Field of Invention:
The most common status of modem human beings is sitting and poor postures may cause head neck posture and cervico-thoracic muscle activity, bringing health problems specially longtime working men and women. The design and development idea of this invention is based on recognizing the human activities who is being sitting idle with the same position in chair for more than 30 minutes and a recommendation system to correct the Sitting Posture as well as the proposed invention also measures the health condition of the person with the inbuilt ECG, EEG and PPG sensors.

Background of the invention and the prior art

The main objective of this invention is to provide a cost effective and reliable method for monitoring human activity recognition and Sitting Posture Correction. Even though the human body is meant to move frequently, the majority of people spend their days sitting down for a long time. It can lead to a variety of health problems. These medical issues can be divided into two main groups. First, spending a lot of time sitting has negative long-term impacts on the brain and other organs. For instance, spending too much time at a desk can lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, headaches, colon cancer, anxiety, and depression. Office employees, students, truck drivers, and a variety of other occupations are among those who are prone to such a sedentary lifestyle. Second, many people sit incorrectly, which can result in sore muscles and a host of orthopedic problems like back discomfort, disc degeneration, and imbalanced hips. Problematic postures like hunching, slouching, leg-crossing, swaying backs, and pelvic tilt, to mention a few, can have a negative impact on one's orthopedic health and quality of life over time.

From the US patent application named “Methods and Systems For Monitoring Posture With Alerts and Analytics Generated By a Smart Seat Cover” with application number -US9795322B1 by Mangalanath Wickramanayake Karunaratne , he disclose it is a project that as techniques and procedures for observing, correcting, and discouraging sedentary behavior in users. A processor, a portable seat cover with pressure and angle sensors built in, a notification device, and a non-transitory storage medium for programme code make up the system. When the processor runs the programme code, it starts an idleness timer to keep track of how long the user has been sitting and monitors the user's posture while they are seated by obtaining real-time sensor measurements; Determine a sitting posture by applying a posture identification rule; if the identified sitting posture is not ergonomically correct, generate a posture correction notification through the notification device; ascertain whether a sedentary threshold has been reached; and, if it has, generate a stand notification.

From the CHINA patent application named “Sitting posture identification method and intelligent seat” with application number - CN108814616B by Feng Shuting, he disclose it is a project that as the field of intelligent home furnishings, specifically a sitting posture identification method and an intelligent seat, wherein the method is applied to the intelligent seat, which has a backrest and a seat cushion as well as a number of pressure sensors. The method also includes the following steps: obtaining pressure that has been applied to the pressure sensors by a user; identifying an active pressure sensor from among the pressure sensors; figuring out an effective area in accordance with the effective pressure sensor; and obtaining the area of the effective region and the pressure of the effective region, and the area change of the effective region and the pressure change of the effective region arc used to determine the user's sitting posture. The user's sitting position can be precisely identified by the mode, and the user is reminded to adjust their posture in accordance with any problems they may be having with their sitting posture.

From the US patent application named “Smart seating system” with application number -US 10424183 B1 by Philippe Richard Kahn, he disclosed it is a project that as The smart seating system could be a cushion that is placed on a seat or it could be built into a chair or seat. One implementation of the smart seating system keeps an eye on the user using one or more sensors. In one implementation, the sensors might be sensitive enough to track the user’s breathing, heart rate, and whether or not they’re sitting down. The smart sitting system can, in one implementation, be used to track a user’s breathing and heart rate. In one implementation, the system may be used to manage stress in a work context. The smart seating system can coach users toward healthier behaviors in addition to reducing stress.

From the US patent application named “Ergonomic smart chair and mobility system and use thereof’ with application number -US 10512331B2 by Junfang Zhang, he disclosed it is a project that has a sophisticated mobility system and ergonomic chair. The system may be used as a desk, chair, mobility aid, personal care aid, or any combination of these things. The mechanism is intended to give the individual sitting in the chair an ergonomic seating position. By automatically moving different chair elements at set intervals, the device is also intended to lower bodily stress.

From the CHFNA patent application named “A kind of Intelligent scat, control system and control method11 with application number -CN106859113A by Liu Tao, he disclose it is a project that as a particular type of intelligent seat that has each load carrier as well as power, control, pressure sensor, electromagnetic shaker, drive, and communication modules, as well as some pressure sensors, for the load-bearing for receiving the headrest, neck pillow, backrest, waist support, seat, handrail, and small leg support, respectively; a few electromagnetic shakers that transmit relieving vibrations to each load carrier; the control module, which is in operation and controls the drive module in accordance with control directives.

