Motion guide device, its control system and control program

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for inducing a user's motion, a system for controlling the device, and a program for providing a computer attached to the device with functions for controlling the device.

[0002] There has been suggested a device which assists a user in walking by applying a torque around a leg joint (hip joint, knee joint, or ankle joint) to a user's body (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-135543). In addition, there has been suggested a system which controls the walking assist device in such a way as to add autonomy to the walking assist rhythm of the walking assist device while following changes in the user's locomotion rhythm (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-073649).

[0003] However, even if the walking assist rhythm by the walking assist device is appropriate, if there is an excess or deficiency in assist force or its working distance, the length of a step or a leg joint angle may become too big or too small, thereby making the user feel uncomfortable or insecure. For example, if the user wishes to walk slowly with small steps, the user may feel uncomfortable if the step becomes large even though the intervals of the steps are long. On the other hand, if the user wishes to walk rapidly with large steps, the user may feel uncomfortable if the step becomes small even though the intervals of the steps are short. In such cases, although the rhythm for inducing the user's motion may be to match the motion rhythm with its target rhythm, the force for inducing the user's motion as well as its working distance would cause the motion scale to deviate from its target scale, thereby making the user feel uncomfortable.

[0004] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device capable of inducing a user's motion in such a way as to cause the user's motion rhythm and scale to coincide with its target rhythm and scale, a system capable of controlling the device, and a program which provides a computer attached to the motion induction device with functions for controlling the device.

[0005] To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a motion induction device for inducing a user's motion according to an induction oscillator, which device includes: a motion oscillator measurement unit which measures a user's motion oscillator; a first oscillator generation unit which generates a first oscillator that attains mutual entrainment with the motion oscillator measured by the motion oscillator measurement unit in such a way as to reflect a natural angular velocity; a natural angular velocity setting unit which newly sets the natural angular velocity on the basis of a phase difference between the motion oscillator measured by the motion oscillator measurement unit and the first oscillator generated by the first oscillator generation unit; a second oscillator generation unit which generates a second oscillator oscillating in a rhythm reflecting the natural angular velocity set by the natural angular velocity setting unit; and an induction oscillator generation unit which generates an induction oscillator including a first induction oscillator, the first induction oscillator including the second oscillator generated by the second oscillator generation unit and a first potential which brings the motion oscillator responsive to a user's motion scale measured by the motion oscillator measurement unit close to a target value responsive to a target motion scale of the user in accordance with the natural angular velocity set by the natural angular velocity setting unit.

[0006] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, the user's motion can be induced in such a way as to match the user's motion rhythm with its target rhythm, primarily for the following reasons.

[0007] A “first oscillator” oscillates in an autonomous rhythm reflecting a natural angular velocity, while harmonizing with the rhythm of the user's motion oscillator, by virtue of the effect of “mutual entrainment”. It is noted that the concept of the term “oscillate” includes a behavior where a real or virtual object shakes at substantially regular intervals and besides changes with respect to time in a broader sense. The concept of the term “oscillator” includes an electrical signal whose value changes with respect to time, a function defined as one whose value changes with respect to time in software, and the like. Meanwhile, the first oscillator may have an inappropriate phase difference with respect to the user's motion oscillator, from the viewpoint of matching the user's motion rhythm with a target rhythm while harmonizing the user's motion rhythm with a guide rhythm of the motion induction device. Therefore, if the induction oscillator is generated directly from the first oscillator, the user's motion rhythm induced by the induction oscillator might deviate from the target rhythm.

[0008] Therefore, a “new natural angular velocity” is set according to the phase difference between the user's motion oscillator and the first oscillator. In this manner, the new natural angular velocity can be made equivalent to an angular velocity of an appropriate oscillator from the viewpoint of inducing the user's motion in such a way as to match the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm, while harmonizing with the user's motion rhythm specified by the motion oscillator in accordance with a target phase difference. Thereafter, a new first oscillator is repeatedly generated in such a way as to reflect a new natural angular velocity, whereby the deviation of the phase difference between the motion oscillator and the first oscillator from the target phase difference can be gradually reduced while harmonizing the rhythm of the first oscillator with the rhythm of the motion oscillator. Accordingly, even if the user's motion rhythm changes suddenly, appropriate followability of the induction oscillator to such a change can be ensured for the purposes of preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable, and therefore, it is possible to cause the user's motion rhythm to gradually coincide with the target rhythm at a moderate pace.

[0009] Subsequently, a “second oscillator” is generated in such a way as to reflect the new natural angular velocity, and further, a “induction oscillator” including the second oscillator is generated. This makes it possible to harmonize the user's motion rhythm induced by the induction oscillator with the rhythm of the induction oscillator, and thus, to match the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm. With harmonization of the user's motion rhythm with the rhythm of the induction oscillator, the guide rhythm by the motion induction device becomes harmonized with the user's motion rhythm, and the user's motion rhythm also becomes harmonized with the guide rhythm by the motion induction device, and accordingly, harmonization (mutual adaptation) is established between the user (human) and the device (machine).

[0010] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, the user's motion can be induced in such a way as to match the user's motion scale with its target scale, primarily for the following reasons.

[0011] The “first induction oscillator” includes a first potential for bringing the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale close to its target value. The first potential is in accordance with the new natural angular velocity which is equivalent to an angular velocity of an appropriate oscillator from the viewpoint of inducing the user's motion so as to match the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm while harmonizing with the user's motion rhythm. Thus, by generating the induction oscillator including the first induction oscillator, it is possible to guide the user's motion in such a way as to harmonize the user's motion rhythm with the rhythm of the induction oscillator, to match the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm, and to cause the value of the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale to approach the target value, or in other words, to bring the user's motion scale close to the target scale.

[0012] As described above, according to the motion induction device of the present invention, it is possible to guide the user's motion in such a way as to cause the user's motion rhythm and scale to coincide respectively with the target rhythm and scale.

[0013] It is noted that the user's motion may include various motions such as walking, running, manual work associated with manufacturing, and others. For example, in the case where the manual work related to manufacture of products such as automobiles or the like is induced, the user can follow the induction oscillator to perform the work with a target motion rhythm as well as a target size of movement (or level of force). When the target motion rhythm and scale are set based on the manual work by a skilled person or the like, it is possible to give the user the feelings of the subtle movements and level of force of the hands of the skilled person, and thus to accelerate the learning of the techniques.

[0014] Furthermore, the motion induction device according to the present invention is characterized in that the induction oscillator generation unit generates an induction oscillator which includes a second induction oscillator having a second potential that prevents an increase in absolute value of the motion oscillator according to the second oscillator generated by the second oscillator generation unit, the natural angular velocity set by the natural angular velocity setting unit, and a time derivative of the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale measured by the motion oscillator measurement unit.

[0015] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, the “second induction oscillator” includes the second potential for preventing an increase in absolute value of the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale. The second potential is in accordance with a new natural angular velocity equivalent to the angular velocity of an appropriate oscillator from the viewpoint of inducing the user's motion in such a way as to match the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm while harmonizing with the user's motion rhythm. Therefore, by generating the induction oscillator including the second induction oscillator, it is possible to guide the user's motion in such a way as to bring the user's motion scale close to the target scale, while harmonizing the user's motion rhythm with the rhythm of the induction oscillator, while matching the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm, and while preventing the increase in absolute value of the motion oscillator according to the time derivative of the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale.

[0016] Furthermore, the motion induction device according to the present invention is characterized in that the induction oscillator generation unit generates a first induction oscillator which includes a product of a first coefficient corresponding to the first potential as a function of the natural angular velocity set by the natural angular velocity setting unit, a function of a deviation of a value of the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale from the target value, and the second oscillator.

[0017] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, the first induction oscillator is represented as an elastic force of an elastic element such as a virtual spring or the like which has the first coefficient responsive to the first potential as an elastic coefficient (spring coefficient) and which restores the value of the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale to the target value. As such, the user's motion can be induced with the rhythm and scale reflecting the elastic element of the user's body, such as the elastic force generated during the transition from the muscle contraction state to the muscle stretch state.

[0018] Furthermore, it is characterized in that the induction oscillator generation unit generates a second induction oscillator which includes a product of a second coefficient corresponding to the second potential as a function of the natural angular velocity set by the natural angular velocity setting unit, a function of the time derivative of the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale, and the second oscillator.

[0019] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, the second induction oscillator is represented as a damping force of a damping element such as a virtual damper or the like which has the second coefficient responsive to the second potential as a damping coefficient (damper coefficient) and which prevents an increase in absolute value of the motion oscillator according to the time derivative of the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale. As such, the user's motion can be induced with the rhythm and scale reflecting the damping element of the user's body, such as the viscous force generated during the transition from the muscle stretch state to the muscle flexed state.

