Systems and methods for posture and vital sign monitoring

Abstract

Systems and methods of monitoring posture and vital signs are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a cushion on which a user can sit. The cushion includes a first optical fiber sensor, a second sensor, and a first computing device. The system may further include a second computing device communicatively coupled to the first computing device and configured to receive sensor data from the first computing device. One or both of the first and second computing devices may operate to combine a signal indicative of the movement of the user with a signal indicative of the direction of movement of the user to determine a posture of the user. The system may provide feedback based on the user's posture and recommend actions to improve posture. The system may further monitor the user's heart rate, respiration rate, or other vital signs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for posture monitoring, comprising:
 a cushion comprising:
 a first optical fiber sensor configured to produce a first signal indicative of a movement of a user, 
 a second sensor configured to produce a second signal indicative of a direction of the movement of the user, and 
 a first computing device comprising a first processor and memory having a first set of instructions stored thereon; and 
   a second computing device, wherein the second computing device is communicatively coupled to the first computing device, and wherein the second computing device comprises a second processor and memory having a second set of instructions stored thereon, wherein execution of the first and second set of instructions causes a method to be performed comprising:
 transmitting data from the first computing device to the second computing device, 
 combining the first signal indicative of the movement of the user with the second signal indicative of the direction of the movement of the user to determine a posture of the user, 
 determining if a change to the posture of the user is recommended, and 
 if change to the posture of the user is recommended, recommending an action to the user via the second computing device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second sensor is a second optical fiber sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second sensor is a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first optical fiber sensor or the second sensor is further configured to produce a third signal indicative of a vital sign of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the vital sign is one or more of a respiratory waveform and a cardiac waveform. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the action comprises one or more of standing, walking, correcting posture, and stretching. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion is portable. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion forms a portion of a chair, seat, sleeping pod, or couch. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first computing device and the second computing device communicate wirelessly. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second computing device comprises a smartphone, wearable computing device, tablet, laptop, other portable computing device, or a remote server. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first optical fiber sensor comprises a one-layer deformer structure. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion further comprises a memory foam layer. 
     
     
         13 . A computerized method for posture monitoring, comprising:
 receiving a first signal indicative of a movement of a user, wherein the first signal is produced by a first optical fiber sensor in a cushion;   receiving a second signal indicative of a direction of the movement of the user, wherein the second signal is produced by a second sensor in the cushion;   combining the first signal indicative of the movement of the user with the second signal indicative of the direction of the movement of the user to determine a posture of the user;   determining if a change to the posture of the user is recommended; and   if change to the posture of the user is recommended, recommending an action to the user to change the posture.   
     
     
         14 . The computerized method of  claim 13 , wherein the action includes one or more of standing, walking, stretching, and correcting posture. 
     
     
         15 . The computerized method of  claim 13 , further comprising identifying if the user is leaning forward, leaning backward, leaning left, leaning right, sitting upright, or slouching. 
     
     
         16 . The computerized method of  claim 15 , further comprising generating an alert on the first or second computing device if change to the posture of the user is recommended. 
     
     
         17 . The computerized method of  claim 13 , further comprising receiving a third signal indicative of a vital sign of the user, wherein the third signal is produced by the first optical fiber sensor or the second sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The computerized method of  claim 17 , wherein the vital sign is one or more of a respiratory waveform and a cardiac waveform of the user. 
     
     
         19 . The computerized method of  claim 18 , further comprising determining a stress level of the user based, at least in part, on a change in a variability of the cardiac waveform. 
     
     
         20 . The computerized method of  claim 17 , further comprising monitoring a sleep cycle of the user based on one or more of the first signal, second signal, and third signal. 
     
     
         21 . The computerized method of  claim 20 , further comprising generating a signal to stimulate a vibrator within the cushion, wherein the signal is generated during an appropriate sleep cycle stage of the user. 
     
     
         22 . The computerized method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 determining if a change to the vital sign is recommended; and   if change to the vital sign of the user is recommended, recommending a second action to the user to change the vital sign.   
     
     
         23 . The computerized method of  claim 18 , wherein the second action includes one or more of standing, walking, stretching, and breathing coaching. 
     
     
         24 . The computerized method of  claim 18 , further comprising generating an alert on the first or second computing device if change to the vital sign is recommended.