BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Electrical stimulation of muscles is a well-known application in which selected muscles of the body of a user can be stimulated to augment exercise. This invention relates in general to provide a wireless muscle stimulation apparatus enabling the user to conveniently control the stimulation of the muscles. The wireless characteristic of this invention effectively improves the ease of use of the muscle stimulation apparatus.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless muscle stimulation apparatus to augment the user’s exercising, or which at least offers a useful choice.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a wireless muscle stimulation apparatus comprising:

a first current controller including

a first wireless transceiver,

a moveable part which moves in response to an applied force,

a movement sensor for detecting a movement of the moveable part and if a movement of the moveable part is detected producing a movement signal, a first microprocessor in electrical communication with the movement sensor and the first wireless transceiver for receiving the movement signal and producing a first control signal to the first wireless transceiver;

a second current controller including a second wireless transceiver,

a plurality of electrodes for contacting the skin surface over muscles used to move the muscles,

a second microprocessor in electrical communication with the second wireless transceiver and the electrodes,

wherein the first wireless transceiver produces wireless communication signal if the first control signal is received, the second wireless transceiver produces a second control signal to the second microprocessor if the wireless communication signal is received and the second microprocessor generates an electrical muscle stimulation output from the electrodes if the second control signal is received.

Preferably, the applied force comprises a contraction of a muscle which causes movement of the moveable part. The first current controller includes a

compressible part, the moveable part being mounted to the compressible part and being adapted to move in response to the applied force.

Preferably, the movement sensor is a transducer.

Preferably, the wireless communication signal is Bluetooth signal.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a wireless muscle stimulation apparatus comprising:

a first current controller including

a first wireless transceiver,

a moveable part which moves in response to an applied force,

a movement sensor for detecting a movement of the moveable part and if a movement of the moveable part is detected producing a movement signal, a first microprocessor in electrical communication with the movement sensor and the first wireless transceiver for receiving the movement signal and producing a first control signal to the first wireless transceiver;

a second current controller including

a second wireless transceiver,

a plurality of electrodes for contacting the skin surface over muscles used to move the muscles,

a second microprocessor in electrical communication with the second wireless transceiver and the electrodes,

wherein the first wireless transceiver produces wireless communication signal if the first control signal is received, the second wireless transceiver produces a second control signal to the second microprocessor if the wireless communication signal is received and the second microprocessor generates an electrical muscle stimulation output from the electrodes if the second control signal is received.

Preferably, the applied force comprises an extension of a muscle which causes movement of the moveable part. The first current controller includes an extensible part, the moveable part being mounted to the extensible part and being adapted to move in response to the applied force.

Preferably, the movement sensor is a transducer.

Preferably, the wireless communication signal is Bluetooth signal.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a wireless muscle stimulation apparatus comprising:

a first current controller including

a first wireless transceiver,

a moveable part which moves in response to an applied force,

a movement sensor for detecting a movement of the moveable part and if a movement of the moveable part is detected producing a movement signal, a first microprocessor in electrical communication with the movement sensor and the first wireless transceiver for receiving the movement signal and producing a first control signal to the first wireless transceiver;

a second current controller including

a second wireless transceiver,

a plurality of electrodes for contacting the skin surface over muscles used to move the muscles,

a second microprocessor in electrical communication with the second wireless transceiver and the electrodes,

wherein the first wireless transceiver produces wireless communication signal if the first control signal is received, the second wireless transceiver produces a second control signal to the second microprocessor if the wireless communication signal is received and the second microprocessor generates an electrical muscle stimulation output from the electrodes if the second control signal is received.

Preferably, the applied force comprises a rotation of a muscle which causes movement of the moveable part. The first current controller includes a rotatable part, the moveable part being mounted to the rotatable part and being adapted to move in response to the applied force.

Preferably, the movement sensor is a transducer.

