KR102175232B1 - System for automatically correcting walking posture - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic gait correction system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a sensor unit for detecting a change in a parameter due to a user's walking; A pedestrian tax analysis unit for acquiring the user’s pedestrian tax information based on a change in the parameter sensed by the sensor unit, and comparing and analyzing the user’s pedestrian tax with a target pedestrian tax previously stored; A feedback information determination unit that determines feedback information based on a difference between the user's gait and a target gait; A notification unit outputting the feedback information; And a pedestrian tax correction unit for correcting the user's gait based on the change of the parameter or the feedback information. According to this, it is possible to accurately analyze a user's gait based on a change in a parameter due to walking, and apply appropriate pressure or vibration to the knee to reduce the load applied to the joint and reduce pain. In addition, it compares the analyzed gait information with the target gait in real time and informs the user through a wearable device, or applies appropriate pressure or vibration to the knee area to help the user correct the correct posture.

Description

Automatic gait correction system {SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY CORRECTING WALKING POSTURE}

The present invention relates to a system for automatically correcting the user's gait, and more specifically, assists the user's walking and corrects the gait based on changes in parameters such as the user's foot pressure, movement speed, direction, and acceleration. It relates to a system for doing.

This study was made with the support of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology's unique future source medical engineering technology development project, sensory-motor neural network modeling for bionics, and project specific number: 2E27980.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a degenerative disease that is also related to aging, and the number of patients is rapidly increasing as the society becomes aging. Osteoarthritis of the knee is pointed out as one of the causes of deteriorating the quality of life by inducing extreme pain and causing various bodily functional disorders, preventing the elderly from living independent daily lives.

Most knee osteoarthritis patients often have abnormalities on the inner side of the knee, and the usual wrong walking habits and postures worsen the condition and pain of knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease. Recently, knee braces that help to reduce the load on the inner side of the knee after knee osteoarthritis surgery have been developed, but there is no system for correcting wrong walking habits in real time to prevent or prevent knee osteoarthritis from progressing.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1147578

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention reduce the load applied to the knee joint during walking by applying pressure and vibration to the knee region according to the user's foot pressure, and at the same time, the movement speed, direction, acceleration, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic gait correction system capable of detecting a change in a parameter, correcting a user's gait in real time based on this, and outputting feedback information.

An automatic gait correction system according to an embodiment includes: a sensor unit configured to detect a change in a parameter due to a user's walking; A pedestrian tax analysis unit for acquiring the user’s pedestrian tax information based on a change in the parameter sensed by the sensor unit, and comparing and analyzing the user’s pedestrian tax with a target pedestrian tax previously stored; A feedback information determination unit that determines feedback information based on a difference between the user's gait and a target gait; A notification unit outputting the feedback information; And a gait correction unit for correcting a user’s gait based on a change in the parameter or the feedback information, wherein the gait correction unit applies pressure to the user’s knee according to the change in the parameter or the feedback information. It includes a pressure unit to apply.

In one embodiment, the sensor unit is attached to the user's soles or shoes, a plurality of sensor units for stepwise measuring foot pressure due to walking; And at least one inertial measurement unit attached to at least one of the user's knee and ankle and measuring a moving speed, direction, or acceleration of each region, wherein the gait analysis unit includes the sensor unit The user's gait information may be obtained based on at least one of the foot pressure sensed by, the moving speed, direction, and acceleration of each part.

In one embodiment, the pressure unit includes an air tube surrounding the user's knee area, and the air tube applies pressure to the knee area by introducing and expanding air as the foot pressure increases, and the foot pressure decreases. Accordingly, the pressure of the knee region may be reduced by releasing and contracting air.

In one embodiment, the pressure unit is attached to the sole of the user's foot or shoes, and when the user's foot touches the ground, air is introduced into the air tube, and when the user's foot falls from the ground, air in the air tube may be released. .

In one embodiment, the pressure unit may include a fully automatic air pump for automatically introducing or discharging air into the air tube based on a change in a parameter sensed by the sensor unit or the feedback information.

In an embodiment, the notification unit may visually output the feedback information, or may output a vibration or sound of a predetermined pattern based on the feedback information.

In one embodiment, the notification unit may be configured as a wearable device wearable on the user's body.

In one embodiment, the air tube may be customized according to the shape of the user's knee or the pedestrian position.

In one embodiment, the gait correction unit may further include a vibration unit that applies a predetermined pattern of vibration to the user's knee according to the feedback information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, based on a change in foot pressure due to walking or a change in parameters such as moving speed, direction, and acceleration of the knee or ankle, the user's gait is accurately analyzed and appropriate for the knee area. Applying pressure can relieve the load on the joint and reduce pain.

