Posture control device

A posture control device configured to assist a posture of a user, the posture control device comprising:

• a posture information detection unit;
• a tactile stimulus application unit configured to apply tactile stimuli to somatosensory receptors of the user;
• and
• an external tactile stimulus application unit configured to apply external tactile stimuli to the user, wherein
• the posture information detection unit is configured to detect contact pressures at multiple parts of a sole of the user and detect a change in posture based on temporal changes in the detected contact pressures, and
• the external tactile stimulus application unit is configured to apply the external tactile stimuli to the user, at a specified point in time that is based on a detection result of the posture information detection unit, to assist posture control for the user by integrating the external tactile stimuli with the tactile stimuli applied by the tactile stimulus application unit through sensory integration,
• wherein
• the tactile stimulus application unit includes a stimulus applicator configured to apply a vibration to the user, inducing at least one of a response that tenses toes of the user and a response that lifts tips of the toes.

A computer program product for a posture control device configured to assist a posture of a user, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium including computer program instructions causing the computer to execute:

• detecting a posture information comprising detecting contact pressures at multiple parts of a sole of the user and detect a change in posture based on temporal changes in the detected contact pressures;
• applying tactile stimuli to somatosensory receptors of the user;
• and
• applying external tactile stimuli to the user including applying the external tactile stimuli to the user, at a specified point in time that is based on a detection result of the posture information detection unit, to assist posture control for the user by integrating the external tactile stimuli with the tactile stimuli applied by the tactile stimulus application unit through sensory integration.