WO2017069519A1

WO2017069519A1 - Neck tilt angle sensing device and method

Info

Publication number: WO2017069519A1
Application number: PCT/KR2016/011772
Authority: WO
Inventors: So Yeon CHEE; Gyu Jin Bae; Young Hoon Kim; Jae Hyun Lee
Original assignee: Namu Inc.
Priority date: 2015-10-19
Filing date: 2016-10-19
Publication date: 2017-04-27
Also published as: KR101713300B1

Abstract

A neck tilt angle sensing device comprises a sensing part that contacts the rear neck of a user to sense a neck tilt angle of the user; a seating part that comprises a seating recess in which the sensing part is seated; and a fixing part that is connected to the seating part and is mounted on the neck or the back head of the user such that the sensing part is in contact with the rear neck of the user, wherein the sensing part is rotated about a coupling shaft in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the coupling shaft is coupled to the seating part.

Description

NECK TILT ANGLE SENSING DEVICE AND METHOD

A neck tilt angle sensing device and a neck tilt angle sensing method are disclosed. More particularly, a neck tilt angle sensing device that allows the user to take a correct posture by sensing a tilt angle of a neck of the user and informing the user of the sensing result and a neck tilt angle sensing method are disclosed.

Chronic pain of a neck and a shoulder due to the use of a smart device is becoming a dangerous cause of related diseases. When the user lowers the head of the user or stretches the neck of the user to view a text of the smart device, the weight of about 27 kg is additionally applied to the neck of an adult. A phenomenon in which a cervical vertebra is damaged due to the weight and the pressure applied to the neck is called a forward head posture, a turtle neck symptom or a text neck symptom.

When the spine loses a natural curve, for example, due to the forward head posture, the turtle neck symptom or the text neck symptom, a higher pressure may be applied to the spine over time, and a cervical herniated nucleus, and early wear, damage, and aging of the spine may be caused, which may require a surgical operation.

Accordingly, a technology of preventing a forward head posture, a turtle neck symptom or a text neck symptom by allowing the user to take a correct posture or a correct neck tilt angle is required.

A neck tilt angle sensing device that allows the user to take a correct posture and a neck tilt angle sensing method are disclosed.

In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a neck tilt angle sensing device comprising: a sensing part that contacts the rear neck of a user to sense a neck tilt angle of the user; a seating part that comprises a seating recess in which the sensing part is seated; and a fixing part that is connected to the seating part and is mounted on the neck or the back head of the user such that the sensing part is in contact with the rear neck of the user, wherein the sensing part is rotated about a coupling shaft in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the coupling shaft is coupled to the seating part.

In accordance with an aspect of an another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a neck tilt angle sensing method of a neck tilt angle sensing device comprising: a sensing part that contacts the rear neck of a user to sense a neck tilt angle of the user; a seating part that the sensing part is seated; and a fixing part that is connected to the seating part and is mounted on the neck or the back head of the user such that the sensing part is in contact with the rear neck of the user, wherein the sensing part is rotated about a coupling shaft in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the coupling shaft is coupled to the seating part, the method comprising: sensing the neck tilt angle of the user by the neck tilt angle sensing device; and outputting an alarm signal based on the neck tilt angle sensing result, with reference to preset setting information.

If the posture or the tilt angle of the neck of the user is sensed, an alarm signal corresponding to the neck tilt angle sensing result is output through a neck tilt angle sensing device and thus the user may take a correct posture or a correct neck tilt angle.

Further, if the neck tilt angle of the user is sensed, a side view of a cervical vertebra corresponding to the neck tilt angle sensing result is displayed through the smart device and thus the user may intuitively recognize his or her neck tilt angle state.

Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of a neck tilt angle sensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of a neck tilt angle sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the neck tilt angle sensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of the neck tilt angle sensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which a sensing part of the neck tilt angle sensing device is rotated in a first direction according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which a sensing part of the neck tilt angle sensing device is rotated in a second direction according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the neck tilt angle sensing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a neck tilt angle sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a view exemplarily illustrating a screen that is displayed through a smart device when a neck tilt angle of the user coincides with a reference posture.

Fig. 10 is a view exemplarily illustrating a screen that is displayed through a smart device when a neck tilt angle of the user does not coincide with a reference posture.

