CN111904804A

CN111904804A - Stride calculation system

Info

Publication number: CN111904804A
Application number: CN202010380947.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 柴田由之; 金谷学; 松冈祐树
Original assignee: JTEKT Corp
Current assignee: JTEKT Corp
Priority date: 2019-05-10
Filing date: 2020-05-08
Publication date: 2020-11-10
Also published as: JP2020185064A; JP7283217B2

Abstract

The invention provides a stride calculation system. The stride length calculation system includes a walker configured to assist a user in walking and a calculation device. The walker includes a walking-related data acquisition unit that acquires walking-related data relating to walking of the user using the walker, and the calculation device acquires walking cycle data relating to a walking cycle of the user based on the walking-related data and calculates a stride length of the user based on the walking-related data and the walking cycle data. The stride length calculation system of this configuration can accurately determine the degree of improvement in the walking ability of the user.

Description

Stride calculation system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a stride calculation system for supporting walking training of a user.

Background

Walkers for assisting the elderly (hereinafter, referred to as "users") in walking are known. A walker disclosed in japanese patent application laid-open No. 2017-12546 includes a walker main body, a plurality of wheels arranged at a lower end portion of the walker main body, an electric motor for driving the plurality of wheels, and a handlebar extending upward from the walker main body.

The user walks while pushing the walker body forward with the handlebars held by both hands. At this time, the electric motor drives the plurality of wheels according to the magnitude of the force with which the user pushes the walker main body forward, to assist the user in walking.

The user can perform walking training such as walking assistance or rehabilitation by walking using the walker.

However, in the walking training using the walker according to the related art described above, there is a problem that it is not possible to accurately determine the degree of improvement in the walking ability of the user.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a stride length calculation system capable of accurately determining the degree of improvement in walking ability of a user.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a stride length calculation system includes a walker configured to assist a user in walking and a calculation device. The walker includes a walking-related data acquisition unit that acquires walking-related data relating to walking of the user using the walker, and the calculation device acquires walking cycle data relating to a walking cycle of the user based on the walking-related data and calculates a stride length of the user based on the walking-related data and the walking cycle data.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, the stride length calculation system can determine the degree of improvement in the walking ability of the user with high accuracy.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of a distribution system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the walker according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the handle and the moving mechanism of the walker according to embodiment 1 in an extracted manner.

Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of using the walker according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the walker according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a server according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the walking ability index data according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the 1-step cycle.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the facility terminal apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a form created by the facility terminal device according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a user list screen displayed on the facility terminal device according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the user terminal device according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed on the user terminal device according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the distribution system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed on the family terminal apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a server according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of walking speed data according to embodiment 2.

Detailed Description

Next, an embodiment of a stride calculation system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are all embodiments showing general or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection modes of the constituent elements, steps, order of the steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Among the components of the following embodiments, components that are not recited in the independent claims representing the uppermost concept will be described as arbitrary components.

The drawings may differ from schematic drawings in which emphasis is appropriately placed, omitted, and the ratio is adjusted in order to show the present invention, and may differ from actual shapes, positional relationships, and ratios.

(embodiment mode 1)

First, an outline of a distribution system 2 (an example of a stride calculation system) according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of a distribution system 2 according to embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 1, the distribution system 2 includes a walker 4, a server 6 (an example of a computing device), a facility terminal device 8 (an example of an external terminal), and a user terminal device 10 (an example of an external terminal). The server 6, the facility terminal device 8, and the user terminal device 10 are communicably connected to each other via a network 12 such as the internet.

The distribution system 2 is a system for supporting walking training such as walking exercise or rehabilitation of the user 14, and is operated by the management company 16. The user 14 is a care-receiver such as an elderly person, and performs walking training using the walker 4 under the guidance of the care facility 18.

The walker 4 is a device for assisting the walking of the user 14. The user 14 walks while alternately swinging his arms in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction in fig. 2) while holding the pair of

handles

26R, 26L (see fig. 2) of the walker 4 with the right hand and the left hand, respectively. The user 14 can perform a walking training accompanying the swing arm operation by using the walker 4.

Further, the walker 4 is lent to the user 14 from the management company 16 for a fee according to the rental contract. Alternatively, when the user 14 performs walking training at the care facility 18, the walker 4 may be paid for by a long-term rental contract (or rental contract) from the management company 16 to the care facility 18.

The server 6 is a management server for managing walking ability index data (described later) of the user 14 and the walker 4, and is provided at a management company 16. Further, the server 6 may be a cloud server.

The facility terminal device 8 is a terminal device for managing walking training of the user 14, and is installed in the care facility 18. The facility terminal device 8 is constituted by, for example, a personal computer or the like. The facility terminal apparatus 8 is provided with application software dedicated for use in the distribution system 2.

The user terminal device 10 is a terminal device used by the user 14, and is configured by a smartphone, a tablet, or the like, for example. The user terminal device 10 can perform wireless communication with the walker 4 by bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, for example. The user terminal device 10 is provided with application software dedicated to the use of the distribution system 2.

The respective configurations of the walker 4, the server 6, the facility terminal device 8, and the user terminal device 10 in the distribution system 2 will be described in detail below.

First, the structure of the walker 4 will be described with reference to fig. 2 to 4. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the walker 4 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the walker 4 according to embodiment 1 with the handle 26L and the moving mechanism 48L removed. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of using the walker 4 according to embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 2, the walker 4 has a frame 20, a pair of

front wheels

22R, 22L, a pair of

rear wheels

24R, 24L, a pair of

handles

26R, 26L, an operation panel 28, a control box 30, and a battery 32.