[0020] Furthermore, the motion induction device according to the present invention is characterized in that it further includes a state measurement unit which measures one or both of the user's motion state and physiological state, and a target motion setting unit which sets one or both of the user's target motion rhythm and target scale according to one or both of the user's motion state and physiological state determined by the state measurement unit.

[0021] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, the user's motion can be induced with appropriate rhythm and scale from the viewpoint of matching the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm corresponding to one or both of the user's “motion state” and “physiological state”. Furthermore, the user's motion can be induced with appropriate rhythm and scale from the viewpoint of matching the user's motion scale with the target scale corresponding to one or both of the user's “motion state” and “physiological state”. The user's motion state may include, in the case where the user is walking, a state where the user walks on the substantially level ground, a state where the user ascends a slope or stairs, a state where the user descends a slope or stairs, a state where the user walks slowly, and a state where the user walks quickly. Additionally, the user's physiological state may include a state where the user's degree of fatigue is high, a state where the user's degree of fatigue is low, a state where the user's heart rate or perspiration amount is high, a state where the user's heart rate is low, and the like.

[0022] Alternatively, the motion induction device according to the present invention may further include a state measurement unit which measures one or both of the user's motion state and physiological state, and a target phase difference setting unit which sets a target phase difference according to one or both of the user's motion state and physiological state determined by the state measurement unit.

[0023] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, the user's motion can be induced in such a way that the phase difference between the user's motion oscillator and the induction oscillator by the motion induction device approaches a target phase difference according to one or both of the user's “motion state” and “physiological state”. Accordingly, it is possible to guide the user's motion in an appropriate rhythm from the viewpoint of bringing the user's motion rhythm close to the target rhythm according to a change of the user's motion state and/or physiological state.

[0024] Furthermore, the motion induction device according to the present invention is characterized in that the first oscillator generation unit generates the first oscillator as an output of a first element, in accordance with a first model which represents a relationship between a plurality of virtual first elements having outputs varying according to motion oscillators.

[0025] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, it is possible to cause the relationship between a plurality of actual elements concerning the user's actual motion to be reflected to the relationship between a plurality of virtual first elements in the first model, whereby an appropriate first oscillator can be generated in view of the relationship between the plurality of actual elements. For example, in the case where the left and right legs or a plurality of joints of the same leg are assumed as the plurality of actual elements, the first oscillator is generated in such a way as to reflect the qualitative relationship between the left and right legs such as their moving back and forth alternately or the like, or the qualitative relationship between the joints of the same leg such as the period or phase difference between the leg motion around the hip joint and the leg motion around the knee joint. Therefore, the rhythm and scale of the induction oscillator inducing the user's motion can be made appropriate in view of the relationship concerned.

[0026] Alternatively, the motion induction device according to the present invention may further include a state measurement unit which measures one or both of the user's motion state and physiological state, and a first correlation adjustment unit which adjusts a correlation between the plurality of virtual first elements in the first model according to one or both of the user's motion state and physiological state determined by the state measurement unit.

[0027] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, the user's motion can be induced in real time with appropriate rhythm and scale according to the user's state, in such a way as to reflect the condition that the relationship between a plurality of actual elements such as the left and right legs varies in accordance with the user's “motion state” and/or “physiological state”.

[0028] Furthermore, the motion induction device according to the present invention is characterized in that the second oscillator generation unit generates the second oscillator as an output of a second element, in accordance with a second model which represents a relationship between a plurality of virtual second elements having outputs varying according to motion oscillators.

[0029] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, it is possible to cause the relationship between a plurality of actual elements concerning the user's actual motion to be reflected to the relationship between a plurality of virtual second elements in the second model, whereby an appropriate second oscillator can be generated in view of the relationship between the plurality of actual elements. For example, in the case where a plurality of user's neurons are assumed as the actual plural elements, the second oscillator is generated in such a way as to reflect the qualitative relationship between the neurons that govern walking by the left and right legs. Therefore, the rhythm and scale of the induction oscillator inducing the user's motion can be made appropriate in view of the relationship concerned.

[0030] Furthermore, the motion induction device according to the present invention may further include a state measurement unit which measures one or both of the user's motion state and physiological state, and a second correlation adjustment unit which adjusts a correlation between a plurality of virtual second elements in the second model according to one or both of the user's motion state and physiological state determined by the state measurement unit.

[0031] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, the user's motion can be induced in real time with appropriate rhythm and scale according to the user's state, in such a way as to reflect the condition that the relationship between a plurality of actual elements such as the neural elements (neurons) varies in accordance with the user's “motion state” and/or “physiological state”.

[0032] Furthermore, the motion induction device according to the present invention is characterized in that the natural angular velocity setting unit sets a relationship between two virtual oscillators in a virtual model on the basis of a first phase difference corresponding to a phase difference between the motion oscillator measured by the motion oscillator measurement unit and the first oscillator generated by the first oscillator generation unit, and then sets an angular velocity of one of the two oscillators as a new natural angular velocity in such a way as to bring a second phase difference corresponding to a phase difference between the two oscillators close to a target phase difference.

[0033] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, the relationship between the two virtual oscillators in the virtual model is set to correspond to the phase difference (first phase difference) between the user's motion oscillator and first oscillator. Further, one of the angular velocities of the two oscillators is set as a new natural angular velocity so as to bring the phase difference (second phase difference) between the two oscillators close to a target phase difference. Accordingly, the new natural angular velocity becomes equivalent to an angular velocity of an appropriate oscillator from the viewpoint of inducing the user's motion in such a way as to match the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm, while harmonizing with the user's motion rhythm specified by the motion oscillator according to the target phase difference.

[0034] Furthermore, the motion induction device according to the present invention is characterized in that the natural angular velocity setting unit includes: a correlation coefficient setting unit which sets a correlation coefficient representing a relationship between the two virtual oscillators in the virtual model on the basis of the first phase difference; a first angular velocity setting unit which sets an angular velocity of a virtual motion oscillator, on the basis of the correlation coefficient set by the correlation coefficient setting unit, in such a way as to minimize a difference between the first phase difference and the second phase difference; and a second angular velocity setting unit which sets an angular velocity of a virtual induction oscillator as the new natural angular velocity, on the basis of the angular velocity set by the first angular velocity setting unit, in such a way as to minimize a difference between the second phase difference and the target phase difference.

[0035] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, through setting of the correlation coefficient for the two virtual oscillators in the virtual model and the like, it is possible to set, as the new natural angular velocity, the angular velocity of an appropriate oscillator from the viewpoint of inducing the user's motion in such a way as to match the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm according to the target phase difference, while harmonizing with the user's motion rhythm specified by the motion oscillator as described above. Accordingly, it is possible to set an induction oscillator having appropriate rhythm and scale from the viewpoint of matching the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm corresponding to the target phase difference, while harmonizing with the user's motion rhythm specified by the motion oscillator.

[0036] To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a control system which controls a device for inducing a user's motion according to an induction oscillator, and which includes: a motion oscillator measurement unit which measures a user's motion oscillator; a first oscillator generation unit which generates a first oscillator that attains mutual entrainment with the motion oscillator measured by the motion oscillator measurement unit in such a way as to reflect a natural angular velocity; a natural angular velocity setting unit which newly sets the natural angular velocity on the basis of a phase difference between the motion oscillator measured by the motion oscillator measurement unit and the first oscillator generated by the first oscillator generation unit; a second oscillator generation unit which generates a second oscillator oscillating in a rhythm reflecting the natural angular velocity set by the natural angular velocity setting unit; and an induction oscillator generation unit which generates an induction oscillator including a first induction oscillator, the first induction oscillator including the second oscillator generated by the second oscillator generation unit and a first potential which brings the motion oscillator responsive to a user's motion scale measured by the motion oscillator measurement unit close to a target value responsive to a target motion scale of the user in accordance with the natural angular velocity set by the natural angular velocity setting unit.

[0037] According to the control system of the present invention, it is possible to control the motion induction device so that the user's motion can be induced in such a way as to cause the user's motion rhythm and scale to coincide respectively with the target rhythm and scale.

[0038] Furthermore, the control system according to the present invention is characterized in that the induction oscillator generation unit generates an induction oscillator which includes a second induction oscillator having a second potential that prevents an increase in absolute value of the motion oscillator according to the second oscillator generated by the second oscillator generation unit, the natural angular velocity set by the natural angular velocity setting unit, and a time derivative of the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale measured by the motion oscillator measurement unit.

