ACCELEROMETER-BASED GAIT ANALYSIS
Embodiments of systems and methods determine one or more gait parameters using acceleration readings generated by an accelerometer coupled to a user. Gait parameters determined by various embodiments may include step length, step width, step time, single limb support time, or double limb support time. The accelerometer may be coupled to one of the user's arms. Exemplary systems may comprise an accelerometer, a processor, and a non-transitory computer readable medium (NTCRM). The processor may process acceleration readings from the accelerometer according to instructions stored on the NTCRM to determine the one or more gait parameters. The processor may communicate the one or more gait parameters to a receiving device. Some embodiments of the system may function as self-contained units and some embodiments may present information corresponding to gait parameters or recommendations regarding gait.
1 - 33 . (canceled)
34 . A device for determining a single limb support time of a user based at least in part on acceleration data comprising a plurality of acceleration readings, the device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory comprising instructions, the at least one memory and the instructions configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to at least:
receive the plurality of acceleration readings, wherein the plurality of acceleration readings is generated by an accelerometer measuring acceleration of the user's arm;
identify a first time at which a first reading of the plurality of acceleration readings was generated, wherein the first reading is a lowest local minimum reading during a first window;
identify a second time at which a second reading of the plurality of acceleration readings was generated, wherein the second reading is a first occurring lowest local minimum reading after the first reading to occur during a second window;
determine the single limb support time by determining a difference between the first time and the second time, wherein the single limb support time is indicative of at least a portion of a step in which the user's weight is at least partially supported on the limb; and
provide data associated with the single limb support time to a recipient device, wherein the recipient device provides a perceivable indication associated with the data.
35 . The device of claim 34 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to at least determine a fundamental frequency using an autocorrelation function applied to a plurality of readings of the plurality of acceleration readings and in which a duration of the first window is a fraction of the fundamental frequency.
36 . The device of claim 34 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to at least compare single limb support times of one or more even numbered steps to single limb support times of one or more odd numbered steps to determine a measure of symmetry and provide the measure of symmetry to the recipient device.
37 . The device of claim 34 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to at least determine a variability measure of a plurality of single limb support times and provide data associated with the variability measure to the recipient device.
38 . The device of claim 34 , wherein the recipient device comprises at least one of:
a non-transitory computer-readable medium;
a recipient device communicatively coupled to the at least one processor using a network;
an electromagnetic transmitter; or
a user interface.
39 . A method for determining a single limb support time of a user based at least in part on acceleration data comprising a plurality of acceleration readings, the method comprising:
receiving, by one or more processors of a device, the plurality of acceleration readings, wherein the plurality of acceleration readings is generated by an accelerometer measuring acceleration of the user's arm;
identifying, by the one or more processors of the device, a first time at which a first reading of the plurality of acceleration readings was generated, wherein the first reading is a lowest local minimum reading during a first window;
identifying, by the one or more processors of the device, a second time at which a second reading of the plurality of acceleration readings was generated, wherein the second reading is a first occurring lowest local minimum reading after the first reading to occur during a second window;
determining, by the one or more processors of the device, the single limb support time by determining a difference between the first time and the second time, wherein the single limb support time is indicative of at least a portion of a step in which the user's weight is at least partially supported on the limb; and
providing, by the one or more processors of the device, data associated with the single limb support time to a recipient device, wherein the recipient device provides a perceivable indication associated with the data.
40 . The method of claim 39 further comprising:
determining a fundamental frequency using an autocorrelation function applied to a plurality of readings of the plurality of acceleration readings; and
setting a duration of the first window as a fraction of the fundamental frequency.
41 . The method of claim 39 further comprising:
comparing single limb support time of one or more even numbered steps to single limb support times of one or more odd numbered steps to determine a measure of symmetry; and
providing the measure of symmetry from the one or more processors to the recipient device.
42 . The method of claim 39 further comprising:
determining a variability measure of a plurality of single limb support times; and
providing data associated with the variability measure from the one or more processors to the recipient device.
43 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the recipient device comprises at least one of:
a non-transitory computer-readable medium;
a recipient device communicatively coupled, by a network, to the one or more processors;
an electromagnetic transmitter; or
a user interface.
44 . A computer program product for determining a single limb support time of a user based at least in part on acceleration data comprising a plurality of acceleration readings, the computer program product comprising non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for execution by a device that cause the device to at least:
receive the plurality of acceleration readings, wherein the plurality of acceleration readings is generated by an accelerometer measuring acceleration of the user's arm;
identify a first time at which a first reading of the plurality of acceleration readings was generated, wherein the first reading is a lowest local minimum reading during a first window;
identify a second time at which a second reading of the plurality of acceleration readings was generated, wherein the second reading is a first occurring lowest local minimum reading after the first reading to occur during a second window;
determine the single limb support time by determining a difference between the first time and the second time, wherein the single limb support time is indicative of at least a portion of a step in which the user's weight is at least partially supported on the limb; and provide data associated with the single limb support time to a recipient device, wherein the recipient device provides a perceivable indication associated with the data.
45 . The computer program product of claim 44 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to at least determine a fundamental frequency using an autocorrelation function applied to a plurality of readings of the plurality of acceleration readings and in which a duration of the first window is a fraction of the fundamental frequency.
46 . The computer program product of claim 44 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to at least compare single limb support times of one or more even numbered steps to single limb support times of one or more odd numbered steps to determine a measure of symmetry and provide the measure of symmetry to the recipient device.
47 . The computer program product of claim 44 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to at least determine a variability measure of a plurality of single limb support times and provide data associated with the variability measure to the recipient device.
48 . The computer program product of claim 44 , wherein the recipient device comprises at least one of:
a non-transitory computer-readable medium;
a recipient device communicatively coupled to the at least one processor using a network;
an electromagnetic transmitter; or
a user interface.