The frame 20 includes a main body portion 34, a pair of

leg portions

36R, 36L, and a pair of

arm portions

38R, 38L. The main body portion 34 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape and is disposed in front of the walker 4. The pair of

leg portions

36R and 36L extend rearward (in the negative direction of the Y axis) from both end portions of the lower side of the main body portion 34.

Rotation sensors

40R and 40L such as rotary encoders are disposed on the pair of

legs

36R and 36L, respectively. The rotation sensor 40R detects the rotation speed and rotation speed of the rear wheel 24R per unit time, and the rotation sensor 40L detects the rotation speed and rotation speed of the rear wheel 24L per unit time. The pair of

arm portions

38R, 38L extend rearward from both upper end portions of the main body portion 34.

The pair of

arm portions

38R and 38L are each formed in a hollow shape. Further, a slit 42R extending in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 38R is formed in the upper surface of the arm portion 38R. Similarly, a slit 42L extending in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 38L is formed in the upper surface of the arm portion 38L.

The pair of

front wheels

22R and 22L are non-driving wheels supported by the respective front end portions of the pair of

leg portions

36R and 36L. The pair of

front wheels

22R, 22L are, for example, casters, respectively.

The pair of

rear wheels

24R, 24L are driving wheels supported by the rear end portions of the pair of

leg portions

36R, 36L, respectively. One rear wheel 24R is coupled to an electric motor 46R supported by the foot 36R via an endless drive belt 44R. The rear wheels 24R are driven by transmitting the driving force of the electric motor 46R to the rear wheels 24R via the driving belt 44R. Similarly, the other rear wheel 24L is coupled to an electric motor 46L supported by the leg 36L via an endless drive belt 44L. The rear wheels 24L are driven by transmitting the driving force of the electric motor 46L to the rear wheels 24L via the driving belt 44L. In the assist mode (described later), the pair of

rear wheels

24R and 24L are driven, and the walker 4 moves forward (positive direction of the Y axis), thereby assisting the walking of the user 14.

The pair of

handles

26R, 26L are handles that are held by the right hand and the left hand of the user 14, respectively. The pair of

handles

26R, 26L are disposed to protrude from the upper surfaces of the pair of

arm portions

38R, 38L, respectively. The pair of

handles

26R and 26L are reciprocated in the longitudinal direction of the pair of

arm portions

38R and 38L by moving

mechanisms

48R and 48L (described later) disposed on the pair of

arm portions

38R and 38L, respectively, in accordance with the swing arm movement accompanying walking of the user 14.

As shown in fig. 3, a heart rate sensor 50 is disposed on a side surface of the handle 26L. The heart rate sensor 50 measures blood flow of the left hand of the user 14 holding the handle 26L by using infrared rays, for example, to detect the heart rate of the user 14 walking on the walker 4. A body temperature sensor (not shown) for measuring the body temperature of the user 14 may be disposed on a side surface of the handle 26L.

As shown in fig. 2, a pair of

brake levers

52R, 52L are disposed on the front sides of the pair of

grips

26R, 26L, respectively. The user 14 pulls the pair of

brake levers

52R and 52L toward the pair of

grips

26R and 26L, respectively, to lock the rotation of the pair of

rear wheels

24R and 24L.

Here, the structure of the moving mechanism 48L will be described with reference to fig. 3. The moving

mechanisms

48R and 48L are mechanisms for reciprocating the pair of

handles

26R and 26L in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) with respect to the frame 20 in accordance with the swing arm motion accompanying walking of the user 14. Since the moving

mechanisms

48R and 48L have the same configuration, only the configuration of the moving mechanism 48L will be described below.

As shown in fig. 3, the moving mechanism 48L is disposed inside the arm portion 38L. The moving mechanism 48L has a driving pulley 54, a driven pulley 56, an electric motor 58, a winding 60, and a slider 62.

The drive pulley 54 and the driven pulley 56 are rotatably supported by both ends of the arm portion 38L in the longitudinal direction. A rotation sensor 64 such as a rotary encoder is disposed on the drive pulley 54. The rotation sensor 64 detects the rotation speed and rotation speed of the drive pulley 54 per unit time.

The electric motor 58 is disposed coaxially with the rotation shaft of the drive pulley 54, and rotates the drive pulley 54 in the forward direction or the reverse direction. The wire 60 is rotatably wound around the driving pulley 54 and the driven pulley 56.

The slider 62 is a member for supporting the lower end portion of the handle 26L, and is disposed movably in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 38L. The front end of the slider 62 protrudes to the outside from the slit 42L formed on the upper surface of the arm portion 38L. The slider 62 has a winding wire fixing portion 66 fixed to the winding wire 60 and a winding wire hole 68 into which the winding wire 60 is movably inserted.

The pair of

handles

26R and 26L are slidable obliquely with respect to the slider 62. The slider 62 is electrically connected to the control box 30 via a signal cable 70 such as a flexible flat cable. Thereby, for example, a detection signal from the heart rate sensor 50 or the like is transmitted to the control box 30 via the signal cable 70.

The electric motor 58 rotates the drive pulley 54 so that the wire 60 rotates between the drive pulley 54 and the driven pulley 56. The slider 62 moves in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 38L together with the handle 26L as the wire 60 rotates. As a result, as will be described later, the movement of the handle 26L can be assisted in the assist mode, and a load can be applied to the movement of the handle 26L in the exercise mode.

