Abstract
An exemplary responsive training device for responding to user interaction with the device can be provided. For example, the responsive training device can be configured with a surface enclosing a compressible body. The responsive training device can further embed at least one sensor configured to sense a deformation of the compressible body and to generate a sensory output to a controller. The responsive training device can also embed a controller configured to control at least one transponder. Furthermore, the exemplary responsive training device can embed at least one transponder configured to provide an audio output and/or a visual output as a function of the sensor output.
Claims
1. A responsive rehabilitation device for responding to a user interaction therewith, the responsive rehabilitation device being in the form of a compressible body comprising: a surface enclosing the compressible body; a controller positioned centrally within the compressible body; at least one pressure sensor configured to sense a deformation of the compressible body in response to a pressure applied to the surface and to generate a quantitative sensor output to the controller in response to the pressure applied to the surface; at least one transponder positioned inside the compressible body, the at least one transponder configured to provide at least one of an audio output, a visual output or a combination thereof as a function of the quantitative sensor output; and wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one transponder as a function of the quantitative sensor output, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is a capacitive sensor including at least two conducting bodies separated by the controller and a dielectric material, wherein the two conducting bodies are placed substantially parallel to each other on each side of the controller, the capacitive sensor is configured for measuring change in capacitance between said at least two conducting bodies, said change in capacitance is a result of a change in distance between the at least two conducting bodies, and converting the measured change in capacitance to the quantitative sensor output.
2. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is configured to generate the quantitative sensor output in response to a continuously applied pressure to the surface.
3. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is configured with two or more sensor zones which are configured to generate a sensor zone output in response to a location on the surface of where the pressure is applied.
4. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor comprises a capacitive electrode which provides for an electric shield that embeds the compressible body.
5. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor comprises at least one capacitive sensor electrode provided as a conductive fabric.
6. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor comprises at least one capacitive sensor electrode provided as at least one conductive thread sewed or woven into a material.
7. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor includes at least one capacitive sensor electrode is a second surface generated by a conductive spray-on material.
8. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one further sensor which is an accelerometer.
9. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 8, further comprising at least two further sensors which include a gyroscope and a compass.
10. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 1, wherein the responsive rehabilitation device is a pillow or a ball.
11. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor detects applied pressure characteristics of at least one of an intensity, a repetition rate, a rhythm, or a combination thereof.
12. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 11, wherein, when in use, the responsive rehabilitation device responds with at least one signal which is at least one of the audio output, the visual signal or the combination thereof, and wherein the at least one signal configured with at least one of an audio universe, a visual universe responsive or a combination thereof to at least one of the set of pressure characteristics of the use, motion characteristics of the use, or combinations thereof.
13. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 1, wherein the quantitative sensor output is classified according to a set of pressure characteristics mapped to a set of response characteristics which are outputted as a response which is at least one of the audio output, the visual output or the combination thereof.
14. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 13, wherein the quantitative sensor output is further categorized according to a set of movement characteristics mapped to the set of response characteristics.
15. The responsive rehabilitation device according to claim 13, wherein, when in use, the responsive rehabilitation device responds with at least one signal which is at least one of the audio output, the visual signal or the combination thereof, and wherein the at least one signal configured with at least one of an audio universe, a visual universe responsive or a combination thereof to at least one of the set of pressure characteristics of the use, motion characteristics of the use, or combinations thereof.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are detailed in the description of the Figures, where this description shall not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The Figures show:
(2) FIG. 1 illustrates the responsive training device with user interaction as applied pressure.
(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the response of the responsive training device with a first and a second audio-or-visual response.
(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the invention in the form of a pillow.
(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a top section view of a capacitive sensor comprising a capacitive sensor layer.
(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a side section view of a capacitive sensor embedded in the responsive training device. 5A: one-part capacitive sensor, 5B: two-part capacitive sensor.
(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a section view of a capacitive sensor embedded in a ball-formed responsive training device.
(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a section view of air pressure sensor embedded in a ball-formed responsive training device.
(9) FIG. 8 illustrates the response of the device in use, in which the response is generated by a user pressure input.
(10) FIG. 9 illustrates the response of the device in use, in which the response is generated by a user pressure input and a user movement input.
(11) Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the subject disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
(12) FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a responsive training device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with user interaction 20. The user interaction 20 may be a pressure applied by the user to the device 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure is indicated as applied by hand to the surface 60 of the device 10. Due to the applied pressure, the compressible body 70 of the device 10 is compressed. A sensor 100 embedded in the device 10 detects the user interaction 20 and generates a sensor output 200. The sensor output 200 is received by the controller 270. The controller 270 controls a transponder 90 which gives an audio-or-visual output 22.
