METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ACTIVITY ENVIRONMENT GENERATOR

Abstract

A method and apparatus for Activity Environment Generator (AEG) is provided. The AEG allows a user in a variety of settings such as: domestic settings, office chairs, TV chairs, train seats, airplane seats, domestic or hospital beds. The AEG is particularly useful in the fields of rehabilitation, physiotherapy, injury prevention, falls prevention, training and wellness in general and may also provide recreational and/or entertainment elements. The AEG provides dynamically controllable forces with which the user interacts in the course of his/her activity. In one aspect of the invention, the forces provided by the AEG are generated by a magnetic field. In another aspect of the invention, the forces provided by The AEG are generated by a pneumatic actuator. The AEG is optionally scalable and/or modular and, in specific embodiments, may include one or more of the following: a Remote Trainer, an AEG-Accessory, an AEG-Wearable, optimization by Big Data and machine-learning.

Claims

1-22 (canceled)

23. An Activity Environment Generator apparatus for the exercise of specific body areas of a User and, in particular, for wellness, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, injury prevention, falls prevention and training in general including: i. One or more AEG-Master Unit/s, which AEG-Master Units includes a one or more Master Electromagnet/s; ii. One or more AEG-SU, which AEG-SU includes a Slave Magnet; iii. a Master Electromagnet Controller that controls all the operations of AEG-Master Unit, including Control Loop and the attractive or repulsive Force between the Master E-magnet and Slave Magnet whereby the Activity Environment Generator apparatus is capable of applying force in both directions along an axis of motion. iv. Force Transducer; v. Software for carrying out an AEG-Session including changing the attractive or repulsive Force between AEG-Master Unit/s, and AEG-SU based on an error generated by Control Loop; vi. Memory for both storing data and for running commands and executing any process required by specific embodiments of the invention, including those of App; and vii. a Connectivity Unit which enables the communication between AEG-Master Unit and other elements including with Communication Device, a Remote trainer, Cloud and, Big Data in Cloud and a Human Machine Interface.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 whereby the Activity Environment Generator is capable of applying force along multiple axes of motion.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23 whereby the apparatus is modular and capable of applying force differentially to specific parts of the user in relation to other parts of the body of said user when all magnets are attached to parts of the body of said user.

26. The apparatus according to claim 23 which allows setting specific motion patterns which support the desired motion and limit other movements in a way that is modifiable during the exercise session.

27. The apparatus according to claim 23 whereby Slave Magnet is one of the following kinds: magnets, temporary magnets, electromagnets, fixed polarity magnets, reverse-polarity magnets, or electromagnetic circuits.

28. The apparatus according to claim 23 whereby Pneumatic Actuator Controller replaces Master E-magnet controller and is connected to a Compressed Air Source.

29. The apparatus according to claim 23 whereby the transducer is one of the following: a strain gauge, a piezoelectric sensor or a pressure transducer or an equivalent one, either digital or analog.

30. The apparatus according to claim 23 whereby at least one element of the AEG is attached to at least one part of the User's body being said part typically, but not exclusively: a limb, the neck, the head, fingers, toes, knee, elbow, the jaw.

31. The apparatus according to claim 24 whereby at least one element of the AEG is attached to at least one part of the User's body being said part typically, but not exclusively: a limb, the neck, the head, fingers, toes, knee, elbow, the jaw.

32. The apparatus according to claim 25 whereby at least one element of the AEG is attached to at least one part of the User's body being said part typically, but not exclusively: a limb, the neck, the head, fingers, toes, knee, elbow, the jaw.

33. The apparatus according to claim 26 whereby at least one element of the AEG is attached to at least one part of the User's body being said part typically, but not exclusively: a limb, the neck, the head, fingers, toes, knee, elbow, the jaw.

34. The apparatus according to claim 28 whereby at least one element of the AEG is attached to at least one part of the User's body being said part typically, but not exclusively: a limb, the neck, the head, fingers, toes, knee, elbow, the jaw.

35. The apparatus according to claims 23 whereby at least one AEG element is attached to an external object, rather than being, said AEG element, attached to the User and whereby said external object is, typically but not exclusively, one of: a mat, any floor-like surface, a seat, the back of an armchair, an airplane seat, a TV chair, an office chair, a train seat, a wall, a door, any surface, a domestic or an hospital bed.