Returning to fig. 2, the operation panel 28 is an interface for receiving an operation by the user 14. The operation panel 28 has a power switch 72, a mode changeover switch 74, and a display panel 76.

The power switch 72 is a switch for turning ON (ON) or OFF (OFF) the power of the walker 4. When the user 14 manually operates the power switch 72 to turn on the power of the walker 4, the electric power from the battery 32 is supplied to the

electric motors

46R, 46L, 58, the operation panel 28, the control box 30, and the like.

The mode changeover switch 74 is a switch for changing over the operation mode of the walker 4. The user 14 can switch the operation mode of the walker 4 to any one of the assist mode, the exercise mode, and the normal mode by manually operating the mode switch 74.

The assist mode is an operation mode for assisting the walking motion of the user 14. Specifically, in the assist mode, when the user 14 performs the swing arm operation in association with walking, the pair of

rear wheels

24R and 24L are driven to assist the movement of the walker 4, and the electric motor 58 assists the movement of the pair of

handles

26R and 26L.

The exercise mode is an operation mode for applying a load to the walking motion of the user 14. Specifically, in the exercise mode, when the user 14 performs the swing arm operation in association with walking, a load is applied to the movement of the pair of

handles

26R and 26L by the electric motor 58.

The normal mode is an operation mode in which neither assistance nor load application is performed on the walking motion of the user 14.

The display panel 76 is a liquid crystal display panel for displaying, for example, the charge amount of the battery 32, the operation mode of the walker 4, and the like.

The control box 30 is a box that houses a control unit for controlling the walker 4. The control means is a means including, for example, a control unit 78, a storage unit 80, a communication unit 82 (see fig. 5 described later), and the like. The control box 30 is supported by the main body portion 34 of the frame 20.

The battery 32 is a rechargeable secondary battery. When the power of the walker 4 is turned on, the battery 32 supplies electric power to the

electric motors

46R, 46L, and 58, the operation panel 28, the control box 30, and the like. The battery 32 is supported by the main body portion 34 of the frame 20.

Here, a method of using the walker 4 will be described with reference to fig. 4. As shown in fig. 4, the user 14 stands between the pair of

feet

36R, 36L and between the pair of

arms

38R, 38L, and manually operates the power switch 72 to turn on the power of the walker 4. Next, the user 14 manually operates the mode switching switch 74 to switch the operation mode of the walker 4 to any one of the assist mode, the exercise mode, and the normal mode according to the purpose of the walking training or the like.

Then, the user 14 walks while alternately swinging both arms in the front-rear direction while holding the pair of

handles

26R, 26L with the right hand and the left hand, respectively. At this time, the walker 4 moves forward along with the walking of the user 14. Note that, for convenience of explanation, the handle 26R is not shown in fig. 4.

The pair of

handles

26R and 26L alternately reciprocate in the front-rear direction with respect to the frame 20 in accordance with the swing arm motion accompanying walking of the user 14. That is, when the handle 26R moves forward relative to the frame 20, the handle 26L moves backward relative to the frame 20, and when the handle 26R moves backward relative to the frame 20, the handle 26L moves forward relative to the frame 20.

Next, the functional configuration of the walker 4 will be described with reference to fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the walker 4 according to embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 5, the walker 4 includes a heart rate sensor 50,

rotation sensors

40R, 40L, and 64, an operation panel 28, a control unit 78 (an example of a walking-related data acquisition unit), a storage unit 80,

electric motors

46R, 46L, and 58, and a communication unit 82, and is configured as a function.

The heart rate sensor 50, the

rotation sensors

40R, 40L, and 64, the operation panel 28, and the

electric motors

46R, 46L, and 58 are already described, and therefore, description thereof is omitted here.

The control unit 78 acquires walking distance data regarding the distance the user 14 walks using the walker 4 per unit time based on the detection signals from the

rotation sensors

40R and 40L as walking-related data. Further, the control unit 78 obtains walking speed data regarding the speed at which the user 14 walks using the walker 4 per unit time as walking-related data based on the detection signals from the

rotation sensors

40R, 40L.

Further, the control unit 78 acquires, as walking-related data, heart rate data relating to the heart rate of the user 14 walking using the walker 4 per unit time based on the detection signal from the heart rate sensor 50. The control unit 78 acquires, as walking-related data, swing arm width data (an example of swing arm operation data) relating to a swing arm time when the user 14 walks using the walker 4 per unit time based on the detection signal from the rotation sensor 64. As shown in fig. 4, the swing arm time is a time until the handle 26L (26R) moves from the reference position at one end of the movement path to the other end of the movement path and then returns to the reference position again from the other end of the movement path in accordance with the swing arm operation of the user 14.

The control unit 78 stores the acquired walking-related data (walking distance data, walking speed data, heart rate data, and swing arm time data) in the storage unit 80 in association with user ID (Identification) data, together with acquisition date data indicating the acquisition time of the walking-related data. The user ID data is data for identifying the user 14, and is assigned to each user 14 in advance. The control unit 78 may store the walking-related data, the acquired day data, and the user ID data in the storage unit 80 in association with the type of the operation mode of the walker 4.

The control unit 78 controls the display content of the display panel 76 of the operation panel 28. The control unit 78 controls the driving of the

electric motors

46R, 46L, 58 based on the operation of the mode switching switch 74 of the operation panel 28, thereby switching the operation mode of the walker 4 to any one of the assist mode, the exercise mode, and the normal mode.

The storage unit 80 stores the walking related data and the acquisition date data in association with the user ID data.