Fig. 11 is a view illustrating a mounting state of a neck tilt angle sensing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a view illustrating a mounting state of a neck tilt angle sensing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, the present inventive concept may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present inventive concept to those skilled in the art, and the spirit and scope of the present inventive concept should be defined by the appended claims.

Without separate definitions, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present description may be used for the meanings commonly understandable to those having ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the terms generally used and having definitions in dictionary, unless otherwise defined obviously in particular, should not be ideally or exaggeratedly interpreted.

The terms used in the present description are to explain the exemplary embodiments, not to limit the present invention thereto. In the present description, a singular form of word also includes a plural form thereof unless otherwise noted. The term "omprises" and/or "comprising" is not excluding the meaning that one or more elements other than the said element may exist or be added.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of a neck tilt angle sensing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the neck tilt angle sensing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a neck tilt angle sensing device 100 and a smart device 200.

The neck tilt angle sensing device 100 is mounted on a part of the body of the user, and measures a posture or a tilt angle of the neck. The posture or a tilt angle of the neck, for example, refers to a front inclination of a cervical vertebra. The neck tilt angle sensing device 100 may transmit the sensing result to the smart device 200 of the user. Then, the sensing result, for example, may be transmitted in a wireless communication scheme. In this case, prior to transmission of the sensing result, a pairing process is performed between the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 and the smart device 200. The paring refers to a procedure of registering device information of the smart device 200b in the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 and registering device information of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 in the smart device 200. If the two

devices

100 and 200 are paired, data may be wirelessly exchanged between the two

devices

100 and 200. As another example, the sensing result may be transmitted in a wired communication scheme. In this case, the pairing process of the two devices may be omitted.

The above-described neck tilt angle sensing device 100 includes a seating part (see 101 of Fig. 2), a fixing part (see 102L and 102R of Fig. 2) (hereinafter, 102L and 102R will be generally denoted by 102), and a sensing part (see 103 of Fig. 2). The sensing part 103 is seated in the seating part 101. The sensing part 103 contacts a rear neck portion of the user, and measures a posture of the neck. The fixing part 102 extends from opposite left and right ends of the seating part 101, and functions to fix the sensing part 103 to the rear neck of the user. The fixing part 102 may have a band shape to be mounted to the rear head or the rear neck of the user. For example, the band may have a shape, of which a length may be adjusted such that it may be mounted to a portion of the user regardless of a circumference of the mounted portion. As another example, the band may have a fixed shape and may be formed of a restoring material. A detailed description of an external appearance and an operational state of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 will be described below with reference to Figs. 2 to 6.

The smart device 200 stores a neck tilt angle correcting application. The neck tilt angle correcting application outputs a neck tilt angle sensing result that has been sensed by the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 until now to allow the user to maintain a correct posture or correct a wrong posture. The neck tilt angle correcting application may be provided in a form of a mobile application. The mobile application may include a mobile native application, a mobile web application, and a mobile hybrid application.

After driving the neck tilt angle correcting application, the user inputs setting information related to an operation of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100. Then, the smart device 200 transmits the setting information input by the user to the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 according to a wired communication scheme or a wireless communication scheme. Further, the smart device 200 receives a neck tilt angle sensing result from the neck tilt angle sensing device 100, and outputs the received neck tilt angle sensing result to the user.

For example, the smart device 200 displays a screen including the neck tilt angle sensing result through a display (not illustrated). Then, the neck tilt angle sensing result may be displayed through a number, a letter, a figure, or a combination thereof. In detail, the neck tilt angle sensing result is displayed in a side view of a cervical vertebra.

According to an embodiment, a front inclination of a cervical vertebra in a reference posture (that is, a right posture) and a front inclination of the cervical vertebra in the current neck posture of the user are displayed on the side view of the cervical vertebra. As a result, the user may intuitively recognize a difference between his or her neck tilt angle (that is, neck posture) and the reference neck tilt angle (that is, the reference posture), and may correct the posture such that the neck tilt angle (that is, neck posture) becomes closer to the reference neck tilt angle (that is, the reference posture) or coincides with the reference neck tilt angle (that is, the reference posture).