In addition, it compares the analyzed gait information with the target gait in real time and informs the user through a wearable device, or applies appropriate pressure or vibration to the knee area to help the user correct the correct posture. Conventional gait aid devices simply reduce the load on the knee joint, but the embodiment of the present invention further analyzes the user's gait and corrects the posture to prevent degenerative diseases such as knee osteoarthritis.

1 is a block diagram showing an automatic gait correction system according to an embodiment.
2 shows a state in which a user uses an automatic pedestrian tax correction system according to an embodiment.
3 is a view showing a pedestrian tax correction unit according to an embodiment.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and contents described in the accompanying drawings, but the scope to be claimed is not limited or limited by the exemplary embodiments.

The terms used in the present specification have selected general terms that are currently widely used as possible while considering functions, but this may vary according to the intention or custom of a technician working in the field or the emergence of new technologies. In addition, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in the description of the corresponding specification. Therefore, it should be noted that terms used in the present specification should be interpreted based on the actual meaning of the term and the entire contents of the present specification, not a simple name of the term.

In addition, embodiments described herein may have an aspect that is entirely hardware, partially hardware and partially software, or entirely software. In this specification, "unit", "module", "device", "server" or "system", etc. refer to hardware, a combination of hardware and software, or software, etc. Refers to a computer-related entity. For example, a unit, a module, a device, a server, or a system may refer to hardware constituting part or all of a platform and/or software such as an application for driving the hardware.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a block diagram of an automatic gait correction system according to an embodiment. According to this embodiment, the automatic gait correction system 10 includes a sensor unit 100 for detecting a change in a parameter due to a user's walking; A pedestrian tax analysis unit 200 for acquiring the user's pedestrian tax information based on a change in a parameter sensed by the sensor unit 100, and comparing and analyzing the user's pedestrian tax with a target pedestrian tax previously stored; A feedback information determination unit 300 for determining feedback information based on a difference between the user's gait and a target gait; A notification unit 400 outputting the feedback information; And a pedestrian tax correction unit 500 for correcting the user's gait based on the parameter change or feedback information.

Hereinafter, functions and embodiments of each component will be described in detail.

In one embodiment, the sensor unit 100 is attached to the sole or shoe of the user to measure foot pressure due to walking in stages, and the foot pressure sensor unit 120 and the movement speed, direction, or acceleration of the user's knee or ankle. It may include an inertial measurement unit 110 for measuring parameters such as. Here, the change of the parameter detected by the sensor unit 100 means a change in foot pressure during walking (for example, foot pressure increases when the foot is placed on the ground, and foot pressure decreases when the foot is removed from the ground) or the moving speed of the body part. It refers to the change in measured values such as, direction and acceleration.

As shown in FIG. 2, the foot pressure sensor unit 120 may include a plurality of sensor units 121 that are attached to the soles or shoes of the user and can measure foot pressure in stages. The more the number of sensor units and the more stages of foot pressure that can be distinguished, the more accurately the gait can be analyzed. The plurality of sensor units 121 may be evenly distributed in order to measure changes in foot pressure different for each sole part, or may be configured to be intensively distributed in a part that mainly contacts the ground. For example, a plurality of sensor units may be intensively distributed on a toe or heel, and no or less sensor units may be distributed on an inner arch of the sole.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inertial measurement unit 110 may be attached to the user's knee and/or ankle to measure the moving speed, direction, and acceleration of each part. The measured value is used to analyze the user's gait along with information on changes in foot pressure. In one embodiment, the inertial measurement unit 110 is embedded in a component (for example, an air tube, an air pump, a vibration unit, etc.) of the gait correction unit 500 to be described later, or independently attached to a body part. Can be configured.

The gait analysis unit 200 is based on a change in parameters detected by the sensor unit 100 (for example, a change in foot pressure, a change in movement speed, direction, acceleration, etc. of the knee/ankle area) of the user. Acquire information. For example, when the user steps on the ground, the change in foot pressure is measured to obtain posture information indicating that the user's gait is skewed to one side, or the speed and direction of the user's walking from the measured value of the IMU sensor. It is possible to obtain information related to the pedestrian tax, such as walking.

The pedestrian tax analysis unit 200 may compare the analyzed pedestrian tax with the previously stored target pedestrian tax. Target gait is information on correct gait, for example, walking while keeping the shape of your foot straight, walking at an appropriate speed and strength, or touching the ground smoothly from your heel. Say your posture. As a result of comparing and analyzing this, it is possible to obtain comparative information such as that the user's gait is too fast or that the user's walking speed is too fast compared to the target gait, or that he is walking on an eight-legged foot.

