Wearable Sensor for Tracking Body Movement and Muscle Activity
This patent describes a wearable device that combines motion sensing with muscle vibration detection to understand how a body moves and which muscles are being used.
Original patent title: “Biomechanical activity monitoring”
This patent describes a wearable device that combines motion sensing with muscle vibration detection to understand how a body moves and which muscles are being used. Granted to Imperial Innovations in 2019 with 28 claims and 2 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2034.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent outlines a wearable sensor apparatus that includes two main components: a motion sensor and a vibration sensor (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). The motion sensor, often an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) with an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer (ClaimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → 2, 4), tracks the device's two or three-dimensional movement and orientation. The vibration sensor, an acoustic pressure sensor, specifically detects acoustic vibrations from skeletal muscles (Claims 1, 3). Both sensors attach to a body. A classification processor then takes signals from both sensors to identify patterns of movement or posture based on the motion signals and determine the specific muscular activity involved based on the acoustic vibrations (Claim 1). For example, a sensor worn on a runner's leg could detect the leg's swing (motion signals) and simultaneously identify the specific leg muscle contractions (vibration signals) used during each stride.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover devices that only use motion sensors without also including a vibration sensor to detect muscle activity.
- Does not cover devices that only use vibration sensors to detect muscle activity without also including a motion sensor.
- Does not cover systems that simply log raw sensor data without a classification processor to analyze and identify patterns of movement and muscle activity.
- Does not cover sensors that are not designed to be attached to a body, as it specifies a 'wearable sensor apparatus' and 'means for attaching... to a body' (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover classifying movement solely based on muscle vibration signals without also using motion signals, as ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1 requires classification of movement based on motion signals and identification of muscular activity based on vibrations.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The innovation lies in combining two distinct types of sensing—motion and muscle vibration (mechanomyography)—into a single wearable device, and then using a processor to intelligently classify both the overall body movement and the specific muscle contractions driving that movement. This integrated approach provides a more comprehensive picture of biomechanical activity.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Advanced smartwatches with fitness tracking features
Wearable devices for sports performance analysis
Rehabilitation tools for monitoring patient recovery and exercise form
Ergonomic assessment systems for workplace safety
Devices for monitoring gait and balance in elderly individuals
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology allows for a more detailed understanding of human movement by combining traditional motion tracking with direct measurement of muscle activity. This richer data can differentiate between various ways a movement is performed, assess muscle fatigue, or track rehabilitation progress. It provides a deeper insight into biomechanics than either sensor type could offer alone, enabling more precise analysis in fields like sports science and physical therapy.
Filed
November 4, 2014
Granted
July 2, 2019
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Apple, Google (Fitbit), and Garmin continue to develop and integrate more sophisticated sensors into their wearable devices for health and fitness tracking. Specialized companies in sports technology and medical rehabilitation also build on similar principles, seeking to provide more granular data on human performance and recovery. Academic research groups in biomechanics and robotics also explore these sensor fusion techniques.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the ongoing evolution of wearable technology, pushing towards more detailed and accurate physiological monitoring. By enabling a deeper understanding of human movement and muscle engagement, it supports the development of next-generation fitness trackers, rehabilitation aids, and performance analysis tools. This drives innovation in personalized health and athletic training, making more precise data accessible to consumers and professionals alike.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent outlines a wearable sensor apparatus that includes two main components: a motion sensor and a vibration sensor (Claim 1). The motion sensor, often an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) with an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer (Claims 2, 4), tracks the device's two or three-dimensional movement and orientation. The vibration sensor, an acoustic pressure sensor, specifically detects acoustic vibrations from skeletal muscles (Claims 1, 3). Both sensors attach to a body. A classification processor then takes signals from both sensors to identify patterns of movement or posture based on the motion signals and determine the specific muscular activity involved based on the acoustic vibrations (Claim 1). For example, a sensor worn on a runner's leg could detect the leg's swing (motion signals) and simultaneously identify the specific leg muscle contractions (vibration signals) used during each stride.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in combining two distinct types of sensing—motion and muscle vibration (mechanomyography)—into a single wearable device, and then using a processor to intelligently classify both the overall body movement and the specific muscle contractions driving that movement. This integrated approach provides a more comprehensive picture of biomechanical activity.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover devices that only use motion sensors without also including a vibration sensor to detect muscle activity.