[0039] To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a control program which provides a computer attached to a device for inducing a user's motion according to an induction oscillator with functions for controlling the device, wherein the functions include: a motion oscillator measurement function of measuring a user's motion oscillator; a first oscillator generation function of generating a first oscillator which attains mutual entrainment with the motion oscillator measured by the motion oscillator measurement function in such a way as to reflect a natural angular velocity; a natural angular velocity setting function of newly setting the natural angular velocity on the basis of a phase difference between the motion oscillator measured by the motion oscillator measurement function and the first oscillator generated by the first oscillator generation function; a second oscillator generation function of generating a second oscillator oscillating in a rhythm reflecting the natural angular velocity set by the natural angular velocity setting function; and an induction oscillator generation function which generates an induction oscillator including a first induction oscillator, the first induction oscillator including the second oscillator generated by the second oscillator generation function and a first potential which brings the motion oscillator responsive to a user's motion scale measured by the motion oscillator measurement function close to a target value responsive to a target motion scale of the user in accordance with the natural angular velocity set by the natural angular velocity setting function.

[0040] According to the control program of the present invention, the computer attached to the motion induction device is provided with the functions for controlling the motion induction device so that the user's motion can be induced in such a way as to cause the user's motion rhythm and scale to coincide respectively with the target rhythm and scale.

[0041] Furthermore, the control program according to the present invention is characterized in that it provides the computer attached to the motion induction device with a function, as the induction oscillator generation function, of generating an induction oscillator which includes a second induction oscillator having a second potential that prevents an increase in absolute value of the motion oscillator according to the second oscillator generated by the second oscillator generation function, the natural angular velocity set by the natural angular velocity setting function, and a time derivative of the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale measured by the motion oscillator measurement function.

[0051] Embodiments of a motion induction device and its control system and control program according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0052] Basically, subscripts L and R will be attached to parameters to make a distinction between left and right for walker's legs or the like, though the subscripts L and R may be omitted in some cases for simplicity of notation.

[0053] A walking assist device (motion induction device) 200 shown in FIG. 1 includes a waist orthosis 202, a thigh orthosis 204, a force transmitting member 206, a battery 208, an actuator (electric motor) 210, and a hip joint angle sensor 212.

[0054] The waist orthosis 202 is made of rigid and flexible materials combined with each other and it is attached to a user's waist. The thigh orthosis 204 is also made of combined rigid and flexible materials and it is attached to each of the front and back of a user's thigh. The force transmitting member 206, which is made of lightweight rigid plastic or any other material having shape retention, extends downward from each side of the user's waist along the user's corresponding thigh and then bifurcates toward the front and back of the thigh. It is connected to the actuator 210 and the respective thigh orthoses 204. The battery 208 is housed in the waist orthosis 202 (for example, fixed between a plurality of materials constituting the waist orthosis 202) and supplies electric power to the actuator 210 and the like. The actuator 210 is housed in the waist orthosis 202 and applies a force to the user's thigh via the force transmitting member 206 and the thigh orthoses 204. The hip joint angle sensor 212 is composed of a rotary encoder and the like provided on each side of the user's waist, and outputs a signal responsive to a hip joint angle.

[0055] The control system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a computer as hardware housed in the waist orthosis 202, and a “control program” of the present invention as software which provides the computer with functions for controlling the walking device 200.

[0056] The control system 100 includes a motion oscillator measurement portion 102, a state measurement portion 110, a target motion setting portion 111, a target phase difference setting portion 112, a first oscillator generation portion 120, a natural angular velocity setting portion 130, a second oscillator generation portion 140, and an induction oscillator generation portion 150. Each portion is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, I/O and the like as hardware, and the “control program” of the present invention as software which provides various functions to the CPU and the like (the same applies hereinafter). It is noted that the CPU and the like of each portion may be separate from those of the other portions, or may be shared among the portions.

[0057] The motion oscillator measurement portion 102 measures a hip joint angle φ_H as a motion oscillator responsive to a user's motion scale, on the basis of an output of the hip joint angle sensor 212. Further, the motion oscillator measurement portion 102 measures a hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt as a time derivative of the motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale, on the basis of an output of the hip joint angle sensor 212.

[0058] The state measurement portion 110 reads correspondence between a user's walking state and a track pattern formed on an n-dimensional space by n motion oscillators from a memory. The state measurement portion 110 then determines the user's “walking state” on the basis of the correspondence and the track pattern formed on the n-dimensional space by the n motion oscillators including the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt measured by the motion oscillator measurement portion 102.

[0059] The target motion setting portion 111 sets target rhythm and scale for the user's motion, specifically e.g. coefficients related to the target rhythm and scale, in accordance with the “walking state” determined by the state measurement portion 110.

[0060] The target phase difference setting portion 112 sets a target phase difference δθ₀ between the user's motion oscillator and an induction oscillator (torque) T by the walking assist device 200, in accordance with the “walking state” determined by the state measurement portion 110.

[0061] The first oscillator generation portion 120 generates a first oscillator x according to a “first model”, on the basis of the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt measured by the motion oscillator measurement portion 102 and a natural angular velocity ω_M.

[0062] The natural angular velocity setting portion 130 includes a first phase difference setting portion 131, a second phase difference setting portion 132, a correlation coefficient setting portion 133, a first angular velocity setting portion 134, and a second angular velocity setting portion 135.

[0063] The first phase difference setting portion 131 sets a phase difference between an angular velocity ω_H of the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt and the oscillator x reflecting the natural angular velocity ω_M included in a van der Pol equation, as a first phase difference δθ₁.

[0064] The second phase difference setting portion 132 sets a phase difference between a virtual motion oscillator θ_h and a virtual induction oscillator θ_m as a second phase difference δθ₂(=θ_h−θ_m), according to a “virtual model” representing the relationship between the virtual motion oscillator θ_h and the virtual induction oscillator θ_m.

[0065] The correlation coefficient setting portion 133 sets a correlation coefficient ε between the virtual motion oscillator θ_h and the virtual induction oscillator θ_m in such a way that the second phase difference δθ₂ set by the second phase difference setting portion 132 approaches the first phase difference δθ₁ set by the first phase difference setting portion 131.

[0066] The first angular velocity setting portion 134 sets an angular velocity ω_h of the virtual motion oscillator θ_h on the basis of the correlation coefficient ε set by the correlation coefficient setting portion 133.

[0067] The second angular velocity setting portion 135 sets an angular velocity ω_m of the virtual induction oscillator θ_m as a new natural angular velocity ω_M, on the basis of the angular velocity ω_h of the virtual motion oscillator θ_h set by the first angular velocity setting portion 134, in such a way that the second phase difference δθ₂ set by the second phase difference setting portion 132 approaches the target phase difference δθ₀ set by the target phase difference setting portion 112.

[0068] The second oscillator generation portion 140 generates a second oscillator y according to a “second model”, on the basis of the hip joint angle φ_H measured by the motion oscillator measurement portion 102 and the new natural angular velocity ω_M set by the natural angular velocity setting portion 130.

[0069] The induction oscillator generation portion 150 generates an induction oscillator z by the walking assist device 200, on the basis of the natural angular velocity ω_M set by the natural angular velocity setting portion 130 and the second oscillator y generated by the second oscillator generation portion 140.

[0070] The functions of the walking assist device and its control system 100 having the above configurations will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2-4.

[0071] The motion oscillator measurement portion 102 measures user's left and right hip joint angles (motion oscillators responsive to the user's motion scale) φ_H=(φ_HL, φ_HR) on the basis of outputs from the hip joint angle sensors 212 (s101 in FIG. 2). Further, the motion oscillator measurement portion 102 measures user's left and right hip joint angular velocities (time derivatives of the motion oscillators responsive to the user's motion scale) dφ_H/dt=(dφ_HL/dt, dφ_HR/dt) on the basis of outputs from the hip joint angle sensors 212 (s102 in FIG. 2).

[0072] Further, the state measurement portion 110 determines the user's walking state on the basis of n motion oscillators (n=1, 2, . . . ) including the hip joint angular velocity (dφ_H/dt) measured by the motion oscillator measurement portion 102 (s110 in FIG. 2). Specifically, the state measurement portion 110 reads the correspondence between a user's walking state and a track pattern formed on an n-dimensional space by n motion oscillators from a memory (not shown). The state measurement portion 110 then determines the user's “walking state” on the basis of the correspondence and the pattern formed on the n-dimensional space by the n motion oscillators. The user's walking state may include a “level walking state” where the user walks on a substantially level ground, an “upward walking state” where the user ascends a slope or stairs, a “downward walking state” where the user descends a slope or stairs, a “slow walking state” where the user walks slowly, and a “quick walking state” where the user walks quickly.

[0073] As the motion oscillator for use in measurement of the walking state, any kind of parameter varying with a rhythm linked to the walking motion rhythm may be measured, which may be the user's hip joint angle φ_H, the angle, angular velocity, or angular acceleration of the knee joint, ankle joint, shoulder joint, or elbow joint, the position of a portion of a leg, or the walker's landing sound, respiratory sound, intentional voice sound, or the like.

