Measurement and testing system

[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part application, which is co-pending with, and claims priority from, U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/726,065, entitled “Measurement And Testing System”, filed on Dec. 22, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.

[0002] Not Applicable.

[0003] Not Applicable.

[0004] Not Applicable.

[0005] 1. Field of the Invention

[0006] The invention generally relates to a measurement and testing system. More particularly, the invention relates to a measurement and testing system that includes a measurement assembly, at least one visual display device, and a specially programmed data acquisition and processing device.

[0007] 2. Background

[0008] Measurement and testing systems are utilized in various fields to detect and analyze many different measurable quantities. For example, in biomedical applications, measurement and testing systems are used for gait analysis, assessing balance and mobility, evaluating sports performance, and assessing ergonomics. However, conventional measurement and testing systems have numerous limitations and drawbacks.

[0009] First of all, the data collected by a typical measurement and testing system is frequently not arranged in an organized and easily accessible manner. For example, data collected on various dates is often only accessible by viewing the individual data records. This individual arrangement of the data makes it very difficult for the user of the system to quickly analyze data that was acquired over a substantial time period and on different dates. The analysis of such data becomes increasingly more difficult when the quantity of the previously acquired data increases.

[0010] Moreover, some measurement systems are designed to utilize a plurality of different measurement assemblies, and execute a plurality of different tests. However, some of the tests employed by these measurement systems cannot be properly executed by one or more of the measurement assemblies that can be connected to the measurement system. As such, when a user attempts to run one of these tests using an incompatible measurement assembly, he or she will most likely either acquire inaccurate data from the measurement assembly or be unable to execute the test at all.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to properly execute certain tests utilizing a measurement assembly, it is often necessary to employ a measurement assembly having a substantially large measurement surface area. However, because measurement systems are often transported from one location to another by the users thereof, they frequently need to be readily portable. As such, the portability requirement of measurement assemblies can be directly at odds with need to provide measurement assemblies with a large measurement surface area.

[0012] Therefore, what is needed is a measurement and testing system including a data acquisition and processing device that employs inventive filtering techniques in order to create a single, easily understandable report from data acquired on a plurality of different dates, thereby facilitating the analysis of the data by a user of the system. Moreover, what is needed is a measurement and testing system that includes a data acquisition and processing device which is specially programmed to automatically regulate the availability of tests in accordance with the type of measurement assembly or assemblies that is being utilized in the measurement system by filtering the tests that cannot be executed properly on a particular measurement assembly or assemblies. Furthermore, a need exists for a measurement and testing system having a data acquisition and processing device which is specially programmed to create one or more virtual measurement assemblies from a plurality of physical measurement assemblies that are operatively coupled thereto in different orientations, such that the system is capable of having a large measurement surface area, while still being readily portable.

[0013] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a measurement and testing system that substantially obviates one or more problems resulting from the limitations and deficiencies of the related art.

[0014] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a measurement and testing system that includes: a measurement assembly having at least one measurement device, the at least one measurement device configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of the one or more measured quantities; at least one visual display device having an output screen, the visual display device configured to display measurement and testing data on the output screen so that it is viewable by a user of the system; and a data acquisition and processing device operatively coupled to the at least one measurement device of the measurement assembly and the visual display device, the data acquisition and processing device configured to receive the one or more signals that are representative of the one or more measured quantities and to convert the one or more signals into output data, wherein the output data is arranged in a plurality of sessions, output data acquired during the performance of a successive series of tests being arranged in a single session of the plurality of sessions, the data acquisition and processing device further configured to generate one or more global reports utilizing the output data acquired during one or more of the plurality of sessions, generate an information icon on the output screen of the visual display device, and assign the one or more global reports to the information icon.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the one or more global reports is associated with one or more particular test types and, prior to generating the one or more global reports, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to determine whether output data exists for the one or more particular test types, and only generate the one or more global reports when it is determined that the output data exists for the one or more particular test types.

[0016] In yet a further embodiment, prior to generating the one or more global reports, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, and only generate the one or more global reports when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0017] In still a further embodiment, the one or more global reports generated by the data acquisition and processing device comprise a plurality of global reports, and wherein the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to generate a drop-down menu for the information icon, the drop-down menu including a listing of the plurality of global reports.

[0018] In yet a further embodiment, the plurality of global reports in the drop-down menu are vertically spaced apart from one another.

[0019] In still a further embodiment, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to automatically alert a user of the system when one or more test results displayed in the one or more global reports are outside a predetermined range, below a normal value, or above a baseline value by generating a first visual indicator on the output screen of the visual display device.

[0020] In yet a further embodiment, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to automatically alert the user of the system when one or more test results displayed in the one or more global reports are within a predetermined range, above a normal value, or below a baseline value by generating a second visual indicator on the output screen of the visual display device, the second visual indicator being distinct from the first visual indicator.