- Does not cover devices that only use vibration sensors to detect muscle activity without also including a motion sensor.
- Does not cover systems that simply log raw sensor data without a classification processor to analyze and identify patterns of movement and muscle activity.
- Does not cover sensors that are not designed to be attached to a body, as it specifies a 'wearable sensor apparatus' and 'means for attaching... to a body' (Claim 1).
- Does not cover classifying movement solely based on muscle vibration signals without also using motion signals, as Claim 1 requires classification of movement based on motion signals and identification of muscular activity based on vibrations.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
10/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
19/20
Very broad protection
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$86K – $275K
Midpoint $172K · 8.1 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
28 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Shefelbine, S., Vaidyanathan, R., Woodward, R., & Nowlan, N. (2019). Wearable Sensor for Tracking Body Movement and Muscle Activity (U.S. Patent No. 10,335,080). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10335080/biomechanical-activity-monitoring
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
Embed
Add this patent to your site
Drop this plain-English patent card into any blog post or article — free, no signup. It always links back to the full breakdown here.
<div data-patentlens-widget data-patent-number="US10335080"></div> <script src="https://patentbrief.org/embed.js" async></script>
Stay in the loop
Get a weekly digest of new patents.
One email per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keep exploring
Related patents you should know
US 4683195 · 1987
How to Make Billions of Copies of a DNA Segment
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a method to rapidly create many copies of a specific piece of DNA or RNA, enabling its detection and analysis.
Cetus Corp
US 8697359 · 2014
How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System
This patent describes an engineered CRISPR-Cas9 system for precisely cutting DNA in eukaryotic cells to change how genes work, opening the door for gene editing in complex organisms.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
US 7657849 · 2010
How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works
Apple's 2010 patent describes unlocking a device by dragging a specific graphical image across the touchscreen along a predefined path, a gesture that became iconic with the original iPhone.
Apple Inc
US 4733665 · 1988
How Doctors Implant a Permanent Stent Using a Balloon
This patent describes the method for placing a permanent, expandable wire mesh tube inside a blood vessel or other body tube using a balloon-tipped catheter to widen it and keep it open.
Expandable Grafts Partnership
US 4965188 · 1990
How to Make Many Copies of a DNA Piece with Heat
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, a technique to make millions of copies of a specific DNA segment using a heat-resistant enzyme and repeated temperature changes.
Cetus Corp
US 4235871 · 1980
How to Encapsulate Active Materials in Lipid Bubbles Efficiently
This patent describes a method for trapping biologically active substances inside tiny, multi-layered fat bubbles called liposomes, using a specific water-in-oil emulsion and gel-forming process to improve how much material gets captured.
Individual
Semantically similar
You might also find these interesting
US 12011291 · 2024 · George Mason Research Foundation
Wearable Wrap Detects Blood Clots and Swelling in Joints
US 10234934 · 2019 · Medibotics
How Sensors Measure Body Joint Movement Across Different Sections
US 20200281484 · Well Being Digital
Smart Clothing That Compares Pulse Signals from Both Sides of Your Body
US 20110120221 · Seiko Epson
How a Tiny Sensor Uses an Extra Weight to Detect Motion
More to explore
More in Consumer Electronics
US 7657849 · 2010 · Apple Inc
How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works
US 7479949 · 2009 · Apple Inc
How Touchscreens Understand Your Finger Swipes and Scrolls
US 4528643 · 1985 · FPDC Inc
How Stores Make Custom Products On-Demand with Remote Approval
US 7469381 · 2008 · Apple Inc
How Touchscreens Show and Snap Back When You Scroll Past an Edge
New to patents?
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wearable Sensor for Tracking Body Movement and Muscle Activity cover?
This patent describes a wearable device that combines motion sensing with muscle vibration detection to understand how a body moves and which muscles are being used.
Who owns patent US 10335080?
Imperial Innovations owns this patent, granted in 2019.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on November 4, 2034, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 10335080 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology allows for a more detailed understanding of human movement by combining traditional motion tracking with direct measurement of muscle activity. This richer data can differentiate between various ways a movement is performed, assess muscle fatigue, or track rehabilitation progress. It provides a deeper insight into biomechanics than either sensor type could offer alone, enabling more precise analysis in fields like sports science and physical therapy.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover devices that only use motion sensors without also including a vibration sensor to detect muscle activity.
Patent monitoring