TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of acupressure therapy and implements. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an electronic assistive acupressure mat that allows selected zones to be massaged.

BACKGROUND
Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Acupressure is a process to apply a pressure to the selected points of the body. It is taught that glands, organs and various nerves of the body are attached with a different reflex points of the body. These reflex points may be located at the bottom of the feet as well as at the hand area. Upon applying pressure to such specific reflex points, person’s different organs such as eyes, stomach, ears etc. get beneficial effects which is medically proven to be helpful in combating different body sickness. It also reduces pain that may have occurred in the body for any reason.
Now, as far as acupressure process is concerned, various mats with different size are available in the market. At the surface of mat, a cone shaped protrusion is available. Person need to apply either of hand or foot to such mat any apply certain pressure. Moreover, some slippers are also available in the market which provide the acupressure process. Such sleepers are equipped with protrusions at the surface of contact with body. Person merely needs to wear such sleeper and walk which automatically initiates the acupressure process. Same is the case with hand acupressure mat also.
Although acupressure process is beneficial for organs of throughout body, sometimes it becomes necessary to apply pressure at some specific point at not throughout the hand area or bottom of the feet. Earlier mentioned sleepers or mat with protrusions, if used will perform the acupressure process throughout the area of either of hand or bottom feet and not only at the specific reflex points. Hence there is a need of such mat which can provide the acupressure only to the specific reflex points as per the desire of the user for any shape and sized of hand. Also, it will be beneficial if such mat is handy and easily portable so that person can easily transport such mat to any place any use accordingly.
The literature survey shows that so far there is no such acupressure mat available in the market which can simultaneously provide the acupressure process for specific reflex point only as per the user desire which is useful for any shape and size of hands. Available mats include a normal cone shaped protrusion only which are non-moving/static which is useful for hands or foot but if the acupressure process is to initiate for only specific reflex point, available mat cannot be used. Hence even more sophisticated system is needed which can assist user about the specific acupressure point for any shape and size of hand and which is quite easy to transport, install and use.
Efforts have been made in the past to overcome problem associated with electronic assistive/exercise device for example: - United States Patent Number US 20120058861 A1 discloses a tactile exercise mat and its method of operation. The mat comprises a plurality of actuators distributed therein and a controller adapted to control the plurality of actuators. The controller is adapted to access predefined actuator configurations defining exercise configurations and to control the actuators in accordance with the predefined actuator configurations. In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is communicatively connected to one or more sensors for sensing the actual movement of the user. However, the prior art discloses a bigger mat exclusively for laying down over and performing exercise wherein the plurality of actuators is being controlled in accordance of exercise configuration. The prior senses the position of the user due to the pressing of the actuators and accordingly performing the various exercise configuration whereas the present inventions a compact, handy and easily portable acupressure mat which mainly focuses on acupressure process for hands only. The prior art cannot be used as it is for hands. In the present invention, plurality of LED lights is distributed alongside the actuators and the shape of various size hands are firstly determined. For the same, actuators connected with LED are pressed and the glowing LED information is provided to the controller. The controller then waits for the user input from computer for initiating acupressure process and upon getting the user input for exact acupressure point, controller correlates the acupressure area within the overall hand area and accordingly activates the actuators for starting the acupressure process for selected acupressure point only.
United States Patent Number US 5158073 A discloses a foot message mat with non-movable protrusions. User have to apply foot over mat and apply pressure for acupressure process. Same can also be used for buttock by placing inside car seat. It also includes a means to attach two or more such mat. However, the prior art is basically for a foot massage that can be useful for hand or buttock but it has no provision to provide a means to select the area of message. In the present invention, plurality of LED lights is distributed alongside the actuators and the shape of various size hands are firstly determined. For the same, actuators connected with LED are pressed and the glowing LED information is provided to the controller. The controller then waits for the user input from computer for initiating acupressure process and upon getting the user input for exact acupressure point, controller correlates the acupressure area within the overall hand area and accordingly activates the actuators for starting the acupressure process for selected acupressure point only.
There is therefore, a need in the art to provide an electronic assistive acupressure mat that can assist user about the specific acupressure point for any shape and size of hand and which is quite easy to transport, install and use.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an electronic assistive acupressure mat.
It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an electronic assistive acupressure mat that can perform the acupressure process for any shape and size of hands as well as for any specifically selective acupressure point throughout hand area.
[0013] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an electronic assistive acupressure mat that can not only be useful for hand only but also for the either of foot leg by reconfiguring the control unit as well as associated software.
It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an electronic assistive acupressure mat that enables acupressure processes quite compact, handy and easily portable.
It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an electronic assistive acupressure mat cost effective and easy to implement.