Preferably, the wireless communication signal is Bluetooth signal.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a wireless muscle stimulation apparatus comprising:

a telecommunication device which moves in response to a movement of a muscle including

a first wireless transceiver, movement sensors for detecting a movement of the telecommunication device and if a movement of the telecommunication device is detected producing a movement signal,

a first microprocessor in electrical communication with the movement sensor and the first wireless transceiver for receiving the movement signal and producing a first control signal to the first wireless transceiver;

a current controller including

a second wireless transceiver,

a plurality of electrodes for contacting the skin surface over muscles used to move the muscles,

a second microprocessor in electrical communication with the second wireless transceiver and the electrodes,

wherein the first wireless transceiver produces wireless communication signal if the first control signal is received, the second wireless transceiver produces a second control signal to the second microprocessor if the wireless communication signal is received and the second microprocessor generates an electrical muscle stimulation output from the electrodes if the second control signal is received.

Preferably, the telecommunication device is a smart phone.

Preferably, the movement of a muscle comprises, but not limited to, a contraction of a muscle, an extension of a muscle, a rotation of a muscle.

Preferably, the movement sensors include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a camera, a magnetometer, an infrared sensor.

Preferably, the wireless communication signal is Bluetooth signal.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a fragmentary perspective view of a first configuration of a wireless muscle stimulation apparatus.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic of a first configuration of a wireless muscle

stimulation apparatus.

Fig. 3 shows a fragmentary perspective view of a second configuration of a wireless muscle stimulation apparatus.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic of a second configuration of a wireless muscle stimulation apparatus.

Fig. 5 shows a fragmentary perspective view of a third configuration of a wireless muscle stimulation apparatus.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic of a third configuration of a wireless muscle

stimulation apparatus.

Fig. 7 shows a fragmentary perspective view of a fourth configuration of a wireless muscle stimulation apparatus.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic of a fourth configuration of a wireless muscle stimulation apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrate the first configuration of a wireless electrical muscle stimulation apparatus. It comprises a first current controller 10 which is mounted to a fitness device 501 and a second current controller 20 which is located on the skin surface over a muscle 300 of a user 400. The first current controller 10 includes a first wireless transceiver 102, a compressible part 105, a moveable part 104 which is mounted to the compressible part 105 and is adapted to move in response to the applied force 100 which comprises a contraction of a muscle of the user 400, and a movement sensor 103 which is a transducer for detecting a movement of the moveable part 104 and if a movement of the moveable part 104 is detected producing a movement signal. The first current controller 10 also includes a first microprocessor 101 which is in electrical communication with the movement sensor 103 and the first wireless transceiver 102 for receiving the movement signal and producing a first control signal to the first wireless transceiver 102.

The second current controller 20 includes a second wireless transceiver 202, a plurality of electrodes 203 for contacting the skin surface over the muscles 300 used to stimulate the muscles 300, a second microprocessor 201 in electrical

communication with the second wireless transceiver 202 and the electrodes 203. The electrodes 203 are self-adhesive type electrodes.

The first wireless transceiver 102 produces wireless communication signal 40 which is Bluetooth signal if the first control signal is received. The second wireless transceiver 202 produces a second control signal to the second microprocessor 201 if the wireless communication signal 40 is received. The second microprocessor 201 generates an electrical muscle stimulation output from the electrodes 203 if the second control signal is received.

Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 illustrate the second configuration of a wireless electrical muscle stimulation apparatus. It comprises a first current controller 10 which is mounted to a fitness device 502 and a second current controller 20 which is located on the skin surface over a muscle 300 of a user 400. The first current controller 10 includes a first wireless transceiver 102, an extensible part 106, a moveable part 104 which is mounted to the extensible part 106 and is adapted to move in response to the applied force 100 which comprises a extension of a muscle of the user 400, and a movement sensor 103 which is a transducer for detecting a movement of the moveable part 104 and if a movement of the moveable part 104 is detected producing a movement signal. The first current controller 10 also includes a first microprocessor 101 which is in electrical communication with the movement sensor 103 and the first wireless transceiver 102 for receiving the movement signal and producing a first control signal to the first wireless transceiver 102.

