Description

INPUT DEVICE FOR PROMOTING A EXERCISE OF A

SPHINCTER

Technical Field

[1] The present disclosure relates to a sphincter exercise promoting input device, and more particularly, to a sphincter exercise promoting input device capable of detecting constriction/relaxation of a sphincter of a user and then transferring the detected signal to an electrical device as an input signal. Background Art

[2] As a human being gets older, the muscular strength of the internal and external anal sphincter, the internal obturator internus, the anal sphincter and the perineal muscle, which are innervation structures constituting generative cells, become weakened. Accordingly, the irretention of urine, the premature ejaculation, the anal fistula, the constipation, weight increase, and the like are generated and whole functions of the human being become deteriorated. In order to treat and improve the above matters, various exercises (e.g., Kegel exercise originated by Dr. Kegel in U.S.A, a sphincter training method proposed by Dr. Chai in China, and a sphincter exercising method of Hatha Yoga or the like) for strengthening the sphincter around the internal and external anus and the organic body of the generative cell have been proposed.

[3] These exercises serve as the sphincter strengthening treatment for constricting and relaxing the sphincter, and are known to have effects of preventing irretention of urine, melancholia, impetuosity, weak constitution, menopause, megrim, chronic constipation, weight increase and premature ejaculation. Therefore, many people are recently interested in these exercises.

[4] Commonly used conventional sphincter exercising devices stimulate the sphincter by using vibration generated from a driving force of a motor. However, the conventional sphincter exercising devices make the user do the sphincter exercise passively. As a result, it is difficult to obtain sufficient effects as high as effects obtained by spontaneous sphincter exercise of the user. Also, in case of doing the sphincter exercise without an auxiliary device, the user should repeat the exercise dully during a predetermined period for achieving the exercise effects in a preset level. Consequently, the user doing the sphincter exercise is likely bored, and thus it is difficult to continuously do the sphincter exercise. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[5] There is provided a sphincter exercise promoting input device and input method for

allowing a user to do the sphincter exercise spontaneously without feeling a sense of boredom.

Technical Solution

[6] In order to solve such problems, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sphincter exercise promoting input device capable of detecting constriction of a sphincter of a user and then transferring the detected constriction to an electrical device as an input signal, the input device including: a detecting unit for detecting the constriction of the sphincter, the detecting unit being contacted with hips of the user; a signal processing unit for converting the constriction of the sphincter detected by the detecting unit into an electric signal corresponding to an input signal of the electrical device; and a communication unit for transferring the converted electric signal to the electrical device as an input signal.

[7] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sphincter exercise promoting input device capable of detecting constriction of a sphincter and the movement of hips of a user and then transferring the detected constriction to an electrical device as an input signal, the input device including: a detecting unit for detecting the constriction of a sphincter and the movement of hips, the detecting unit being contacted with hips of the user; a signal processing unit for converting the constriction of a sphincter and the movement of hips detected by the detecting unit into an electric signal corresponding to an input signal of the electrical device; and a communication unit for transferring the converted electric signal to the electrical device as an input signal.

[8] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provide a sphincter exercise promoting input method capable of detecting constriction of a sphincter of a user and then transferring the detected constriction to an electrical device as an input signal, the input method including: detecting the constriction of the sphincter by using a detecting unit contacted with hips of the user; converting the detected constriction of the sphincter into an electric signal corresponding to an input signal for an electrical device; and transferring the converted electric signal to the electrical device as the input signal. Brief Description of the Drawings

[9] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a sphincter exercise promoting input device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[10] Fig. 2 offers a schematic view illustrating the sphincter exercise promoting input device, the input device being connected to a computer, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;

[11] Fig. 3 sets forth a schematic view illustrating a sphincter exercise promoting input

device, the input device being connected to a game console, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

[12] Fig. 4 provides a flowchart illustrating a sphincter exercise promoting input method in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[13] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention may be readily implemented by those skilled in the art. However, it is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments but can be realized in various other ways. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted for the simplicity of explanation, and like reference numerals denote like parts through the whole document.

[14] Through the whole document, the term "connected to" or "coupled to" that is used to designate a connection or coupling of one element to another element includes both a case that an element is "directly connected or coupled to" another element and a case that an element is "electronically connected or coupled to" another element via still another element. Further, the term "comprises or includes" and/or "comprising or including" used in the document means that one or more other components, steps, operation and/or existence or addition of elements are not excluded in addition to the described components, steps, operation and/or elements.

[15] Hereinafter, a sphincter exercise promoting input device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[16] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of the sphincter exercise promoting input device in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

[17] As shown in Fig. 1, the input device in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention includes a detecting unit 10, a signal processing unit 20 and a communication unit 30. The detecting unit 10 is contacted with hips of a user to detect constriction of a sphincter and movement of the hips. The signal processing unit 20 converts the constriction of the sphincter and the movement of the hips detected by the detecting unit into an electric signal serving as an input signal for an electrical device. The communication unit 30 transfers the electric signal converted by the processing unit 20 to the electrical device as an input signal. The transferred electric signal is used as a signal for controlling the electrical device.