[0021] In still a further embodiment, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to: (i) assemble a list of tests that are capable of being performed utilizing the measurement assembly; (ii) determine, for each of the tests in the list, whether the execution of each particular test in the list requires the use of a specific measurement assembly and/or requires that a predetermined condition be satisfied; (iii) when it is determined that the execution of the particular test in the list requires the use of a specific measurement assembly and/or requires that a predetermined condition be satisfied, determine whether the measurement assembly comprises the specific measurement assembly that is required and/or whether the predetermined condition has been satisfied; and (iv) when it is determined that the measurement assembly is the specific measurement assembly that is required and/or the predetermined condition has been satisfied, add the test name or icon for the particular test to a listing of available test names or icons that are displayed on the at least one visual display device so that a system user is able to select the particular test.

[0022] In yet a further embodiment, the one or more global reports comprise at least one global report including output data acquired during at least two of the plurality of sessions, the first of the at least two of the plurality of sessions being performed on a first date, the second of the at least two of the plurality of sessions being performed on a second date, the first date being different from the second date.

[0023] In accordance with one or more other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a measurement and testing system that includes: at least one measurement assembly, the at least one measurement assembly configured to output one or more signals; at least one visual display device having an output screen; and a data acquisition and processing device operatively coupled to the at least one measurement assembly and the at least one visual display device, the data acquisition and processing device being configured to: (i) assemble a list of tests that are capable of being performed utilizing the at least one measurement assembly; (ii) determine, for each of the tests in the list, whether the execution of each particular test in the list requires the use of a specific measurement assembly and/or requires that a predetermined condition be satisfied; (iii) when it is determined that the execution of the particular test in the list requires the use of a specific measurement assembly and/or requires that a predetermined condition be satisfied, determine whether the at least one measurement assembly comprises the specific measurement assembly that is required and/or whether the predetermined condition has been satisfied; and (iv) when it is determined that the at least one measurement assembly is the specific measurement assembly that is required and/or the predetermined condition has been satisfied, add the test name or icon for the particular test to a listing of available test names or icons that are displayed on the at least one visual display device so that a system user is able to select the particular test.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the one or more signals outputted by the at least one measurement assembly contain a unique identifier for the at least one measurement assembly; and wherein, when determining whether the at least one measurement assembly comprises the specific measurement assembly that is required, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to determine whether the unique identifier for the at least one measurement assembly matches a device identifier in a list of one or more device identifiers for the particular test.

[0025] In yet a further embodiment, when a new measurement assembly is connected to the data acquisition and processing device, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to initially determine whether the new measurement assembly has provided identifying information that enables the data acquisition and processing device to identify the new measurement assembly as a known measurement assembly type, and when identifying information has not been provided that permits the new measurement assembly to be identified as a known measurement assembly type, the data acquisition and processing device is additionally configured to prompt the system user to select a measurement assembly type for the new measurement assembly.

[0026] In still a further embodiment, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to receive the one or more signals and to convert the one or more signals into output data, wherein the output data is arranged in a plurality of sessions, output data acquired during the performance of a successive series of tests being arranged in a single session of the plurality of sessions, the data acquisition and processing device additionally configured to generate one or more global reports utilizing the output data acquired during one or more of the plurality of sessions, generate an information icon on the output screen of the visual display device, and assign the one or more global reports to the information icon.

[0027] In accordance with yet one or more other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a measurement and testing system that includes: a first measurement assembly having at least one first measurement device, the at least one first measurement device configured to sense one or more first measured quantities and output one or more first signals that are representative of the one or more first measured quantities; a second measurement assembly having at least one second measurement device, the at least one second measurement device configured to sense one or more second measured quantities and output one or more second signals that are representative of the one or more second measured quantities; a data acquisition and processing device operatively coupled to the at least one first measurement device of the first measurement assembly and the at least one second measurement device of the second measurement assembly, the data acquisition and processing device configured to receive the one or more first signals that are representative of the one or more first measured quantities and to convert the one or more first signals into first output data, and to receive the one or more second signals that are representative of the one or more second measured quantities and to convert the one or more second signals into second output data, the data acquisition and processing device further configured to determine whether the first output data is to be combined with the second output data so as to create a single virtual measurement assembly.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the first output data from the first measurement assembly is defined relative to a first set of coordinate axes, the second output data from the second measurement assembly is defined relative to a second set of coordinate axes, and one or more coordinate axes of the second set of coordinate axes are disposed at a non-zero angle relative to one or more coordinate axes of the first set of coordinate axes; and wherein the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to compute corrected output values for the second output data as a function of the non-zero angle.

[0029] In yet a further embodiment, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to compute the corrected output values for the second output data by utilizing a rotation matrix, the data acquisition and processing device being configured to compute the rotation matrix as function of the non-zero angle.

[0030] In still a further embodiment, the first output data comprises one or more first force components and the second output data comprises one or more second force components; and wherein, when the data acquisition and processing device determines that the first output data is to be combined with the second output data to create the single virtual measurement assembly, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to mathematically combine the one or more first force components with the one or more second force components so as to determine one or more overall force components for the single virtual measurement assembly.

