JP7737693B2 - System for easily visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a person, and method for easily visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a person - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system for easily visualizing the position of a human center of gravity and a method for easily visualizing the position of a human center of gravity.

A known center of gravity stability system includes a force plate equipped with a tabletop and a three-component load cell, and a data processing device that measures the movement of the subject's center of gravity based on load data output from the three-component load cell. This center of gravity stability system has a stepping reference marker attached to the tabletop, and the data processing device has a CPU that calculates stepping position-related parameters for multiple stepping movements based on the stepping positions on the tabletop. The CPU calculates absolute coordinates of the sole of each foot's contact position during each stepping movement, using a predetermined position on the tabletop as the origin, and performs a stepping position variation calculation process to calculate the center position and the front-to-back and left-to-right variation in the sole of the foot's contact position during multiple stepping movements (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Also known is a balance ability measuring device that includes a load sensor that detects the load acting on the measurement surface, a center of gravity detection device that detects the subject's center of gravity based on the load sensor's detection signal, a pressure distribution sensor with multiple pressure detection units arranged on the measurement surface, a foot pressure area detection device that detects the subject's foot pressure area based on the pressure distribution sensor's detection signal, a reference width setting device that sets the reference width of the foot pressure area in the center of gravity displacement direction based on the foot pressure area detection signal, a center of gravity displacement calculation device that calculates the displacement of the subject's center of gravity based on the width dimension ratio of the foot pressure area to the reference width, and a display device that externally displays the measurement results based on the displacement of the center of gravity calculated by the center of gravity displacement calculation device (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

In general, the position of the center of gravity in the human trunk is important from the perspective of posture, standing stability, and risk assessment of falls. Furthermore, from this perspective, the position of the center of gravity when a person is performing some kind of movement is more important than the position of the center of gravity when the person is maintaining a stable standing position. The center of gravity stabilization systems and balance ability measuring devices shown in the above-mentioned patent documents are typically used by people standing on them, and measure the position of the center of gravity in the human trunk using multiple sensors attached to the parts of the body that come into contact with the soles of the feet. Here, the center of gravity stabilization systems and balance ability measuring devices shown in the above-mentioned patent documents can obtain information about the load acting horizontally on the soles of the feet, but cannot obtain information about the load acting vertically, making the information unclear. Since a lower center of gravity results in more stable posture, it is important to obtain the vertical position of the center of gravity.

Known technologies for obtaining information about the position of the center of gravity in the vertical direction, i.e., information about whether the center of gravity is high or low, include motion capture. However, using such technology presents challenges, such as limited installation locations for the device and the need for high-cost systems. These challenges become particularly pronounced when load cells (load detectors) are used in contact with the soles of the feet. Furthermore, because using such devices requires a model of a healthy human body, it may not be possible to accurately calculate the position of the center of gravity in people with physical disabilities, for example.

JP 2011-056278 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-209546 JP 2016-179048 A

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its ultimate objective is to provide a simple system for visualizing the position of the human center of gravity that has a simple structure and can detect loads applied not only horizontally but also vertically, and accurately calculate and display the position of the subject's center of gravity, simply by having the subject hold a load detector at a predetermined distance.

To solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
A simple visualization system for human center of gravity position that calculates the position of the center of gravity in the body of a subject and visualizes the position of the center of gravity,
a load detector having a tip portion on which the subject holds one of the limbs or places one of the limbs, and a sensor portion for detecting a load acting on the tip portion;
a calculation unit that calculates the position of the center of gravity based on information about the load detected by the sensor unit of the load detector;
a display unit that displays the position of the center of gravity calculated by the calculation unit;
Equipped with
The calculation unit is a simple visualization system for the position of the center of gravity of a human being, characterized in that it dynamically calculates the position of the center of gravity based on the load detected by the sensor unit in the load detector and a second load generated at the point of application of the body weight where the subject is applying their weight to the floor surface other than the tip.

According to the present invention, the position of the center of gravity of a subject can be calculated and displayed simply and accurately. Furthermore, the simplified system for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being according to the present invention only requires a single load detector, making its structure simple. This makes it easily portable, and the simplified system for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being according to the present invention can calculate the position of the center of gravity of a subject regardless of location, such as on the floor. The position of the center of gravity displayed on the display unit can be displayed not only as a point on a coordinate system, but also as a numerical coordinate system.