SUMMARY
The present disclosure relates to the field of acupressure therapy and implements. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an electronic assistive acupressure mat that allows selected zones to be massaged.
An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an acupressure mat. The acupressure mat can include: an array of sensors disposed on an active surface of the acupressure mat and configured to detect presence of at least part of one or more hands based on weight of the at least one or more hands; and a control unit operatively coupled with the array of sensors and configured to: determine location of the at least part of the one or more hands on the acupressure mat based on location of the one or more sensors in the array of sensors that has detected the presence of the at least part of the one or more hands; and determine area covered by the at least part of the one or more hands based on number of sensors in the array of sensors at the location of the at least one or more hands that has detected the presence of the at least part of the one or more hands, wherein the control unit is configured to generate one or more signals associated with location and area covered by the at least part of the one or more hands on the surface of the acupressure mat.
[0018] In an embodiment, at least one of the generated one or more signals is received by an array of LED operatively coupled with the control unit and disposed on the active surface of the acupressure mat, wherein the LED, at the location and area of the detected at least part of the one or more hands, are configured to emit light.
[0019] In an embodiment, at least one of the one or more generated signals is received by an array of actuators operatively coupled with the control unit and disposed on the active surface of the acupressure mat, wherein the actuators, at the location and area of the detected at least part of the one or more hands, are configured to apply a force against the at least part of the one or more hands.
[0020] In an embodiment, each actuator in the array of actuators is coupled with one or more pins.
[0021] In an embodiment, the force applied by the actuators against the at least part of the one or more hands is any or a combination of continuous force and intermittent force.
[0022] In an embodiment, each sensor is the array of sensors is coupled with the LED and an actuator such that each sensor and the coupled LED and actuator form an integrated module.
[0023] In an embodiment, the determined location and area covered by the detected at least part of the one or more hands is stored in a memory device operatively coupled to the control unit.
[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure provide a method comprising: detecting, by an array of sensors disposed on an active surface of the acupressure mat, presence of at least part of one or more hands based on weight of the at least one or more hands; determining, by a control unit, location of the at least part of the one or more hands on the acupressure mat based on location of the one or more sensors in the array of sensors that has detected the presence of the at least part of the one or more hands; and determining, by the control unit, area covered by the at least part of the one or more hands based on number of sensors in the array of sensors at the location of the at least one or more hands that has detected the presence of the at least part of the one or more hands; generating, by the control unit, one or more signals associated with location and area covered by the at least part of the one or more hands on the surface of the acupressure mat.
[0025] In an embodiment, the method comprises receiving at least one of the generated one or more signals by an array of LED operatively coupled with the control unit and disposed on the active surface of the acupressure mat, wherein the LED, at the location and area of the detected at least part of the one or more hands, are configured to emit light.
[0026] In an embodiment, the method comprises receiving at least one of the generated one or more signals by an array of actuators operatively coupled with the control unit and disposed on the active surface of the acupressure mat, wherein the actuators, at the location and area of the detected at least part of the one or more hands, are configured to apply a force against the at least part of the one or more hands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary functional representation of an electronic assistive acupressure mat in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of a hand illustrating various acupressure points in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0031] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, firmware and/or by human operators.
[0032] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).
[0033] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0034] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0035] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0036] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
[0037] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as described in the claim.
[0038] The present disclosure relates to the field of acupressure therapy and implements. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an electronic assistive acupressure mat that allows selected zones to be massaged.