36. The apparatus according to claim 24 whereby at least one AEG element is attached to an external object, rather than being, said AEG element, attached to the User and whereby said external object is, typically but not exclusively, one of: a mat, any floor-like surface, a seat, the back of an armchair, an airplane seat, a TV chair, an office chair, a train seat, a wall, a door, any surface, a domestic or an hospital bed.

37. The apparatus according to claim 25 whereby at least one AEG element is attached to an external object, rather than being, said AEG element, attached to the User and whereby said external object is, typically but not exclusively, one of: a mat, any floor-like surface, a seat, the back of an armchair, an airplane seat, a TV chair, an office chair, a train seat, a wall, a door, any surface, a domestic or an hospital bed.

38. The apparatus according to claim 26 whereby at least one AEG element is attached to an external object, rather than being, said AEG element, attached to the User and whereby said external object is, typically but not exclusively, one of: a mat, any floor-like surface, a seat, the back of an armchair, an airplane seat, a TV chair, an office chair, a train seat, a wall, a door, any surface, a domestic or an hospital bed.

39. The apparatus according to claim 28 whereby at least one AEG element is attached to an external object, rather than being, said AEG element, attached to the User and whereby said external object is, typically but not exclusively, one of: a mat, any floor-like surface, a seat, the back of an armchair, an airplane seat, a TV chair, an office chair, a train seat, a wall, a door, any surface, a domestic or an hospital bed.

40. The apparatus according to claim 23 whereby AEG is provided with at least one of the following types of sensors for evaluating the movements of User: distance transducers, distance sensors, tilt sensors, ultrasonic sensors, position sensors, magnetic position switches, proximity sensors, mechanical switches, or variable reluctance sensors.

41. An Activity Environment Generator method for the exercise of specific body areas of a User and, in particular, for wellness, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, injury prevention, falls prevention and training in general Including the following steps: i. Selecting a training program for the AEG; ii. Optionally, transferring training program and parameters to TP/D/C takes via connectivity unit; iii. For User to place active body part into AEG-SU; iv. Starting the AEG-Session using APP or other available methods; v. Setting a Training Variable; vi. Initiating Control Loop; vii. For Master e-magnet controller to determine Set-point SP(TR-V); viii. Computing Error(t)=SP(TR-V)-PV(t) at time t; ix. Computing Output current I(t)=f(Error(t)) at time t; x. Setting Master e-magnet Current to 1=1(t); xi. Moving time counter moves up; xii. Measuring the attractive or repulsive Force generated by the interaction between e-magnet and slave magnet by Force Transducer whereby the Activity Environment Generator apparatus is capable of applying force in both directions along an axis of motion; and xiii. Converting Force into an electrical signal.

42. The method according to claim 41 whereby the Activity Environment Generator is capable of applying force along multiple axes of motion.

43. The method according to claim 41 whereby said system is modular and capable of applying force differentially to specific parts of the user in relation to other parts of the body of said user when all magnets are attached to parts of the body of said user.

44. The method according to claim 41 which allows setting specific motion patterns which support the desired motion and limit other movements in a way that is modifiable during the exercise session.

45. An Activity Environment Generator method for the exercise of specific body areas of a User and, in particular, for wellness, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, injury prevention, falls prevention and training in general including the following steps: i. Selecting a training program for the AEG; ii. Optionally, transferring training program and parameters to TP/D/C takes via connectivity unit; iii. For User to place active body part into AEG-SU; iv. Starting the AEG-Session using APP or other available methods; v. Setting a Training Variable; vi. Initiating Control Loop; vii. For Pneumatic Actuator Controller to determine Set-point SP(TR-V); viii. Computing Error(t)=SP(TR-V)-PV(t) at time t; ix. Computing Output air-flow FL(t)=f(Error(t)) at time t; x. For Electric to air-flow signal converter to set airflow to FL=FL(t); xi. Moving time counter moves up; xii. Measuring Pressure generated on the Pneumatic Actuator by Pressure Transducer whereby the Activity Environment Generator apparatus is capable of applying pressure in both directions along an axis of motion; and xiii. Converting Pressure into an electrical signal.

46. The method according to claim 41 whereby the function in step ix is feedback control function
I(t)=C.sub.1(t)+C.sub.2(t)dt+C3d(t)/dt where C.sub.1, C.sub.2 and C constants, I(t) is the current, t time and stand for error.

47. The method according to claim 45 whereby the function in step ix is feedback control function
FL(t)=C.sub.1(t)+C.sub.2(t)dt+C.sub.3d(t)/dt Where C1, C2 and C3 are constants and FL(t) is the air flow and t is the time and stands for the error.

