Human performance enhancement method and apparatus

摘要

A human body support, such as a chair, has a plurality of support segments that are arranged in an array. Each support segment has a protrusion elevation that is independently variable and controllable in its distance of protrusion elevation against the supported human body. A sensor is connected to a human body on the support and senses a human body parameter that can indicate the presence of drowsiness. A controller analyzes the sensed parameter to detect whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness. The controller applies a wave of varying segment protrusion elevation against the human body in response to the detection of drowsiness. The wave progresses in a direction from an inferior location on the human body toward a more superior location. Alternatively, a wave of electrical stimuli is applied by similarly positioned electrodes and causes periodic tightening and relaxing of proximate muscles.

主权项

1. A method for improving and protecting the cardiovascular and mental functions of a human who is seated and engaged in reduced physical activity, the method comprising:
(a) supporting a human body on a support having a plurality of support segments that are arranged in an array, each support segment having an independently variable and controllable distance of protrusion elevation against the supported body, the support segments extending laterally with respect to the human body and positioned side by side from an inferior position to a more superior position along the supported human body; (b) sensing a measurable parameter of the human body, the parameter being capable of indicating the presence of drowsiness in the human body; (c) detecting whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness; and (d) applying a wave of varying segment protrusion elevation against the human body in response to detection of a sensed parameter within said range, the wave progressing in a direction from an inferior location on the human body toward a more superior locationwherein the sensing step comprises detecting an initially sensed value of fluid retention in the legs by bioelectric impedance analysis and wherein the step of detecting whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness comprises detecting whether there has been an increase of fluid volume of 100 mL per leg or more above the initially sensed value of fluid volume per leg and the step of applying the wave is performed if there has been an increase of fluid volume of 100 mL per leg or more above the initially sensed value.