The present invention may also be a simplified system for visualizing the position of a human center of gravity, characterized in that the calculation unit further calculates the position of the center of gravity at the distal end based on the height from the floor of the contact position where the subject grasps with one of their limbs or places one of their limbs, the horizontal distance between the contact position and the point of application of their body weight, and the subject's weight. Here, the height from the floor of the contact position, the horizontal distance between the contact position and the point of application of their body weight, and the subject's weight may be input in advance as known values. This simplifies the calculations in the calculation unit, making it possible to more easily and accurately detect loads and calculate the position of the subject's center of gravity.

The present invention may also be a simplified visualization system for the position of the center of gravity of a human, characterized in that the tip of the load detector has a predetermined low-moment shape that is unlikely to generate a rotational moment when the subject grasps it with one of their limbs or places one of their limbs on it. This makes it possible to ignore the rotational moment when calculating the position of the center of gravity, and by further simplifying the model, the position of the center of gravity can be calculated more easily.

The present invention may also be a simple system for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a person, characterized in that the low-moment shape is a plate-like shape extending vertically. This makes it difficult for a rotational moment to occur at the tip.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the display unit may be a simple system for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a person, characterized in that it further displays the continuous movement trajectory of the position of the center of gravity prior to the point in time when the position of the center of gravity was calculated by the calculation unit. This makes it possible to grasp the degree of movement of the position of the center of gravity, and, for example, if the degree of movement of the position of the center of gravity is large, it can be determined that the subject's posture may be unstable.

The present invention may also be a simplified system for visualizing the position of the human center of gravity, further comprising an imaging device that captures an image of the subject, and wherein the display unit displays a moving image of the subject captured by the imaging device and, superimposed on the moving image, displays the position of the center of gravity calculated by the calculation unit and/or the continuous movement trajectory of the position of the center of gravity prior to the time of calculation by the calculation unit. In this way, the display unit can display not only the calculation results of the center of gravity position but also the image of the subject, making it easier to grasp the position of the subject's center of gravity more clearly.

In addition, in the present invention,
A simple method for visualizing a human center of gravity position, which calculates the position of the center of gravity in a body of a subject and visualizes the position of the center of gravity,
An input step in which parameters that form the basis of load information are input in advance;
a load detection step in which the subject grasps a tip portion of a load detector capable of detecting loads in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction with any of the limbs or places any of the limbs on the tip portion to detect the load;
a center-of-gravity position calculation step of calculating the position of the center of gravity based on information about the load detected in the load detection step;
a center of gravity position visualization step of displaying the position of the center of gravity calculated in the center of gravity position calculation step;
and
The method may also be a simple method for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human, characterized in that in the center of gravity position calculation step, the position of the center of gravity is dynamically calculated based on the load detected in the load detection step and a second load generated at the point of application of the body weight where the subject is applying their weight to the floor surface other than the tip.

This invention makes it possible to calculate and display the position of the subject's center of gravity accurately in a few simple steps.

The present invention may also be a simple method for visualizing the position of a human center of gravity, characterized in that in the center of gravity position calculation step, the position of the center of gravity is calculated at the tip of the device based on the height from the floor of a contact position where the subject grips the device with one of their limbs or places one of their limbs, the horizontal distance between the contact position and the point of application of the body weight, and the subject's weight. This makes it possible to more simply and accurately detect load and calculate the position of the subject's center of gravity.

The present invention may also provide a simple method for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being, characterized in that in the center of gravity position calculation step, the position of the center of gravity is calculated while ignoring the rotational moment generated at the tip portion, which may be detected in the load detection step. This makes the calculation in the center of gravity position calculation step easier, and the calculation result of the center of gravity position easier to understand.

Furthermore, the present invention may be a simple method for visualizing a position of a human center of gravity, characterized in that, in the center-of-gravity position calculation step, the contact position and the point of application of body weight are defined as two points supporting the body of the subject, a resultant force of the load generated in the vertical direction and the load generated in the horizontal direction at the contact position is defined as a first load vector, a resultant force of the second load generated in the vertical direction and the second load generated in the horizontal direction at the point of application of body weight is defined as a second load vector, and an intersection of the first load vector and the second load vector is defined as the position of the center of gravity. According to this, since only two types of load vectors are required as information for calculating the position of the center of gravity, the position of the center of gravity can be calculated with a smaller system capacity and the position of the center of gravity can be determined in a shorter time.