[0074] The target motion setting portion 111 sets the rhythm and scale of the user's target motion, specifically coefficients related to the target rhythm and scale which will be described later, in accordance with the “walking state” determined by the state measurement portion 110 (sill in FIG. 2).

[0075] Further, the target phase difference setting portion 112 sets a target phase difference δθ₀=(δθ_0L, δθ_0R) on the basis of the “walking state” determined by the state measurement portion 110 (s112 in FIG. 2). For example, the target phase difference δθ₀ is set to “0” in response to the determination result that the user is in the “level walking state”. The target phase difference δθ₀ is set to a negative value (e.g., not greater than 0.5[rad]) in response to the determination result that the user is in the “upward walking state”. The target phase difference δθ₀ is set to a positive value (e.g., not less than +0.3[rad]) in response to the determination result that the user is in the “downward walking state”. The target phase difference δθ₀ is set to a negative value (e.g., not greater than 0.2[rad]) in response to the determination result that the user is in the “quick walking state”. The target phase difference δθ₀ is set to a positive value (e.g., not less than +0.5[rad]) in response to the determination result that the user is in the “slow walking state”. It is noted that the left and right components δθ_0L and δθ_0R of the target phase difference δθ₀ may be equal to or different from each other.

[0076] Furthermore, the first oscillator generation portion 120 sets a first oscillator x=(x_L, x_R) according to the “first model”, on the basis of the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt measured by the motion oscillator measurement portion 102 and a natural angular velocity ω_M=(ω_ML, ω_MR) (s120 in FIG. 2). The first model represents a relationship between a plurality of virtual first elements, such as virtual left and right legs whose outputs vary according to the motion oscillator such as the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt and the like, by the van der Pol equations in the following expression (1).

[0077] $\begin{array}{cc}{d}^2{x}_L/d{t}^2)=\xi \left(1-x_L^2\right)\left(d{x}_L/dt\right)-{\omega }_{\mathrm{ML}}^2{x}_L+g\left(x_L-x_R\right)+K\left(d{\varphi }_{\mathrm{HL}}/dt\right),\left(d^2{x}_R/d{t}^2\right)=\hspace{1em}\xi \left(1-x_R^2\right)\left(d{x}_R/dt\right)-{\omega }_{\mathrm{MR}}^2{x}_R+g\left(x_R-x_L\right)+K\left(d{\varphi }_{\mathrm{HR}}/dt\right),& \left(1\right)\end{array}$

[0078] where “ξ” is a coefficient (>0) set so that the first oscillator x and its one time derivative (dx/dt) move along a stable limit cycle over the x-(dx/dt) plane. “g” is a first correlation coefficient representing a correlation between the virtual left and right legs (first elements) in the first model. “K” is a feedback coefficient. The natural angular velocity ω_M may be set arbitrarily within a range not widely deviating from an actual walking assist rhythm (walking guide rhythm) made by the walking assist device 200.

[0079] The first oscillator x=(x_L, x_R) is set by the Runge-Kutta method. Components x_L and x_R of the first oscillator x represent virtual walking assist rhythms related to the left and right legs, respectively. In addition, by virtue of the “mutual entrainment” which is one of the properties of the van der Pol equation, the first oscillator x has a property of oscillating according to a change with respect to time in an autonomous rhythm reflecting the “natural angular velocity” ω_M, while harmonizing with the rhythm of the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt that changes with respect to time in a rhythm (angular velocity) approximately the same as an actual walking motion rhythm.

[0080] Alternatively, the first oscillator x may be generated on the basis of the hip joint angle φ_H, the angle or angular velocity of the knee joint, ankle joint, shoulder joint, or elbow joint, or any of various oscillators changing at rhythms reflecting the user's walking motion rhythm (motion rhythm) such as a walker's landing sound, respiratory sound, or intermittent voice sound, instead of or in addition to the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt.

[0081] Moreover, the first model may be represented by a van del Pol equation different in form from the van del Pol equations in the expression (1), or may be represented by any kind of equations by which the oscillator can be generated with the mutual entrainment effect with the motion oscillator such as the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt or the like.

[0082] Subsequently, the natural angular velocity setting portion 130 newly sets the natural angular velocity ω_M according to the virtual model including two virtual oscillators, on the basis of the target phase difference δθ₀ set by the target phase difference setting portion 112 and the first oscillator x generated by the first oscillator generation portion 120 (s130 in FIG. 2).

[0083] Specifically, firstly, for each of the left and right components, the first phase difference setting portion 131 sets, as the first phase difference δθ₁, a phase difference θ_H-θ_M between the phase θ_H of the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt measured by the motion oscillator measurement portion 102 and the phase θ_M of the first oscillator x generated by the first oscillator generation portion 120 (s131 in FIG. 2). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the phase difference (first phase difference) δθ₁(=θ_H-θ_M) between the phase θ_H of the hip joint angular velocity (dφ_H/dt) and the phase θ_M of the first oscillator x is set in accordance with a time difference between a time point ( . . . , t_id, t_id+1, . . . ) where (dφ_H/dt)=0 and (d²φ_H/dt²)>0 and a time point where x=0 and (dx/dt)>0.

[0084] Next, with a requirement that the first phase difference δθ₁ set by the first phase difference setting portion 131 was kept constant throughout the past three walking periods, the second phase difference setting portion 132 sets, as a second phase difference δθ₂, a phase difference θ_h-θ_m between the virtual motion oscillator oh and the virtual induction oscillator θ_m expressed by the following expression (2.3), according to a “virtual model” expressed by the following expressions (2.1) and (2.2), for each of the left and right components (s132 in FIG. 2).
dθ_h/dt=ω_h+ε·sin(θ_mL−θ_hL)  (2.1)
dθ_m/dt=ω_m+ε·sin(θ_hL−θ_mL)  (2.2)
δθ₂=arcsin [(ω_h−ω_m)/2ε]  (2.3)

[0085] where ε=(ε_L, ε_R) is a correlation coefficient for each of the left and right components of the virtual motion oscillator θ_h=(θ_hL, θ_hR) and the motion induction oscillator θ_m=(θ_mL, θ_mR) in the virtual model. In addition, ω_h is an angular velocity of the virtual motion oscillator θ_h, and ω_m is an angular velocity of the virtual induction oscillator θ_m.

[0086] Subsequently, the correlation coefficient setting portion 133 sets the correlation coefficient ε in such a way that a difference δθ₁-δθ₂ between the first phase difference δθ₁ set by the first phase difference setting portion 131 and the second phase difference δθ₂ set by the second phase difference setting portion 132 is minimum (s133 in FIG. 2).

[0087] Specifically, for each of the left and right components, the correlation coefficient ε is sequentially set in discrete times ( . . . , t_id−1, t_id, t_id+1, . . . ) where the hip joint angular velocity (motion oscillator) dφ_H/dt is 0 (see FIG. 3), according to the following expression (2.4).

[0088] $\begin{array}{cc}\varepsilon \left(t_{\mathrm{id}+1}\right)=\varepsilon \left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)-\eta \left\{V_1\left(t_{\mathrm{id}+1}\right)-V_1\left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)\right\}/\left\{\varepsilon \left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)-\varepsilon \left(t_{\mathrm{id}-1}\right)\right\},V\left(t_{\mathrm{id}+1}\right)\equiv \left(1/2\right){\left\{\delta {\theta }_1\left(t_{\mathrm{id}+1}\right)-\delta {\theta }_2\left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)\right\}}^2& \left(2.4\right)\end{array}$

[0089] where the components in η=(η_L, η_R) are coefficients representing the stability of the potential V=(V_L, V_R) which brings the left and right components of the first phase difference δθ₁ close to those of the second phase difference δθ₂.

[0090] Next, on the basis of the correlation coefficient ε set by the correlation coefficient setting portion 133, on the condition that the natural angular velocity ω_m of the virtual induction oscillator θ_m is kept constant, the first angular velocity setting portion 134 sets an angular velocity ω_h of the virtual motion oscillator θ_h according to the following expression (2.5), for each of the left and right components, in such a way that the components of the difference δθ₁-δθ₂ between the first and second phase differences are minimum (s134 in FIG. 2).

[0091] $\begin{array}{cc}{\omega }_h\left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)=-\alpha \int dt·\left(\begin{array}{c}{\left[\begin{array}{c}4\varepsilon {\left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)}^2-\\ {\left\{{\omega }_h\left(t\right)-{\omega }_m\left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)\right\}}^2\end{array}\right]}^{1/2}\times \\ \sin \left[\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{arc}\sin \left\{\left({\omega }_h\left(t\right)-{\omega }_m\left(t_{\mathrm{id}-1}\right)\right)/2\varepsilon \left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)\right\}\\ -{\mathrm{\delta \theta }}_1\left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)\end{array}\right]\end{array}\right)& \left(2.5\right)\end{array}$

[0092] where the components of α=(α_L, α_R) are coefficients representing the stability of a system.