According to another embodiment, only a front inclination of a cervical vertebra in a current neck posture of the user is displayed in the side view of the cervical vertebra. When a front inclination of a cervical vertebra is not displayed in the reference posture, an alarm signal that informs that the reference posture and the current neck posture do not coincide with each other is output through a visual method, an audible method, a haptic method, or a combination thereof. For example, the colors of the side view of the cervical vertebra are differently displayed when the current neck posture (that is, the current neck tilt angle) of the user and the reference posture (that is, the reference neck tilt angle) do and do not coincide with each other. As another example, when the current neck posture (that is, the current neck tilt angle) of the user and the reference posture (that is, the reference neck tilt angle) do and do not coincide with each other, different sounds may be output or vibrations of different pattern may be output.

Although it has been described until now that the smart device 200 outputs a neck tilt angle sensing result in a side view of a cervical vertebra that is one of visual signals, the neck tilt angle sensing result may be output by an optical signal, a haptic signal, or a combination thereof. With which form of a signal the neck tilt angle sensing result will be output may be preset by the user.

The smart device 200 may be a wired/wireless communication device carried by the user. The wired/wireless communication device, for example, may include a personal computer (PC), a cellular phone, a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a synchronous/asynchronous international mobile telecommunication-2000 (IMT-2000) mobile terminal, a palm personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless application protocol (WAP) phone, a mobile gaming device, a smart phone, and a tablet. The digital device may be a wearable device that may be mounted on a part of the body of the user, such as the head, the face, an arm, a wrist, a finger, a thigh, or an ankle. The wearable device may be implemented in a patch form that may be attached to a part of the body of the user, or in a band form.

Next, an external appearance and an operation of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of a neck tilt angle sensing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of the neck tilt angle sensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which a sensing part of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 is rotated in a first direction according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which a sensing part of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 is rotated in a second direction according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 6, the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 may include a seating part 101 and a fixing part 102 that extends from left and right opposite ends of the seating part 101.

A rectangular seating recess 101a in which a sensing part 103 is seated is formed in the seating part 101. Coupling recesses 101b are formed on the left and right surfaces of the seating recess 101a, respectively. Coupling bosses 103b that protrude from the left and right surfaces of the sensing part 103 are coupled to the coupling recesses 101b, respectively. For easy mechanical coupling between the coupling recesses 101b and the coupling bosses 103b, the seating part 101 may be divided into a left seating part 101L and a right seating part 101R as illustrated in FIG. 4. However, it is not essentially necessary to divide the seating part 101 into the left seating part 101L and the right seating part 101R, but the seating part 101 may not be separable.

The sensing part 103 seated in the seating recess 101a of the seating part 101 may be rotated in a first direction about a coupling shaft for coupling with the seating part 101. Here, the first direction refers to a direction in which a surface, which faces the seating recess 101a, of the plurality of surfaces that constitute the sensing part 103, gets closer to the seating recess 101a. FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the sensing part 103 is rotated about the coupling shaft in the first direction by a specific angle.

The sensing part 103 seated in the seating recess 101a of the seating part 101 may be rotated in a second direction about a coupling shaft. The second direction refers to a direction that is opposite to the first direction. That is, the second direction refers to a direction in which a surface, which faces the seating recess 101a, of the plurality of surfaces that constitute the sensing part 103 gets far away from the seating recess 101a. FIG. 6 illustrates a state in which the sensing part 103 is rotated about the coupling shaft in the second direction by a specific angle.

If the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 is not mounted on the body of the user yet, the sensing part 103 maintains an initial location as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this state, if the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 is mounted to the body of the user, the sensing part 103 is rotated in the first direction or the second direction according to the neck tilt angle of the user as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. If the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 is released from the body of the user yet, the sensing part 103 returns to the initial location as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this way, in order to return the sensing part 103 to the initial location, a resilient member (not illustrated) may be arranged on the coupling shaft of the sensing part 103. The resilient member, for example, may include a lever spring, a coil spring, a leaf spring, a disk spring, resilient rubber, and a shape memory alloy. However, the resilient member is not limited to the examples, and it is apparent that another kind of resilient member may be used.

