Training Apparatus and Method

Abstract

Disclosed is a training system consisting of storage maintaining a reference body movement model, and a system for collecting a trainee body movement model. A computer is associated with the storage and the system, which compares the trainee body movement model to the reference body movement model and generates a report comparing the trainee body movement model to the reference body movement model. The report includes an identification of similarity between the trainee body movement model and the reference body movement model, and an identification of dissimilarity between the trainee body movement model and the reference body movement model.

1 . A training system comprising:
 electronic storage maintaining a reference body movement model indicative of movement of a plurality of reference points in space, each of the reference points defining a reference movement path;   a garment equipped with at least one sensor for informing a trainee body movement model, wherein the trainee body movement model is indicative of movement of at least one assessment point in space, each of the at least one assessment points associated with at least one of the location and orientation of one of each of the at least one sensors, each of the at least one assessment points defining a trainee movement path corresponding to one of the reference movement paths;   a garment equipped with a plurality of robotic mechanisms, each serving at least one of the assessment points; and   a computer for comparing each of the trainee movement paths to its corresponding reference movement path,   
       wherein the computer is capable of activating at least one of the plurality of robotic mechanisms to impart a corrective action to the garment such that the trainee movement path defined by each assessment point is encouraged to conform to its corresponding reference movement path. 
     
     
         2 . The training system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer generates a report comparing the trainee body movement model to the reference body movement model. 
     
     
         3 . The training system of  claim 2 , wherein the report contains instructions explaining how to modify the trainee body movement model to conform with the reference body movement model. 
     
     
         4 . The training system of  claim 1 , wherein the corrective action imparted to the garment is to inhibit a trainee movement path that deviates from the corresponding reference movement path. 
     
     
         5 . The training system of  claim 1 , wherein the corrective action imparted to the garment exerts a force that promotes a trainee movement path that conforms to the corresponding reference movement path. 
     
     
         6 . The training system of  claim 1 , wherein the corrective action imparted to the garment delivers an energy impulse designed to stimulate an involuntary muscle contraction that produces a trainee movement path that conforms to its corresponding reference movement path. 
     
     
         7 . The training system of  claim 6 , wherein the energy impulse is one of electrical, electromagnetic, hydraulic, light and pneumatic energy. 
     
     
         8 . The training system of  claim 1 , wherein the corrective action imparted to the garment exerts a force that promotes a trainee movement path that approaches, but does not completely conform to the corresponding reference movement path. 
     
     
         9 . The training system of  claim 1  wherein the electronic storage maintains a plurality of reference body movement models, at least one of the reference body movement models being selected for a training session. 
     
     
         10 . A training garment comprising:
 at least one sensor for informing a trainee body movement model, wherein the trainee body movement model is indicative of movement of at least one assessment point in space, each of the at least one assessment points associated with at least one of the location and orientation of one of each of the at least one sensors; and   a plurality of robotic mechanisms, each serving at least one of the assessment points and each capable of imparting a corrective action to the garment   
       wherein at least one of the location and orientation of the at least one sensor is detectable by a computer, and wherein the robotic mechanisms are capable of being activated by a computer to impart a corrective action to the garment such that the trainee movement path defined by each assessment point is encouraged to conform to its corresponding reference movement path. 
     
     
         11 . The training garment of  claim 10  wherein the corrective action imparted to the garment is to inhibit a trainee movement path that deviates from the corresponding reference movement path. 
     
     
         12 . The training garment of  claim 10  wherein the corrective action imparted to the garment exerts a force that promotes a trainee movement path that conforms to the corresponding reference movement path. 
     
     
         13 . The training garment of  claim 10  wherein the corrective action imparted to the garment delivers an energy impulse designed to stimulate an involuntary muscle contraction that produces a trainee movement path that conforms to its corresponding reference movement path. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 10  wherein the corrective action imparted to the garment exerts a force that promotes a trainee movement path that approaches, but does not completely conform to the corresponding reference movement path.