The present invention may also be a simple method for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a person, characterized in that the center of gravity position visualization step further displays a continuous movement trajectory of the position of the center of gravity prior to the point in time at which the position of the center of gravity was calculated in the center of gravity position calculation step. This makes it easy to grasp changes in the position of the center of gravity at a glance.

The present invention may also be a simple method for visualizing the position of a human center of gravity, characterized in that in the center of gravity position visualization step, the subject imaged in the load detection step is displayed as a moving image, and the position of the center of gravity calculated in the center of gravity position calculation step and/or the continuous movement trajectory of the position of the center of gravity prior to the time of calculation in the center of gravity position calculation step are displayed superimposed on the moving image. In this way, the display unit can display not only the calculation results of the center of gravity position but also the image of the subject, making it easier to grasp the position of the subject's center of gravity more clearly.

Note that the means for solving the above problems can be used in combination with each other whenever possible.

According to the present invention, by simply having the subject grasp a load cell at a predetermined distance, it is possible to detect loads applied not only horizontally but also vertically. As a result, the position of the subject's center of gravity can be accurately calculated when the subject changes position or loses balance, which can be used to prevent falls, for example. Furthermore, while the prototype of the simple method for visualizing the position of the human center of gravity is two-dimensional, if a similar simple system for visualizing the position of the human center of gravity is adapted to three dimensions, it would be possible to calculate the position of the center of gravity during three-dimensional movements, which could also be applied to areas such as sports medicine.

The present invention also achieves the following secondary effect by incorporating other limiting elements. That is, by incorporating an image capture device into the simple visualization system for the position of the human center of gravity of the present invention, it is possible to capture an image of the subject and display it as a moving image, and to display the position of the subject's center of gravity within the moving image. As a result, it becomes easier for the subject to grasp the position of their center of gravity.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a simple visualization system for the position of the center of gravity of a person according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a mode of detecting a load using the simple visualization system for the position of the center of gravity of a person in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a method for calculating the position of the center of gravity of a subject using the simple system for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a calculation result of the position of the center of gravity displayed on a display of a PC in the simple visualization system for the position of the center of gravity of a person in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for easily visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a person using the system for easily visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a person in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a simple visualization system for the position of the center of gravity of a person according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a mode of detecting a load using a simple visualization system for a position of a center of gravity of a person according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the calculation result of the position of the center of gravity displayed on the display of a PC in the simple visualization system for the position of the center of gravity of a person in the second embodiment.

Example 1
A system for easily visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being and a method for easily visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is merely an example of the system for easily visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being and the method for easily visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being according to the present invention, and is not intended to limit the configuration, shape, structure, method, etc. In the following embodiment, a system for easily visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being will be described, which can detect loads applied not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction by having a subject hold a load detector, and which calculates and displays the position of the center of gravity of the subject based on the load information.

<Device configuration>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a simple visualization system 1 for human center of gravity according to an embodiment of the present invention. The simple visualization system 1 for human center of gravity according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a load cell unit 2 as a load detector, a PC 3, and an A/D board 4. When measuring the position of the center of gravity, a subject lightly grasps the tip of the load cell unit 2 with their fingertips so as to apply a load to the load cell unit 2. The load cell unit 2 detects the load generated by the subject grasping the tip (described below). The structure of the load cell unit 2 is described below in FIG. 2. The PC 3 acquires information about the load detected by the load cell unit 2, and a CPU 31 serving as a calculation unit calculates the position of the subject's center of gravity based on the load information. The PC 3 also visualizes the position of the center of gravity by displaying the calculation results on a display 32 serving as a display unit. The A/D board 4 is connected to the load cell unit 2 and the PC 3 via an intermediary. The A/D board 4 samples the analog signal transmitted by the load cell unit 2, converts it into digital data, and then transmits the digital data to the PC 3. The connection between the load cell unit 2 and the A/D board 4, and the connection between the PC 3 and the A/D board 4 may be wired or wireless. If the load cell unit 2 is capable of outputting digital data, the A/D board 4 is not required as a component of the simple visualization system 1 for the position of the center of gravity of a person.

Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing how load is detected using a simplified human center of gravity position visualization system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The A/D board 4 is not shown in Figure 2. The load cell unit 2 has a tip 21 and a sensor 22. When a subject measures the position of the center of gravity, for example, as shown in Figure 2, the subject grasps the tip 21, and the sensor 22 detects the load acting on the tip 21. This load information is sent to the PC 3, which then calculates the position of the center of gravity from this load information. The PC 3 displays the calculated position of the center of gravity on the display 32. Note that the display 32 can also display the position of the center of gravity at the calculated time, along with the continuous movement trajectory of the center of gravity position over a predetermined period of time prior to that time. Details are explained in Figure 4 below.

The tip portion 21 has a generally plate-like shape extending in the vertical direction. Its thickness may be, for example, 10 mm or less. It may also be formed so as to taper toward the tip. Furthermore, the periphery may be covered with an elastic member. The subject holds the tip of the tip portion 21 by lightly pinching it with the tips of several fingers. Therefore, a rotational moment is unlikely to occur at the point where the subject holds the tip portion 21, and the influence of the rotational moment can be ignored when the sensor unit 22 detects the load generated at the tip portion 21. The sensor unit 22 comprises a first load cell 22a that detects a load in the vertical direction (also called the Z direction) and a second load cell 22b that detects a load in the horizontal direction (also called the X direction).
The load cell 22b detects a load acting in a direction perpendicular to the point where the subject grasps the tip portion 21 (F1 shown in FIG. 2) and a load acting in a direction horizontal to the point where the subject grasps the tip portion 21 (f1 shown in FIG. 2).

When the position of the subject's center of gravity is calculated using the simple human center of gravity position visualization system 1, a load is also generated at the point where the subject is supporting their weight (the point where the left foot is placed in Figure 2) other than the tip 21. Specifically, a load (F2 shown in Figure 2) acts vertically relative to the point where the weight is supported, and a load (f2 shown in Figure 2) acts horizontally relative to the point where the weight is supported. The CPU 31 of PC 3 performs calculations by subtracting F1 from the subject's weight for F2 and by inverting f1 for f2. Here, F2 and f2 correspond to the second load in this invention.

In the simple human center of gravity position visualization system 1, the position of the center of gravity is calculated based on the following three pieces of information that are input in advance into the data input unit (not shown) of the PC 3. The first piece of information is the subject's weight, as described above. The second piece of information is H shown in Figure 2. H is the vertical distance between the point where the subject grasps the tip portion 21 and the floor. The third piece of information is D shown in Figure 2. D is the horizontal distance between the point where the subject grasps the tip portion 21 and the point where the subject's weight is supported elsewhere than the tip portion 21 (the floor in this example). The second load cell 22b is installed so that it can detect a horizontal load in the direction connecting the point where the subject grasps the tip portion 21 and the point where the subject's weight is supported elsewhere than the tip portion 21.

Note that the load detection mode shown in Figure 2 is merely one example. For example, instead of gripping the tip 21, one foot may be placed on the tip 21. Alternatively, instead of standing on the floor with one foot, one may stand with both feet together, or sit on a chair, etc. Furthermore, the shape of the tip 21 is not limited to the shape shown in Figure 2, as long as it is a shape that does not easily generate a rotational moment. For example, it may be a cylindrical shape extending vertically with a diameter of approximately 10 mm or less.

<Measurement method>
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for calculating the position of the center of gravity of a subject using the simplified human center of gravity visualization system 1 in Example 1. When calculating the position of the center of gravity of a subject in the manner shown in FIG. 2 , two points are modeled as two points supporting the subject's body: the point where the subject grasps the distal end 21 (point A shown in FIG. 3 ) and the point where the subject applies their weight to the floor surface other than the distal end 21 (point B shown in FIG. 3 ). Note that the loads F1, f1, F2, f2, H, and D shown in FIG. 3 are the same as those shown in FIG. 2 . Also, as shown in FIG. 3 , F1, F2, and H represent the load and dimension in the Z direction, and f1, f2, and D represent the load and distance in the X direction. Here, point A corresponds to the contact position in the present invention. Point B corresponds to the weight application point in the present invention.