(13) FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a procedure of how a response of the responsive training device 10 can be generated with a first audio-or-visual response 24 and a second audio-or-visual response 26, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the first audio-or-visual response 24 is generated by the controller 270 without a sensory output 200 and without user interaction 20. The controller 270 controls 540 the transponder 90 to output 530 an audio-or-visual signal, which for this embodiment is the first audio-or-visual output 24. The first audio-or-visual output 24 may alert or motivate the user to use the training device 10. The user may then interact 20 with the device and apply 510 a pressure or a movement to the device 10. This interaction can be detected 520 by a sensor 100 which generates a sensor output 200. The sensor output 200 can be forwarded to the controller 270, which controls a transponder 90 to output 530 an audio-or-visual signal, which—for this exemplary embodiment—can be the second audio-or-visual output 26.
(14) The exemplary illustration of FIG. 2 can provide several working modes of the device 10 where the device 10 is set to alert, instruct, or motivate the user by a first audio-or-visual response 24. For example, the working mode may be to alert the user to begin a training routine. Another example may be that the working mode of the device 10 is set to motivate the user to alter the pattern of the on-going training.
(15) FIG. 3 illustrates perspective view of the exemplary responsive training device 10 formed as a pillow 30, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The exemplary device 10 can be configured with a surface 60 enclosing a compressible body 70 embedding a transponder 90 and which surface 60 is configured with a connecting point 260. The connecting point 260 may, for example, be useable for recharging the device 10 by connecting the device 10 to a docking station. Another example for use of a connection point can be to load or alter the audio-or-visual universe 28 of the device 10. The illustrated transponder 90 may comprise several transponders 90 and may comprise one or more speakers 92, one or more light indicators 94 or a combination of both for an audio-or-visual response 22.
(16) FIG. 4 illustrates a top section view of a capacitive sensor 110 which may be embedded in the responsive training device 10, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensor 110 can comprise two conductive bodies configured as a capacitive sensor layer 114 and as an electric shield 118. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the electric shield further constitutes the surface 60 of the device 10. The capacitive sensor layer 114 can be configured with multiple capacitive electrodes 116 which may be conductive threads 166 woven into or sewed onto a non-conductive fabric. The capacitive electrodes 116 can divide the sensor into multiple sensor zones 120. The capacitance 130 may be measured between any of the capacitive electrodes 116, e.g., between the electric shield 118 and the capacitive electrodes 116 comprised in the capacitive sensor layer 114. The capacitive sensor 110 can further comprise a capacitive sensor chip 112.
(17) Due to the compressible body 70 of the exemplary device 10, the distance between the capacitive electrodes 116, including the electrode constituting the electric shield 118, can be changed when an outside pressure is applied to the device 10. As the distance and material density of the elastic material 72 between the electrodes 116 is changed, the capacitance 130 between the electrodes 116 can be altered. The change in capacitance 130 may be registered by the capacitive sensor chip 112. The sensor zones 120 can facilitate the possibility of generating sensory zone outputs 210 in response to the location of where the pressure is applied to the device 10.
(18) FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrates side section views of a capacitive sensor 110 embedded in the responsive training device 10, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The surface 60 of the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B can comprise a cover 80.
(19) In particular, FIG. 5A shows an exemplary one-part capacitive sensor 140. The one-part capacitive sensor 140 can comprise a capacitive electrode 116 placed substantially in the middle between the upper and lower part of the device 10, which for this exemplary embodiment can also be in the middle between the upper and lower part of the electric shield 118, comprising the other capacitive electrode 116. The capacitive electrode 116 in the middle of the device 10 may comprise a capacitive sensor layer 114 outlined with sensor zones 120 as illustrated in the top section view in FIG. 4. As described herein in connection with FIG. 4, due to the compressible body 70 of the device 10, the capacitance 130 between the capacitive electrodes 116 can be changed when an outside pressure is applied to the device 10. In the training device 10, two transponders 90 and a controller 270 can be embedded to generate an audio-or-visual response 22 generated by an applied pressure. Furthermore, an accelerometer 104 can be embedded in the device.
(20) FIG. 5B shows an exemplary two-part capacitive sensor 142. This exemplary sensor can comprise two capacitive sensor electrodes embedded in the compressible body 70 surrounded by the electric shield 118 constituting yet another capacitive electrode 116. For example, the two capacitive sensor electrodes embedded in the compressible body 70 can be placed substantially parallel to each other with one placed above the middle of the device 10 and the other placed below the middle of the device 10. Thus, a kernel of the device 10 is left available for embedding transponders 90, a controller 270 and an accelerometer 104. The two capacitive sensor electrodes embedded in the compressible body 70 may be capacitive sensor layers 114 configured with the outline illustrated in the top section view in FIG. 4.