The communication unit 82 transmits and receives various data to and from the user terminal device 10. Specifically, the communication unit 82 transmits each of the walking related data, the acquisition date data, and the user ID data stored in the storage unit 80 to the user terminal device 10.

Next, the functional configuration of the server 6 will be described with reference to fig. 6 to 8. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the server 6 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the walking ability index data 96 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the 1-step cycle.

As shown in fig. 6, the server 6 includes a communication unit 84 (an example of a distribution unit), an acquisition unit 86, a data processing unit 88 (an example of a walking cycle data acquisition unit and a calculation unit), a storage unit 90, a determination unit 92, and a notification unit 94 (an example of a distribution unit) as a functional configuration.

The communication unit 84 transmits and receives various data to and from the user terminal device 10 via the network 12. Specifically, the communication unit 84 receives the walking-related data, the acquisition date data, and the user ID data transmitted from the user terminal device 10 via the network 12. The communication unit 84 distributes (transmits) the walking ability index data and the determination result from the notification unit 94 to each of the facility terminal device 8 and the user terminal device 10 via the network 12.

The acquisition unit 86 acquires the walking-related data, the acquisition date data, and the user ID data received by the communication unit 84. The acquiring unit 86 outputs the acquired walking-related data, the acquired day data, and the user ID data to the data processing unit 88.

The data processing unit 88 processes each of the walking-related data, the acquisition date data, and the user ID data from the acquisition unit 86 to generate walking ability index data indicating an index of the walking ability of the user 14. The processing of data means various arithmetic processes such as averaging walking speed data and the like, or calculating walking cycle data based on swing arm time data.

The walking ability index data is, for example, a data table as shown in fig. 7. The walking ability index data 96 shown in fig. 7 stores cumulative walking distance data, average walking speed data, 5m average walking time data, average stride data, average heart rate data, and acquisition day data, in accordance with the user ID data assigned to the user 14.

The cumulative walking distance data is data related to the cumulative distance that the user 14 walks using the walker 4 every day (24 hours). The average walking speed data is data related to the average speed at which the user 14 walks using the walker 4 every day (24 hours). The 5m average walking time data is data indicating the time required for the user 14 to walk 5m using the walker 4. Instead of the 5m average walking time data, 5m maximum walking time data indicating the maximum time required for the user 14 to walk 5m using the walker 4 may be used. The average stride data is data related to the average stride of the user 14 walking using the walker 4 every day (24 hours). Here, as shown in fig. 8, the stride is a walking distance from the time when the rear heel of one of the left and right feet contacts the ground to the time when the rear heel of the other of the left and right feet contacts the ground during a walking motion. The average heart rate data is data related to the average heart rate of the user 14 while walking using the walker 4 every day (24 hours).

In the example shown in fig. 7, in the first row of the walking ability index data 96, a) 0001 is stored as user ID data assigned to the user 14, b) 1.0km is stored as accumulated walking distance data, c) 1.1km/h is stored as average walking speed data, d) 30 seconds is stored as 5m average walking time data, e) 42cm is stored as average stride data, f) 82bpm is stored as average heart rate data, and g) 2018/12/01 is stored as acquisition day data.

In the second row of the walking ability index data 96, a) is stored as user ID data assigned to the user 14 as "0001", b) is stored as accumulated walking distance data as "0.9 km", c) is stored as average walking speed data as "1.2 km/h", d) is stored as 5m average walking time data as "25 seconds", e) is stored as average stride data as "45 cm", f) is stored as average heart rate data as "90 bpm", and g) is stored as acquisition day data as "2018/12/02".

Here, a method of calculating the stride by the data processing unit 88 will be described. The data processing unit 88 acquires walking cycle data on 1 walking cycle of the user 14 based on the swing arm time data included in the walking-related data. Specifically, the data processing unit 88 acquires walking cycle data in which the swing arm time indicated by the swing arm time data is 1 walking cycle. As shown in fig. 8, the 1-step cycle is a time period from when the rear heel of one of the left and right feet contacts the ground to when the rear heel of the other foot contacts the ground again during the walking motion. That is, the 1 walking cycle is estimated as the time until the handle 26L (26R) of the walker 4 moves from the reference position at one end of the movement path to the other end of the movement path and then returns to the reference position again from the other end of the movement path in accordance with the swing arm operation of the user 14. The data processing unit 88 calculates the walking distance in 1/2 walking cycle of 1 walking cycle indicated by the walking cycle data as the stride length. The walking distance is calculated from walking distance data included in the walking-related data.

In addition, the data processing unit 88 may remove specific walking-related data of at least one of the turning, the initial start of walking, and the ascending slope of the walker 4 from the walking-related data when the walking performance index data is generated. This can improve the accuracy of the walking ability index data. Here, the data processing unit 88 determines that the walker 4 is turning when the difference between the rotational speeds of the pair of

rear wheels

24R and 24L detected by the

rotation sensors

40R and 40L exceeds the first threshold value. Further, the data processing unit 88 determines that the walker 4 has just started walking when the rotation speed of each of the pair of

rear wheels

24R and 24L detected by the

rotation sensors

40R and 40L is lower than the second threshold value. Further, the data processing unit 88 determines that the walker 4 is on the uphill side when the inclination angle of the ground detected by the 3-axis acceleration/angular velocity sensor disposed on the frame 20 exceeds a third threshold value.