As described above, when the subject grasps the distal end portion 21, three pieces of information, namely the subject's weight, H, and D, are input in advance to the data input unit of the PC 3. In this case, the vertical direction F2 and horizontal direction f2 generated at point B are determined based on the vertical direction F1 and horizontal direction f1 generated at point A. Then, when the angle formed by the resultant force of F1 and f1 with respect to the horizontal direction is θ1, and the angle formed by the resultant force of F2 and f2 with respect to the horizontal direction is θ2, the following equations (1) and (2) hold.
tanθ1=F1/f1 θ1=arctan(F1/f1) (1)
tanθ2=F2/f2 θ2=arctan(F2/f2) (2)

As described above, the values of θ1 and θ2 are determined from the information on the loads F1, f1, F2, and f2. Then, the intersection G of the resultant force of F1 and f1 and the resultant force of F2 and f2 is determined on the coordinate plane. This intersection G is the position of the subject's center of gravity. In this way, the position of the center of gravity can be calculated not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction. Here, the resultant force of F1 and f1 corresponds to the first load vector in the present invention. Similarly, the resultant force of F2 and f2 corresponds to the second load vector in the present invention.

<System Configuration>
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display 32 of the PC 3 in the simplified human center of gravity position visualization system 1 according to the first embodiment. The display 32 of the PC 3 displays the position of the subject's center of gravity and load information acquired by the CPU 31 of the PC 3. The position of the subject's center of gravity calculated based on the load information is displayed on a coordinate plane with the D direction (horizontal direction) and the H direction (vertical direction) shown in FIG. 2 as two axes. Because the position of the center of gravity is continuously measured over time, as described above, the position of the center of gravity at the time of calculation by the CPU 31 can be displayed on the coordinate plane. Furthermore, a continuous movement trajectory of the center of gravity position over a predetermined period prior to the calculation by the CPU 31 can be displayed. A mark indicating the position of the center of gravity at the time of calculation by the CPU 31 may be displayed in a different color from the mark indicating the continuous movement trajectory, for example, so that it is clear that it is the position of the center of gravity at that time. The coordinates indicating the position of the center of gravity may be displayed numerically. Furthermore, data related to the position of the center of gravity may be recorded in the load cell unit 2. Furthermore, the continuous movement locus of the center of gravity position may not be displayed on the coordinate plane, and only the position of the center of gravity at that time may be displayed.

The center of gravity position is displayed not only horizontally but also vertically, allowing the subject to grasp the height of the center of gravity. Compared to when the center of gravity position is displayed only horizontally, this allows the subject to more accurately grasp the position of the center of gravity when changing position or losing balance, which can be used to prevent falls, for example. Generally, when a subject falls, they unconsciously try to grab something. For example, as the hands are moved away from the body, the center of gravity shifts beyond the upper soles of the feet. If this limit is exceeded, the subject falls. At this time, the subject may bend over to protect themselves. Using the simplified human center of gravity visualization system 1 according to this embodiment, the above-mentioned movements can be evaluated by conducting a test in which the load cell unit 2 is slid horizontally and vertically away from the subject's body. If the load cell unit 2 is moved too far away, the subject will be unable to maintain posture. Evaluating the movements during this process can lead to the evaluation and management of accidental events such as falls. The simple visualization system 1 for human center of gravity position may also have an actuator such as a motor, so that the load cell unit 2 slides automatically.

Note that "Start" in Figure 3 displays the elapsed time after calculation of the center of gravity position began, "Loadcell X" and "Loadcell Z" display the values of f1 and F1 shown in Figure 2, and "BodyGC X" and "BodyGC Z" display the values of f2 and F2 shown in Figure 2. These notations are merely examples, and other notations may be used as long as they have a similar meaning.

<Flowchart>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a simple method for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human body using the simple visualization system 1 for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human body according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flow of the simple visualization method for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human body will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. In this flowchart, first, the subject inputs parameters on which load information is based into the data input unit of the PC 3 (S101). The parameters on which the load information is based are the subject's weight, H shown in FIG. 2, and D shown in FIG. 2. S101 corresponds to the input step in this invention. When the subject grasps the tip 21 of the load cell unit 2, the sensor unit 22 of the load cell unit 2 detects loads F1 and f1 based on the three parameters (S102). S102 corresponds to the load detection step in this invention. The load cell unit 2 transmits information on the detected load to the CPU 31 of the PC 3 (S103). The CPU 31 of the PC 3 calculates loads F2 and f2 based on the information on loads F1 and f1. Specifically, F2 is calculated by subtracting F1 from the subject's weight, and f2 is calculated by inverting f1. The center of gravity position is then calculated based on the loads F1, f1, F2, and f2, as well as information on H and D (S104). Load information is continuously transmitted to CPU 31 over time, and the center of gravity position is continuously calculated accordingly. S104 corresponds to the center of gravity position calculation step of the present invention. The calculated center of gravity position is displayed on a two-dimensional coordinate plane, and the display 32 of PC 3 displays the center of gravity position at the time of calculation by CPU 31, along with a continuous movement trajectory of the center of gravity position over a predetermined period of time prior to that time (S105).

