System and method of estimating joint loads using an approach of closed form dynamics

1. A computer implemented method for automatically estimating a joint load at a joint of a segment, comprising the steps of:

receiving by said computer kinematic data representing a serial chain system;

determining a modified acceleration using at least said kinematic data;

estimating the joint load using at least said modified acceleration, wherein said step of estimating the joint load uses an approach of closed form dynamics; and

determining simulated kinematic data for the segment using at least the joint load.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said kinematic data represents measured values.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said kinematic data includes at least one of positional kinematic data or velocity kinematic data.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of determining said modified acceleration includes:

determining an error value representing a difference between previously simulated kinematic data simulated at a previous time and said kinematic data; and

applying a feedback gain to said error value.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said kinematic data comprises at least positional kinematic data, said previously simulated kinematic data comprises at least previously simulated positional data, and said error value comprises a positional tracking error representing a difference between said previously simulated positional data and said positional kinematic data.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein said kinematic data comprises at least velocity kinematic data, said previously simulated kinematic data comprises at least previously simulated velocity data, and said error value comprises a velocity tracking error representing a difference between said previously simulated velocity data and said velocity kinematic data.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein said feedback gain comprises at least one of a positional feedback gain or a velocity feedback gain.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said serial chain system is one of an open kinematic chain or a closed kinematic chain.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of determining said simulated kinematic data for the segment further comprises:

determining an induced acceleration for the segment; and

determining said simulated kinematic data for the segment by integration of said induced acceleration.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of obtaining at least one of a reaction force and a moment acting at one or more joints.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said step of estimating the joint load uses said at least one of said reaction force and said moment in addition to said modified acceleration.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said step of determining said simulated kinematic data uses said at least one of said reaction force and said moment in addition to the joint load.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein said at least one of said reaction force and said moment is determined by at least one of measurement or estimation.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein said serial chain system is one of a two-dimensional system or a three-dimensional system.

15. A system for automatically estimating a joint load at a joint of a segment, comprising:

means for receiving kinematic data representing a serial chain system;

first determining means for determining a modified acceleration using at least said kinematic data;

means for estimating the joint load using at least said modified acceleration wherein said means for estimating the joint load uses an approach of closed form dynamics; and

second determining means for determining simulated kinematic data for the segment using at least the joint load.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein said first determining means for determining said modified acceleration further includes:

third determining means for determining an error value representing a difference between previously simulated kinematic data simulated at a previous time and said kinematic data; and

means for applying a feedback gain to said error value.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein said second determining means for determining said simulated kinematic data for the segment farther includes:

third determining means for determining an induced acceleration for the segment; and

fourth determining means for determining said simulated kinematic data for the segment by integration of said induced acceleration.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein said serial chain system is one of a two-dimensional system or a three-dimensional system.

19. A computer program product for automatically estimating a joint load at a joint of a segment, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium containing executable computer program code for performing a method comprising:

receiving kinematic data representing a serial chain system;

determining a modified acceleration using at least said kinematic data;

estimating the joint load using at least said modified acceleration, wherein said step of estimating the joint load uses an approach of closed form dynamics; and

determining simulated kinematic data for the segment using at least the joint load.

20. The computer program product of claim 19 , wherein said kinematic data represents measured values.