Rehabilitation support apparatus, method therefor, and program
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12109034-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
To control a cognitive load to be given to the cognitive function of a user in rehabilitation, this invention provides a rehabilitation support apparatus including a detector that detects a three-dimensional rehabilitation action of the user, a display controller that generates, in a three-dimensional virtual space, an avatar object that moves in accordance with the detected rehabilitation action and a target object to be visually recognized by the user and displays these on a display, a notifier that notifies generation of the target object, and a cognitive load controller that gives a cognitive load to the user by generating the target object after an elapse of a predetermined time from the notification of the generation position of the target object.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a rehabilitation support apparatus for recovering one of cognitive impairment and a higher brain dysfunction of a user. The apparatus detects a three-dimensional rehabilitation action of the user and generates, in a three-dimensional virtual space, an avatar object that moves in accordance with the detected rehabilitation action and a target object to be visually recognized by the user. The rehabilitation action is capable of moving the avatar object relative to the target object to enable the user to bring the avatar object and the target object into proximity with one another on a display.
The apparatus includes a notifier that notifies a generation position in the three-dimensional virtual space of the target object, or generation positions of at least two target objects. A cognitive load controller gives a cognitive load by generating the target object after a lapse of a predetermined time from the notification of the generation position. A task table sets a task requiring the user to move the avatar object into proximity with the target object, wherein success is facilitated if, after the lapse of time, the user remembers the generation position notified by the notifier.
The cognitive load controller is configured to change the predetermined time by an operation of an operator so that an increase in the predetermined time increases a complexity of the task. In an extension, the cognitive load controller causes at least two target objects to simultaneously exist in the three-dimensional virtual space at different positions. In another extension, the cognitive load controller changes at least a part of a background image other than the target object along with time.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies three independent claims: clm-00001, clm-00003, and clm-00007. Each independent claim centers on detecting a three-dimensional rehabilitation action, rendering an avatar and target object(s) in a three-dimensional virtual space, notifying target generation position(s), and applying cognitive load via delayed generation tied to remembering the notified generation position after a predetermined time; additional refinements are operator-controlled predetermined time complexity, simultaneous multiple targets at different positions, and time-varying background image other than the target object.
Three-dimensional rehabilitation action detection and avatar-target proximity rendering
A detector detects a three-dimensional rehabilitation action of the user, and a display controller generates an avatar object that moves in accordance with the detected rehabilitation action and a target object in a three-dimensional virtual space, displaying the avatar object and the target object so that the rehabilitation action can move the avatar object relative to the target object to bring them into proximity.
Generation-position notification and delayed target generation for cognitive load
A notifier notifies a generation position of the target object in the three-dimensional virtual space, and a cognitive load controller gives a cognitive load by generating the target object after a lapse of a predetermined time from the notification of the generation position.
Task success facilitated by remembering the notified generation position after lapse of time
A task table sets a task requiring the user to move the avatar object into proximity with the target object, wherein success is facilitated if, after the lapse of time, the user remembers the generation position notified by the notifier.
Operator-controlled predetermined time complexity
The cognitive load controller changes the predetermined time by an operation of an operator such that an increase in the predetermined time increases a complexity of the task.
Simultaneous at-least-two target objects at different positions
The cognitive load controller causes at least two target objects to simultaneously exist in the three-dimensional virtual space at different positions.
At least part of background image changing along with time
The cognitive load controller changes at least a part of a background image other than the target object to be displayed on the display along with time.
Across the independent claims, the inventive concept is the combination of detecting a three-dimensional rehabilitation action and rendering a moving avatar with target object(s), notifying target generation position(s) and giving cognitive load by generating the target(s) after a lapse of a predetermined time, and facilitating task success by requiring the user to remember the notified generation position after the lapse of time. The refinements specify operator-controlled predetermined time complexity, simultaneous multiple target objects at different positions, and time-varying background image other than the target object.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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