Meanwhile, the fixing part 102 extends from the left and right opposite ends of the seating part 101. The fixing part 102 maintains a contact state between the rear neck of the user and the sensing part 103 even when the user lowers or lifts the head while the sensing part 103 is in contact with the rear neck of the user. According to an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the fixing part 102 has a curved shape to surround a portion of a circumference of the back of the head or a portion of a circumference of the neck of the user, and has a wave pattern shape. Then, ends of the fixing part 102 have a hook shape. In this way, if the fixing part 102 has a wave pattern shape, an area of the fixing part 101, which contacts a circumference of the back of the head or a circumference of the neck increases, making it possible to fix the sensing part 103 more firmly. Further, if the ends of the fixing part 102 have hook shapes, they may be hung on the ears of the user to be fixed after the fixing part 102 surrounds the circumference of the back of the head of the user. Although not illustrated, according to another embodiment, the fixing part 102 may not have a wave pattern. In this way, even when the fixing part 102 does not have a wave pattern shape, the ends of the fixing part 102 may have hook shapes.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the neck tilt angle sensing system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 includes a button part 110, an output part 120, a sensor part 130, a storage part 140, a power supply part 150, a communication part 160, and a control part 170.

The button part 110 receives a command from the user. The command input through the button part 110, for example, may include a power on command for supplying electric power to the elements of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100, a power off command for stopping supply of electric power to the elements, and a pairing execution command for pairing the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 and the smart device 200. However, the command that may be input through the button part 110 is not limited to the examples.

In order to input the exemplified commands, the button part 110 may include one or more buttons. For example, the button part 110 may include a power button for inputting a power on command or a power off command, and a pairing button for inputting a pairing execution command. As another example, the button part 110 includes one button, and different commands may be input according to a manipulation pattern (for example, a button application time or the number of button applications) of the button. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, the button part 110 may be arranged on one surface of the sensing part 103.

The output part 120 outputs an alarm signal according to a neck tilt angle sensing result of the user and/or a sensing result as an optical signal, an audible signal, a haptic signal, or a combination thereof. To achieve this, the output part 120 may include a light emitting element 121 for outputting an optical signal, a speaker 122 for outputting an audible signal, a vibrator 123 for outputting a haptic signal, or a combination thereof. In addition to the light emitting element, the speaker, and the vibrator, the output part 120 may further include an arbitrary form of output unit that is well known in the art to which the present invention pertains.

The sensor part 130 senses a neck tilt angle of the user. To achieve this, the sensor part 130 may include a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a tilt sensor, an angular speed sensor, a magneto-sensor, or a combination thereof.

The storage part 140 may store a program and/or an algorithm that is necessary for operating the neck tilt angle sensing device 100. Further, the storage part 140 may store setting information that is related to an operation of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100. The setting information, for example, may include a transmission scheme (for example, real-time transmission or periodic transmission) of a neck tilt angle sensing result, a transmission period, an alarm signal output condition in the neck tilt angle sensing device 100, an alarm signal output scheme (for example, an optical signal, an audible signal, and a haptic signal) in the neck tilt angle sensing device 100, a neck tilt angle sensing result output scheme in the smart device 200, and an alarm signal output condition in the smart device 200. The exemplified setting information may be preset by the user. The user may set information such as a transmission scheme and a transmission period by directly manipulating the button part 110 of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100, and may set a transmission scheme and a transmission period by manipulating the smart device 200 paired with the neck tilt angle sensing device 100.

The above-described storage part 140 may include a nonvolatile memory, a volatile memory, an embedded memory, and a detachable external memory. The external memory, for example, may include a secure digital (SD) card, a mini-SD card, and a micro-SD card. In addition, the storage part 140 may include an arbitrary form of computer-readable recording medium that is well known in the art to which the present invention pertains.

The program and the algorithm stored in the storage part 140 may be continuously renewed. For example, when the storage part 140 is implemented by a detachable external memory, the algorithm may be renewed by replacing the external memory in which an existing algorithm is stored, by an external memory in which a new algorithm is stored. When the storage part 140 is implemented by another memory other than a detachable external memory, a new algorithm may be downloaded from the smart device 200, a server (not illustrated), or an external device through a wired/wireless network and an existing algorithm stored in the storage part 140 may be replaced by a downloaded new algorithm.