The storage unit 90 stores the walking ability index data generated by the data processing unit 88. The storage unit 90 stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between data types associated with the walking ability index data, delivery destination information indicating a delivery destination predetermined according to the data types of the walking ability index data, and user ID data (an example of identification information) for identifying the user 14. The distribution destinations indicated by the distribution destination information are, for example, the facility terminal apparatus 8 and the user terminal apparatus 10. For example, the correspondence information associates the facility terminal device 8 as the distribution destination, the average walking speed data included in the walking ability index data, the 5m average walking time data, and the average stride length data. For example, in the correspondence information, the user terminal device 10 as the distribution destination is associated with the accumulated walking distance data included in the walking ability index data.

The determination unit 92 determines the degree of improvement in the walking ability of the user 14 by, for example, comparing the current average stride length data included in the walking ability index data with the past average stride length data. In the case where the average stride indicated by the current average stride data is larger than the average stride indicated by the past average stride data, it is inferred that the walking ability of the user 14 is improved. The determination unit 92 determines the degree of improvement in the walking ability of the user 14 in 5 stages, for example, "degree of improvement 1" to "degree of improvement 5", depending on how much the current average stride length is larger than the past average stride length. The determination unit 92 outputs the determination result to the notification unit 94. Instead of the above determination method, the determination unit 92 may determine the level of the walking ability of the user 14 in 5 stages, for example, in "level 1" to "level 5", based on the current average stride length data.

The notification unit 94 selects the data type of the walking ability index data of the user 14 corresponding to the distribution destination from the correspondence information stored in the storage unit 90 in response to the distribution request of the walking ability index data from the facility terminal device 8 and the user terminal device 10 as the distribution destinations, and outputs the selected data type of the walking ability index data to the communication unit 84. The notification unit 94 also outputs the determination result of the determination unit 92 to the communication unit 84.

The notification unit 94 may perform authentication based on authentication data transmitted from the facility terminal device 8 and the user terminal device 10 that have made a request for distribution of the walking ability index data, and determine whether or not to permit distribution of the walking ability index data to the facility terminal device 8 and the user terminal device 10 based on the result of the authentication.

Next, the functional configuration of the facility terminal device 8 will be described with reference to fig. 9 to 11. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the facility terminal apparatus 8 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the form 112 created by the facility terminal device 8 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a user list screen 110 displayed on the facility terminal device 8 according to embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 9, the facility terminal device 8 includes a communication unit 98 (an example of a receiving unit), a receiving unit 100, a storage unit 102, a generation unit 104, a display control unit 106, and a display unit 108 as functional components.

The communication unit 98 transmits and receives various data to and from the server 6 via the network 12. Specifically, the communication unit 98 receives the walking ability index data and the determination result transmitted from the server 6 via the network 12.

The receiving unit 100 receives input of physical performance index data indicating an index of physical performance (for example, grip strength, open-eye one-leg standing time, and the like) other than the walking performance of the user 14. The other physical abilities of the user 14 are measured using a measurement instrument such as a grip dynamometer or a stopwatch.

The storage unit 102 stores the walking ability index data received by the communication unit 98 and the physical ability index data received by the receiving unit 100.

The generation unit 104 generates evaluation data for evaluating the physical ability (including walking ability) of the user 14 based on the walking ability index data and the physical ability index data stored in the storage unit 102. The evaluation data is, for example, data for creating the form 112 shown in fig. 10, and includes 5m average walking time data and the like as walking ability index data, and includes grip strength data, eye-open one-foot standing time data and the like as body ability index data. The form 112 is a document to be submitted to, for example, a regional integrated support center (an organization installed in town) in japan, and is composed of electronic data or a paper medium. As shown in fig. 10, the form 112 describes, for example, 5m average walking time "30 seconds", grip strength "10 kgf", open-eye one-foot standing time "5 seconds", and the like.

The display control unit 106 controls the display content of the display unit 108. Specifically, the display control unit 106 causes the display unit 108 to display, for example, a user list screen 110 shown in fig. 11 based on the walking ability index data stored in the storage unit 102. The user list screen 110 is a screen showing a list of walking abilities of a plurality of users 14 who perform walking training using the walker 4. On the user list screen 110, a comparison between the current (current month) walking ability and the past (previous month) walking ability is displayed for each user 14. Further, the user list screen 110 may display the history of the walking training for each user 14.

In the example shown in fig. 11, in the first row of the user list screen 110, a) as the name of the user, "mr/ms a" is displayed, b) as the average walking distance of mr/ms in 2018, 12 months "1.5 km", c) as the average walking distance of mr/ms in 2018, 11 months "1.2 km", d) as the average walking speed of mr/ms in 2018, 12 months "1.1 km/h", e) as the average walking speed of mr/ms in 2018, 11 months "1.3 km/h", f) as the average walking speed of mr/ms in 2018, 12 months "42 cm", g) as the average walking speed of mr/ms in 2018, 11 months "40 cm" is displayed.

In the second line of the user list screen 110, a) as the name of the user, "mr/ms B" is displayed, B) as the average walking distance of mr/ms in 12 months in 2018, "1.7 km" is displayed, c) as the average walking distance of mr/ms in 11 months in 2018, "1.1 km" is displayed, d) as the average walking speed of mr/ms in 12 months in 2018, "1.5 km/h" is displayed, e) as the average walking speed of mr/ms in 11 months in 2018, "1.2 km/h" is displayed, f) as the average stride of mr/ms in 12 months in 2018, "45 cm" is displayed, and g) as the average stride of mr/ms in 11 months in 2018, "41 cm" is displayed.

Further, the result of the determination by the determination unit 92 of the server 6 may be displayed on the user list screen 110. Specifically, the user list screen 110 may be displayed with, for example, the degree of improvement in the walking ability of the user 14 in 5 stages, for example, improvement levels "1" to "5", based on the determination result received by the communication unit 98.