[18] For example, if the electrical device is a computer, the sphincter exercise promoting input device serves as a mouse of a computer. If the electrical device is a game console, the sphincter exercise promoting input device severs as a game pad connected to the game console.

[19] Fig. 2 offers a schematic view illustrating the sphincter exercise promoting input device, the input device being connected to a computer, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 2, the input device in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention includes a detecting unit 210, a signal processing unit 220 and a communication unit 230. The detecting unit 210 includes a seat 211, a sensor 212 and a judging unit 213. Also, these components are electrically connected to one another to transfer electric signals to one another. The communication unit 230 is connected to a computer 240, and thus, the input device can serve as a mouse of the computer.

[20] The computer in this description may include a desktop computer, notebook computer, a kiosk, PDA, UMPC(Ultra Mobile PC), Tablet PC and the like.

[21] The seat 211 is contacted with the hips of the user when the user sits on the seat, and is provided with the sensor 212 of a protrusion shape on an upper surface thereof. Although the rectangular seat is shown in Fig. 2, the shape of the seat is not limited thereto and may have any shape. It is preferable to use a seat having a shape and material capable of being ergonomically adhered to the hips of the user.

[22] The sensor 212 detects the constriction of the sphincter of the user and the movement of the hips, and is located on the upper surface of the seat 211 in a protruding shape. Two types of sensors may be used as the sensor 212. For example, a piezoelectric sensor may be used to detect pressure variation due to the constriction of the sphincter as a sensor for detecting the constriction of the sphincter, while an orientation detecting sensor generally used in a joystick may be used to detect the movement of the hips as a sensor for detecting the movement of the sphincter.

[23] Since the sensor 212 upwardly protrudes from the seat 211, the sensor 212 is contacted with a recessed portion between the user's hips when the user sits on the seat 211. In case that the user does not constrict the sphincter, constant pressure is applied to the piezoelectric sensor, so that the piezoelectric sensor outputs a signal within a predetermined range.

[24] When the user constricts the sphincter, the pressure variation is generated, so that the piezoelectric sensor outputs a signal out of the predetermined range. Also, when the user moves the hips in back and forth, and left and right directions, the orientation detecting sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the two-dimensional movement of the hips, the signal outputted from the orientation detecting sensor being similar to that generated by controlling the joystick.

[25] The judging unit 213 determines the constriction of the sphincter and the movement of the hips based on the output (the outputs of the piezoelectric sensor and the orientation detecting sensor) generated from the sensor 212. Specifically, the judging unit 213 determines that the sphincter is constricted if the output generated from the

piezoelectric sensor is out of the predetermined range, and determines that the movement direction of the hips among the back and forth, and left and right directions based on the output generated from the orientation detecting sensor.

[26] The signal processing unit 220 converts the constriction of the sphincter and the movement of the hips detected by the detecting unit 210 into an electric signal for the electrical device connected to the input device. More specifically, the signal processing unit 220 encodes the output generated from the detecting unit 210 in a manner suitable for being inputted to the electrical device. For example, the signal processing unit 220 converts the output generated from the detecting unit 210 due to the constriction of the sphincter into an electric signal corresponding to a clicking of the mouse of the computer 240, while it converts the output generated from the detecting unit 210 due to the movement of the hips into an electric signal corresponding to the movement of the mouse pointer. The electric signal generated from the signal processing unit 220 is transferred to the communication unit 230.

[27] The communication unit 230 transfers the electric signal generated from the signal processing unit 220 to the computer 240. Although the electric signal is transferred in a wired method, such as a serial cable, a parallel cable, or a USB cable in Fig. 2, the electric signal may be transferred to the computer in a wireless method, such as Bluetooth, infrared communications, or WLAN. The electric signal transferred to the communication unit 230 is used as an input signal for the computer 240.

[28] Although not shown in Fig. 2, a vibration motor for stimulating the sphincter may be installed in the seat of the input device, so that the user can manually exercise the sphincter according to the signal from the computer 240.

[29] Furthermore, the sphincter exercise promoting input device may be used in combination with other input device of the electrical device, or may be selectively used. More specifically, if the input device and the mouse of the computer are connected to the computer 240, only one of the output signals of the input device and the mouse of the computer may be transferred to the computer 240 as the input signal. Also, the sphincter constriction signal outputted from the sphincter exercise promoting input device may be used as an input signal corresponding to the clicking of the mouse, and the movement signal of the mouse connected to the computer 240 may be used as a movement signal of the mouse pointer.