48. The method according to claim 41 whereby a doctor, a physiotherapistor any person, other than Userwho assists, monitors or, otherwise, participates or is involved in the AEG-Session, is afforded at least one of the following possibilities: i. Communicate with APP; ii. To influence Control Loop; iii. Change the intensity and/or direction of Force with which User interacts in the course of the AEG-Session; iv. To change one or more Training Variables; or v. To use any portion of TDC.

49. The method according to claim 42 whereby a doctor, a physiotherapistor any person, other than Userwho assists, monitors or, otherwise, participates or is involved in the AEG-Session, is afforded at least one of the following possibilities: vi. Communicate with APP; vii. To influence Control Loop; viii. Change the intensity and/or direction of Force with which User interacts in the course of the AEG-Session; ix. To change one or more Training Variables; or x. To use any portion of TDC.

50. The method according to claim 43 whereby a doctor, a physiotherapistor any person, other than Userwho assists, monitors or, otherwise, participates or is involved in the AEG-Session, is afforded at least one of the following possibilities: xi. Communicate with APP; xii. To influence Control Loop; xiii. Change the intensity and/or direction of Force with which User interacts in the course of the AEG-Session; xiv. To change one or more Training Variables; or xv. To use any portion of TDC.

51. The method according to claim 44 whereby a doctor, a physiotherapistor any person, other than Userwho assists, monitors or, otherwise, participates or is involved in the AEG-Session, is afforded at least one of the following possibilities: xvi. Communicate with APP; xvii. To influence Control Loop; xviii. Change the intensity and/or direction of Force with which User interacts in the course of the AEG-Session; xviii. To change one or more Training Variables; or xix. To use any portion of TDC.

52. The apparatus according to claim 23 whereby a number of AEG-MU are attached to an airplane seat and number of AEG-SU are attached to the User.

53. The apparatus according to claim 24 whereby a number of AEG-MU are attached to an airplane seat and number of AEG-SU are attached to the User.

54. The apparatus according to claim 25 whereby a number of AEG-MU are attached to an airplane seat and number of AEG-SU are attached to the User.

55. The apparatus according to claim 26 whereby a number of AEG-MU are attached to an airplane seat and number of AEG-SU are attached to the User.

56. The apparatus according to claim 28 whereby a number of AEG-MU are attached to an airplane seat and number of AEG-SU are attached to the User.

57. The apparatus according to claim 23 whereby said apparatus is structured as an exercise mat and comprises: i. A number of elements which preferably have some degree of rigidity, being said elements optionally provided with a desired number of AEG-MU; ii. A number of rigid or semi-rigid elements, being said elements provided each with a desired number of AEG-MU; iii. An arrangement that allows said rigid or semi-rigid elements to be joined together; and iv. A head band to be worn by User being said head band equipped with at least one AEG-SU capable of interacting with AEG-MU on mat.

58. The apparatus according to claim 24 whereby said apparatus is structured as an exercise mat 63 and comprises: i. A number of elements which preferably have some degree of rigidity, being said elements optionally provided with a desired number of AEG-MU; ii. A number of rigid or semi-rigid elements, being said elements provided each with a desired number of AEG-MU; iii. An arrangement that allows said rigid or semi-rigid elements to be joined together; and iv. A head band to be worn by User being said head band equipped with at least one AEG-SU capable of interacting with AEG-MU on mat.

59. The apparatus according to claim 25 whereby said apparatus is structured as an exercise mat and comprises: i. A number of elements which preferably have some degree of rigidity, being said elements optionally provided with a desired number of AEG-MU; ii. A number of rigid or semi-rigid elements, being said elements provided each with a desired number of AEG-MU; iii. An arrangement that allows said rigid or semi-rigid elements to be joined together; and iv. A head band to be worn by User being said head band equipped with at least one AEG-SU capable of interacting with AEG-MU on mat.

60. The apparatus according to claim 26 whereby said apparatus is structured as an exercise mat and comprises: i. A number of elements which preferably have some degree of rigidity, being said elements optionally provided with a desired number of AEG-MU; ii. A number of rigid or semi-rigid elements 65, being said elements provided each with a desired number of AEG-MU; iii. An arrangement that allows said rigid or semi-rigid elements to be joined together; and v. A head band to be worn by User being said head band equipped with at least one AEG-SU capable of interacting with AEG-MU on mat.

