# US 2023/0056977 A1 · Posture detection system and posture detection method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0056977 A1 - Document ID: US20230056977A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/796,600 - Filed: 2020-01-31 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-31 - Inventors: Karlos ISHAC; Katia BOURAHMOUNE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230056977A1 ## CPC - A61B 5/1116: {Determining posture transitions} - A47C 7/40: for the back - A47C 7/72: Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like - A47C 31/126: {for chairs} - A61B 5/1036: {Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies} - A61B 5/165: {Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety} - A61B 5/4561: {Evaluating static posture, e.g. undesirable back curvature (A61B5/1116 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/486: {Biofeedback (using electroencephalography [EEG] A61B5/375)} - A61B 5/6891: {Furniture} - A61B 5/7264: {Classification of physiological signals or data, e.g. using neural networks, statistical classifiers, expert systems or fuzzy systems} - A61B 5/7267: {involving training the classification device} - A61B 5/742: {using visual displays (displays for heart-related electrical signals, e.g. ECG, A61B5/339)} - A61B 5/7455: {characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation} - A61B 5/746: {Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms} - A63B 24/0075: {Means for generating exercise programmes or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases} - B60N 2/0021: {characterised by the type of sensor or measurement} - B60N 2/003: {characterised by the sensor mounting location in or on the seat} - B60N 2/90: Details or parts not otherwise provided for - G01L 1/16: using properties of piezoelectric devices - G01L 5/162: of piezoresistors - G01L 25/00: Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring force, torque, work, mechanical power, or mechanical efficiency - A61B 5/024: Measuring pulse rate or heart rate - A61B 5/0816: {Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency (measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00)} - A61B 5/168: {Evaluating attention deficit, hyperactivity} - A61B 5/18: for vehicle drivers {or machine operators} - A61B 2562/0247: Pressure sensors - B60N 2002/981: {Warning systems, e.g. the seat or seat parts vibrates to warn the passenger when facing a danger} - B60N 2210/40: Force or pressure sensors - B60N 2230/20: Wireless data transmission - B60N 2230/30: Signal processing of sensor data - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) ## Abstract A posture detection system for detecting a user's posture according to the embodiments includes a pressure sensor unit, a controller, a feedback mechanism, and a display unit. The pressure sensor unit has a sheet shape or a padded shape and includes plurality of sensors. Each of the sensors is configured to detect a pressure applied from the user. The controller is configured to classify the user's posture based on detection data detected by the pressure sensor unit. The feedback mechanism is configured to provide feedback to the user by vibrating based on a result of the classification. The display unit is configured to perform a display according to the result of the classification. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A posture detection system for detecting a user's posture comprising: a pressure sensor unit including plurality of sensors, each of the sensors being configured to detect a pressure applied from a user; a controller configured to classify the user's posture based on detection data detected by the pressure sensor unit; a feedback mechanism configured to provide feedback to the user by vibrating based on a result of the classification; and a display unit configured to perform a display according to the result of the classification. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein the controller and the display unit are mounted on a user terminal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor unit is configured to detect a pressure applied from the user's back, bottom or thighs. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor unit is provided in a backrest and is configured to detect a pressure applied from the user's back. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The posture detection system according to claim 4, further comprising a seating face sensor unit provided in the user's seating face and configured to detect the pressure applied from the user's bottom, wherein the controller is configured to classify the user's posture based on detection data of the seating face sensor unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein a reminder is output based on the detection data detected by the pressure sensor unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor unit comprises: a first layer including a plurality of sensing electrodes formed of conductive fabric or conductive tape; a second layer including a conductive sheet with a variable resistance changing according to the pressure applied from the user; and a third layer including at least one counter electrode placed to face the plurality of sensing electrodes, the counter electrode being formed of conductive fabric or conductive tape, wherein the second layer is place between the first and third layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The posture detection system according to claim 7, wherein the sensing electrodes are formed of conductive tape, the sensing electrode is in contact with the second layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The posture detection system according to claim 7, wherein the pressure sensor unit further comprises a fourth layer placed between the first layer and the second layer and formed by a foam material, the fourth layer includes a plurality of openings corresponding to the sensing electrode, respectively, and when the pressure applied from the user exceeds a predetermined value, the sensing electrode is brought into contact with the conductive sheet through the opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The posture detection system according to claim 7, wherein the pressure sensor unit further comprises a fourth layer placed between the second layer and the third layer, the fourth layer includes a plurality of openings corresponding to the sensing electrode, respectively, and when the pressure applied from the user exceeds a predetermined value, the counter electrode is brought into contact with the conductive sheet through the opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback mechanism includes a plurality of actuators for vibrating the backrest or the seating face, and the controller is configured to operate the actuators in a pattern according to the result of the classification. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein each of the sensors is configured to detect, as a reference pressure, a pressure when the user is sitting with his/her back leaning against the backrest with a reference posture, the controller is configured to calculate a difference value between the reference pressure of each of the sensors and a current pressure, and the controller is configured to calculate a balance in a left and right direction and a balance in a vertical direction based on the difference value of each of the sensors. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to display a recommended pose for the user, and it is determined whether the user's pose matches the recommended pose according to a result of the detection by the pressure sensor unit, and feedback is provided according to a result of the determination. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The posture detection system according to claim 13, wherein the recommended pose is one of a stretch pose, a meditation pose, and an exercise pose. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic exercise member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The posture detection system according to claim 15, wherein the display unit is configured to display the exercise pose using the exercise member as the recommended pose, and the controller is configured to determine whether the user's pose matches the recommended pose, and the feedback mechanism is configured to provide the feedback according to a result of the determination. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein user information about the user's physical features is input to the controller, and the controller is configured to define the user's ideal posture based on the user information. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a data storage unit configured to store the detection data of the pressure sensor unit for a plurality of the users, and the controller is configured to refer to the data stored in the data storage unit and identify the user according to the result of the detection by the pressure sensor unit. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration sensor provided in the backrest configured to detect a vibration applied from the user, wherein the vibration sensor is configured to detect the user's heart beats per minute or respiration rate according to a result of the detection of the vibration sensor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to estimate the user's fatigue level according to the result of the detection by the pressure sensor unit. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The posture detection system according to claim 20, wherein when the user's fatigue level exceeds a threshold, the controller is configured to output an alert to the user. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback mechanism is configured to vibrate periodically. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein when the posture classified by the controller continues for a predetermined period or longer, the feedback mechanism is configured to provide the feedback by the vibration. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to display a report including at least one of: summary of the sedentary performance or activeness, a score of the posture or activeness, wherein the score of the posture or activeness is determined for a time period based on at least one of a sitting time duration, a percentage of occurrence of the posture, a frequency of breaks, a duration of breaks, pressure distribution symmetry value and a detection of performing stretches and recommended action including a stretch pose, exercise routine or a sedentary guidance, wherein the stretch pose is associated with the classified posture and wherein the sedentary guidance is classified based on a history of the user's postures and a score of the posture or activeness of the user. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein the controller classifies the posture by a machine learning tool, input data of the supervised machine learning tool includes information of physical feature of the user and detection date of the pressure sensor unit. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein a pressure distribution is measured by detection data of the pressure sensor unit, a behavior of the user is estimated by a machine learning tool, input data of the supervised machine learning tool includes information of physical feature of the user, the detection data of the pressure sensor unit, a score of the posture or activeness, and the time of the day. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The posture detection system according to claim 1, wherein the user's state is predicted according to a result of the prediction of the user's behavior. ### Claim 28 A posture detection method for detecting a user's posture, the posture detection method comprising: detecting a pressure applied from a user using a pressure sensor unit, the pressure sensor unit including a sheet shape or a padded shape and including plurality of sensors, and each of the sensors being configured to detect the pressure applied from the user; classifying the user's posture based on detection data detected by the pressure sensor unit; providing feedback to the user by vibrating based on a result of the classification; and performing a display according to the result of the classification.