Furthermore, the simple visualization system 1 for human center of gravity position in Example 1 is easily portable, and with the simple visualization system 1 for human center of gravity position, the position of the subject's center of gravity can be measured regardless of location, such as on the floor.

Example 2
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a camera for capturing an image of a subject is added as a component to the simple visualization system 1 for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being in the first embodiment.

<Device configuration>
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a simple visualization system 10 for a human center of gravity position according to a second embodiment. The simple visualization system 10 for a human center of gravity position according to the second embodiment includes a load cell unit 20, a PC 30, an A/D board 40, and a camera 5 as components. The camera 5 is connected to the PC 30 via the A/D board 40. The camera 5 captures an image of the subject when detecting a load. The captured image data is transmitted to the A/D board 40 as an analog signal, and then converted into digital data and transmitted to the PC 30. The direction and angle of the camera 5 can be adjusted, and the direction and angle at which the image of the subject is captured can be freely changed. Similar to the configuration of the simple visualization system 1 for a human center of gravity position according to the first embodiment, the connection between the camera 5 and the A/D board 40 may be wired or wireless. Furthermore, if the load cell unit 20 and the camera 5 are capable of outputting digital data, the A/D board 40 is not required as a component of the simple visualization system 10 for a human center of gravity position. Furthermore, if the PC 30 has, for example, a built-in camera and is capable of capturing an image of the subject, the visualization system 10 does not need to include the camera 5 as a component. Here, the camera 5 corresponds to the imaging device in the present invention.

Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing how a load is detected using the simplified system 10 for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a person in Example 2. The load detection mode shown in Figure 7 is the same as the load detection mode shown in Figure 2 in Example 1, except that the camera 5 captures an image of the subject grasping the tip 210 of the load cell unit 20 and displays the image as a moving image in real time on the display 320 of the PC 30. Note that multiple cameras 5 may be used so that the subject can be captured from various directions and angles.

<System Configuration>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a calculation result of the center of gravity position displayed on the display 320 of the PC 30 in the simplified human center of gravity position visualization system 10 according to Example 2. The display 320 of the PC 30 displays the position of the subject's center of gravity and load information acquired by the CPU 310 of the PC 30, as in FIG. 4 of Example 1. Furthermore, a moving image captured by the camera 5 is displayed in real time on a separate screen. Two-dimensional coordinates indicating the position of the subject's center of gravity can be superimposed on the subject in the moving image. This allows the position of the subject's center of gravity to be visualized more clearly, allowing the subject to more easily grasp the position of the center of gravity, compared to a case in which a moving image is not displayed, as in Example 1. Furthermore, if a smartphone is used instead of the camera 5, in addition to capturing an image of the subject, the smartphone can perform calculations required to calculate the position of the subject's center of gravity, display moving images, and record data related to the center of gravity position. This eliminates the need for the PC 30 as a component of the simplified human center of gravity position visualization system 10, further simplifying the system.

In the simple method for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being using the simple visualization system for the position of the center of gravity of a human being 10 in Example 2, the method for calculating the position of the center of gravity of the subject is the same as in Figure 3 of Example 1. Also, the flow from inputting parameters that form the basis of load information to displaying the calculated position of the center of gravity is the same as in Figure 5 of Example 1. In Example 2, the step of capturing an image of the subject grasping the tip 210 of the load cell unit 20 with the camera 5 is included in S102, and the step of displaying the moving image captured by the camera 5 in real time on the display 320 of the PC 30 is included in S105.