61. The apparatus according to claim 28 whereby said apparatus is structured as an exercise mat and comprises: i. A number of elements which preferably have some degree of rigidity, being said elements optionally provided with a desired number of AEG-MU; ii. A number of rigid or semi-rigid elements, being said elements provided each with a desired number of AEG-MU; iii. An arrangement that allows said rigid or semi-rigid elements to be joined together; and v. A head band to be worn by User being said head band equipped with at least one AEG-SU capable of interacting with AEG-MU on mat.

62. The apparatus according to claim 23 suitable for exercise of the fingers and of the hand comprising: i. a AEG-MU attached to the palm of the hands; and ii. one or more AEG-SU attached to the fingers; Whereby said AEG-MU and said AEG-SU are either physically attached or separate, but in interaction.

63. The apparatus according to claim 24 suitable for exercise of the fingers and of the hand comprising: i. a AEG-MU attached to the palm of the hands; and ii. one or more AEG-SU attached to the fingers; Whereby said AEG-MU and said AEG-SU are either physically attached or separate, but in interaction.

64. The apparatus according to claim 25 suitable for exercise of the fingers and of the hand comprising: i. a AEG-MU attached to the palm of the hands; and ii. one or more AEG-SU attached to the fingers; Whereby said AEG-MU and said AEG-SU are either physically attached or separate, but in interaction.

65. The apparatus according to claim 26 suitable for exercise of the fingers and of the hand comprising: i. a AEG-MU attached to the palm of the hands; and ii. one or more AEG-SU attached to the fingers; Whereby said AEG-MU and said AEG-SU are either physically attached or separate, but in interaction.

66. The apparatus according to claim 28 suitable for exercise of the fingers and of the hand comprising: i. a AEG-MU attached to the palm of the hands; and ii. one or more AEG-SU attached to the fingers; Whereby said AEG-MU and said AEG-SU are either physically attached or separate, but in interaction.

67. The apparatus according to claim 62 whereby AEG-MU and AEG-SU are joined by a frame which is provided and on which frame AEG-MU or AEG-SU may be plugged or removed from.

68. The apparatus according to claim 66 whereby AEG-MU and AEG-SU are joined by a frame which is provided and on which frame AEG-MU or AEG-SU may be plugged or removed from.

Description

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0138] FIG. 6 show and exercise mat 63 which resembles a yoga mat. A number of element 64 which preferably have some degree of rigidity are provided. An arrangement that allow rigid or semi-rigid elements 65, also provided, to be joined together, is shown at 62. Elements 65 are provided each with a desired number of AEG-MU 20.

[0139] User 1 wears a head band 66 which constitute both a AEG-Wearable and an AEG-Accessory.

[0140] Head band 66 is equipped with AEG-SU 22 that interacts with AEG-MU 20 on that mat 63 thus creating the conditions for exercise of the neck.

[0141] In FIG. 7, 71 is a schematic representation of hand 70 with a numbers of AEG-Wearables 72 on it. Each AEG-Wearable on the fingers has one or more AEG-SU 22 whereas AEG-Wearables 72 on the palm of the hands include a AEG-MU 20. This arrangement Generates an Activity Environment suitable for exercise of the fingers and of the hand.

[0142] The AEG-Wearables 72 may be attached or each may be physically separate but in interaction.

[0143] Furthermore, in one variation, the AEG-Wearables are joined together and provide a frame on which AEG-MU 20 and/or AEG-SU may be plugged or removed from with a significant degree of scalability and modularity.

[0144] FIG. 8 shows an airplane sit 80 that constitutes an AEG-Accessory to which a number of AEG-MU 20 are attached or built in. A User 1 wearing a AEG-Wearable containing a number of AEG-SU 22 can carry out a AEG-Session while flying with the advantage to reduce the risks involved in prolong inactivity during a flight.

[0145] To conclude, it may be useful to note that in all embodiments Remote Trainer 212 has the possibility to change, through an appropriate interface, the forces experience by User 1.

[0146] A significant and useful implication of this fact is that Remote Trainer 212 may demonstrate in a tangible manner an exercise or a movement to User 1 without using any predetermined training setting, as if Remote Trainer 212 were present and within reach of User 1.

[0147] While a number of preferred embodiments have been described it is stressed that a vast number of additional embodiments are available by the invention.

[0148] Furthermore, elements of the invention may be changed, rearranged in different configurations and they, or equivalent ones, may be added or removed without changing the scope of the invention and of the appended claims.