From the US patent application named “Chair and smart lumbar pillow system for chair” with application number -US20190059608A1 by Han Yan, he disclosed it is a project that a chair body; at least one sensor for detecting the pressure of a human body on the chair body; at least one gasbag for supporting a human body's waist on the chair body; a gas pump to perform the inflation and deflation of the at least one gasbag; and a control assembly connected by signal to the at least one sensing element to direct the gas pump to perform the inflation and deflation of the at least one gasbag in accordance with data gathered by the sensing element.
Detailed description of the Invention:
Even though the human body is meant to move frequently, the majority of people spend their days sitting down these days. Sitting for long periods of time can have various negative effects on one's health; in fact, the adage "sitting is the new smoking" has been entrenched in popular culture. These medical issues can be divided into two main groups. First, spending a lot of time sitting has negative long-term impacts on the brain and other organs. For instance, spending too much time at a desk can lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, headaches, colon cancer, anxiety, and depression. Office employees, students, truck drivers, and a variety of other occupations are among those who are prone to such a sedentary lifestyle.Second, many people sit incorrectly, which can result in sore muscles and a host of orthopedic problems like back discomfort, disc degeneration, and imbalanced hips.Ovcr the years, numerous ergonomic solutions have been created to aid in lowering the health risks associated with prolonged sitting. However, the market's current solutions mostly focus on incorrect postures by identifying and correcting them through the use of wearable technology or smart chairs with embedded sensors. A smart chair may have a lot of sensors to track a user's posture continuously. There are several problems with smart seats.

The creators of the current invention have developed alerts and analytics for a smart seat cover and app that monitor posture. In more detail, one embodiment of the present invention is a system for monitoring and correcting a user's sitting posture and for deterring the user from engaging in sedentary behavior. The system consists of a processor with access to a clock, a portable seat cover with a backrest and a seat portion that can be attached to a chair, and a number of embedded sensors, each with access to the processor. These sensors include at least three pressure sensors embedded in the backrest portion for monitoring the user's shoulder and lower back positions, at least one angle sensor embedded in the backrest portion for monitoring the user's head and neck positions, and a notification device attached to the portable seat cover with access to the processor, at least two pressure sensors embedded in the seat portion to track the user's leg positions, a non-transitory physical storage medium for storing programme code that is accessible by the processor, and a portable seat cover. When the programme code is executed by the processor, the processor starts an idleness timer to track how long the user has been sitting. The idleness timer is activated when the user sits on the portable seat cover's scat portion and deactivated when the user stands up from sitting on the seat portion of the seat cover, identify the user's sitting posture by applying a posture identification rule to the first plurality of sensor measurement values, where the posture identification rule is based on the user's weight; get a first plurality of sensor measurement data from the plurality of sensors; Identify a category to which the sitting posture belongs in order to establish whether it is ergonomically correct; if it is found that the user's sitting position is not ergonomically proper, produce a posture correction notification through the notification device to remind them to do so; compare the idleness timer to the sedentary threshold to see if a sedentary threshold has been reached; and if it has been found that the sedentary threshold has been met, to remind the user to stand up, send a stand notification through the notification device.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the programme code when executed by the processor further causes the processor to initiate a stand timer to count how long the user has been standing, the stand timer being activated when the user stands up from sitting on the seat portion of the seat cover and deactivated when the user sits on the seat portion of the seat cover; determine whether the user has stood up in response to the stand notification; in response to the stand notification, the processor initiates a stand timer to count how long the Determine whether a standing time threshold has been reached by comparing the stand timer to the standing time threshold, pause the idleness timer until the user is seated again, increase the stand timer by the amount of time the user stood, and then compare the stand timer to the standing time threshold. If the standing time threshold has not been reached, reduce the idleness timer.

For the purpose of tracking the user's leg positions, some implementations of the present invention include at least four pressure sensors embedded in the seat section. Some implementations of the current invention include the stand notification causing discomfort in the seat and producing a reminder alert for display on a user device. A reminder alert is generated for display on a user device, sitting posture data is generated for display on a user device, and sending a notification to the user are all examples of posture correction notifications in some embodiments of the present invention. Other actions include vibrating a portion of the portable seat cover and poking the user device at one or more locations on the portable seat cover.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the processor is further caused by the programme code to receive the user's height and weight information; calibrate the system by instructing the user to sit in a calibration posture; and receive a plurality of calibration sensor measurement values from the plurality of sensors, wherein the posture identification rule is based on the plurality of calibration sensor measurement values.

If the programme code is run by the processor, some embodiments of the present invention further cause the processor to generate, for display on a user device, sitting posture information based on the first plurality of sensor measurement values, wherein the sitting posture information indicates whether one or more sensors are measuring values within an ergonomic range; receive a second plurality of sensor measurement values from the plurality of sensors;

In some embodiments of the present invention, the programme code when executed by the processor further causes the processor to timestamp the first plurality of sensor measurement values and the identified sitting posture. The processor then sends the timestamped first plurality of sensor measurement values and/or the timestamped sitting posture to a user device, where the user device later uploads the timestamped first plurality of sensor measurements values and/or the timestamped sitting posture.In some examples of the present invention, the system also includes a user device with access to the processor, where the user device carries out a social gamification task, such as instructing the processor to generate a posture correction notification in response to receiving a poke from a friend, updating a posture challenge score in accordance with the sitting posture, or uploading time-stamped historical posture data obtained from third parties.
In other aspects of the present invention, the processor is further made to determine the user's stress level based on movement patterns associated with sitting position when the programme code is performed by the processor. In another aspect, the present invention is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores executable instructions or programme code. When the executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor carries out a process for monitoring and correcting a user's sitting posture and for deterring the user from engaging in sedentary behavior.In another aspect, the present invention is a system for monitoring and correcting user sitting posture and for deterring user sedentary behavior, the system including a user device having a processor, a display, and a first memory; a server having a second memory and a data repository; a telecommunications link between the user device and the server; and computer codes stored on the first and second memories of the user device and the server, the computer codes being used to monitor and correct user sitting posture. Another element of the invention is a computerized server that includes at least one processor, memory, and computer codes stored on the memory. When these computer codes are performed, the processor performs the aforementioned steps as part of a process.

