Motion Recognition Clothing (Wearable Device for Measuring Full-Body Configuration and Motion)

Smart overview of the Invention

Motion recognition clothing is a type of smart garment designed to measure changes in a person's body configuration and motion. The system utilizes flexible energy pathways that span selected body joints, each connected to an energy emitter and receiver. Movements at these joints cause deformation in the energy pathways, leading to changes in energy transmission. These changes are then analyzed to determine body configuration and motion.

Applications

The technology is applicable in various fields such as virtual reality, gaming, telecommunication, and telerobotics. It can enhance human-computer interfaces through gesture recognition, animate virtual characters, and assist in dance or musical instruction. In sports, it can aid in training, motion capture, injury prevention, and performance analysis for activities requiring complex body movements.

Health and Fitness

In health and fitness, the clothing can be used for diagnosing medical conditions like gait analysis, assessing range of motion, aiding physical therapy, and evaluating posture. It supports rehabilitation evaluation, respiratory function assessment, virtual reality exercise, weight management, and fall prevention. The technology provides a comprehensive method for monitoring full-body configuration and motion.

Existing Technologies

Current methods like camera-based motion capture face limitations such as losing track of obscured body parts and limited mobility. Multiple sensor systems also have drawbacks including spatial-estimation errors and time lag due to complexity. Motion recognition clothing aims to offer a more accurate and non-intrusive solution by integrating sensors directly into the fabric.

Relevant Art

Previous patents have explored similar concepts such as garments with integrated sensors for monitoring vital signs or posture. These include flexible film sensor systems and garments with photonic textiles or electro-conductive fibers. The motion recognition clothing builds upon these innovations by providing a more holistic approach to capturing full-body motion through integrated energy pathway technology.