(21) The responsive training device 10 constructed as a ball 40 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in FIG. 6A as a cross-sectional view thereof. In particular, FIG. 6A shows the ball-forming training device 10,40 comprising a capacitive sensor 110 and an accelerometer 104. The capacitive sensor 110 can comprise annular capacitive electrodes 116 in an inner layer and an outer layer with substantially equidistance spaced along the circumference of the ball. The electrodes 116 may be thin ring-shaped capacitive electrodes, broader band-shaped electrodes configured as a capacitive sensor layer 114 or ball-shaped capacitive sensor layers 114. The sensor layers 114 may further be outlined with sensor zones 120 resembling the capacitive sensor layer 114 illustrated in FIG. 4. Furthermore, the capacitive electrode 116, in one layer, may comprise multiple thin ring-shaped capacitive electrodes or broader band-shaped electrodes placed at different angles or distances to each other as illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6C.
(22) The two capacitive electrode layers 114 are spaced by a compressible body and as previously described in connection with FIG. 4 the capacitance 130 between the layers 114 or across the sensor zones 120 comprised in the individual layers 114 may be changed due to an applied pressure to the surface 60 of the ball-formed device 10,40. In the centre of the ball 40 comprised within the inner layer of the capacitive sensor a controller 240 may be embedded. The centre of the ball may comprise an incompressible fluid or a compressible fluid. If a compressible fluid is embedded in the centre of the ball, considerations should be taken regarding the degree of compressibility of the two compressible materials comprised in the device 10 to achieve sufficient changes in capacitance in order to determine the applied pressure.
(23) The surface 60 of the illustrated embodiment comprises a cover 80.
(24) FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of the responsive training device 10 constructed as a ball 40 according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the exemplary embodiment of the training device comprises an air pressure sensor 106 and an accelerometer 104 embedded in the ball with the surface 60. The ball comprises a centre of air 170 which also constitutes the compressible body 70. A valve 42 is provided to inflate the ball 40. Furthermore, two transponders 90 and a controller are embedded in the ball to generate an audio-or-visual response.
(25) FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a procedure indicating an exemplary response of the responsive training device 10 in use 500. For example, the response can be generated by a pressure input due to user interaction 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the user can interact with the device 10 by applying 510 a pressure to the device 10. The applied pressure can be detected 520 by a pressure sensor 102 and the sensory output 200 is classified according to a set of pressure characteristics 420. The pressure characteristics 420 can be mapped to a set of response characteristics 430. The set of response characteristics 430 can be mapped to a specific audio-or-visual universe 28 which can be an output 530 as an audio-or-visual response 22. The set of pressure characteristics 420 may comprise information such as intensity 402, repetition rate 404 and rhythm 406 of the applied pressure.
(26) FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of another procedure indicating an exemplary response of the responsive training device 10 in use 500, whereas the response can be generated by a pressure input and a motion input due to user interaction 20. As shown in FIG. 9, the user can interact with the device 10 by applying 510 a pressure and motion to the device 10. The applied 510 pressure can be detected 520 by a pressure sensor 102, and the applied 510 motion can be detected 520 by an accelerometer 104. The sensor outputs 200 can be classified according to a set of pressure characteristics 420 and a set of motion characteristics 410. The characteristics 410,420 can be mapped to a set of response characteristics 430. The set of response characteristics 430 can be mapped to a specific audio-or-visual universe 28 which is output 530 as an audio-or-visual response 22. The set of pressure and motion characteristics 410,420 may comprise information such as intensity 402, repetition rate 404 and rhythm 406 of the applied pressure.
EXEMPLARY LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
(27) TABLE-US-00001 No Item 10 Responsive training device 20 User interaction 22 Audio-or-visual response 24 First Audio-or-visual response 26 Second Audio-or-visual response 28 Audio-or-visual universe 30 Pillow 32 Pillow, cubic cross section 34 Pillow, round cross section 36 Pillow, triangular cross section 40 Ball 42 Valve 50 Mat 60 Surface 70 Compressible body 72 Elastic material 74 Dielectric material 80 Cover 90 Transponder 92 Speaker 94 Light indicator 100 Sensor 102 Pressure sensor 104 Accelerometer 106 Air pressure sensor 110 Capacitive sensor 112 Capacitive sensor chip 114 Capacitive sensor layer 116 Capacitive sensor electrode 118 Electric shield 120 Sensor zone 130 Capacitance 140 One-part capacitive sensor 142 Two-part capacitive sensor 160 Conductive material 162 Conductive spray-on material 164 Conductive fabric 166 Conductive thread 170 Air 200 Sensor output 210 Sensor zone output 260 Connecting point 270 Controller 280 Power unit 290 Memory unit 400 User characteristic 402 Intensity 404 Repetition rate 406 Rhythm 408 Rotation 410 Movement characteristic 420 Pressure characteristic 430 Response characteristic 500 Use 510 Apply 520 Detect 530 Output an audio-or-visual signal 540 Control 542 Process