[0093] Subsequently, for each of the left and right components, the second angular velocity setting portion 135 sets the angular velocity ω_m of the virtual induction oscillator θ_m as a new natural angular velocity ω_M, on the basis of the angular velocity ω_h of the virtual motion oscillator θ_h set by the first angular velocity setting portion 134 (s135 in FIG. 2). Specifically, the second angular velocity setting portion 135 sets the angular velocity ω_m=(ω_mL, ω_mR) of the virtual induction oscillator θ_m according to the following expression (2.6), for each of the left and right components, in such a way that the second phase difference δθ₂ approaches a target phase difference δθ₀.

[0094] $\begin{array}{cc}{\omega }_m\left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)=\beta \int dt·\left(\left[4{\varepsilon \left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)}^2-{\left\{{\omega }_h\left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)-{\omega }_m\left(t\right)\right\}}^2\right)\times \sin \left[\mathrm{arc}\sin \left\{\left({\omega }_h\left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)-{\omega }_m\left(t\right)\right)/2\varepsilon \left(t_{\mathrm{id}}\right)\right\}-{\mathrm{\delta \theta }}_0\right]\right)& \left(2.6\right)\end{array}$

[0095] where the components of β=(β_L, β_R) are coefficients representing the stability of a system.

[0096] Subsequently, the second oscillator generation portion 140 generates a second oscillator y=(y_L+, y_L−, y_R+, y_R−) according to a “second model”, on the basis of the hip joint angle φ_H measured by the motion oscillator measurement portion 102 and the new natural angular velocity ω_M set by the natural angular velocity setting portion 130 (s140 in FIG. 2). The second model represents a relationship between a plurality of virtual second elements, such as a plurality of virtual neural elements or the like, whose outputs vary according to the motion oscillator such as the hip joint angle φ_H. More specifically, the second model is expressed by the following simultaneous differential equations (3), which include: a state variable u_i (i=L+, L−, R+, R−) corresponding to changes in membrane potential of neural elements L+ and L− which govern the motions of the left thigh in the bending direction (forward) and in the stretching direction (backward), respectively, and neural elements R+ and R− which govern the motions of the right thigh in the bending direction and in the stretching direction, respectively; and a self-control factor v_i reflecting an adaptive effect of the neural element i.

[0097] $\begin{array}{cc}{\tau }_{1L+}·d{u}_{L+}/dt=-u_{L+}+w_{L+/L-}{y}_{L-}+w_{L+/R+}{y}_{R+}-{\lambda }_L{v}_{L+}+f_1\left({\omega }_{\mathrm{ML}}\right)+f_2\left({\omega }_{\mathrm{ML}}\right)K\left({\varphi }_L\right),{\tau }_{1L-}·d{u}_{L-}/dt=\hspace{1em}-u_{L-}+w_{L-/L+}{y}_{L+}+w_{L-/R-}{y}_{R-}-{\lambda }_L{v}_{L-}+f_1\left({\omega }_{\mathrm{ML}}\right)+f_2\left({\omega }_{\mathrm{ML}}\right)K\left({\varphi }_L\right),{\tau }_{1R+}·d{u}_{R+}/dt=\hspace{1em}\hspace{1em}\hspace{1em}-u_{R+}+w_{R+/L+}{y}_{L+}+w_{R+/R-}{y}_{R-}-{\lambda }_R{v}_{R+}+f_1({\omega }_{\mathrm{MR}})+f_2({\omega }_{\mathrm{MR}})K{\varphi }_R),{\tau }_{1R-}·d{u}_{R-}/dt=-u_{R-}+w_{R-/L-}{y}_{L-}+w_{R-/R+}{y}_{R+}-{\lambda }_R{v}_{R-}+f_1({\omega }_{\mathrm{MR}})+f_2({\omega }_{\mathrm{MR}})K{\varphi }_R),{\tau }_{2i}·d{v}_i/dt=-v_i+y_i,\begin{array}{c}{y}_i=H\left(u_i-u_{\mathrm{th}}\right),H\equiv 0\left(u_i<u_{\mathrm{th}}\right),1\left(u_i\ge u_{\mathrm{th}}\right)\mathrm{or}\\ =\mathrm{fs}\left(u_i\right)\equiv 1/\left\{1+\exp \left(-u_i/\xi \right)\right\}\end{array}& \left(3\right)\end{array}$
where τ_1i is a time constant which defines a variation character of the state variable u_i and it has a dependence on the new natural angular velocity ω_M as shown by the following expression (3.1) for each of the left and right components.

[0098] $\hspace{1em}\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{\tau }_{1i}\equiv t\left({\omega }_{\mathrm{ML}}\right)/{\omega }_{\mathrm{ML}}-{\gamma }_L\left(i=L+,L-\right),\\ \equiv t\left({\omega }_{\mathrm{MR}}\right)/{\omega }_{\mathrm{MR}}-{\gamma }_R\left(i=R+,R-\right)\end{array}& \left(3.1\right)\end{array}$
where t(ω) is a coefficient having a dependence on ω. γ=(γ_L, γ_R) is a constant.

[0099] In addition, τ_2i is a time constant which defines a variation character of the self-control factor v_i. Moreover, w_i/j (<0) is a second correlation coefficient (constant) representing a relationship between a plurality of virtual second elements (neural elements) i and j. “λ_L” and “λ_R” are habituation coefficients. K is a feedback coefficient responsive to the hip joint angle φ_H.

[0100] “f₁” and “f₂” are functions defined by the following expressions (3.2) and (3.3), respectively.
f₁(ω)≡c·ω(c>0)  (3.2)
f₂(ω)=c₀+c₁ω+c₂ω²  (3.3)

[0101] The coefficients c, c₀, c₁, and c₂ of f₁(ω_M) and f₂(ω_M), functions of the new natural angular velocity ω_M, may be set as coefficients corresponding to the target motion rhythm set by the target motion setting portion 111.

[0102] Alternatively, the second oscillator y_i may be generated on the basis of the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt, the angle or angular velocity of the knee joint, ankle joint, shoulder joint, or elbow joint, or any of various oscillators varying with a rhythm linked to the walking motion rhythm such as a walker's landing sound, respiratory sound, or intentional voice sound, instead of or in addition to the hip joint angle φ_H.

[0103] The second oscillator y_i is 0 when the value of the state variable u_i is less than a threshold value u_th. When the value of the state variable u_i is equal to or greater than the threshold value u_th, the second oscillator y_i takes the value of the state variable u_i. Alternatively, the second oscillator y_i is defined by a sigmoid function fs (see the expression (3)). As such, as to the movement of the thigh in the bending direction (frontward), the second oscillators y_L+ and y_R+ corresponding to the outputs of the second elements (neural elements) L+ and R+ which govern the relevant movement become greater than the outputs of the other second elements. As to the movement of the thigh in the stretching direction (backward), the second oscillators y_L− and y_R− corresponding to the outputs of the second elements L−and R− which govern the relevant movement become greater than the outputs of the other second elements. The forward or backward movement of the leg (thigh) is identified, e.g., by a polarity of the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt.

[0104] Next, the induction oscillator generation portion 150 sets an induction oscillator z on the basis of the hip joint angle φ_H measured by the motion oscillator measurement portion 102, the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt measured by the motion oscillator measurement portion 102, the second oscillator y_i generated by the second oscillator generation portion 140, and the new natural angular velocity ω_M set by the natural angular velocity setting portion 130 (s150 in FIG. 2).

[0105] Specifically, a first induction oscillator z₁ is generated according to the following expression (4) (s151 in FIG. 2).
z_1L=g₁₊(ω_mL)g₊(φ_HL)y_L+−g₁−(ω_mL)g₋(φ_HL)y_L−,
z_1R=g₁₊(φ_mR)g₊(φ_HR)y_R+−g₁₋(ω_mR)g₋(φ_HR)y_R−  (4)

[0106] where “g₁₊”, “g₁₋”, “g₊”, and “g₋” are functions defined by the following expressions (4.1) to (4.4), respectively.
g₁₊(ω)≡Σ_ka_k+ω^k(a_k+: coefficient, k=0 to 3)  (4.1)
g₁₋(ω)≡Σ_ka_k−ω^k(a_k−: coefficient, k=0 to 3)  (4.2)
g₊(φ)≡c₁₊(φ−φ₀₊)+c₂₊(φ−φ₀₊)³(c₁₊, c₂₊: coefficient; φ₀₊: target value of hip joint angle φ_H in bending direction)  (4.3)
g−(φ)≡c₁₋(φ−φ₀₋)+c₂₋(φ−φ₀₋)³(c₁₋, c₂₋: coefficient; φ₀₋: target value of hip joint angle φ_H in stretching direction)  (4.4)

[0107] The first induction oscillator z₁ is understood as an elastic force obtained by two virtual springs G₁₊ and G₁₋ shown in FIG. 4 having the first coefficients g₁₊ and g₁₋, respectively, as spring coefficients (elastic coefficients). The first coefficients g₁₊ and g₁₋ each specify the gradient of the first potential (potential of the virtual spring (elastic element)) which brings the hip joint angle (motion oscillator responsive to the user's motion scale) φ_H close to the target value φ₀₊(>0) and φ₀ (<0) responsive to the target motion scale, according to the natural angular velocity ω_M (see the expressions (4.1) and (4.2)). That is, the first induction oscillator z₁ is represented as an elastic force of an elastic element such as a virtual spring or the like which has the first coefficient g₁₊, g₁₋ responsive to the first potential as the elastic coefficient (spring coefficient) and which restores the value of the hip joint angle φ_H to the target value φ₀₊, φ₀₋. This enables the user's motion to be induced with the rhythm and scale reflecting the elastic elements of the user's body such as the elastic force generated during the transition from the muscle contraction state to the muscle stretch state.