[0039] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an acupressure mat. The acupressure mat can include: an array of sensors disposed on an active surface of the acupressure mat and configured to detect presence of at least part of one or more hands based on weight of the at least one or more hands; and a control unit operatively coupled with the array of sensors and configured to: determine location of the at least part of the one or more hands on the acupressure mat based on location of the one or more sensors in the array of sensors that has detected the presence of the at least part of the one or more hands; and determine area covered by the at least part of the one or more hands based on number of sensors in the array of sensors at the location of the at least one or more hands that has detected the presence of the at least part of the one or more hands, wherein the control unit is configured to generate one or more signals associated with location and area covered by the at least part of the one or more hands on the surface of the acupressure mat.
[0040] In an embodiment, at least one of the generated one or more signals is received by an array of LED operatively coupled with the control unit and disposed on the active surface of the acupressure mat, wherein the LED, at the location and area of the detected at least part of the one or more hands, are configured to emit light.
[0041] In an embodiment, at least one of the one or more generated signals is received by an array of actuators operatively coupled with the control unit and disposed on the active surface of the acupressure mat, wherein the actuators, at the location and area of the detected at least part of the one or more hands, are configured to apply a force against the at least part of the one or more hands.
[0042] In an embodiment, each actuator in the array of actuators is coupled with one or more pins.
[0043] In an embodiment, the force applied by the actuators against the at least part of the one or more hands is any or a combination of continuous force and intermittent force.
[0044] In an embodiment, each sensor is the array of sensors is coupled with the LED and an actuator such that each sensor and the coupled LED and actuator form an integrated module.
[0045] In an embodiment, the determined location and area covered by the detected at least part of the one or more hands is stored in a memory device operatively coupled to the control unit.
[0046] According to another aspect of the present disclosure provide a method comprising: detecting, by an array of sensors disposed on an active surface of the acupressure mat, presence of at least part of one or more hands based on weight of the at least one or more hands; determining, by a control unit, location of the at least part of the one or more hands on the acupressure mat based on location of the one or more sensors in the array of sensors that has detected the presence of the at least part of the one or more hands; and determining, by the control unit, area covered by the at least part of the one or more hands based on number of sensors in the array of sensors at the location of the at least one or more hands that has detected the presence of the at least part of the one or more hands; generating, by the control unit, one or more signals associated with location and area covered by the at least part of the one or more hands on the surface of the acupressure mat.
[0047] In an embodiment, the method comprises receiving at least one of the generated one or more signals by an array of LED operatively coupled with the control unit and disposed on the active surface of the acupressure mat, wherein the LED, at the location and area of the detected at least part of the one or more hands, are configured to emit light.
[0048] In an embodiment, the method comprises receiving at least one of the generated one or more signals by an array of actuators operatively coupled with the control unit and disposed on the active surface of the acupressure mat, wherein the actuators, at the location and area of the detected at least part of the one or more hands, are configured to apply a force against the at least part of the one or more hands.
[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary functional representation of an electronic assistive acupressure mat in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hardware Configuration of an acupressure mat (1):
[0050] In an embodiment, the acupressure mat (1) (interchangeably referred to as electronic mat (1), mat (1) hereinafter) can comprise an array of sensors (now shown). The array of sensors can be disposed on surface of the mat (1). The array of sensors detect presence of one or more hands based on weight of the one or more hands. In an embodiment, the mat (1) can comprise actuators (2). The actuators (2) can be needle shaped but less sharp contacts which works as an interface over which user can place hand for acupressure process. These actuators (2) are distributed throughout the surface/acupressure area of the electronic mat (1). The actuators (2) are connected with a preprogramed control unit (4) by means of pins (5). These pins (5) can move upward and downwards such as a vibrating motion as per one or more signals generated by the control unit (4).
[0051] In an embodiment, the electronic mat (1) can further comprise plurality of LEDs (3) distributed therein alongside the actuators (2) throughout the surface/acupressure area. Each LED (3) is connected with its neighbouring actuator (2) by means of electronic circuits within control unit (4) in such a way that upon pressing the actuators (2) by hands for a few moments, corresponding LED (3) begins to glow. This LED (3) glowing process provides an overall way to figure out the dimensions of the hands of user which is simultaneously provided to the control unit (4). Glowing LED (3) information is saved into the memory (not shown) of the control unit (4). This glowing LED (3) information is used during the time of actuation process to activate only corresponding actuators (2) and not all the actuators (2). Also, glowing LED (3) is a visual information to the user to keep his/her hand back to its place for acupressure process even if user upon pressing the actuators (2) removes hand. A timer circuit (not shown) within the control unit (4) is preconfigured to keep the LED (3) activated for a few moments after pressing the actuators (2).

