Method and apparatus for a self-powered RFID-readable pedometer
A device, system and method for analyzing a user's motion using a piezoelectric film to generate a plurality of deformation signals based upon an associated plurality of deformations, an EEPROM to record data associated with the plurality of deformation signals, and a transceiver to receive at least a portion of the recorded data from the EEPROM and to transmit data, wherein the analysis may determine an abnormality in the user's gait.
1. A method comprising:
actuating a piezoelectric film to generate a plurality of deformation signals;
generating timing data using a real time clock;
recording data associated with the plurality of deformation signals and the timing data to a non-volatile memory;
receiving at least a portion of the recorded data from the non-volatile memory and transmitting at least a portion of the received data by a transceiver,
receiving data from the transceiver at a reader; and a processor to receive the data from the reader; wherein the processor is configured to analyze the deformation signals generated by the plurality of devices;
analyzing the deformation signals by a processor; and
diagnosing a user's gait based on the analyzed deformation signals.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising producing data related to a user's gait based on the analyzing of the deformation signals.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the analyzing the deformation signals comprises analyzing a duration of the deformation signals.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the analyzing the deformation signals comprises analyzing an amplitude of the deformation signals.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or a near field communications NFC (device).
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring an acceleration of the user using an accelerometer.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the accelerometer is selected from piezoelectric (PE), piezoresistive (PR) and variable capacitance (VC).
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising arranging the piezoelectric film in a shoe.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising recording heel, toe strikes or both heel and toe strikes.
10. The method of 9 , further comprising measuring a threshold voltage and wherein the threshold voltage is configured to discriminate between actual steps taken and shuffling of the feet.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the diagnosing the user's gait comprises comparing data from another piezoelectric film.
12. The method of claim 11 , comprising diagnosing or predicting irregularities in their steps, determining walking ability, standing ability, walking symmetry, health of walk or gait, the onset of mobility deterioration, using as a pedometer for fitness applications, early detection of physical ailments related to the back, hips and lower body.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating timing signals.
14. The method of claim 9 , comprising using heel and toe strikes to diagnose a gait or stride to help determine abnormalities.
15. The method of claim 14 , comprising measuring the time between a toe strike and a heel strike.
16. The method of claim 6 , comprising measuring acceleration in tenths of a second.
17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending data to an external processor.
18. The method of claim 8 , comprising analyzing step data based upon a step time and a relative time delta between steps.
19. The method of claim 8 , further comprising analyzing the relationship between feet and the symmetry of the walk to determine walk health and distance walked.
20. The method of claim 8 , further comprising conversion of steps run into a distance and/or determining running symmetry.
21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric film is self powered.
22. A device, comprising:
a piezoelectric film to generate a plurality of deformation signals based upon an associated plurality of deformations;
a real time clock to generate timing data;
a non-volatile memory to record data associated with the plurality of deformation signals and the timing data;
a transceiver to receive at least a portion of recorded data from the non-volatile memory and to transmit at least a portion of received data; and
a processor to analyze the deformation signals to determine abnormalities in a user's step,
wherein the device is a pedometer or gait sensor.
23. The device of claim 22 , wherein the transceiver is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or a near field communications (NFC) device.
24. A system comprising a plurality of devices, each device comprising a piezoelectric film to generate a plurality of deformation signals based upon an associated plurality of deformations; a real time clock to generate timing data; a non-volatile memory to record data associated with the plurality of deformation signals and the timing data; and a transceiver to receive at least a portion of the recorded data from the non-volatile memory and to transmit at least a portion of the received data, a reader to receive data from the transceivers of the plurality of devices; and a processor to receive the data from the reader; wherein the processor is configured to analyze the deformation signals generated by the plurality of devices; wherein system is configured to transmit data from the plurality of devices to a processor, analyze the deformation signals generated by the plurality of devices and diagnose a user's gait.
25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the transceiver is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or a near field communications (NFC) device.