The second current controller 20 includes a second wireless transceiver 202, a plurality of electrodes 203 for contacting the skin surface over the muscles 300 used to stimulate the muscles 300, a second microprocessor 201 in electrical

communication with the second wireless transceiver 202 and the electrodes 203. The electrodes 203 are self-adhesive type electrodes.

The first wireless transceiver 102 produces wireless communication signal 40 which is Bluetooth signal if the first control signal is received. The second wireless transceiver 202 produces a second control signal to the second microprocessor 201 if the wireless communication signal 40 is received. The second microprocessor 201 generates an electrical muscle stimulation output from the electrodes 203 if the second control signal is received.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 illustrate the third configuration of a wireless electrical muscle stimulation apparatus. It comprises a first current controller 10 which is mounted to a fitness device 503 and a second current controller 20 which is located on the skin surface over a muscle 300 of a user 400. The first current controller 10 includes a first wireless transceiver 102, a rotatable part 107, a moveable part 104 which is mounted to the rotatable part 107 and is adapted to move in response to the applied force 100 which comprises a rotation of a muscle of the user 400, and a movement sensor 103 which is a transducer for detecting a movement of the moveable part 104 and if a movement of the moveable part 104 is detected producing a movement signal. The first current controller 10 also includes a first microprocessor 101 which is in electrical communication with the movement sensor 103 and the first wireless transceiver 102 for receiving the movement signal and producing a first control signal to the first wireless transceiver 102.

The second current controller 20 includes a second wireless transceiver 202, a plurality of electrodes 203 for contacting the skin surface over the muscles 300 used to stimulate the muscles 300, a second microprocessor 201 in electrical

communication with the second wireless transceiver 202 and the electrodes 203.

The electrodes 203 are self-adhesive type electrodes.

The first wireless transceiver 102 produces wireless communication signal 40 which is Bluetooth signal if the first control signal is received. The second wireless transceiver 202 produces a second control signal to the second microprocessor 201 if the wireless communication signal 40 is received. The second microprocessor 201 generates an electrical muscle stimulation output from the electrodes 203 if the second control signal is received.

Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 illustrate the fourth configuration of a wireless electrical muscle stimulation apparatus. It comprises a telecommunication device 30 which is a smart phone and a current controller 40 which is located on the skin surface over a muscle 300 of a user 400. The telecommunication device 30 includes a first wireless transceiver 302, movement sensors 303 which include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a camera, a magnetometer, an infrared sensor for detecting a movement of the

telecommunication device 30 and if a movement of the telecommunication device 30 is detected producing a movement signal. The movement of the telecommunication device 30 is caused by the movement of a muscle of a user 400 which comprises a contraction, an extension, a rotation of the muscle of the user 400.

The telecommunication device 30 also includes a first microprocessor 301 which is in electrical communication with the movement sensors 303 and the first wireless transceiver 302 for receiving the movement signal and producing a first control signal to the first wireless transceiver 302.

The current controller 40 includes a second wireless transceiver 202, a plurality of electrodes 203 for contacting the skin surface over the muscles 300 used to stimulate the muscles 300, a second microprocessor 201 in electrical communication with the second wireless transceiver 202 and the electrodes 203. The electrodes 203 are self-adhesive type electrodes.

The first wireless transceiver 302 produces wireless communication signal 40 which is Bluetooth signal if the first control signal is received. The second wireless transceiver 202 produces a second control signal to the second microprocessor 201 if the wireless communication signal 40 is received. The second microprocessor 201 generates an electrical muscle stimulation output from the electrodes 203 if the second control signal is received.

For all the configurations of the wireless electrical muscle stimulation apparatus, the electrical muscle stimulation parameters and their respective range are controlled by the second microprocessor 201 and set out in the following table.