Connectivity of Electronic Mat (1) with Computing device (7):
[0052] In an embodiment, the proposed electronic mat (1) can be operatively coupled with a computing device (7) via a suitable communication link (8). The said communication link (8) may either by wired or wireless. In case of wired connection, a suitable cable wire may be used for the purpose. In case of wireless connection, there may be a possible addition of hardware such as infrared, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Li-fi or any suitable communication link. Use of any other such supportive communication link (8) between electronic mat (1) and computing device (7) will fall within the scope of this invention.
[0053] The computing device (7) can be preinstalled with the acupressure supportive software.
[0054] The said electronic mat (1) can obtain power for its operation from connected computing device (7). Alternatively, the electronic mat (1) can also obtain the power from prefed power supply unit such as battery, cell or external power supply.

Sensing, saving and activating corresponding actuators (2) within hand area (9) for different size hands:
[0055] As displayed in FIG. 1 that due to the presence of hand, the actuators (2) within pressing area (9) are gently pressed. The LED (3) connected with those pressed actuators (2) begins to glow. Now, this glowing LED (3) information can be provided to the control unit (4) where the control unit (4) saves this information into the memory (not shown). In this way, the c knows the size of hand as well as location of corresponding actuators (2) to activate during the actuation process. Also, the LED (3) within the pressing area (9) keeps glowing for a predefined time period for the visual indication to the user to put the hand back over same actuators (2) only for the acupressure process.
[0056] Now, once the control unit (4) knows the location of hand, hand size and corresponding actuators (2) to operate, this information is sent to the connected computing device (7) which is preinstalled with the applications residing on any operating system of the computing device.
[0057] In an embodiment, the control unit (4) can include one or more processors or controllers. Examples of controllers include, but are not limited to PIC® 16F877A microcontroller, AVR® ATmega8 & ATmega16, Renesas® microcontroller and the like. Examples of processor can include, but are not limited to, an Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2 processor(s), or AMD® Opteron® or Athlon MP® processor(s), Motorola® lines of processors, FortiSOC™ system on a chip processors or other future processors.
[0058] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of a hand illustrating various acupressure points in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hand position display and choosing specific acupressure point (10):
[0059] FIG. 2 shows a typical open hand position and corresponding various acupressure points (10). Once the user presses the actuators (2), display of the computing device (7) displays this open hand position on the screen with various acupressure points (10) to choose from. The user can choose any one option. This chosen option is (eye as an example) provided to the control unit (4).

Correlating the area between the area of chosen specific acupressure point (10) and the pressed area (9):
[0060] The control unit (4) preconfigured to now activate only those actuators (2) which fall under the area enclosed by the selected option of user (eye (10) for example). If user chooses the acupressure points (10) for liver (as another example), the chosen option is provided to the control unit (4). The control unit (4) preconfigured to now activate only those actuators (2) which fall under the area enclosed by liver (10).
[0061] As the control unit (4) already has an information about the shape of the hand. Hence the control unit (4) knows corresponding acupressure area also such as eyes, liver, stomach, brain etc. within the hand area. Hence accordingly the control unit (4) knows which actuator (2) to activate within the hand area for acupressure process. As per the choice of user, this information is signalled by the computing device (7) to the control unit (4). After obtaining the signal from the computing device (7), the control unit (4) initiates the area correlation process.
[0062] During the correlation process, the control unit (4) maps the required area of acupressure point (10) of the chosen option by user, compares with saved pressed area (9) and identifying the required area for acupressure. Accordingly, the control unit (4) then activates only the remaining actuators (2) so that the area under chosen option within the hand pressed area (9) can be covered entirely during the acupressure process.
[0063] In case of bigger sized hands, the control unit (4) also knows the location of hand, hand size and corresponding actuators (2) to operate for acupressure process. It is obvious that for bigger size hand, the area of acupressure point (10) will be a bit big. Hence the control unit (4) is preconfigured to correlate the modified area of acupressure point (10) accordingly.
[0064] In case of small sized hands, the control unit (4) also knows the location of hand, hand size and corresponding actuators (2) to operate for acupressure process. It is obvious that for small size hand, the area of acupressure point (10) will be a bit small. Hence the control unit (4) is preconfigured to correlate the modified area of acupressure point (10) accordingly.
[0065] Therefore, the correlation process is preconfigured in the control unit (4) and supported with the by applications residing on any operating system in the computing device (7) for any shape and size of hand.