1, 10: Simple visualization system for human center of gravity position 2, 20: Load cell unit 21, 210: Tip unit 22, 220: Sensor unit 22a, 220a: First load cell 22b, 220b: Second load cell 3, 30: PC
31, 310: CPU
32, 320: Display 4, 40: A/D board 5: Camera

Claims (10)

A simple visualization system for human center of gravity position that calculates the position of the center of gravity in the body of a subject and visualizes the position of the center of gravity,
a load detector having a tip portion on which the subject holds one of the limbs or places one of the limbs, and a sensor portion for detecting a load acting on the tip portion;
a calculation unit that calculates the position of the center of gravity based on information about the load detected by the sensor unit of the load detector;
a display unit that displays the position of the center of gravity calculated by the calculation unit;
Equipped with
the calculation unit dynamically calculates the position of the center of gravity based on the load detected by the sensor unit of the load detector and a second load generated at a body weight application point where the subject applies their weight to a floor surface other than the tip end ,
The calculation unit further calculates the position of the center of gravity at the tip based on the height from the floor of a contact position where the subject grasps with one of their limbs or places one of their limbs, the horizontal distance between the contact position and the point of application of their body weight, and the body weight of the subject . 2. The simplified visualization system for the position of the center of gravity of a human being as described in claim 1, wherein the tip of the load detector has a predetermined low-moment shape that is unlikely to generate a rotational moment when the subject grasps it with any of their limbs or places any of their limbs on it. 3. The system for easily visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being according to claim 2 , wherein the low moment shape is a plate-like shape extending in a vertical direction. 4. The simplified visualization system for the position of the center of gravity of a person according to claim 1, wherein the display unit further displays a continuous movement trajectory of the position of the center of gravity prior to the point in time when the position of the center of gravity is calculated by the calculation unit. further comprising an imager for capturing an image of the subject;
The simplified visualization system for the position of the center of gravity of a person according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the display unit displays a moving image of the subject captured by the imaging device, and superimposes on the moving image the position of the center of gravity calculated by the calculation unit and/or a continuous movement trajectory of the position of the center of gravity prior to the point in time calculated by the calculation unit. A method for visualizing a human center of gravity position, which calculates a position of a center of gravity in a body of a subject and visualizes the position of the center of gravity, comprising:
An input step in which parameters that form the basis of load information are input in advance;
a load detection step in which the subject grasps a tip portion of a load detector capable of detecting loads in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction with any of the limbs or places any of the limbs on the tip portion to detect the load;
a center-of-gravity position calculation step of calculating the position of the center of gravity based on information about the load detected in the load detection step;
a center of gravity position visualization step of displaying the position of the center of gravity calculated in the center of gravity position calculation step;
and
In the center-of-gravity position calculation step, a position of the center of gravity is dynamically calculated based on the load detected in the load detection step and a second load generated at a body weight application point where the subject applies their weight to a floor surface other than the tip end ,
a step of calculating the center of gravity position by calculating the position of the center of gravity based on the height of the contact position from the floor at the tip end where the subject grasps the object with one of their limbs or places one of their limbs, the horizontal distance between the contact position and the point of application of the body weight, and the body weight of the subject . 7. The method for simply visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being according to claim 6, wherein in the center of gravity position calculation step, the position of the center of gravity is calculated while ignoring a rotational moment generated at the tip end portion that can be detected in the load detection step . In the center-of-gravity position calculation step, the contact position and the body weight application point are defined as two points supporting the body of the test subject, a resultant force of the load generated in the vertical direction and the load generated in the horizontal direction at the contact position is defined as a first load vector, and a resultant force of the second load generated in the vertical direction and the second load generated in the horizontal direction at the body weight application point is defined as a second load vector,
8. The method for simply visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being according to claim 6 , wherein the intersection of the first load vector and the second load vector is set as the position of the center of gravity. 9. The method for simply visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a person according to claim 6, wherein the center of gravity position visualization step further displays a continuous movement trajectory of the position of the center of gravity before the position of the center of gravity is calculated in the center of gravity position calculation step . 9. A simplified method for visualizing the position of the center of gravity of a human being according to claim 6, wherein in the center of gravity position visualization step, the subject imaged in the load detection step is displayed as a moving image, and the position of the center of gravity calculated in the center of gravity position calculation step and/or a continuous movement trajectory of the position of the center of gravity prior to the time calculated in the center of gravity position calculation step are displayed superimposed on the moving image .