The power supply part 150 supplies electric power to the elements of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100. The power supply part 150 may be implemented in a form integrated with the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 in a hardware manner, and may be implemented in a form that may be separated from the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 in a hardware manner. For example, the power supply part 150 may receive power from a commercial power source (not illustrated) through a cable connected to the commercial power source. As another example, the power supply part 150 may receive electric power from a wireless charging device (not illustrated) electrically connected to the commercial power source according to a wireless power transmission technology.

The communication part 160 may communicate with the smart device 200 according to a wired communication scheme or a wireless communication scheme. For example, the communication part 160 may transmit and receive signals and/or data that are necessary for performing a pairing process to and from the smart device 200. As another example, the communication part 160 may receive setting information that is related to an operation of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 from the smart device 200. As another example, the communication part 160 may transmit a neck tilt angle sensing result sensed by the sensor part 130 to the smart device 200.

For communication with the smart device 200, the communication part 160 supports a wired communication scheme and/or a wireless communication scheme. When the communication part 160 supports a wired communication scheme, the communication part 160 may include a communication port 161. The communication port 161, for example, may include a USB communication port. The communication port 161 may include other types of communication ports instead of a USB communication port, and may include different types of communication ports.

Meanwhile, the wireless communication scheme, for example, may include wireless broadband internet (WiBro), Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE), ultra-wide band (UWB), and near field communication (NFC). The communication part 160 may support one or more of the exemplified wireless communication schemes.

The control part 170 connects and controls the elements of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100. Further, referring to the preset setting information, the control part 170 transmits the neck tilt angle sensing result sensed by the sensor part 130 to the smart device 200, output an alarm signal according to the neck tilt angle sensing result, or performs both of the two functions. According to an embodiment, when the neck posture or the neck tilt angle of the user does not coincide with the reference posture (that is, a correct posture) or the reference neck tilt angle (that is, a correct neck tilt angle), an alarm signal may be output. According to another embodiment, regardless of coincidence with the reference posture, when the neck tilt angle of the user is maintained for a reference time period (for example, 5 seconds) or more, an alarm signal may be output. Then, the reference time period may be preset by the user. According to another embodiment, an alarm signal may be output when a difference between the neck tilt angle of the user and the reference neck tilt angle is a reference angle (that is, predetermined angle) or more.

Until now, a configuration of the neck tilt angle sensing system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to FIG. 7. The above-mentioned elements are mounted on the printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board is within the sensing part 103.

Prior to a description of the neck tilt angle sensing method, it is assumed that the sensing part 103 of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 is situated at an initial location as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The user inputs a pairing command by manipulating the button part 110 of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 before mounting the fixing part 102 of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 on the back of the head or the neck. Then, the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 and the smart device 200 are paired (S800).

Thereafter, the user inputs setting information related to an operation of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 by manipulating the smart device 200 (S180). The setting information related to an operation of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 may include at least one of a transmission scheme (for example, real-time transmission or periodic transmission) of transmitting a neck tilt angle sensing result to the smart device 200, a transmission period, an alarm signal output condition (for example, a reference time period or a reference angle) in the neck tilt angle sensing device 100, an alarm signal output scheme (for example, an optical signal, an audible signal, or a haptic signal) in the neck tilt angle sensing device 100, a neck tilt angle sensing result output scheme in the smart device 200, and an alarm signal output condition (for example, a reference time period or a reference angle) in the smart device 200.

The smart device 200 transmits the setting information input by the user to the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 after storing the setting information in a storage part in the smart device 200 (S820).

The neck tilt angle sensing device 100 may store the setting information received from the smart device 200 to the storage part 140.

Thereafter, the user puts on the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 while taking a correct posture (that is, a correct neck tilt angle). For example, the user brings the sensing part 103 of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 into contact with the rear neck of the user, and puts on the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 such that the fixing part 102 surrounds the neck of the user. As another example, the user brings the sensing part 103 of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 into contact with the rear neck of the user, and uses the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 such that the fixing part 102 surrounds the back of the head of the user and then the ends of the fixing part 102 are hung on the ears of the user.