[0031] In yet a further embodiment, the first output data comprises one or more first moment components and the second output data comprises one or more second moment components; and wherein, when the data acquisition and processing device determines that the first output data is to be combined with the second output data to create the single virtual measurement assembly, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to mathematically combine the one or more first moment components with the one or more second moment components so as to determine one or more overall moment components for the single virtual measurement assembly.

[0032] In still a further embodiment, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to determine at least one of the one or more overall moment components by computing the at least one of the one or more overall moment components as a function of one or more distance values, the one or more distance values based upon a dimension of the first measurement assembly or the second measurement assembly.

[0033] In yet a further embodiment, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to generate a pop-up window for prompting a system user to choose a selected measurement assembly from one of the first measurement assembly and the second measurement assembly by applying a load thereto.

[0034] In still a further embodiment, selection criteria for the selected measurement assembly comprises a distance that the selected measurement assembly is disposed from the data acquisition and processing device.

[0035] In yet a further embodiment, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to compute corrected output values for the selected measurement assembly, the corrected output values being computed as a function of a non-zero angle at which the selected measurement assembly is disposed relative to the other of the first measurement assembly and the second measurement assembly.

[0036] In still a further embodiment, the first and second output data is arranged in a plurality of sessions, output data acquired during the performance of a successive series of tests being arranged in a single session of the plurality of sessions, and wherein the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to generate one or more global reports utilizing the first and second output data acquired during one or more of the plurality of sessions, generate an information icon on the output screen of the visual display device, and assign the one or more global reports to the information icon.

[0037] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are merely exemplary and explanatory in nature. As such, the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the invention should not be construed to limit the scope of the appended claims in any sense.

[0076] Throughout the figures, the same parts are always denoted using the same reference characters so that, as a general rule, they will only be described once.

[0077] The present invention is described herein, in an exemplary manner, with reference to hardware components, computer system architecture, and flowcharts that illustrate exemplary processes carried out by the computer system. In a preferred embodiment, functional blocks of the flowchart illustrations can be implemented by computer system instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded directly onto an internal data storage device of a computing device (e.g., a hard drive of a computer). Alternatively, these computer program instructions could be stored on a portable computer-readable medium (e.g., a flash drive, a floppy disk, a compact disk, etc.), and then subsequently loaded onto a computing device such that the instructions can be executed thereby. In other embodiments, these computer program instructions could be embodied in the hardware of the computing device, rather than in the software thereof. It is also possible for the computer program instructions to be embodied in a combination of both the hardware and the software. Also, in the disclosure, when a reference is made to a computing device that is “configured to”, “arranged to” and/or “configured and arranged to” perform a specific function (e.g., a data acquisition/data processing device 104 configured and arranged to perform a specific function), it is to be understood that, in one or more embodiments of the invention, this means that the computing device is specially programmed to carry out the particular function (e.g., the data acquisition/data processing device 104 being specially programmed to perform a specific function).

[0078] This description describes in general form the computer program(s) required to carry out the various features of the invention. Any competent programmer in the field of information technology could develop a functioning system using the description set forth herein.

[0079] For the sake of brevity, conventional computer system components, conventional data networking, and conventional software coding will not be described in detail herein. Also, it is to be understood that the connecting lines shown in the block diagram(s) included herein are intended to represent functional relationships and/or operational couplings between the various components. Similarly, connecting lines are also used between the elements of the flowcharts in order to illustrate the functional relationships therebetween. In addition to that which is explicitly depicted, it is to be understood that many alternative or additional functional relationships and/or physical connections may be incorporated in a practical application of the system.

[0080] An exemplary embodiment of the measurement and testing system is seen generally at 100 in FIG. 1. In the illustrative embodiment, the measurement and testing system 100 generally comprises a measurement assembly 102 (e.g., a force measurement assembly) that is operatively coupled to a data acquisition/data processing device 104 (i.e., a data acquisition and processing device or computing device that is capable of collecting, storing, and processing data), which in turn, is operatively coupled to a subject visual display device 106 and an operator visual display device 130. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the force measurement assembly 102 is configured to receive a subject 108 thereon, and is capable of measuring the forces and/or moments applied to its measurement surfaces 114, 116 by the subject 108.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 1, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 includes a plurality of user input devices 132, 134 connected thereto. Preferably, the user input devices 132, 134 comprise a keyboard 132 and a mouse 134. In addition, the operator visual display device 130 may also serve as a user input device if it is provided with touch screen capabilities. While a desktop type computing system is depicted in FIG. 1, one of ordinary of skill in the art will appreciate that another type of data acquisition/data processing device 104 can be substituted for the desktop computing system such as, but not limited to, a laptop or a palmtop computing device (i.e., a PDA). In addition, rather than providing a data acquisition/data processing device 104, it is to be understood that only a data acquisition device could be provided without departing from the spirit and the scope of the claimed invention.