The display unit 108 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel for displaying a user list screen 110 and the like.

Next, the functional configuration of the user terminal device 10 will be described with reference to fig. 12 and 13. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the user terminal device 10 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen 120 displayed on the user terminal device 10 according to embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 12, the user terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 114, a display control unit 116, and a display unit 118 as a functional configuration.

The communication unit 114 transmits and receives various data to and from the server 6 via the network 12. Specifically, the communication unit 114 receives the walking ability index data and the determination result transmitted from the server 6 via the network 12. The communication unit 114 transmits and receives various data to and from the walker 4. Specifically, the communication unit 114 receives the walking-related data transmitted from the walker 4, acquires the day data and the user ID data, and transfers these data to the server 6 via the network 12.

The display control unit 116 controls the display content of the display unit 118. Specifically, the display control unit 116 causes the display unit 118 to display a notification screen 120 showing the graphic data based on the received walking ability index data. As shown in fig. 13, the notification screen 120 is a screen in which the degree of completion of the target value of the distance walked by the walker 4 for the user 14 for one month (an example of a predetermined period) is represented as a graph, for example. The target value of the walking distance is set in advance for each user 14, for example, by a physiotherapist or the like. Instead of the target value of the distance, the notification screen 120 may be a screen in which the degree of completion of the target value of the number of steps that the user 14 walks in one month using the walker 4 is shown as a graph.

In the example shown in fig. 13, the completion degree of the target value is displayed as a mountain climbing on the notification screen 120, and the walking distance from the current point (indicated by an asterisk) to the end point (indicated by a semaphore) near the top of the mountain is displayed as "further 0.9 km". That is, it means that if walking for another 0.9km, the target value of walking distance is reached. When the walking distance of the user 14 reaches the target value, for example, a speaker of the user terminal device 10 may output a voice, music, or the like.

In the present embodiment, the degree of completion of the target value is displayed as a mountain climbing, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be displayed as a double six or a graph, for example. In addition, on the notification screen 120, a comparison between the current (present month) walking ability and the past (previous month) walking ability may be displayed. Further, the notification screen 120 may display the degree of improvement in the walking ability of the user 14 in 5 stages, for example, improvement levels "1" to "5", based on the determination result received by the communication unit 114.

The display unit 118 is a liquid crystal display panel for displaying a notification screen 120 and the like, for example.

Hereinafter, the operation of the distribution system 2 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the distribution system 2 according to embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 14, first, the server 6 performs registration processing of user ID data of the user 14, device ID data of the walker 4, and the like (S101).

The user 14 performs a walking exercise accompanied by the swing arm operation using the walker 4. In the walking training, the

rotation sensors

40R and 40L of the walker 4 detect the rotation speed and the rotation speed of the

rear wheels

24R and 24L, respectively, per unit time, the heart rate sensor 50 detects the heart rate of the user 14, and the rotation sensor 64 detects the rotation speed and the rotation speed of the drive pulley 54, respectively.

The control unit 78 of the walker 4 acquires walking distance data and walking speed data as walking-related data based on the detection signals from the

rotation sensors

40R and 40L, acquires heart rate data as walking-related data based on the detection signal from the heart rate sensor 50, and acquires swing arm width data as walking-related data based on the detection signal from the rotation sensor 64 (S102).

The control unit 78 of the walker 4 stores the acquired walking-related data (walking distance data, walking speed data, heart rate data, and arm swing time data) and the acquired day data in the storage unit 80 in association with the user ID data (S103). The communication unit 82 of the walker 4 transmits each piece of walking related data, the acquisition date data, and the user ID data stored in the storage unit 80 to the user terminal device 10 at a predetermined timing (S104).

The communication unit 114 of the user terminal device 10 receives the respective walking-related data transmitted from the walker 4, acquires the day data and the user ID data, and transfers the received respective data to the server 6 via the network 12 (S105).

The communication unit 84 of the server 6 receives the walking-related data, the acquisition date data, and the user ID data transmitted from the walker 4 (S106). The data processing unit 88 of the server 6 processes the received walking-related data, the acquired day data, and the user ID data to generate walking ability index data (S107), and stores the generated walking ability index data in the storage unit 90 (S108).

The communication unit 114 of the user terminal device 10 transmits distribution request data for requesting the server 6 to distribute the walking ability index data to the server 6 via the network 12 (S109). The notification unit 94 of the server 6 selects the data type of the walking ability index data of the user 14 corresponding to the user terminal device 10 as the distribution destination from the correspondence information stored in the storage unit 90 in accordance with the distribution request from the user terminal device 10, and outputs the selected data type of the walking ability index data to the communication unit 84. Thereby, the communication unit 84 of the server 6 distributes the walking ability index data, the data type of which has been selected by the notification unit 94, to the user terminal device 10 via the network 12 (S110).

The communication unit 114 of the user terminal device 10 receives the walking ability index data transmitted from the server 6 (S111). Thereby, the display unit 118 of the user terminal device 10 displays the notification screen 120 showing the graphic data based on the received walking ability index data (S112).

The communication unit 98 of the facility terminal device 8 transmits distribution request data for requesting the server 6 to distribute the walking ability index data to the server 6 via the network 12 (S113). The notification unit 94 of the server 6 selects the data type of the walking ability index data of the user 14 corresponding to the facility terminal device 8 as the distribution destination from the correspondence information stored in the storage unit 90 in accordance with the distribution request from the facility terminal device 8, and outputs the selected data type of the walking ability index data to the communication unit 84. Thereby, the communication unit 84 of the server 6 distributes the walking ability index data of which the data type has been selected by the notification unit 94 to the facility terminal apparatus 8 via the network 12 (S114).