The techniques, processes, and algorithms that make up the steps described here, as well as the processes and modes of operation of the systems and servers disclosed here, are yet other features and implementations of the present invention. When reading the comprehensive description of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, further features and implementations of the present invention will become obvious.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING:
The figures illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 : Flow chart figure 1 representing the working process of smart chair Health

monitoring system.

Figure 2 : Block diagram figure 2 representing the sensors and software system used in smart chair.

Detailed description of drawings:

The main objective of this invention is to monitor and correct sitting posture of a user, and for discouraging sedentary behavior of the user. The system comprises a processor having access to a clock; a portable seat cover comprising a backrest portion and a seat portion, adapted for attachment to a chair; a plurality of sensors embedded in the portable seat cover and each having access to the processor, including at least three pressure sensors embedded in the backrest portion for monitoring shoulder and lower back positions of the user, at least one angle sensor embedded in the backrest portion for monitoring an inclination of the backrest portion relative to the seat portion, and at least two pressure sensors embedded in the seat portion for monitoring leg positions of the user; a notification device attached to the portable seat cover and having access to the processor; and a non-transitory physical storage medium for storing program code and accessible by the processor.

Figure 1 : It represents the flow chart of smart chair, h explains the order of working and detailed description of smart chair. It starts with RTC module which sends the time information and then sending the sensors working to microcontroller which sends the data and information to wireless communication module which is wrist Band and then we can see the output through it.

Figure 2 : The developed sensors system evaluates the user’s body pressure on the sensorized chair by means of eight Flex Sensing Resistors (FSR); five of them were placed on the sitting cushion and three on the backrest of the chair, as shown in Figure 2. The location of each sensor was adjusted to favor the classification of the eight sitting postures. We verified that the conductance of the FSR sensors changes almost linearly with the applied pressure, i.e, The
resistance of the sensors decreases by increasing the applied pressure.
Flux sensor: Signals from these sensors can be processed for application in kinesiology, physical therapy,computer animation, remote control and man to machine interface. The optical flex sensors can be used as digital (on/off) or analog switches. The optical flex sensors 10, 24 or 42 may also be used to indicate the bend of mechanical joints or inclination of platforms, as well as a host of other applications too numerous to mention.

Pressure Sensor: We decided to use a mix of SEN-09376 and SEN-0375 Force Sensitive Resistors (FSR). SEN-09376 FSRs are square and have dimensions of 1.75” x 1.75” [9]. SEN-09375 FSRs are round sensors 18.28 mm in diameter [8], Both FSRs can sense applied force anywhere in the range of lOOg - 10kg, We decided to include both in our design for different purposes. The SEN 09375 will be placed as a 4x3 grid on the seat. These sensors are more cost-effective and ideal for the purpose of determining the weight distribution and positioning. We use the SEN 09376 resistors on the back because of the area coverage. Ideally, it would be best to use 09376 model for all the resistors, but decided that 09375 made our budget a little more cost-effective with minimal to no loss of efficiency towards the product

Human Presence Sensor: The human presence sensor adopts millimeter wave Doppler radar, sensing human movement and static presence. It detects via human movement Doppler parameters and human physiological parameters synchronized sensing technology for wireless perception of human status in the area, reporting the wireless signal to the gateway to activate smart scene linkage ; suitable for home, hotel, office and other places.

Position Sensor: A position sensor is any device used for measuring the distance traveled by a body starting from its reference position. It measures linear or angular position in reference to a fixed point or arbitrary reference. The sensor can also be used to detect the presence or absence of an object.

Heart beat sensor: The heartbeat sensor is based on the principle of photoplethysmography. It measures the change in volume of blood through any organ of the body which causes a change in the light intensity through that organ (avascular region). The flow of blood volume is decided hy the rate of heart pulses and since light is absorbed by the blood, the signal pulses are equivalent to the heartbeat pulses.

Temperature Sensor: Temperature sensors work by providing readings via electrical signals. Sensors are composed of two metals that generate an electrical voltage or.resistance when a temperature change occurs by measuring the voltage across the diode terminals. When the voltage increases, the temperature also increases.

Weight Sensor: Weight sensors are a device used to measure, force and load. They convert weight into an electrical signal which can be processed and used within various applications. To measure force and weight, most weight sensors used internal strain gauges to measure the weight.