Thereafter, when the neck tilt angle of the user is changed, the sensing part 103 of the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 is rotated about the coupling shaft in the first direction or the second direction from the initial location by a specific angle. As a result, the sensor part 130 arranged in the sensing part 103 senses an angle by which the sensing part 103 is rotated, that is, the neck tilt angle of the user (S830).

Thereafter, the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 outputs an alarm signal according to the neck tilt angle sensing result, with reference to the setting information stored in the storage part 140 (S840). Operation S840 may include an operation of identifying an alarm signal output reference from the stored setting information, an operation of identifying an alarm signal output scheme in the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 from the stored setting information, and an operation of outputting an alarm signal according to the neck tilt angle sensing result, based on the identified result.

Thereafter, the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 transmits the neck tilt angle sensing result to the smart device 200 (S850). Operation S850 may include an operation of identifying a transmission scheme and a transmission period of the neck tilt angle sensing result from the stored setting information, and an operation of transmitting the neck tilt angle sensing result to the smart device 200, based on the identified result.

The smart device 200 outputs the neck tilt angle sensing result received from the neck tilt angle sensing device 100 (S860). According to an embodiment, operation S860 may include an operation of constituting a side view of a cervical vertebra corresponding to the neck tilt angle sensing result, and an operation of displaying a screen including the side view of the cervical vertebra through a display.

For example, when the neck posture (that is, neck tilt angle) of the user coincides with the initial posture (that is, the initial neck tilt angle), when the neck posture (that is, the neck tilt angle) of the user coincides with the reference posture (that is, the reference neck tilt angle), when a difference between the neck posture (that is, the neck tilt angle) of the user and the reference posture (that is, the reference neck tilt angle) is not more than the reference angle, when the neck posture (that is, the neck tilt angle) of the user is maintained for not more than the reference time period, or when the case corresponds to a combination thereof, the screen illustrated in Fig. 9 is displayed.

In contrast, when the neck posture (that is, the neck tilt angle) of the user does not coincide with the initial posture (that is, the initial neck tilt angle), when the neck posture (that is, the neck tilt angle) of the user does not coincide with the reference posture (that is, the reference neck tilt angle), when a difference between the neck posture (that is, the neck tilt angle) of the user and the reference posture (that is, the reference neck tilt angle) is the reference angle or more, when the neck posture (that is, the neck tilt angle) of the user is maintained for the reference time period or more, or when the case corresponds to a combination thereof, the screen illustrated in Fig. 10 is displayed.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the screen displayed through the smart device 200 may include a side view 310 of a cervical vertebra corresponding to the neck tilt angle sensing result, a picture 320 that depicting a front inclination of the cervical vertebra, and various menus 330 related to the correction of the neck tilt angle of the user.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10 together, it can be seen that when the current neck posture (that is, the current neck tilt angle) of the user coincides with the reference posture (that is, the reference neck tilt angle), the side view 310 of the cervical vertebra is displayed in a blue color (displayed in a horizontal solid line in Fig. 9), and when the current neck posture (that is, the current neck tilt angle) of the user does not coincide with the reference posture (that is, the reference neck tilt angle), the side view 310 of the cervical vertebra is displayed in a red color (displayed in a vertical solid line in Fig. 10). That is, it can be seen that the result obtained by comparing the current neck posture (that is, the current neck tilt angle) of the user and the reference posture (that is, the reference neck tilt angle) is output as a visual signal. The result obtained by comparing the current neck posture (that is, the current neck tilt angle)of the user and the reference posture (that is, the reference neck tilt angle)may be output as an optical signal, an audible signal, a haptic signal, or a combination thereof.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate that the picture 320 that depicts a front inclination of the cervical vertebra overlaps the side view 310 of a cervical vertebra. According to another embodiment, the front inclination of the cervical vertebra may be displayed with a number instead of a picture. Then, the number may be displayed around the side view 310 of the cervical vertebra.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate that the side views 310 and 320 of the cervical vertebra corresponding to the current neck posture (that is, the current neck tilt angle) of the user are displayed. According to another embodiment, a picture that depicts a side view of a cervical vertebra corresponding to the reference posture (that is, a correct posture) or the reference neck tilt angle (that is, a correct neck tilt angle) and a front inclination of a cervical vertebra may be additionally displayed.