The communication unit 98 of the facility terminal device 8 receives the walking ability index data transmitted from the server 6 (S115). Thus, the user list screen 110 is displayed on the display unit 108 of the facility terminal apparatus 8 based on the received walking ability index data (S116).

The receiving unit 100 of the facility terminal device 8 receives the input of the physical ability index data (S117). The generation unit 104 of the facility terminal device 8 generates evaluation data based on the walking ability index data and the physical ability index data stored in the storage unit 102 (S118). Based on the generated evaluation data, the form 112 such as shown in fig. 10 is output from the facility terminal device 8 as electronic data or a paper medium (S119).

As described above, in the delivery system 2 according to the present embodiment, the data processing unit 88 of the server 6 acquires walking cycle data relating to the walking cycle of the user 14 based on the swing arm time data included in the walking-related data. The data processing unit 88 calculates the walking distance in 1/2 walking cycle of 1 walking cycle indicated by the acquired walking cycle data as the stride length. Since it is estimated that the walking ability is improved if the current stride length is larger than the past stride length, the degree of improvement in the walking ability of the user 14 can be determined with high accuracy based on the calculated stride length. In addition, the stride length can be efficiently calculated using the walking-related data acquired by the walking training using the walker 4.

In the present embodiment, the server 6 distributes the walking ability index data to the facility terminal device 8 and the user terminal device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be distributed to, for example, a family terminal device 122 (an example of an external terminal) used by a family of the user 14 (see fig. 15). The family terminal device 122 is configured by, for example, a smartphone or a tablet, and can communicate with the server 6 via the network 12. The family terminal device 122 is provided with application software dedicated to the use of the distribution system 2. In this case, as shown in fig. 15, the display unit 124 of the home terminal device 122 displays a notification screen 126 indicating the walking ability index data. On the notification screen 126, for example, a) the average walking distance, b) the average walking speed, c) the average stride length, and d) the temporal changes in walking speed and heart rate are displayed as indicators of the walking ability of the user 14. Thus, the family of the user 14 can grasp the walking ability of the user 14 by observing the notification screen 126.

Further, the family terminal device 122 may communicate with the walker 4 via the network 12. In this case, the family terminal device 122 transmits message data indicating a message (for example, a message such as "congratulatory agreement target") to the user 14 to the walker 4 via the network 12. The communication unit 82 of the walker 4 receives the message data transmitted from the family terminal device 122, and the display panel 76 of the walker 4 displays the received message data. The user 14 can further enhance the motivation for the walking exercise by viewing the message displayed on the display panel 76.

(embodiment mode 2)

Next, the server 6A according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to fig. 16 and 17. Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the server 6A according to embodiment 2. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of walking speed data according to embodiment 2. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 16, the server 6A according to the present embodiment differs from the server 6A according to embodiment 1 in the method of calculating the stride by the data processing unit 88A. In the present embodiment, the user 14 (see fig. 1) performs a walking training without the swing arm operation using the walker 4 (see fig. 1). Alternatively, the user 14 may perform walking training using a walker (not shown) of a type not provided with the pair of

handles

26R and 26L.

The data processing unit 88A acquires walking cycle data based on a change in the waveform of the walking speed data included in the walking-related data acquired by the acquisition unit 86. Here, the walking speed data is a waveform representing a temporal change in the speed at which the user 14 walks using the walker 4, as shown in fig. 17, for example. In the walking speed data shown in fig. 17, the time a (sec) between two adjacent minima (an example of an extremum) of the waveform is inferred to be 1/2 period of 1 walking cycle. Therefore, the data processing unit 88A acquires, as walking cycle data of 1 walking cycle, a time 2 times the time a (sec) between two adjacent minimum values of the waveform of the walking speed data. The data processing unit 88A may acquire the walking cycle data of 1 walking cycle as a time 2 times the time between two adjacent maximum values (an example of an extreme value) of the waveform of the walking speed data.

The data processing unit 88A calculates the stride by multiplying the time a (sec) (═ 1/2 cycle of 1 walking cycle) by the speed b (m/min) indicated by the walking speed data. Further, the speed b (m/min) may be acquired from the rotation speeds of the

rear wheels

24R, 24L detected by the

rotation sensors

40R, 40L, respectively, for example.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, even when the user 14 performs a walking exercise without the swing arm operation, the stride length can be calculated.

(modification example etc.)

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the constituent elements described in the present specification may be arbitrarily combined, and another embodiment in which some of the constituent elements are removed may be an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the present invention includes modifications that can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the gist of the present invention and within the scope of the meaning of the words described in the claims.

In each of the above embodiments, the walking-related data and the like from the walker 4 are transferred to the server 6(6A) via the user terminal device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the acquisition unit 86 of the server 6(6A) may acquire the walking-related data from the walker 4 via a recording medium such as an SD (Secure Digital) card.

In each of the above embodiments, the stride length is calculated by the data processing unit 88(88A) of the server 6(6A), but the calculation is not limited to this, and the stride length may be calculated by the walker 4, the user terminal device 10, or the like.