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 1, force measurement assembly 102 is operatively coupled to the data acquisition/data processing device 104 by virtue of an electrical cable 118. In one embodiment of the invention, the electrical cable 118 is used for data transmission, as well as for providing power to the force measurement assembly 102. Various types of data transmission cables can be used for cable 118. For example, the cable 118 can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable or an Ethernet cable. Preferably, the electrical cable 118 contains a plurality of electrical wires bundled together, with at least one wire being used for power and at least another wire being used for transmitting data. The bundling of the power and data transmission wires into a single electrical cable 118 advantageously creates a simpler and more efficient design. In addition, it enhances the safety of the testing environment when human subjects are being tested on the force measurement assembly 102. However, it is to be understood that the force measurement assembly 102 can be operatively coupled to the data acquisition/data processing device 104 using other signal transmission means, such as a wireless data transmission system. If a wireless data transmission system is employed, it is preferable to provide the force measurement assembly 102 with a separate power supply in the form of an internal power supply or a dedicated external power supply.

[0083] Referring again to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the force measurement assembly 102 of the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a dual force plate assembly. The dual force plate assembly includes a first plate component 110, a second plate component 112, at least one measurement device (e.g., force transducer) associated with the first plate component 110, and at least one measurement device (e.g., force transducer) associated with the second plate component 112. In the illustrated embodiment, a subject 108 stands in an upright position on the force measurement assembly 102 and each foot of the subject 108 is placed on the top surfaces 114, 116 of a respective plate component 110, 112 (i.e., one foot on the top surface 114 of the first plate component 110 and the other foot on the top surface 116 of the second plate component 112). The at least one force transducer associated with the first plate component 110 is configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more first signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to its measurement surface 114 by the left foot/leg 108a of the subject 108, whereas the at least one force transducer associated with the second plate component 112 is configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more second signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to its measurement surface 116 by the right foot/leg 108b of subject 108.

[0084] In illustrated embodiment, the at least one force transducer associated with the first and second plate components 110, 112 comprises four (4) pylon-type force transducers 154 (or pylon-type load cells) that are disposed underneath, and near each of the four corners (4) of the first plate component 110 and the second plate component 112 (see FIG. 4). Each of the eight (8) illustrated pylon-type force transducers has a plurality of strain gages adhered to the outer periphery of a cylindrically-shaped force transducer sensing element for detecting the mechanical strain of the force transducer sensing element imparted thereon by the force(s) applied to the surfaces of the force measurement assembly 102.

[0085] In an alternative embodiment, rather than using four (4) pylon-type force transducers 154 on each plate component 110, 112, force transducers in the form of transducer beams could be provided under each plate component 110, 112. In this alternative embodiment, the first plate component 110 could comprise two transducer beams that are disposed underneath, and on generally opposite sides of the first plate component 110. Similarly, in this embodiment, the second plate component 112 could comprise two transducer beams that are disposed underneath, and on generally opposite sides of the second plate component 112. Similar to the pylon-type force transducers 154, the force transducer beams could have a plurality of strain gages attached to one or more surfaces thereof for sensing the mechanical strain imparted on the beam by the force(s) applied to the surfaces of the force measurement assembly 102.

[0086] Rather, than using four (4) force transducer pylons under each plate, or two spaced apart force transducer beams under each plate, it is to be understood that the force measurement assembly 102 can also utilize the force transducer technology described in pending, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/348,506, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0087] In other embodiments of the invention, rather than using a measurement assembly 102 having first and second plate components 110, 112, it is to be understood that a force measurement assembly 102′ in the form of a single force plate may be employed (see FIG. 6). Unlike the dual force plate assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the single force plate comprises a single measurement surface on which both of a subject's feet are placed during testing. Although, similar to the measurement assembly 102, the illustrated single force plate 102′ comprises four (4) pylon-type force transducers 154 (or pylon-type load cells) that are disposed underneath, and near each of the four corners (4) thereof for sensing the load applied to the surface of the force measurement assembly 102′.

[0088] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the force measurement assembly 102 is provided with a plurality of support feet 126 disposed thereunder. Preferably, each of the four (4) corners of the force measurement assembly 102 is provided with a support foot 126 (e.g., mounted on the bottom of each pylon-type force transducer or on the bottom of a base). In one embodiment, each support foot 126 is attached to a bottom surface of a force transducer. In another embodiment, one or more of the force transducers could function as support feet (e.g., if pylon-type force transducers are used, the first and second plate components 110, 112 could be supported on the force transducers). In one preferred embodiment, at least one of the support feet 126 is adjustable so as to facilitate the leveling of the force measurement assembly 102 on an uneven floor surface.