[30] In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention as shown in Fig. 2, the user can spontaneously do the sphincter exercise with interest.

[31] Fig. 3 sets forth a schematic view illustrating a sphincter exercise promoting input device, the input device being connected to a game console, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 3, the input device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes a detecting unit

310, a signal processing unit 320 and a communication unit 330. The detection unit 310 includes a seat 311, a sensor 312 and a judging unit 313. Also, these components are electrically connected to one another to transfer electric signals to one another. The communication unit 330 is connected to a game console 340, and thus, the sphincter exercise promoting input device in Fig. 3 can serve as a game pad.

[32] The seat 311 is contacted with the hips of the user when the user sits on the seat, and is provided with a plurality of sensors 312 of a protrusion shape on an upper surface thereof. Although the rectangular seat is shown in Fig. 3, the shape of the seat is not limited thereto and may have any shape. It is preferable to use a seat having a shape and material capable of being ergonomically adhered to the hips of the user.

[33] The sensors 312 detect the constriction of the sphincter of the user and the movement of the hips, and are located on the upper surface of the seat 311. The sensors 312 may be piezoelectric sensors for detecting pressure or optical sensors for receiving an image. If the piezoelectric sensors are used, the pressure of each point contacted with the hips of the user is outputted from the sensors 312. If the optical sensors are used, the image of each point is outputted from the sensors 312.

[34] The judging unit 313 determines the constriction of the sphincter and the movement of the hips based on the outputs (the pressures or images of the points) generated from the sensors 312. The judging unit 313 stores therein a pressure pattern or image pattern when the user sits on the seat motionlessly; a pressure pattern or image pattern when the user constricts the sphincter; and a pressure pattern or image pattern when the user moves the hips, previously. If the user exercises with the sphincter exercise promoting input device, the judging unit 313 analyzes the current pressure pattern or image pattern corresponding to the outputs generated from the sensors 312, on the basis of the previously stored pressure patterns or image patterns. Thereafter, the judging unit 313 determines whether the user constricts the sphincter or moves the hips or not.

[35] The signal processing unit 320 converts the constriction of the sphincter and the movement of the hips detected by the detecting unit 310 into an electric signal for the electrical device connected to the input device. More specifically, the signal processing unit 320 encodes the output generated from the detecting unit 310 in a manner suitable for being inputted to the electrical device. For example, the signal processing unit 320 converts the output generated from the detecting unit 310 due to the constriction of the sphincter into an electric signal corresponding to a button operation of the game pad, while it converts the output generated from the detecting unit 310 corresponding to the movement of the hips into an electric signal corresponding to the orienting movement of the game pad. The electric signal generated from the signal processing unit 320 is transferred to the communication unit 330.

[36] The communication unit 330 transfers the electric signal generated from the signal

processing unit 320 to the game console 340. Although the electric signal is transferred in a wired method, such as a serial cable, a parallel cable, or an USB cable in Fig. 3, the electric signal may be transferred to the computer in a wireless method, such as Bluetooth, infrared communications, or WLAN. The electric signal transferred to the communication unit 330 is used as an input signal for the game console 340.

[37] Although not shown in Fig. 3, the input device of the present invention may be selectively used with other input device of the electrical device. More specifically, if the input device and the game pad are connected to the game console, only one of the output signals of the input device and the game pad may be transferred to the game console 340 as the input signal. Also, the sphincter constriction signal outputted from the sphincter exercise promoting input device and the orienting movement signal outputted from the game pad may be transferred to the computer as an input signal.

[38] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention as shown in Fig. 3, the user can spontaneously exercise the sphincter with interest.

[39] Fig. 4 provides a flowchart illustrating a sphincter exercise promoting input method in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. The constriction of the sphincter is detected by a detecting unit contacted with the hips of the user at Step 410. The detected constriction of the sphincter is converted into an electric signal suitable for being inputted to the electrical device at Step 420. Then, the converted electric signal is transferred to the electrical device as the input signal at Step 430.

[40] Moreover, the input method may further include detecting the movement of the hips of the user by using the detecting unit contacted with the hips of the user (Step 411); converting the detected movement of the hips into an electric signal for the electrical device (Step 421). With the above steps, the user can spontaneously exercise the sphincter with interest.

[41] The above description of the present invention is provided for the purpose of illustration, and it would be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without changing technical conception and essential features of the present invention. Thus, it is clear that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and do not limit the present invention.

[42] The scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims rather than by the detailed description of the embodiment. It shall be understood that all modifications and embodiments conceived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are included in the scope of the present invention. Industrial Applicability

[43] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the user can take sphincter exercise naturally while doing a computer work or playing a game with a

game console. Accordingly, the user can spontaneously exercise the sphincter with interest, thereby strengthening user's stamina or preventing and treating irretention of urine or anal diseases.