[0108] The elastic force of one virtual spring G₁₊ acts on the user's thigh in such a way as to bring the hip joint angle φ_H close to the target value φ₀₊ according to its spring coefficient g₁₊ (see the expression (4)). Specifically, if the hip joint angle φ_H is less than the target value φ₀₊, the elastic force of the spring G₁₊ acts on the thigh in such a way as to move the thigh in the direction of increasing the hip joint angle φ_H (forward). If the hip joint angle φ_H exceeds the target value φ₀₊, the elastic force of the spring G₁₊ acts on the thigh in such a way as to move the thigh in the direction of decreasing the hip joint angle φ_H (backward).

[0109] The elastic force of the other virtual spring G₁₋ acts on the user's thigh in such a way as to bring the hip joint angle φ_H close to the target value φ₀₋ according to its spring coefficient g₁₋ (see the expression (4)). Specifically, if the hip joint angle φ_H exceeds the target value φ₀₋, the elastic force of the spring G₁₋ acts on the thigh in such a way as to move the thigh in the direction of decreasing the hip joint angle φ_H (backward). If the hip joint angle φ_H is less than the target value φ₀₋, the elastic force of the spring G₁₋ acts on the thigh in such a way as to move the thigh in the direction of increasing the hip joint angle φ_H (forward).

[0110] Since there are disproportionate outputs from a part among the plurality of second elements i(=L+, L−, R+, R−) according to whether the thigh moves in the forward direction or the backward direction as described above, the undesirable event of the elastic forces of the two virtual springs G₁₊ and G₁₋ canceling out each other is prevented.

[0111] That is, when the left thigh is moving forward, the value of the second oscillator y_L+ corresponding to the second element L+ which governs this movement is greater than the value of the second oscillator y_L− corresponding to the other second element L−, and thus, the first induction oscillator z_1L represented by the expression (4) becomes as expressed (or is approximated) by the following expression (4a).
z_1L=g₁₊(ω_mL)g₊(φ_HL)y_L+  (4a)

[0112] As such, when the left thigh is moving forward, of the elastic forces of the two virtual springs G₁₊ and G₁₋, the elastic force of the spring G₁₊ which acts on the user's thigh to bring the hip joint angle φ_H close to the front-side target value φ₀₊ is reflected preponderantly, and thus, the undesirable cancellation of the elastic forces of the two virtual springs G₁₊ and G₁₋ with each other is avoided.

[0113] Meanwhile, when the left thigh is moving backward, the output of the second element L− which governs this movement becomes greater than the output of the other second element L+, so that the value of the second oscillator y_L− corresponding to the second element L− becomes greater than the value of the second oscillator y_L+ corresponding to the second element L+, and accordingly, the first induction oscillator z_1L represented by the expression (4) becomes as expressed (or is approximated) by the following expression (4b).
z_1L=−g₁₋(ω_mL)g₋(φ_HL)y_L−  (4b)

[0114] As such, when the left thigh is moving backward, of the elastic forces of the two virtual springs G₁₊ and G₁₋, the elastic force of the virtual spring G₁₋ which acts on the user's thigh to bring the hip joint angle φ_H close to the back-side target value φ₀− is reflected preponderantly, and thus, the undesirable cancellation of the elastic forces of the two virtual springs G₁₊ and G₁₋ with each other is avoided.

[0115] The same applies to the movement of the right leg (thigh).

[0116] Alternatively, it is possible to incorporate the sigmoid function fs having the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt as a variable (see the expression (3)) into the first coefficients g₁₊, g₁₋, and thus to generate a first torque T₁ in such a way as to preponderantly reflect part of the second oscillators y_i being outputs of a plurality of second elements i, according to the movement of the thigh in the forward or backward direction which is specified by the polarity of the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt. In this manner as well, it is possible to avoid the undesirable event that the elastic forces of the two virtual springs G₁₊ and G₁₋ cancel out each other.

[0117] The target values φ₀₊ and φ₀₋ of the hip joint angle φ_H are set according to geometrical conditions for the posture of the user's leg, including the hip joint angle φ_H, in accordance with a target motion scale (length of step) set by the target motion setting portion 111. Further, the coefficients a_k+ and a_k− included respectively in the first coefficients g₁₊(ω_M) and g₁₋(ω_M) which are the functions of the natural angular velocity ω_M may be set as coefficients corresponding to a target motion rhythm (walking rate (=number of steps per unit time (e.g., one minute))) set by the target motion setting portion 111.

[0118] Alternatively, the target values φ₀₊ and φ₀₋ of the hip joint angle φ_H may be set according to the geometrical conditions for the posture of the user's leg, including the hip joint angle φH, on the basis of a target “length of step” set by the user through an operation of a setting button (not shown) provided in the walking assist device 200. Furthermore, the coefficients a_k+ and a_k− included respectively in the first coefficients g₁₊(ω_M) and g₁₋(ω_M) may be set on the basis of a target “walking rate” set by the user through an operation of a setting button (not shown) provided in the walking assist device 200.

[0119] Furthermore, a second induction oscillator z₂ is set according to the following expression (5) (s152 in FIG. 2).

[0120] $\begin{array}{cc}{z}_{2L}=\hspace{1em}-g_{2+}\left({\omega }_{\mathrm{mL}}\right)\left(d{\varphi }_{\mathrm{HL}}/dt\right)H_{+}\left({\varphi }_{\mathrm{HL}}\right)y_{L+}+g_{2-}\left({\omega }_{\mathrm{mL}}\right)\left(d{\varphi }_{\mathrm{HL}}/dt\right)H_{-}\left({\varphi }_{\mathrm{HL}}\right)y_{L-},z_{2R}=-g_{2+}\left({\omega }_{\mathrm{mR}}\right)\left(d{\varphi }_{\mathrm{HR}}/dt\right)H_{+}\left({\varphi }_{\mathrm{HR}}\right)y_{R+}+g_{2-}\left({\omega }_{\mathrm{mR}}\right)\left(d{\varphi }_{\mathrm{HR}}/dt\right)H_{-}\left({\varphi }_{\mathrm{HR}}\right)y_{R-}& \left(5\right)\end{array}$

[0121] where “g₂₊”, “g₂₋”, “H₊”, and “H₋” are functions defined by the following expressions (5.1) to (5.4), respectively.
g₂₊(ω)≡Σ_kb_k+ω^k(b_k+: coefficient, k=0 to 3)  (5.1)
g₂₋(ω)≡Σ_kb_k−ω^k(b_k−: coefficient, k=0 to 3)  (5.2)
H₊(φ)≡0(φ≦0),1(φ>0)  (5.3)
H₋(φ)≡0(φ>0),1(φ≦0)  (5.4)

[0122] The second induction oscillator z₂ is understood as a damping force obtained by two virtual dampers G₂₊ and G₂₋ shown in FIG. 4 having the second coefficients g₂₊ and g₂₋, respectively, as damper coefficients (damping coefficients). The second coefficients g₂₊ and g₂₋ each specify the gradient of the second potential (potential of the virtual damper (damping element)) which prevents an increase in absolute value of the hip joint angle φ_H, according to the natural angular velocity ω_M (see the expressions (5.1) and (5.2)). That is, the second induction oscillator z₂ is represented as a damping force of a damping element such as a virtual damper or the like which has the second coefficients g₂₊, g₂₋ responsive to the second potential as the damping coefficient (damper coefficient) and which prevents an increase in absolute value of the hip joint angle φ_H, according to the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt. This enables the user's motion to be induced with the rhythm and scale reflecting the damping elements of the user's body such as the viscous force generated during the transition from the muscle stretch state to the muscle flexed state.