In each of the above embodiments, the walker 4 wirelessly communicates with the user terminal device 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the walker 4 may be configured to be able to communicate with the server 6(6A) via the network 12. In this case, the communication unit 82 of the walker 4 transmits the walking-related data to the server 6(6A) via the network 12, and the communication unit 84 of the server 6(6A) transmits the walking ability index data to the walker 4 via the network 12. The communication unit 82 of the walker 4 receives the walking ability index data distributed from the server 6(6A), and the display panel 76 of the walker 4 displays a notification screen 120 (see fig. 13) showing graphic data based on the received walking ability index data. The communication unit 82 of the walker 4 may appropriately change the communication method (e.g., communication speed) of the walking-related data based on the communication status of the network 12 (e.g., presence or absence of occurrence of a communication error).

In the above embodiments, the control unit 78 of the walker 4 acquires the walking-related data, but may acquire at least one of the operating state data relating to the operating state of the walker 4 and the usage environment data relating to the usage environment of the walker 4 in addition to the walking-related data. The operation state data is data related to, for example, the temperature of the walker 4, the state of charge of the battery 32, and an operation abnormality of the walker 4. The usage environment data is data related to the ambient temperature, humidity, weather around the walker 4, the inclination angle of the ground, and the like. For example, by transmitting the operation state data from the walker 4 to the server 6, the maintenance of the walker 4 can be easily performed in the management company 16.

In embodiment 2 described above, the stride length is calculated by multiplying the time a (sec) between two adjacent minimum values of the waveform of the walking speed data by the speed b (m/min) indicated by the walking speed data, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the stride may also be calculated by integrating between adjacent two minima (or two maxima) of the waveform of the stride speed data.

Claims

1. A stride calculation system includes:

a walker configured to assist a user in walking; and

a computing device for computing the time-of-flight,

the walker has a walking-related data acquisition unit that acquires walking-related data relating to walking of the user using the walker,

the computing device obtains walking cycle data related to the walking cycle of the user based on the walking-related data, and calculates the stride of the user based on the walking-related data and the walking cycle data.

2. The stride calculation system of claim 1 wherein,

the computing device has:

a walking cycle data acquisition unit that acquires the walking cycle data relating to the walking cycle of the user based on the walking-related data; and

a calculation unit that calculates the stride length of the user based on the walking-related data and the walking cycle data.

3. The stride calculation system of claim 2 wherein,

the walking related data includes walking speed data representing a speed at which the user walks using the walker,

the walking cycle data acquisition unit acquires the walking cycle data based on a change in a waveform of the walking speed data,

the calculation unit calculates the stride length by multiplying 1/2 cycle of the walking cycle indicated by the walking cycle data by the speed indicated by the walking speed data.

4. The stride calculation system of claim 3 wherein,

the walking cycle data acquiring unit acquires, as the walking cycle data of the walking cycle, 2 times a time between two adjacent extreme values of the waveform of the walking speed data.

5. The stride calculation system of claim 2 wherein,

the walker further has:

a handle configured to be held by the user; and

a moving mechanism configured to move the handle in a front-rear direction in accordance with a swing arm operation accompanying walking of the user,

the walking related data comprises: walking distance data on a distance that the user walks using the walker, and swing arm motion data on a swing arm motion when the user holds the handle and swings the arm while walking,

the walking cycle data acquiring unit acquires the walking cycle data based on the swing arm motion data,

the calculation unit calculates the distance indicated by the walking distance data in 1/2 cycle of the walking cycle indicated by the walking cycle data, and sets the calculated distance as the stride length.

6. The stride calculation system of claim 5 wherein,

the swing arm operation data is data indicating a time until the handle moves forward or backward from a reference position and returns to the reference position again,

the walking cycle data acquiring unit acquires the time indicated by the swing arm motion data as the walking cycle data of the walking cycle.

7. The stride calculation system of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein,

the calculation unit excludes specific walking-related data, from the walking-related data, that is in at least one of a state where the walker is turning, has just started walking, and is on an uphill slope when calculating the stride length.

8. The stride calculation system of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein,

the stride calculation system is further provided with a server that functions as the calculation device and is capable of communicating with the walker via a network.

9. The stride calculation system of claim 8 wherein,

the server has:

a storage unit that stores stride length data indicating the calculated stride length; and

and a determination unit that compares the current stride length data with the past stride length data to determine a degree of improvement in walking ability of the user.

10. The stride calculation system of claim 8 wherein,

the server has:

and a determination unit configured to determine a level of the user's walking ability based on the current stride length data.

11. The stride calculation system of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein,

the server further has a distribution unit configured to communicate with an external terminal via the network,

the distribution unit distributes the stride data to the external terminal in accordance with a distribution request for the stride data from the external terminal.

12. The stride calculation system of claim 11 wherein,

the storage unit stores correspondence information showing a correspondence relationship between the stride length data, delivery destination information indicating a delivery destination of the stride length data, and identification information configured to identify the user,

the distribution unit selects the stride length data of the user corresponding to the external terminal as the distribution destination from the correspondence information, and distributes the selected stride length data to the external terminal, in accordance with the distribution request for the stride length data from the external terminal.

13. The stride calculation system of claim 12 wherein,

the distribution unit performs authentication based on authentication data transmitted from the external terminal that has made the distribution request for the stride data, and determines whether or not to permit distribution of the stride data to the external terminal based on a result of the authentication.

14. The stride calculation system of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein,

the stride calculation system further includes a terminal device capable of communicating with the server via a network,

the distribution section of the server distributes the stride data to the terminal device via the network,

the terminal device includes:

a receiving unit that receives the stride data distributed from the server;

a receiving unit configured to receive input of physical performance index data indicating an index of a physical performance of the user other than the walking performance; and

a generation unit configured to generate evaluation data configured to evaluate the physical ability of the user based on the stride length data and the physical ability index data.