[0089] Now, turning to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the data acquisition/data processing device 104 (i.e., the local computing device) of the measurement and testing system 100 comprises a microprocessor 104a for processing data, memory 104b (e.g., random access memory or RAM) for storing data during the processing thereof, and data storage device(s) 104c, such as one or more hard drives, compact disk drives, floppy disk drives, flash drives, or any combination thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the force measurement assembly 102, the subject visual display device 106, and the operator visual display device 130 are operatively coupled to the data acquisition/data processing device 104 such that data is capable of being transferred between these devices 102, 104, 106, and 130. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of data input devices 132, 134 such as the keyboard 132 and mouse 134 shown in FIG. 1, are operatively coupled to the data acquisition/data processing device 104 so that a user is able to enter data into the data acquisition/data processing device 104. In some embodiments, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 can be in the form of a desktop computer, while in other embodiments, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 can be embodied as a laptop computer.

[0090] Referring again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the measurement and testing system 100 can also include a remote computing device 136. Like the data acquisition/data processing device 104 (i.e., the local computing device) described above, the remote computing device 136 also comprises a microprocessor for processing data, memory (e.g., random access memory or RAM) for storing data during the processing thereof, and data storage device(s), such as one or more hard drives, compact disk drives, floppy disk drives, flash drives, or any combination thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the remote computing device 136 can be operatively coupled to the data acquisition/data processing device 104 (i.e., the local computing device) by means of a network connection 138. In some embodiments, the network connection 138 is an encrypted network connection so that data can be securely transferred between the local computing device 104 and the remote computing device 136. The network connection 138 between the computing devices 104, 136 can be a conventional hard-wired connection (e.g., utilizing an Ethernet cable or any other type of suitable data transmission cable), or alternatively, can utilize wireless data transmission technology (e.g., a wireless local area network, commonly referred to as Wi-Fi technology). Alternatively, the network connection 138 between the computing devices 104, 136 can be an Internet-based connection.

[0091] In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the local computing device 104 is disposed at a first location, while the remote computing device 136 is disposed at a second location. Also, in one or more embodiments, the first location is geographically remote from the second location, and the first and second locations are separated from one another by a predetermined distance (e.g., by at least one mile).

[0092] With reference again to FIG. 1, the visual display devices 106, 130 of the measurement and testing system 100 will be described in more detail. In the illustrated embodiment, each visual display device 106, 130 is in the form of a flat panel monitor. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that various types of flat panel monitors having various types of data transmission cables 120, 140 may be used to operatively couple the visual display devices 106, 130 to the data acquisition/data processing device 104. For example, the flat panel monitors employed may utilize a video graphics array (VGA) cable, a digital visual interface (DVI or DVI-D) cable, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI or Mini-HDMI) cable, or a DisplayPort digital display interface cable to connect to the data acquisition/data processing device 104. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the invention, the visual display devices 106, 130 can be operatively coupled to the data acquisition/data processing device 104 using wireless data transmission means. Electrical power is supplied to the visual display devices 106, 130 using a separate power cord that connects to a building wall receptacle.

[0093] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the visual display devices 106, 130 can be embodied in various forms. For example, if the visual display devices 106, 130 are in the form of flat screen monitors as illustrated in FIG. 1, they may comprise a liquid crystal display (i.e., an LCD display), a light-emitting diode display (i.e., an LED display), a plasma display, a projection-type display, or a rear projection-type display. Although, it will be appreciated that the subject visual display device 106 may take other forms as well, such as a head-mounted display, a heads-up display, or a 3-dimensional display. Each of the visual display devices 106, 130 may also be in the form of a touch pad display. For example, the visual display devices 106, 130 may comprise multi-touch technology which recognizes two or more contact points simultaneously on the surface of the screen so as to enable users of the device to use two fingers for zooming in/out, rotation, and a two finger tap.