The target gait information may be previously stored in a memory in the system 10, periodically updated from an external server, etc., or may be acquired in real time through network communication between servers.

The feedback information determination unit 300 determines feedback information based on the comparison information. That is, the feedback information refers to a series of information necessary for the user to correct the pedestrian tax, which is found by comparing and analyzing the current pedestrian tax of the user and the stored target pedestrian tax.

For example, as a result of analyzing the user's current gait, it is assumed that i) the walking speed is too fast ii) the angle between the knees is too large and iii) the foot pressure on the outside of the sole is measured asymmetrically compared to the correct target gait. Let's do it. In this case, the feedback information is determined to be symmetric when i) reduce the walking speed ii) gather both knees inward and iii) the soles of the feet tread on the ground. This is information about a set of guidelines that the user must correct in order to get closer to the target gait.

The feedback information determined by the feedback information determination unit 300 is transmitted to the notification unit 400 to inform the user of the feedback information, and at the same time, is transmitted to the pedestrian tax correction unit 500 to physically correct the user's gait. . The process of transmitting the feedback information to each of the components 400 and 500 is performed irrespective of the temporal sequence, and only some steps may be selectively performed according to the user's setting or the presence or absence of the component.

The notification unit 400 is a component for visually outputting the feedback information or outputting a vibration or sound of a predetermined pattern based on the feedback information to inform the user of the pedestrian tax information.

For example, in one embodiment, the notification unit 400 may have a display, "reduce the walking speed", "gather both knees inward", "so that the soles of the feet are symmetrical when treading the ground. "Please", a feedback phrase determined by comparing the user's current gait and target gait may be output on the display.

In another embodiment, the notification unit 400 may include a vibration motor or a speaker, and may output vibration or sound of a pattern corresponding to the determined feedback information. For example, if the parameter difference between the user's gait and the target gait is greater than or equal to a threshold, two long vibrations are output to warn, and if it is less than the threshold, one short vibration is output, or the feedback phrase output on the display is voiced. Can be printed.

The output method described above may be set differently according to the configuration of the notification unit 400 device or application, and is not limited to a specific method.

In an embodiment, the notification unit 400 may be a wearable device that can be worn on the user's body (wrist) as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the notification unit 400 may include a small display, a speaker, a vibration motor, and hardware and software for controlling the output. The device type of the notification unit 400 shown in FIG. 2 is only an example, and various types of electronic devices such as a smart phone, laptop, desktop, PDP, and wearable glasses may operate as the notification unit.

The gait correction unit 500 is a component for physically correcting the gait of a user or assisting walking according to a change in a parameter or feedback information. In one embodiment, the gait correction unit 500 may include a pressure unit 510 for applying pressure to the user's knee and/or a vibration unit 520 for applying vibration to the knee.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pressure unit 510 may include an air tube 511 surrounding a user's knee and an air pump 512 for introducing or discharging air into the air tube. The air tube 511 is made of a flexible elastic material and expands or contracts according to the inflow and outflow of internal air. For this purpose, an air inlet is formed on one side to allow air to flow in or out by the operation of the air pump 512.

In one example, the air tube 511 assists walking in a way that expands when the foot is placed on the ground while walking to reduce the load applied to the knee joint and contracts when the foot is removed from the ground, and degenerative diseases such as knee osteoarthritis Reduce the pain associated with it.

In addition, the air tube 511 may be customized according to the shape of the user's knee or the pace of the user's knee. For example, when the inner side of the knee is weak and the angle of both knees is widened, the outside of the knee expands more. By using it, the gait can be corrected.

The air tube 511 and the air pump 512 may be variously configured according to the embodiment. In one embodiment, the air pump 512 is attached to the sole of the user's foot or the sole of the shoe, and as the foot pressure increases as the user's foot touches the ground, air is introduced and inflated into the air tube 511, and the user's foot As the foot pressure decreases, the air tube 511 is contracted. According to this, the user can receive assistance while walking without additional equipment.

In another embodiment, the air pump 512 is a fully automatic air pump capable of automatically introducing or discharging air into the air tube based on a change in a parameter sensed by the sensor unit 100 or the feedback information. I can. For example, unlike a passive air pump attached to the soles of the user's feet or shoes, when the foot pressure measured by the sensor unit 100 increases, the user's feet are recognized as being in contact with the ground, and the motor is driven to the air tube 511. It automatically introduces air. Accordingly, the air tube expands and the load applied to the knee joint can be reduced.

