US 5,459,676 AGranted

Self contained dual inclinometer system

OwnerJ. Tracy Livingstoninventor

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Abstract

First and second incline sensing devices measure the bending motion of the first body region and the second body region, respectively, in relation to gravity to provide range of motion determinations. With the incline sensing devices held against their respective body regions, a practitioner zeros a digital display provided on the device and the patient performs a range of motion exercise while the practitioner notes the angular value which is continuously updated on a display. The device is small, easily handled, and self contained. Numerous structures are provided to extend the useful life of an internal battery which provides power to all the components. The device utilizes programmed array logic components, which are reliable and consume very little power, to calculate the different between the orientation with respect to gravity of the two incline sensing devices. The difference is shown on a liquid crystal display.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A system for reducing the power required by an differential inclinometer system comprising:

battery means;
first housing means containing the battery means;
first incline sensing means, contained within the first housing means, for measuring the angle at which the first housing means is disposed in relation to gravity and for generating a first signal which changes its state as each increment of incline is encountered, the first incline sensing means receiving power from the battery means;
second housing means for housing a second incline sensing means, contained within the second housing means, for measuring the angle at which the second housing means is disposed in relation to gravity and for generating a second signal which changes its state as each increment of incline is encountered;
calculation means for manipulating the second signal and the first signal to arrive at a third signal, the third signal representing the difference between the first incline sensing means and the second incline sensing means;
interconnection means for conveying the first signal and the second signal to the calculation means;
and
means for strobing the power received by the first incline sensing means from the battery means, the power being strobed at a rate greater than the expected state changes of the signal generated by the incline sensing means.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.