Movement assessment apparatus and a method for providing biofeedback using the same

A method for providing biofeedback to a user regarding one or more bodily movements executed by the user, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a movement assessment apparatus configured to be worn by a user, the movement assessment apparatus including:
• at least one first sensing device, the at least one first sensing device comprising one or more sensors for detecting the motion of a body portion of a user and outputting one or more first signals that are generated based upon the motion of the body portion of the user, the at least one first sensing device further comprising first attachment means for attaching the at least one first sensing device to the body portion of the user;
• at least one second sensing device, the at least one second sensing device comprising one or more sensors for detecting the motion of an object manipulated by the user and outputting one or more second signals that are generated based upon the motion of the object manipulated by the user, the at least one second sensing device further comprising second attachment means for attaching the at least one second sensing device to the object;
• a data processing device operatively coupled to the at least one first sensing device and the at least one second sensing device, the data processing device configured to receive the one or more first signals that are output by the one or more sensors of the at least one first sensing device, and to determine executed motion data for an executed motion of the body portion of the user using the one or more first signals, the data processing device configured to receive the one or more second signals that are output by the one or more sensors of the at least one second sensing device, and to determine a motion of the object using the one or more second signals, the data processing device further configured to:
• (i) execute an agreement operation by converting the executed motion data to a feedback-agreeing form that agrees with at least one of the dimensions, reference frames, and units of baseline motion data of a reference motion, (ii) execute a comparison operation by comparing the feedback-agreeing form of the executed motion data to the baseline motion data of the reference motion, and (iii) determine how closely the feedback-agreeing form of the executed motion data conforms to the baseline motion data of the reference motion, the data processing device additionally configured to generate an abstract feedback signal based upon the execution of the comparison operation;
• and
• a sensory output device operatively coupled to the data processing device, the sensory output device configured to generate a formed feedback signal for delivery to the user that is based upon the abstract feedback signal, the formed feedback signal comprising at least one of a visual indicator, an audible indicator, and a tactile indicator, and the sensory output device further configured to output the at least one of the visual indicator, the audible indicator, and the tactile indicator to the user in order to provide biofeedback as to conformity of the executed motion data to the baseline motion data of the reference motion;
• outfitting a user with the movement assessment apparatus, which includes attaching the first attachment means of the at least one first sensing device to a body portion of the user;
• attaching the second attachment means of the at least one second sensing device to an object;
• instructing the user to perform an activity where the user displaces both the body portion with the at least one first sensing device attached thereto and the object with the at least one second sensing device attached thereto;
• detecting, by utilizing the at least one first sensing device, the motion of the body portion of the user and outputting one or more first signals that are generated based upon the motion of the body portion of the user;
• detecting, by utilizing the at least one second sensing device, the motion of the object manipulated by the user and outputting one or more second signals that are generated based upon the motion of the object manipulated by the user;
• receiving, at the data processing device, the one or more first signals that are output by the one or more sensors of the at least one first sensing device and the one or more second signals that are output by the one or more sensors of the at least one second sensing device;
• determining, by using the data processing device, executed motion data for an executed motion of the body portion of the user using the one or more first signals;
• determining, by using the data processing device, a motion of the object using the one or more second signals;
• executing an agreement operation, by using the data processing device, whereby the executed motion data is converted to a feedback-agreeing form that agrees with at least one of the dimensions, reference frames, and units of baseline motion data of a reference motion,
• executing a comparison operation, by using the data processing device, whereby the feedback-agreeing form of the executed motion data is compared to the baseline motion data of the reference motion;
• determining, by using the data processing device, how closely the feedback-agreeing form of the executed motion data conforms to the baseline motion data of the reference motion;
• generating, by using the data processing device, an abstract feedback signal based upon the execution of the comparison operation;
• generating, by using the sensory output device, a formed feedback signal for delivery to the user that is based upon the abstract feedback signal, the formed feedback signal comprising at least one of a visual indicator, an audible indicator, and a tactile indicator;
• and
• outputting the at least one of the visual indicator, the audible indicator, and the tactile indicator from the sensory output device to the user in order to provide quasi-instantaneous, real-time biofeedback as to conformity of the executed motion data to the baseline motion data of the reference motion.

A movement and performance assessment apparatus configured to provide biofeedback to a user regarding one or more bodily movements executed by the user, the movement and performance assessment apparatus comprising:

• at least one sensing device, the at least one sensing device comprising one or more first sensors for detecting the motion of a body portion of a user and outputting one or more first signals that are generated based upon the motion of the body portion of the user, the at least one sensing device further comprising a plurality of second sensors for detecting an environmental parameter of an environment in which the user is disposed and at least one of:
• (i) a position of the user, and (ii) a body parameter of the user, the plurality of second sensors outputting one or more second signals, and the at least one sensing device additionally comprising attachment means for attaching the at least one sensing device to the body portion of the user;
• a data processing device operatively coupled to the at least one sensing device, the data processing device configured to receive the one or more first signals that are output by the one or more first sensors of the at least one sensing device, to receive the one or more second signals that are output by the plurality of second sensors of the at least one sensing device, and to determine executed motion data for an executed motion of the body portion of the user using the one or more first signals and to determine an environmental parameter of an environment in which the user is disposed using the one or more second signals, the data processing device configured to automatically select a reference motion by comparing the executed motion of the body portion of the user to each of a plurality of reference motions representing a plurality of different activities, the data processing device further configured to:
• (i) execute an agreement operation by converting the executed motion data to a feedback-agreeing form that agrees with at least one of the dimensions, reference frames, and units of baseline motion data of the reference motion, (ii) execute a comparison operation by comparing the feedback-agreeing form of the executed motion data to the baseline motion data of the reference motion, and (iii) determine how closely the feedback-agreeing form of the executed motion data conforms to the baseline motion data of the reference motion in order to assess a performance of the user, the data processing device further configured to automatically track the performance of the user based on the environmental parameter of the environment in which the user is disposed, the data processing device additionally configured to generate an abstract feedback signal based upon the execution of the comparison operation;
• and
• a sensory output device operatively coupled to the data processing device, the sensory output device configured to generate a formed feedback signal for delivery to the user that is based upon the abstract feedback signal, the formed feedback signal comprising at least one of a visual indicator, an audible indicator, and a tactile indicator, and the sensory output device further configured to output the at least one of the visual indicator, the audible indicator, and the tactile indicator to the user in order to provide biofeedback as to conformity of the executed motion data to the baseline motion data of the reference motion.