Methods of exoskeleton communication and control
Inventors
Sandler, Reuben • Strausser, Katherine • Fiedler, Mark • Amundson, Kurt • Brown, Dan • Smith, Renata • Sweeney, Matthew D • Angold, Russdon • McCaffrey, Niel • Edmonds, Duane • Meadows, Chris • Jones, Jared • Mettler, Kelly
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10694948-B2
Publication Date
2020-06-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A first exoskeleton is in communication with a central server or a peripheral device. The first exoskeleton collects first data and transmits the first data to the central server or peripheral device. The central server or peripheral device generates second data using the first data and transmits the second data to the first exoskeleton or a second exoskeleton.
Core Innovation
The document describes communication between a first exoskeleton and a central server or a peripheral device. The method includes collecting first data with the first exoskeleton and transmitting the first data to the central server or the peripheral device. Second data is generated using the first data, and the second data is transmitted back to the first exoskeleton or a second exoskeleton.
The document further specifies that collecting the first data includes collecting data about a wearer of the first exoskeleton. The method determines whether the wearer is a known wearer or a new wearer based on the first data. If the wearer is a known wearer, wearer specific settings are applied to the first exoskeleton.
The document also describes embodiments where the amount of the first data collected and transmitted varies with movement context and movement being performed by the first exoskeleton during collection. The variable data collection includes conditions such as the exoskeleton being worn versus not worn, postures such as standing versus sitting, and activity transitions such as standing up or sitting down relative to walking.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive coverage centers on two-way exoskeleton-to-server/peripheral data exchange using wearer data, conditional wearer identification with applying wearer specific settings, and movement-context dependent variation of the amount of collected first data for transmission and use in generating second data.
Two-way exoskeleton communication generating second data for transmission back
A method comprising collecting first data with a first exoskeleton; transmitting the first data from the first exoskeleton to a central server or a peripheral device; generating second data using the first data; and transmitting the second data from the central server or the peripheral device to the first exoskeleton or a second exoskeleton.
Known versus new wearer determination and wearer specific settings application
Collecting first data includes collecting data about a wearer of the first exoskeleton, determining whether the wearer is a known wearer or a new wearer based on the first data, and applying wearer specific settings to the first exoskeleton if the wearer is a known wearer.
Movement-dependent variation of collected first data quantity
An amount of the first data collected with and transmitted from the first exoskeleton varies depending on a movement being performed by the first exoskeleton during collection, including variation depending on speed of the movement or complexity of the movement.
Context-dependent increase in first data collection including walking speed
The amount of the first data collected with and transmitted from the first exoskeleton is greater when the first exoskeleton is worn than when the first exoskeleton is not worn; greater when the wearer is standing than when the wearer is sitting; greater when the wearer is walking than when the wearer is standing; greater when the wearer stands up or sits down than when the wearer is walking; and the amount increases with increased wearer walking speed.
Communication system with exoskeleton, central server/peripheral, and wearer known/new labeling
A system of communication comprising a first exoskeleton configured to collect first data about a wearer and transmit the first data, and a central server or a peripheral device configured to receive the first data, generate second data using the first data, and transmit the second data to the first exoskeleton or a second exoskeleton while applying wearer specific settings if the wearer is a known wearer.
The independent claims collectively cover a two-way communication architecture between exoskeletons and a central server or peripheral device, including generating second data from first data and returning it to the exoskeleton. They further require wearer-aware determination of known versus new wearers and the application of wearer specific settings, while one claim adds movement-context dependent variation in the quantity of collected first data, including conditions tied to posture/activity and walking speed.
Stated Advantages
Provides wearer-specific settings based on determining whether the wearer is a known wearer or a new wearer.
Enables movement-context dependent variation of the amount of first data collected and transmitted based on speed, complexity, and movement context.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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