Gait-based biometric data analysis system
Systems and methods for diagnosing a user's condition based on his gait. A sensor module with multiple sensors is placed inside a user's shoe and biometric data is gathered from the sensors when the user takes a step or walks. The data is used to generate loops as the various sets of data is plotted against each other. The loops obtained from the data are then compared against stored loops previously obtained. Based on the results of the comparison, the user's condition is diagnosed using predetermined indicators of specific health issues. Using the biometric data and in conjunction with data from various databases, it can be determined whether the user has a specific condition, whether a specific condition is worsening, or whether a specific condition is improving.
1. A system for use in determining at least one change in a user's physiological condition, the system comprising:
a sensor module comprising at least one sensor for gathering gait-based biometric data from a user, said gait-based data relating to a continuous gait of said user, a first set of said gait-based data being gathered from said sensor module at a first time and a second set of said gait-based data being gathered at a second time;
a database for storing signature data, said signature data being data resulting from an analysis of said first set of gait-based data gathered from said sensor module when said user uses said system, said signature data forming at least one signature characteristic loop when data point pairs from said signature data are plotted; and
a processing unit for receiving data from said sensor module, said processing unit being for determining characteristic data from said second set of gait-based data received from said sensor module and for comparing characteristics of said characteristic data with characteristics of said signature data by comparing said at least one signature characteristic loop with at least one characteristic loop formed by plotting data point pairs from said characteristic data,
wherein
said signature data corresponds to an original state of an underlying physiological condition of said user;
each of said characteristics of said characteristic data and said characteristics of said signature data is classified as having one of three classes such that each of said characteristics is one of:
a first class, said first class indicating dimensionless characteristics;
a second class, said second class indicating one-dimensional characteristics; and
a third class, said third class indicating two-dimensional characteristics;
said processing unit is for determining that a change in said user's underlying physiological condition has occurred when said characteristics of said at least one characteristic loop are not within predetermined limits of said characteristics of said at least one characteristic loop, wherein said determining comprises analyzing characteristics from at least two of said three classes and wherein said change results in different responses from different classes of characteristics, and wherein said change in said user's underlying physiological condition is a change that causes an alteration in said user's weight;
said change is determined by said processing unit comparing subsequently gathered gait data of said user to previously gathered gait data of said user;
based on said change, said processing unit determines an efficacy of at least one of a fitness program of said user and a treatment regimen of said user;
said second time is separated from said first time by an interval of time; and
said sensor module comprises an insole for use with a shoe of said user.
2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor detects and measures a force applied to said sensor module by a foot of said user as said user is walking.
3. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor detects and measures pressure applied by a foot of said user to said sensor as said user is walking.
4. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor detects a force applied to different areas of said sensor module by a foot of said user as said user is walking.
5. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors, each sensor being for detecting and measuring an amount of force applied to different areas of said sensor module by a foot of said user.
6. A system according to claim 1 , further including at least one server communicating with said insole, wherein said insole is configured to transmit data to said server, and said server is configured to analyze said data to determine said user's physiological condition.
7. A system according to claim 6 , wherein said at least one server is in communication with at least one fitness or health based database, and wherein said server is configured to receive health data from said at least one database, said health data being for use in determining said user's physiological condition.
8. A system according to claim 7 , wherein said at least one server is also for analyzing and recommending footwear types and models based on user characteristics.