Referring back to Fig. 8, the smart device 200 displays neck tilt angle sensing details according to a command of the user (S870). The neck tilt angle measurement details may include at least one of a past neck tilt angle sensing result and a current neck tilt angle sensing result. According to an embodiment, the user may identify only a neck tilt angle sensing result that has been sensed within a corresponding period by inputting the corresponding period. Then, the neck tilt angle sensing details may be displayed simply with a number, or may be displayed with a graph. Operation S870 may be omitted or may be replaced by another operation. For example, an operation corresponding to a menu selected from the menus 330 displayed in Figs. 9 and 10 may be performed instead of operation S870.

Fig. 11 is a view illustrating a mounting state of a neck tilt angle sensing device 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 11, the neck tilt angle sensing device 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a seating part 401, a fixing part 402, a coupling part 404, and a connecting part 405.

The seating part 401 has a rectangular column shape of which a transverse length is longer than a longitudinal length thereof, and is arranged above the fixing part 402 to be spaced apart from the fixing part 402. Although not illustrated in Fig. 11, a seating recess 101a in which a sensing part 103 is seated is formed in the seating part 401. Coupling recesses 101b are formed on the left and right surfaces of the seating recess 101a, respectively. The rotational states of the seating recess 101a, the coupling recess 101b, the sensing part 103, and the sensing part 103 have been described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6, and a repeated description thereof will be omitted.

One or more connecting parts 405 are arranged under the seating part 401. According to an embodiment, the connecting part 405 may be formed of a resilient material, such as a line spring. The line spring has a weak resiliency not in a lengthwise direction thereof but in a transverse direction (that is, a direction that is perpendicular to the lengthwise direction). Accordingly, even though the head of the user is lowered while the sensing part 103 is in contact with the rear neck of the user, the contact state between the rear neck of the user and the sensing part 103 may be maintained.

The coupling part 404 is arranged at a lower end of the connecting part 405. The coupling part 404 is coupled to the fixing part 402. Fig. 11 illustrates that the coupling part 404 is completely coupled to the fixing part 402. According to an embodiment, the coupling part 404 may be separated from the fixing part 402. The coupling part 404 separated from the fixing part 402 may be coupled to a necklace or a necklace type earset.

Fig. 12 is a view illustrating a mounting state of a neck tilt angle sensing device 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 12, the neck tilt angle sensing device 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a seating part 501, a fixing part 502, a coupling part 404, and a connecting part 405. The seating part 501, the fixing part 502, and the coupling part 504 of Fig. 12 are the same as the seating part 401, the fixing part 402, and the coupling part 404 of Fig. 11, and a repeated description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to Fig. 12, the connecting part 505 that connects the seating part 501 and the coupling part 504 is arranged under the seating part 501. According to an embodiment, the connecting part 505 is formed of a rigid material. A resilient member (not illustrated) is arranged at a portion at which the connecting part 505 and the coupling part 504 meet each other. The resilient material, for example, may include a lever spring, a coil spring, a leaf spring, a resilient rubber, and a shape memory alloy. In this way, if the resilient member is arranged at the portion at which the connecting part 505 and the coupling part 504 meet each other, a contact state between the rear neck of the user and the sensing part 130 may be maintained even though the head of the user is lowered.

The coupling part 504 is arranged at a lower end of the connecting part 505. The coupling part 504 is coupled to the fixing part 502. Fig. 12 illustrates that the coupling part 504 is not completely coupled to the fixing part 502 yet. The user may mount the coupling part 504 on a necklace or a necklace type ear set after separating the coupling part 504 from the fixing part 502.

Until now, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. In addition to the above-described embodiments, the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented through a medium that includes a computer readable code/command for controlling at least one processing element of the above-described embodiments, for example, a computer readable medium. The medium may correspond to a medium (s) that allows storage and/or transmission of the computer readable code.

The computer readable code may not only be recorded in a medium but also be transmitted through the internet, and the medium may, for example, include a recording medium such as a magnetic storage medium (for example, an ROM, a floppy disk, or a hard disk) and an optical recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM, Blu-Ray, or a DVD), or a transmission medium such as carrier waves. Because the mediums may correspond to a distribution network, the computer readable code may be stored, transmitted, and executed in a distribution scheme. Moreover, simply as an example, the processing element may include a processor or a computer processor, and the processing element may be distributed and/or included in one device.