[0123] The damping force of one virtual damper G₂₊ acts on the user's thigh in such a way as to prevent an increase in absolute value of the hip joint angle φ_H toward the front side (inflection side), according to the damper coefficient g₂₊ and the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt (see the expression (5)). In other words, the damping force of the virtual damper G₂₊, acts on the thigh in such a way as to prevent excessive forward movement of the thigh.

[0124] The damping force of the other virtual damper G₂₋ acts on the user's thigh in such a way as to prevent an increase in absolute value of the hip joint angle φ_H toward the back side (stretch side), according to the damper coefficient g₂₋ and the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt (see the expression (5)). In other words, the damping force of the virtual damper G₂₋ acts on the thigh in such a way as to prevent excessive backward movement of the thigh.

[0125] Furthermore, the second induction oscillator z₂ includes step functions H₊ and H₋ as the functions of the hip joint angle φ_H. Therefore, it is possible to avoid such a situation that the damping forces of the two virtual dampers G₂₊ and G₂₋ cancel out each other.

[0126] The coefficients b_k+ and b_k−included respectively in the second coefficients g₂₊(ω_M) and g₂₋(ω_M) which are the functions of the natural angular velocity ω_M may be set as coefficients corresponding to a target motion rhythm set by the target motion setting portion 111. Alternatively, the coefficients b_k+ and b_k− may be set on the basis of a target “walking rate” set by the user through an operation of a setting button (not shown) provided in the walking assist device 200.

[0127] Then, a current I=(I_L, I_R) corresponding to the induction oscillator z(=z₁+z₂) including the first induction oscillator z₁=(z_1L, z_1R) and the second induction oscillator z₂=(z_2L, z_2R) generated by the induction oscillator generation portion 150 is supplied from the battery 206 to each of the left and right actuators 210, and a force (torque around the hip joint) F acts on the corresponding thigh of the user.

[0128] Thereafter, the above processes (s101, s102, . . . , s150 in FIG. 2) are repeated, whereby the walker walks while being applied with the torque F around the hip joint by the walking assist device 200.

[0129] According to the walking assist device 200 and its control system 100 of the present invention exerting the above-described functions, the user's motion can be induced in such a way as to match the user's motion rhythm with its target rhythm, primarily for the following reasons.

[0130] By virtue of the effect of “mutual entrainment” which is one of the properties of the van der Pol equation (see the expression (1)), the first oscillator x is generated as one that oscillates (changes with respect to time) in an autonomous rhythm reflecting the natural angular velocity ω_M, while harmonizing with the rhythm of the user's hip joint angular velocity (motion oscillator) dφ_H/dt.

[0131] Meanwhile, the first oscillator x may have an inappropriate phase difference relative to the user's hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt from the viewpoint of matching the user's walking motion rhythm with a target rhythm while harmonizing the user's walking motion rhythm with the rhythm of inducing the motion by the device. As such, if the induction oscillator z is generated directly from the first oscillator x, the user's walking motion rhythm induced by the torque F around the hip joint in accordance with the induction oscillator z may deviate from the target rhythm.

[0132] Accordingly, the relationship between the two virtual oscillators θ_h and θ_m is set so as to correspond to the phase difference (first phase difference) δθ₁ between the user's hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt and the first oscillator x. Specifically, the correlation coefficient ε in the virtual model is set on the basis of the first phase difference δθ₁ (s133 in FIG. 2). Further, the angular velocities ω_h and ω_m of the two oscillators θ_h and θ_m are set in such a way as to bring the phase difference (second phase difference) δθ₂ between the two oscillators θ_h and θ_m close to the target phase difference δθ₀, and the latter is set as a new natural angular velocity ω_M (s134, s135 in FIG. 2). Accordingly, the new natural angular velocity ω_M becomes equivalent to an angular velocity of an appropriate oscillator from the viewpoint of inducing the user's motion in such a way as to match the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm, while harmonizing with the user's motion rhythm specified by the hip joint angular velocity dφ₁/dt, according to the target phase difference δθ₀. Thereafter, generation of a first oscillator x in such a way as to reflect a new natural angular velocity ω_M (s110 in FIG. 2) is repeated, which can gradually reduce the deviation of the first phase difference δθ₁ from the target phase difference δθ₀, while harmonizing the rhythm of the motion oscillator such as the hip joint angle φ_H with the rhythm of the first oscillator x. In this manner, even if the user's motion rhythm changes suddenly, appropriate followability of the induction oscillator T to such a change can be ensured for the purposes of preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable, and thus, it is possible to cause the user's motion rhythm to gradually coincide with the target rhythm at a moderate pace.

[0133] Subsequently, the second oscillator y_i is generated in such a way as to reflect the newly set natural angular velocity ω_M (s140 in FIG. 2). Further, the induction oscillator z including the second oscillator y_i is generated (s150 in FIG. 2). In this manner, it is possible to match the user's motion rhythm induced by the torque F applied to the thigh in accordance with the induction oscillator z with the target rhythm, while harmonizing the user's motion rhythm with the guide rhythm. This means that the guide rhythm by the walking assist device 200 is harmonized with the user's motion rhythm, and the user's motion rhythm is also harmonized with the guide rhythm by the walking assist device 200, and therefore, harmonization (mutual adaptation) is established between the user (human) and the device (machine).

[0134] Moreover, as the user's motion is induced such that the phase difference between the user's motion oscillator and the induction oscillator z by the walking assist device 200 coincides with a positive target phase difference, the user is allowed to walk (move) in such a way as to lead the walking assist device 200. Furthermore, as the user's motion is induced such that the phase difference between the user's motion oscillator and the induction oscillator z by the walking assist device 200 coincides with a negative target phase difference, the user is allowed to walk (move) in such a way as to be lead by the walking assist device 200.

[0135] According to the walking assist device 200 and its control system 100 of the present invention exerting the above-described functions, the user's motion can be induced in such a way as to match the user's motion scale with its target scale, primarily for the following reasons.

[0136] The first coefficients g₁₊ and g₁₋ included in the first induction oscillator z₁ are provided according to the first potential (potential of the virtual elastic element) for bringing the user's hip joint angle φ_H close to its target values φ₀₊ and φ₀₋. Further, the first coefficients g₁₊ and g₁₋ are provided according to the natural angular velocity θ_m (=angular velocity ω_m of the virtual induction oscillator θ_m) (see the expressions (4.1) and (4.2)). The natural angular velocity ω_M corresponds to an angular velocity of an appropriate oscillator from the viewpoint of inducing the user's motion in such a way as to match the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm while harmonizing with the user's motion rhythm, as described above.

[0137] Moreover, the second coefficients g₂₊ and g₂₋ included in the second induction oscillator z₂ are provided according to the second potential (potential of the virtual damping element) for preventing an increase in absolute value of the hip joint angle φ_H. Further, the second coefficients g₂₊ and g₂₋ are provided according to the natural angular velocity ω_M (see the expressions (5.1) and (5.2)). The natural angular velocity ω_M corresponds to an angular velocity of an appropriate oscillator from the viewpoint of inducing the user's motion in such a way as to match the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm while harmonizing with the user's motion rhythm, as described above.

[0138] Therefore, the first induction oscillator z₁ is generated by reflecting the first coefficients g₁₊(ω_M) and g₁₋(ω_M) according to the new natural angular velocity ω_M and the second induction oscillator z₂ is generated by reflecting the second coefficients g₂₊(ω_M) and g₂₋(ω_M) according to the natural angular velocity ω_M, whereby the user's motion can be induced in such a way as to bring the user's motion scale close to the target scale, while harmonizing the user's motion rhythm with the rhythm of the induction oscillator z and while matching the user's motion rhythm with the target rhythm.

[0139] As described above, according to the walking assist device (motion induction device) 200 of the present invention, it is possible to guide the user's motion in such a way that the rhythm and scale of the user's motion coincide respectively with the target rhythm and scale.

[0140] The coefficients (φ₀₊, φ₀₋, a_k+, a_k−, b_k+, b_k−, . . . ) and the like corresponding to the user's target motion rhythm and scale are set in accordance with the user's walking state (s111 in FIG. 2). Accordingly, the user's motion can be induced with appropriate rhythm and scale from the viewpoint of matching the user's motion rhythm and scale with the target rhythm and scale corresponding to the user's “walking state”.

[0141] Further, the target phase difference δθ₀ is set in accordance with the user's walking state (s112 in FIG. 2). Accordingly, the user's motion can be induced in such a way that the phase difference between the user's hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt and the induction oscillator z (and hence the torque F around the hip joint) by the walking assist device 200 approaches the target phase difference δθ₀ corresponding to the user's “walking state”. In this manner, the user's motion is induced (assisted) in an appropriated rhythm from the viewpoint of bringing the user's motion rhythm close to the target rhythm, in accordance with a change of the user's walking state.