Initiating the acupressure process:
[0066] Once the area correlation process is over by control unit (4), the control unit (4) activates the acupressure process. During acupressure process, the control unit (4) activates only those actuators (2) which fall under the area of chose acupressure point of user. Hence, such actuators (2) begin to perform upward and downward motion with predefined frequency for predefined time.

Repeating or terminating the acupressure process:
[0067] Obtaining the signal from the computing device (7) to stop the acupressure process once chosen duration is over. Computing device (7) then displays the information to reinitiate the acupressure process. In case user chooses “Continue”, user can enter the duration of acupressure process again. In case user chooses “Not to continue”, computing device (7) signals the control unit (4) to terminate the acupressure process.

The control unit (4) is configured to:
1) Activate corresponding LED (3) as soon as connected actuators (2) are pressed;
2) Keeping the LED (3) glowing for predefined time;
3) Saving the LED (3) glowing pattern into the memory (not shown);
4) Simultaneously saving the information regarding corresponding actuator (2) connected with respective LED (3) in order to activate only those actuators (2) which are under hand area (9);
5) Obtaining the duration of acupressure process over the user interface on computing device (7);
6) Obtaining the chosen option from the user to initiate the acupressure process for any specific acupressure point (10) within the hand pressed area (9);
7) Correlating the area of chosen acupressure point (10) with the hand pressed area (9) so that only those actuators (2) to remain active which are covered under the area of chosen acupressure point (10) within the hand pressed area (9);
8) Initiating upward and downward motion of the connected pins (5) thereby creating upward and downward motion of the actuators (2) for the chosen duration;
9) Obtaining the signal from the computing device (7) to stop the acupressure process once chosen duration is over;
10) Displaying the information to reinitiate the acupressure process;
11) Repeating the step (5) in case user choose “Continue”;
12) Termination the acupressure process in case user choose “Not to continue”.
[0068] In one more embodiment, the control unit (4) can be reconfigured for acupressure process of either of foot bottom or either of palm. Any such modification in the will fall within the scope of this invention.
Method of use of the invention
1) Connecting the electronic mat with computing device (7) and powering on the electronic mat (1);
2) Installing/Initialising applications residing on any operating system of the computing device (7);
3) Placing the hand over the mat and pressing the actuators (2) for a few moments;
4) As the LEDs(3) are connected with the surrounding actuators (2), pressing the actuators (2)activates the LED (3)pattern as per the shape of hand for a predefined time interval and preprogramed control unit (4) thus simultaneously saves this pattern information into its memory(not shown) for accessing the corresponding actuators (2)within hand area;
5) Operating the computing device (7) with or without removing hand from electronic mat (1) as the LEDs (3) are glowing for a certain time as an indication to the user to put the hands again at the same area;
6) Selecting any one acupressure point (10) from plurality of displayed options and duration of the acupressure process;
7) Transferring this information to the control unit (4) for activating specific actuators within hand area;
8) Preprogramed control unit (4) performs the correlation process for correlating the area of LED (3) pattern of user hand with the location and area of chosen acupressure point (10);
9) During correlation, preprogramed control unit (4) accordingly maps the area of chosen acupressure point (10) within the LED (3) pattern of user hand;
10) Preprogramed control unit (4) then activates only those specific actuators (2) which falls under the area of chosen acupressure point (10);
11) Starting the actuation process by preprogramed control unit (4) for the chosen duration;
12) Upon completion of acupressure process, preprogramed control unit (4) obtains signal from the computing device (7) to stop the acupressure process;
13) Displaying the information over computing device (7) to reinitiate the acupressure process again;
14) If user presses “Continue” to continue the acupressure process, go to step 6;
15) If user presses “Not to Continue”, Terminating the acupressure process.
[0069] The disclosed electronic mat (1) is configured for right hand as but it is no way limiting the scope of this invention as the control unit (4) can be reconfigured not only for the left hand but also for either of leg foot.
[0070] Although the proposed system has been elaborated as above to include all the main parts, it is completely possible that actual implementations may include only a part of the proposed modules/engines or a combination of those or a division of those in various combinations across multiple devices that can be operatively coupled with each other, including in the cloud. Further the modules/engines can be configured in any sequence to achieve objectives elaborated. Also, it can be appreciated that proposed system can be configured in a computing device or across a plurality of computing devices operatively connected with each other, wherein the computing devices can be any of a computer, a laptop, a smart phone, an Internet enabled mobile device and the like. All such modifications and embodiments are completely within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0071] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented entirely hardware, entirely software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or combining software and hardware implementation that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” “component,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media having computer readable program code embodied thereon.
[0072] Thus, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named.
[0073] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are also used euphemistically to mean “communicatively coupled with” over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.
[0074] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C …. and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0075] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable people having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0076] The present disclosure provides an electronic assistive acupressure mat.
[0077] The present disclosure provides an electronic assistive acupressure mat that can perform the acupressure process for any shape and size of hands as well as for any specifically selective acupressure point throughout hand area.
[0078] The present disclosure provides an electronic assistive acupressure mat that can not only be useful for hand only but also for the either of foot leg by reconfiguring the control unit as well as associated software.
[0079] The present disclosure provides an electronic assistive acupressure mat that enables acupressure processes quite compact, handy and easily portable.
[0080] The present disclosure provides an electronic assistive acupressure mat cost effective and easy to implement.

