détecter que l'appareil a été déposé sans que la pause ait été activée.The histogram obtained may also show the actual use of the device by the wearer. We could, for example, predict that the memory of a larger size, can record, at a fixed frequency, either the number of overshoots, but all the angle values, which will allow to detect that the device has been placed without the pause being activated.

Claims (9)

Dispositif destiné à être appliqué sur une personne pour détecter ses mauvaises postures, c'est-à-dire des postures à risque, caractérisé en ce qu'il se place sur le sternum et comporte : un inclinomètre (26) délivrant un signal représentatif de l'angle d'inclinaison du dit segment par rapport à la verticale, un calculateur (28) recevant ledit signal et programmé pour effectuer cycliquement les opérations : d'obtention d'une mesure de l'angle d'inclinaison (36), de comparaison de cette mesure à deux valeurs limites mémorisées dudit angle correspondant respectivement à des positions penchées vers l'avant et vers l'arrière qui constituent un risque (38), et de production d'une indication de ces dépassements (46), et des moyens de signalisation, répondant à ladite indication, pour informer la personne et/ou le thérapeute. Device intended to be applied to a person to detect bad postures, that is to say risky postures, characterized in that it is placed on the sternum and comprises: an inclinometer (26) delivering a signal representative of the angle of inclination of said segment relative to the vertical, a computer (28) receiving said signal and programmed to carry out the operations cyclically: obtaining a measurement of the angle of inclination (36), comparing this measurement to two stored limit values of said angle corresponding respectively to forward and backward tilted positions which constitute a risk (38), and producing an indication of these overruns (46), and signaling means, responding to said indication, to inform the person and / or the therapist. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit inclinomètre (26) est un accéléromètre.Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said inclinometer (26) is an accelerometer. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte, en outre, une interface (14) permettant, à l'aide de boutons-poussoirs (18) et (20), de mémoriser les deux valeurs limites de l'angle d'inclinaison dans le calculateur (28).Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an interface (14) allowing, by means of push-buttons (18) and (20), to store the two limit values of the angle tilt in the computer (28). Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de signalisation comportent une alarme lumineuse (22). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said signaling means comprise a light alarm (22). Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 et 4, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de signalisation comportent une alarme acoustique (24).Device according to either of Claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the said signaling means comprise an acoustic alarm (24). Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1, 4, et 5, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de signalisation comportent une alarme vibrante (25).Device according to one of claims 1, 4, and 5, characterized in that said signaling means comprise a vibrating alarm (25). Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1, 4, 5 et 6, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de signalisation comportent une mémoire (30) lisible de l'extérieur, comprenant une pluralité de registres affectés à des tranches de temps successives regroupant une pluralité de cycles, et en ce que ledit calculateur (28) est programmé pour comptabiliser, dans chacun de ces registres, les dépassements des valeurs limites avant et arrière observés à chacun des cycles de la tranche de temps en cours.Device according to one of claims 1, 4, 5 and 6, characterized in that said signaling means comprise a memory (30) readable from the outside, comprising a plurality of registers assigned to successive time slots grouping a plurality cycles, and in that said computer (28) is programmed to record, in each of these registers, the exceedances of the front and rear limit values observed in each of the cycles of the current time slot. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1, 4, 5 et 6, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de signalisation comportent une mémoire (30) lisible de l'extérieur, comprenant une pluralité de registres affectés à des tranches de temps successives regroupant une pluralité de cycles, et en ce que ledit calculateur (28) est programmé pour mémoriser, dans chacun de ces registres, la valeur maximale des dépassements des valeurs limites avant et arrière observés durant la tranche de temps en cours.Device according to one of claims 1, 4, 5 and 6, characterized in that said signaling means comprise a memory (30) readable from the outside, comprising a plurality of registers assigned to successive time slots grouping a plurality cycles, and in that said computer (28) is programmed to store, in each of these registers, the maximum value of the overshoots of the front and rear limit values observed during the current time slot. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 7 et 8, caractérisé en ce que lesdits cycles et lesdites tranches de temps ont une durée respective de 100 ms et de 15 minutes.Device according to either of Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the said cycles and the said time slots have a duration of 100 ms and 15 minutes respectively.
EP02405460A 2002-06-07 2002-06-07 Posture detector Withdrawn EP1369146A1 (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02405460A EP1369146A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2002-06-07 Posture detector
EP03724758A EP1511540B1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-05-27 Posture detector
PCT/CH2003/000332 WO2003103780A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-05-27 Posture detector
AU2003229225A AU2003229225A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-05-27 Posture detector
US10/518,744 US20050237209A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-05-27 Posture detector
CA002485637A CA2485637A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-05-27 Posture detector
DE60301966T DE60301966T8 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-05-27 INDICATOR OF THE BODY POSITION
AT03724758T ATE306972T1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-05-27 BODY POSITION INDICATOR

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EP02405460A EP1369146A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2002-06-07 Posture detector

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EP1369146A1 true EP1369146A1 (en) 2003-12-10

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EP02405460A Withdrawn EP1369146A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2002-06-07 Posture detector
EP03724758A Expired - Lifetime EP1511540B1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-05-27 Posture detector

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EP (2) EP1369146A1 (en)
AT (1) ATE306972T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2003229225A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2485637A1 (en)
DE (1) DE60301966T8 (en)
WO (1) WO2003103780A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60301966T2 (en) 2006-07-27
EP1511540A1 (en) 2005-03-09
ATE306972T1 (en) 2005-11-15
CA2485637A1 (en) 2003-12-18
DE60301966T8 (en) 2006-11-23
WO2003103780A1 (en) 2003-12-18
DE60301966D1 (en) 2005-11-24
AU2003229225A1 (en) 2003-12-22
EP1511540B1 (en) 2005-10-19
US20050237209A1 (en) 2005-10-27

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