Dynamic proprioception

Abstract

A wearable device such as a garment is disclosed, having at least one sensor, for sensing a parameter. Electronics are provided for processing the sensed parameter, and for providing feedback. Feedback may be in the form of proprioceptive tactile or audible feedback, or in the form of an adjustment of a performance parameter of the wearable device. In one implementation, the processor is configured to activate an effector to provide feedback to the wearer to make a body position correction to bring the position into alignment with predetermined body position reference data.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A proprioception feedback garment for coaching a wearer to replicate a predetermined body motion pattern, comprising:
 a compression garment;   a plurality of accelerometers carried by the garment;   a plurality of effectors carried by the garment for providing proprioceptive feedback to a wearer;   a controller, including a processor and a memory configured to store body motion reference data;   wherein the processor is configured to activate an effector to provide vibrational feedback to the wearer to make a body position correction to bring the position into alignment with the body position reference data.   
     
     
         28 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , comprising an upper body garment having an accelerometer on the right arm and an accelerometer on the left arm. 
     
     
         29 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , comprising a lower body garment having an accelerometer on the right leg and an accelerometer on the left leg. 
     
     
         30 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , comprising at least four accelerometers placed throughout the garment and in communication with the controller. 
     
     
         31 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 30 , wherein the accelerometers are in communication with the controller via electrical conductors. 
     
     
         32 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 31 , wherein the accelerometers are in wireless communication with the controller. 
     
     
         33 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 30 , comprising an accelerometer on the anterior right side of the garment. 
     
     
         34 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 30 , comprising an accelerometer on the anterior left side of the garment. 
     
     
         35 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 30 , comprising an accelerometer on the posterior right side of the garment. 
     
     
         36 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 30 , comprising an accelerometer on the posterior left side of the garment. 
     
     
         37 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 30 , comprising an effector on the anterior right side of the garment. 
     
     
         38 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 30 , comprising an effector on the anterior left side of the garment. 
     
     
         39 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 30 , comprising an effector on the posterior right side of the garment. 
     
     
         40 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 30 , comprising an effector on the posterior left side of the garment. 
     
     
         41 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , wherein the garment is a yoga pant. 
     
     
         42 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , wherein the garment is a shirt. 
     
     
         43 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , wherein the feedback is configured to train the wearer to follow a predetermined routine. 
     
     
         44 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , wherein the accelerometers are permanently carried by the garment. 
     
     
         45 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , wherein the accelerometers are detachably carried by the garment. 
     
     
         46 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , wherein the controller further comprises communication electronics for wireless communication with a remote device. 
     
     
         47 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 46 , wherein the remote device comprises a smart phone. 
     
     
         48 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , wherein the reference data comprises the wearer's previously stored data. 
     
     
         49 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , wherein the reference data comprises data associated with a performance objective. 
     
     
         50 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , configured to transmit feedback to the wearer substantially in real time as the wearer's body motion deviates from the stored reference so that conscious effort can be exerted to restore the motion parameter back to the reference. 
     
     
         51 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 50 , wherein the reference data relates to the wearer's body position. 
     
     
         52 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , wherein the feedback includes a visual representation of the wearer's body. 
     
     
         53 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , wherein the reference data comprises a predetermined routine. 
     
     
         54 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 53 , wherein the predetermined routine comprises a dance. 
     
     
         55 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , wherein the predetermined routine comprises an athletic activity. 
     
     
         56 . The proprioception feedback garment as in  claim 27 , wherein the reference data comprises a predetermined body position.