CLAIMS:
1. An acupressure mat comprising:
an array of sensors disposed on an active surface of the acupressure mat and configured to detect presence of at least part of one or more hands based on weight of the at least one or more hands; and
a control unit operatively coupled with the array of sensors and configured to:
determine location of the at least part of the one or more hands on the acupressure mat based on location of the one or more sensors in the array of sensors that has detected the presence of the at least part of the one or more hands; and
determine area covered by the at least part of the one or more hands based on number of sensors in the array of sensors at the location of the at least one or more hands that has detected the presence of the at least part of the one or more hands,
wherein the control unit is configured to generate one or more signals associated with location and area covered by the at least part of the one or more hands on the surface of the acupressure mat.

2. The acupressure mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the generated one or more signals is received by an array of LED operatively coupled with the control unit and disposed on the active surface of the acupressure mat, wherein the LED, at the location and area of the detected at least part of the one or more hands, are configured to emit light.

3. The acupressure mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more generated signals is received by an array of actuators operatively coupled with the control unit and disposed on the active surface of the acupressure mat, wherein the actuators, at the location and area of the detected at least part of the one or more hands, are configured to apply a force against the at least part of the one or more hands.

4. The acupressure mat as claimed in claim 3, wherein each actuator in the array of actuators is coupled with one or more pins.
5. The acupressure mat as claimed in claim 3, wherein the force applied by the actuators against the at least part of the one or more hands is any or a combination of continuous force and intermittent force.

6. The acupressure mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein each sensor is the array of sensors is coupled with the LED and an actuator such that each sensor and the coupled LED and actuator form an integrated module.

7. The acupressure mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the determined location and area covered by the detected at least part of the one or more hands is stored in a memory device operatively coupled to the control unit.

8. A method comprising:
detecting, by an array of sensors disposed on an active surface of the acupressure mat, presence of at least part of one or more hands based on weight of the at least one or more hands;
determining, by a control unit, location of the at least part of the one or more hands on the acupressure mat based on location of the one or more sensors in the array of sensors that has detected the presence of the at least part of the one or more hands; and
determining, by the control unit, area covered by the at least part of the one or more hands based on number of sensors in the array of sensors at the location of the at least one or more hands that has detected the presence of the at least part of the one or more hands;
generating, by the control unit, one or more signals associated with location and area covered by the at least part of the one or more hands on the surface of the acupressure mat.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method comprises receiving at least one of the generated one or more signals by an array of LED operatively coupled with the control unit and disposed on the active surface of the acupressure mat, wherein the LED, at the location and area of the detected at least part of the one or more hands, are configured to emit light.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method comprises receiving at least one of the generated one or more signals by an array of actuators operatively coupled with the control unit and disposed on the active surface of the acupressure mat, wherein the actuators, at the location and area of the detected at least part of the one or more hands, are configured to apply a force against the at least part of the one or more hands.