[0094] FIG. 3 graphically illustrates the acquisition and processing of the load data carried out by the exemplary measurement and testing system 100. Initially, as shown in FIG. 3, a load L is applied to the force measurement assembly 102 by a subject disposed thereon. The load is transmitted from the first and second plate components 110, 112 to its respective set of pylon-type force transducers or force transducer beams. As described above, in one embodiment of the invention, each plate component 110, 112 comprises four (4) pylon-type force transducers 154 disposed thereunder. Preferably, these pylon-type force transducers are disposed near respective corners of each plate component 110, 112. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the pylon-type force transducers includes a plurality of strain gages wired in one or more Wheatstone bridge configurations, wherein the electrical resistance of each strain gage is altered when the associated portion of the associated pylon-type force transducer undergoes deformation resulting from the load (i.e., forces and/or moments) acting on the first and second plate components 110, 112. For each plurality of strain gages disposed on the pylon-type force transducers, the change in the electrical resistance of the strain gages brings about a consequential change in the output voltage of the Wheatstone bridge (i.e., a quantity representative of the load being applied to the measurement surface). Thus, in one embodiment, the four (4) pylon-type force transducers 154 disposed under each plate component 110, 112 output a total of four (4) analog output voltages (signals). In some embodiments, the four (4) analog output voltages from each plate component 110, 112 are then transmitted to a preamplifier board (not shown) for preconditioning. The preamplifier board is used to increase the magnitudes of the transducer analog voltages, and preferably, to convert the analog voltage signals into digital voltage signals as well. After which, the force measurement assembly 102 transmits the force plate output signals S_FPO1-S_FPO8 to a main signal amplifier/converter 144. Depending on whether the preamplifier board also includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, the force plate output signals S_FPO1-S_FPO8 could be either in the form of analog signals or digital signals. The main signal amplifier/converter 144 further magnifies the force plate output signals S_FPO1-S_FPO8, and if the signals S_FPO1-S_FPO8 are of the analog-type (for a case where the preamplifier board did not include an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter), it may also convert the analog signals to digital signals. Then, the signal amplifier/converter 144 transmits either the digital or analog signals S_ACO1-S_ACO8 to the data acquisition/data processing device 104 (computer 104) so that the forces and/or moments that are being applied to the surfaces of the force measurement assembly 102 can be transformed into output load values OL. In addition to the components 104a, 104b, 104c, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 may further comprise an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter if the signals S_ACO1-S_ACO8 are in the form of analog signals. In such a case, the analog-to-digital converter will convert the analog signals into digital signals for processing by the microprocessor 104a.

[0095] When the data acquisition/data processing device 104 receives the voltage signals S_ACO1-S_ACO8, it initially transforms the signals into output forces and/or moments by multiplying the voltage signals S_ACO1-S_ACO8 by a calibration matrix. After which, the force F_L exerted on the surface of the first force plate by the left foot of the subject, the force F_R exerted on the surface of the second force plate by the right foot of the subject, and the center of pressure for each foot of the subject (i.e., the x and y coordinates of the point of application of the force applied to the measurement surface by each foot) are determined by the data acquisition/data processing device 104. Referring to FIG. 5, which depicts a top view of the measurement assembly 102, it can be seen that the center of pressure coordinates (x_PL, y_PL) for the first plate component 110 are determined in accordance with x and y coordinate axes 142, 144. Similarly, the center of pressure coordinates (x_PR, y_PR) for the second plate component 112 are determined in accordance with x and y coordinate axes 146, 148. If the force transducer technology described in pending, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/348,506 is employed, it is to be understood that the center of pressure coordinates (x_PL, y_PL, x_PR, x_PR) can be computed in the particular manner described in that application.

[0096] As explained above, rather than using a measurement assembly 102 having first and second plate components 110, 112, a force measurement assembly 102′ in the form of a single force plate may be employed (see FIGS. 6 and 7, which illustrate a single force plate). As discussed hereinbefore, the single force plate comprises a single measurement surface on which both of a subject's feet are placed during testing. As such, rather than computing two sets of center of pressure coordinates (i.e., one for each foot of the subject), the embodiments employing the single force plate compute a single set of overall center of pressure coordinates (x_P, y_P) in accordance with x and y coordinate axes 150, 152.

[0097] In one exemplary embodiment, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 determines the vertical forces F_Lz, F_Rz exerted on the surface of the first and second force plates by the feet of the subject and the center of pressure for each foot of the subject, while in another exemplary embodiment, the output forces of the data acquisition/data processing device 104 include all three (3) orthogonal components of the resultant forces acting on the two plate components 110, 112 (i.e., F_Lx, F_Ly, F_Lz, F_Rx, F_Ry, F_Rz). In yet other embodiments of the invention, the output forces and moments of the data acquisition/data processing device 104 can be in the form of other forces and moments as well.

[0098] Now, specific functionality of the exemplary measurement and testing system 100 will be described in detail. It is to be understood that the aforedescribed functionality of the measurement and testing system 100 can be carried out by the data acquisition/data processing device 104 (i.e., the local computing device) utilizing software, hardware, or a combination of both hardware and software. For example, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 can be specially programmed to carry out the functionality described hereinafter. In one embodiment of the invention, the computer program instructions necessary to carry out this functionality may be loaded directly onto an internal data storage device 104c of the data acquisition/data processing device 104 (e.g., on a hard drive thereof) and subsequently executed by the microprocessor 104a of the data acquisition/data processing device 104. Alternatively, these computer program instructions could be stored on a portable computer-readable medium (e.g., a flash drive, a floppy disk, a compact disk, etc.), and then subsequently loaded onto the data acquisition/data processing device 104 such that the instructions can be executed thereby. In one embodiment, these computer program instructions are embodied in the form of a measurement and testing software program executed by the data acquisition/data processing device 104. In other embodiments, these computer program instructions could be embodied in the hardware of the data acquisition/data processing device 104, rather than in the software thereof. It is also possible for the computer program instructions to be embodied in a combination of both the hardware and the software.