[0142] Furthermore, the first oscillator x is generated as an output of the first element according to the first model which represents the relationship between a plurality of virtual first elements (left and right legs) whose outputs vary according to the motion oscillators such as the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt (the expression (1), s120 in FIG. 2). This allows the relationship between a plurality of actual elements concerning a user's actual motion to be reflected to the correlation represented by the coefficient g of the plurality of virtual first elements and the like in the first model, and accordingly, an appropriate first oscillator x in view of the relationship between the plurality of actual elements can be generated. For example, in the case where the left and right legs or a plurality of joints in the same leg are assumed as the plurality of actual elements, the first oscillator x is generated so as to reflect the qualitative relationship between the left and right legs such as their moving back and forth alternately or the like, or the qualitative relationship between the joints of the same leg such as the period or phase difference between the leg motion around the hip joint and the leg motion around the knee joint. Therefore, the rhythm and scale of the induction oscillator inducing the user's motion can be made appropriate in view of the relationship concerned.

[0143] Furthermore, the second oscillator y_i is generated as an output of the second element according to the second model which represents the relationship between a plurality of virtual second elements whose outputs vary according to the motion oscillators such as the hip joint angular velocity dφ_H/dt (the expression (3), s140 in FIG. 2). This allows the relationship between a plurality of actual elements concerning a user's actual motion to be reflected to the correlation represented by the coefficient w_i/j of the plurality of virtual second elements in the second model, whereby an appropriate second oscillator can be generated in view of the relationship between the plurality of actual elements. For example, in the case where a plurality of user's neurons are assumed as the actual plural elements, the second oscillator y_i is generated so as to reflect the qualitative relationship between the neurons which govern the walking by the left and right legs or the like. Therefore, the rhythm and scale of the induction oscillator inducing the user's motion can be made appropriate in view of the relationship concerned.

[0144] Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the walking assist device 200 of the present invention capable of inducing the user's motion in such a way as to match the user's motion rhythm and scale with the target rhythm and scale will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0145] The above operation and effect mean that a “walking ratio (=length of step/walking rate)” represented as an inclination of a straight line (for example, straight lines L₁, L₂) passing through the origin point in the “walking rate”−“length of step” plane, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, coincides with a target walking ratio. This is for the following reason that, since the walking rate and the length of step each represent the rhythm and scale of the user's walking (motion), if the rhythm and scale of the user's walking motion match the target rhythm and scale, then the correlation between the rhythm and scale of the user's walking motion will match the correlation between the target rhythm and scale.

[0146] For example, assume that the user is walking at the “speed (=walking rate/length of step)” represented by the hyperbola v shown in FIG. 5 and at the “walking rate” and the “length of step” represented by the point s on the hyperbola v. When the speed represented by the hyperbola v is set as a target and the walking ratio represented by the straight line L₁ is set as a target, then the user's motion is induced (assisted) by the walking assist device 200 in such a way that the user walks at the walking rate and the length of step represented by the crossing point s₁ of the hyperbola v and the straight line L₁ (see the arrow A1 in FIG. 5). That is, the user's walking state is gradually induced to the state where the user walks slowly with large steps, while the walking speed being maintained. Further, in this state, if the speed represented by the hyperbola v is set as a target and the walking ratio represented by the straight line L₂ is set as a target, then the user's motion is induced (assisted) by the walking assist device 200 in such a way that the user walks at the walking rate and the length of step represented by the crossing point S2 of the inversely proportional curve v and the straight line L₂ (the arrow A2 in FIG. 5). In this manner, the user's walking state is gradually induced to the state where the user walks rapidly with small steps, while the walking speed being maintained.

[0147] Further, assume the state where the user is walking at the “walking rate” and the “length of step” represented by the point s shown in FIG. 6. In the case where the walking rate represented by the vertical straight line passing through the point s is set as a target and the walking ratio represented by the straight line L₁ is set as a target, then the user's motion is induced (assisted) by the walking assist device 200 in such a way that the user walks at the walking rate and the length of step represented by the crossing point s₁ of the vertical straight line and the straight line L₁ (see the arrow A1 in FIG. 6). That is, the user's walking state is gradually induced to the state where the user walks with large steps, maintaining the walking rhythm. Further, in this state, if the walking rate represented by the vertical straight line passing through the point s is set as a target and the walking ratio represented by the straight line L₂ is set as a target, then the user's motion is induced (assisted) by the walking assist device 200 in such a way that the user walks at the walking rate and the length of step represented by the crossing point S2 of the vertical straight line and the straight line L₂ (the arrow A2 in FIG. 6). That is, the user's walking state is gradually induced to the state where the user walks with small steps, while maintaining the walking rhythm.

[0148] Now, experimental results related to the above-described operation and function of the walking assist device 200 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7-9.

[0149] In the experiment, the target walking ratio was set to “0.0072”. The user having the walking assist device 200 shown in FIG. 1 attached thereto walked while changing the speed as shown in FIG. 7. Specifically, the user's walking speed was initially maintained at a substantially constant speed, then increased, then slightly decreased, then increased again, then decreased again, and was lastly maintained at a substantially constant speed.

[0150] As a result, the user's walking ratio has changed, as shown in FIG. 8, to substantially converge to the target value of 0.0072, although it is more or less deviated from the target value according to the increase/decrease of the user's walking speed. In other words, as shown in FIG. 9, the track of the point representing the user's walking state on the walking rate-length of step plane is depicted to converge to a straight line representing the target walking rate of 0.0072. As evident from the experimental results, according to the walking assist device (motion induction device) 200 of the present invention, the user's walking can be induced in such a way that the user's walking motion rhythm and scale coincide with the target rhythm and scale.

[0151] While the user's walking is induced in the above embodiment, another movement of the user may be assisted in another embodiment. For example, in the case where the manual work related to manufacture of products such as automobiles is to be induced, the user can perform the work with a target motion rhythm and a target motion scale (or level of force) according to the induction oscillator. When the target motion rhythm and scale are set based on the manual work by a skilled person or the like, it is possible to give the user the feelings of the subtle movements and level of force of the hands of the skilled person, and thus to accelerate the learning of the techniques.

[0152] While the torques F=(F_L, FR) around the left and right hip joints are applied to the user's body according to the induction oscillator z in the above embodiment, torques around various joints such as the knee joint, ankle joint, shoulder joint, elbow joint, and carpal joint can be applied to the user's body in another embodiment. The combination of the joints to be applied with the torques can be altered in various ways according to the user's demand. Furthermore, in another embodiment, it is possible to provide the user with: a periodic sound, according to the induction oscillator z, audibly perceptible by a walker through an audio device (not shown) such as a headphone; a periodic light or sign, according to the induction oscillator z, perceptible through a visual device (not shown) such as goggles; or a periodic knock, according to the induction oscillator z, perceptible by the walker through some tactile senses of the body such as his/her back or shoulder by means of a massager or the like.

[0153] Although an increase in type of the motion oscillators to be measured leads to an increase in number of correlation terms in the nonlinear differential equation (the expression (1)) based on the generation of the first oscillator x such as a van del Pol equation or in the nonlinear differential equation (the expression (3)) based on the generation of the second oscillator y_i, adjustment of the correlation coefficient enables more careful motion guide in consideration of the movements of various parts of the user's body.

[0154] In the above embodiment, the user's “walking state (motion state)” is measured and, based on the measurement results, the coefficients (φ₀₊, φ₀₋, a_k+, a_k−, b_k+, b_k−, . . . ) corresponding to the target motion rhythm and scale as well as the target phase difference δθ₀ are set (s110, s111 and s112 in FIG. 2). Alternatively, in another embodiment, the user's “physiological state” may be measured and the coefficients corresponding to the target motion rhythm and scale as well as the target phase difference δθ₀ may be set according to the measurement results. The user's physiological state may include a state where the user's degree of fatigue is high, a state where the user's degree of fatigue is low, a state where the user's heart rate or perspiration amount is high, a state where the user's heart rate is low, and the like.

[0155] Moreover, the control system 100 of the walking assist device 200 may further include a first correlation adjustment portion which adjusts the coefficient g (correlation between a plurality of virtual first elements) in the first model according to one or both of the user's motion state and physiological state determined by the state measurement portion 110. Furthermore, the control system 100 of the walking assist device 200 may further include a second correlation adjustment portion which adjusts the coefficient w_i/j (correlation between a plurality of virtual second elements (virtual neural elements)) in the second model according to one or both of the user's motion state and physiological state determined by the state measurement portion 110.

[0156] According to the motion induction device of the present invention, the user's motion can be induced in real time with appropriate rhythm and scale according to the user's state, so as to reflect the fact that the relationship between a plurality of actual elements such as the left and right legs and the like varies according to the user's “motion state” and/or “physiological state.”