In addition, a customized air tube to correct the user's posture based on changes in parameters other than foot pressure (direction of movement, speed, and acceleration of the knee or ankle) or feedback information (for example, information that the inside of the knee is wide open). Air can be introduced into the air automatically.

For example, a customized air tube may be manufactured in a shape suitable for compressing the outside of the knee in order to correct a user's incorrect posture such as angular deformity and bent legs, and the gait correction unit 500 is'inside the knee. It is possible to control the fully automatic air pump to inflow air into the air tube by receiving feedback information such as'Because the knees must be gathered and walked'.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a vibration unit 520 for correcting a posture by applying vibration to the knee region may be further included. Output values, such as the intensity or frequency of vibration, may be preset according to the user's setting or the shape of the knee. For example, in order to correct the user's incorrect posture, the vibration unit 520 attached to the outside of the knee receives the feedback information and vibrates, thereby correcting the user's gait.

As shown, the vibration unit 520 may be provided with a belt-shaped fixing part to be worn on the user's knee or ankle. As another embodiment, the vibration unit 520 may be manufactured integrally with the components of the pressure unit 510.

According to the automatic gait correction system described above, the user's gait is accurately analyzed based on a change in foot pressure during walking or a change in parameters such as movement speed, direction, acceleration of the knee or ankle, and Applying the appropriate pressure or vibration to the joint can reduce the load applied to the joint and reduce pain.

In addition, it compares the analyzed gait information with the target gait in real time and informs the user through a wearable device, or applies appropriate pressure or vibration to the knee area to help the user correct the correct posture. Conventional gait aid devices simply reduce the load on the knee joint, but the embodiment of the present invention further analyzes the user's gait and corrects the posture to prevent degenerative diseases such as knee osteoarthritis.

Although the above has been described with reference to embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art can variously modify and change the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the following claims. You can understand.

10: Automatic gait correction system
100: sensor unit
110: inertial measurement unit
120: foot pressure sensor unit
121: sensor unit
200: Gait Analysis Department
300: feedback information determination unit
400: notification unit
500: Gait Correction Department
510: pressure unit
511: air tube
512: air pump
520: vibration unit

Claims (9)

A sensor unit detecting a change in a parameter due to a user's walking;
A pedestrian tax analysis unit for acquiring the user’s pedestrian tax information based on a change in the parameter sensed by the sensor unit, and comparing and analyzing the user’s pedestrian tax with a target pedestrian tax previously stored;
A feedback information determination unit that determines feedback information based on a difference between the user's gait and a target gait;
A notification unit outputting the feedback information; And
Includes a pedestrian tax correction unit for correcting the user's gait based on the parameter change or the feedback information,
The sensor unit may include a plurality of foot pressure sensor units attached to the user's soles or shoes to stepwise measure foot pressure due to walking; And at least one inertial measurement unit attached to at least one of the user's knee and ankle to measure a moving speed, direction, or acceleration of each region,
The gait analysis unit acquires the user’s gait information based on at least one of a foot pressure, a movement speed, a direction, and an acceleration of each portion detected by the sensor unit,
The gait correction unit includes a pressure unit that applies pressure to the user's knee according to the change of the parameter or the feedback information,
The pressure unit wraps around the user's knee and applies pressure to the knee by introducing and expanding air as the foot pressure increases, and reducing the pressure on the knee by releasing and contracting air as the foot pressure decreases. It characterized in that it comprises an air tube configured to be, automatic gait correction system.
delete delete The method of claim 1,
The pressure unit further comprises an air pump that is attached to the soles of the user's feet or shoes to introduce air into the air tube when the user's feet touch the ground, and discharge air in the air tube when the user's feet fall from the ground. Characterized by, automatic gait correction system.
The method of claim 1,
The pressure unit, characterized in that it comprises a fully automatic air pump for automatically introducing or discharging air into the air tube based on a change in a parameter sensed by the sensor unit or the feedback information, automatic gait correction system .
The method of claim 1,
The notification unit visually outputs the feedback information, or outputs a vibration or sound of a predetermined pattern based on the feedback information.
The method of claim 6,
The notification unit, characterized in that consisting of a wearable device wearable on the user's body, automatic gait correction system.
The method of claim 1,
The air tube, characterized in that it is custom-made according to the shape of the user's knee portion or gait, automatic pedestrian tax correction system.
The method of claim 1,
The gait correction unit, characterized in that it further comprises a vibration unit for applying a predetermined pattern of vibration to the user's knee according to the feedback information, automatic gait correction system.

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