While exemplary embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventive concept as defined by the following claims.

Claims

A neck tilt angle sensing device comprising:

a sensing part that contacts the rear neck of a user to sense a neck tilt angle of the user;

a seating part that comprises a seating recess in which the sensing part is seated; and

a fixing part that is connected to the seating part and is mounted on the neck or the back head of the user such that the sensing part is in contact with the rear neck of the user,

wherein the sensing part is rotated about a coupling shaft in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the coupling shaft is coupled to the seating part.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 1, wherein the first direction is a direction in which a surface, which faces the seating recess, of the plurality of surfaces that constitute the sensing part gets closer to the seating recess, and the second direction is a direction in which a surface, which faces the seating recess, of the plurality of surfaces that constitute the sensing part gets far away from the seating recess.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor part for sensing a neck tilt angle of the user;

an output part that outputs an alarm signal based on the neck tilt angle sensing result measured by the sensor part;

a communication part that transmits the neck tilt angle sensing result measured by the sensor part to a smart device; and

a control unit that performs a control such that the alarm signal is output through the output part or the neck tilt angle sensing result is transmitted to the smart device through the communication part, based on the stored setting information.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 3, wherein the sensor part comprises a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a tilt sensor, an angular speed sensor, a magneto-sensor, or a combination thereof.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 3, wherein the output part comprises a light emitting element for outputting the alarm signal in an optical signal, a speaker for outputting the alarm signal in an audible signal, a vibrator for outputting the alarm signal in a haptic signal, or a combination thereof.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 3, wherein the setting information comprises at least one of a transmission scheme of a neck tilt angle sensing result, a transmission period, an alarm signal output condition, an alarm signal output scheme, a neck tilt angle sensing result output scheme in the smart device, and an alarm signal output condition in the smart device.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 3, wherein the smart device displays the neck tilt angle sensing result with a number, a letter, or a combination thereof.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 7, wherein the smart device displays a screen comprising at least one of a side view of a cervical vertebra corresponding to the neck tilt angle sensing result, a front inclination of the cervical vertebra corresponding to the neck tilt angle sensing result, and menus related to correction of the neck tilt angle of the user.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 8, wherein the smart device differently displays a color of the side view of the cervical vertebra or outputs an optical signal, an audible signal, a haptic signal, or a combination thereof, based on the neck tilt angle sensing result.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 1, wherein the fixing part extends from opposite left and right ends of the seating part, and the fixing part has a curved shape to surround a portion of a circumference of the back of the head or a portion of a circumference of the neck of the user, and has a predetermined pattern.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more connecting parts that are arranged below the seating part; and

a coupling part that is arranged at a lower end of the connecting part and coupled to the fixing part,

wherein the fixing part is arranged below the seating part to be spaced apart from the seating part by a specific interval.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 11, wherein the connecting part is formed of a resilient member such that a contact state between the sensing part and the rear neck is maintained even if the head of the user is lowered.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 12, wherein the connecting part is formed of a rigid material, and the resilient member is arranged at a portion at which the connecting part and the coupling part meet each other such that the contact state between the sensing part and the rear neck is maintained even if the head of the user is lowered.
The neck tilt angle sensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a resilient member that is arranged on the coupling shaft to, when the neck tilt angle sensing device is released from the neck or the back of the head of the user, return the sensing part that has been rotated in the first direction or in the second direction to an initial location.
A neck tilt angle sensing method of a neck tilt angle sensing device comprising: a sensing part that contacts the rear neck of a user to sense a neck tilt angle of the user; a seating part that the sensing part is seated; and a fixing part that is connected to the seating part and is mounted on the neck or the back head of the user such that the sensing part is in contact with the rear neck of the user, wherein the sensing part is rotated about a coupling shaft in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and the coupling shaft is coupled to the seating part, the method comprising:

sensing the neck tilt angle of the user by the neck tilt angle sensing device; and

outputting an alarm signal based on the neck tilt angle sensing result, with reference to preset setting information.