[0099] According to one aspect of the illustrative embodiment, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 of the measurement and testing system 100 is configured and arranged to generate a screen image 200 that includes a timeline bar 202 disposed proximate to a top of the output screen of the operator visual display device 130. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the illustrated timeline bar 202 includes a plurality date icons 204, 206, 208 for accessing subject testing output data. The data acquisition/data processing device 104 is additionally configured to assign the subject testing output data to a selected one of the plurality of date icons 204, 206, 208 in accordance with the date on which the subject testing output data was generated. In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the data acquisition/processing device 104 is further configured to generate a subject (patient) information icon 210 in the timeline bar 202 that includes information about a particular test subject for which output data was generated by the measurement and testing system 100. In FIG. 9, it can also be seen that the data acquisition/processing device 104 is further configured to generate a drop-down menu 212 for at least one of the plurality of date icons (e.g., date icon 204), wherein the drop-down menu 212 comprises output data collected at a plurality of different times on the date (e.g., Jun. 18, 2009) displayed on the associated date icon 204. As shown in FIG. 9, the data acquisition/processing device 104 is preferably configured to arrange the output data listed in the drop-down menu 212 in accordance with the time at which the output data was collected. In particular, the output data collected at the plurality of different times is arranged by the data acquisition/processing device 104 in one of ascending or descending order based upon the time at which it was collected (FIG. 9 illustrates an example of arrangement in ascending order, i.e., listing morning (AM) times before afternoon (PM) times). Also, referring to FIG. 9, it can be seen that the data acquisition/processing device 104 is configured to generate a visual indicator 214 (e.g., a small triangle) in a lower corner of the date icon 204 containing the drop-down menu 212. Similarly, the other date icons 206, 208, which also contain drop down menus, are provided with visual indicators (e.g., small triangles) in the lower corners thereof.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 8, it can be seen that, similar to the plurality of date icons 204, 206, 208, the subject (patient) information icon 210 also contains a drop-down menu 216. The patient or subject drop-down menu 216 includes several different items that may be selected by the user of the system 100, such as general patent information, patient progress reports, and data exporting options. Also, like one or more of the plurality of date icons 204, 206, 208, the subject (patient) information icon 210 has a visual indicator 218 (e.g., a small triangle) in a lower corner thereof in order to inform users of the system 100 that the subject (patient) information icon 210 contains a drop-down menu 216.

[0101] Now, the specific attributes of the timeline bar 202, which can be embodied in a measurement and testing software program(s), will be described in more detail. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the items (e.g., subject testing results) in the timeline bar 202 are organized by date, and additionally sorted by time. The measurement and testing software program executed by the data acquisition/data processing device 104 also groups tests performed during a particular session together. In one embodiment of the invention, a session is defined as a series of tests that are performed in succession without exiting the test series. As such, test results, which are a form of output data generated from the measurement device signals of the measurement assembly 102, are grouped into session records (i.e. session records can comprise a collection of output data from the measurement assembly 102, as well as other types of data). Although, a session could be defined in a different manner in other embodiments of the invention. For example, in other embodiments, a session could be determined in accordance with predetermined window of time (e.g., 10 minutes) as set by a user, or a session could be defined as a specific block of tests that are specified by the user to comprise a session. In the drop-down menu 212 (see FIG. 9), it can be seen that eight Standing Stability tests (the quantity of tests is indicated by the parenthetical number) are separated from two Standing Stability tests by a separating line 220. The eight Standing Stability tests were performed during the same session, while the two Standing Stability tests were performed during a different, subsequent session. The separating line 220 separates the two distinct sessions from one another.

[0102] The dynamic population feature of the measurement and testing software program, as will be described hereinafter, drives the content of the timeline bar 202. For example, suppose three Standing Stability tests are performed in the same session. The measurement and testing software will combine these into a single report when the testing data is entered into the program.

[0103] In accordance with this aspect of the illustrative embodiment, a flowchart illustrating the functionality of the timeline bar feature of the measurement and testing system 100 is set forth in FIGS. 10-13. All of the steps described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 10-13 are carried out by the data acquisition/processing device 104. In particular, the flowcharts graphically illustrate the manner in which the data acquisition/processing device 104 generates the timeline bar, as well as the manner in which output data is assigned to elements of the timeline bar. Referring initially to FIG. 10, the procedure commences at 300 when a patient record is selected on the screen by a system user, and in step 302, the timeline bar 202 is emptied and reset to the initial condition by the data acquisition/processing device 104 in response to the user input (i.e., the contents of the timeline bar 202 are deleted). After the timeline bar 202 is emptied and reset, a database (e.g., a patient database) is queried for all session records pertaining to a particular patient (step 304). For example, the patient database can be searched for all records containing the same patient globally unique identifier (GUID), which identifies a particular patient. Then, once all records having the same patient GUID are isolated, the resulting record set is sorted by date (see e.g., table 340 in FIG. 14). Depending on the particular configuration that is desired, this sorting order can be oldest-to-newest or newest-to-oldest.

[0104] As an example of the operations performed in step 304, reference is made to the exemplary query string 338 in FIG. 14. The “SELECT” statement in this query string 338 creates a resulting data set from the combination of two tables: (i) a first table, entitled “Sessions”, which contains, for example, reference identifiers to the test results; and (ii) a second table, entitled “TestResults”, which includes, for example, the weight of the subject, the height of the subject, and computed values for a particular test (TestResults.SessionGUID=Sessions.GUID). The “WHERE” clause in the query string 338 only returns results for a matching patient identifier (i.e., patent GUID “4f6 . . . a5d”—the middle characters of the GUID have been omitted to facilitate the explanation thereof, as indicated by the use of the ellipses), while the “ORDER” clause will order the result set by the StartTime, which is a field in the TestResults table. The “SELECT DISTINCT Sessions.*” clause only returns fields from the Sessions table (otherwise, columns would be obtained from both tables, which is not desirable). Using the “DISTINCT” keyword ensures that only distinct results are returned (i.e., duplicate rows are filtered out). Advantageously, the use of “Sessions.*”, rather than just “*”, ensures that only unique rows from the Sessions table are returned, rather unique rows from both the Sessions table and the TestResults table. The main benefit of executing the “INNER JOIN” command in the query string 338 of FIG. 14 is that any sessions, which contain no data (i.e., sessions that are empty), are removed from the record lists. As a result, the timeline bar is not populated with sessions having no data.

[0105] Turning again to FIG. 10, in step 306, each session record is read and then, in decision block 308, it is determined whether the date field in the session record exists in the existing timeline bar 202 for that particular patient. For example, the session record may have a “start time” field associated therewith (see FIG. 14) that contains the time and date on which the test was performed. If the date field does not exist in the timeline bar 202, then a new session group is created as a visual icon (e.g., 204, 206, 208, 222) in the timeline bar 202 (step 310). Next, in decision block 312 of FIG. 11, it is determined if the date field contains a year that is different from those presently included in the timeline bar 202. If the year in the date field is different from those presently included in the timeline bar 202 (e.g., the year 2008, which is not included in the timeline bar 202 of FIGS. 8 and 9), the spacing between the existing date icons and the added date icon(s) is increased (i.e., a noticeable gap is created by year groupings—see step 314 of FIG. 11). Also, in step 314, a visual border is created around date icon(s) from the same year. For example, see the added date icon 222 in FIG. 9 (Dec. 10, 2008), which has been illustrated using dashed lines in order to signify that it has been added to the timeline bar 202. However, if it is determined in decision block 308 of FIG. 10 that the date field in the session record exists in the existing timeline bar 202 for the particular patient, an existing session group visual icon is used (e.g., icon 204), and a visual line (e.g., dashed separating line 226 in FIG. 9) is created in the drop-down menu 212 to indicate multiple sessions on this same date (in step 316). For example, refer to the added session test 224 in FIG. 9 (i.e., mCTSIB test), which has been outlined with dashed lines in order to signify that it has been added to the drop-down menu 212.

[0106] In decision block 312 of FIG. 11, if it is determined that the date field contains a year that is the same as one of those presently included in the timeline bar 202 (e.g., the year 2009, which is included in the timeline bar 202 of FIGS. 8 and 9), then an iteration through the test results in the session record is performed in step 318. In the session record, each test result is identified using a unique GUID as the record identifier, which is used to identify and locate record (sessions and records of other types are also identified using unique GUIDs as well). After which, in decision block 320 of FIG. 11, it is determined whether, in accordance with the report rules from the dynamic population process, if the results for the particular test are to be combined with other similar or same test results in the session. For example, suppose the report rules comprise the following lines of code:

• • [0107] <!REPORTXML name=“Standing Stability Report” type=“TestReport”
  • [0108] testobject=“BalanceTests.NSEO”
  • [0109] testobject=“BalanceTests.NSEC”
  • [0110] testobject=“BalanceTests.PSEO”
  • [0111] testobject=“BalanceTests.PSEC”
  • [0112] reportcombines=“*testobject*” reportcombinedtitle=“Standing Stability”>

[0113] This example illustrates that the “Standing Stability Report” is to be used for the following test objects: BalanceTests.NSEO, BalanceTests.NSEC, BalanceTests.PSEO, and BalanceTests.PSEC. The keyword “reportcombines” is set with a special shorthand text “*testobject*” to instruct the system 100 to use the declared testobject keyword values; the code could also have been written as “reportcombines=BalanceTests.NSEO; BalanceTests.NSEC; BalanceTests.PSEO; and BalanceTests.PSEC”, and the result would have been the same. As such, the reports generated from test results of the different types of balance tests are combined with the title “Standing Stability”. In one embodiment, test reports comprise test results presented in a form that is readily ascertainable to a user (e.g., in graphical form).

[0114] If the results for the particular test are to be combined with other similar or the same test results in the session, then in decision block 322, it is further determined if the same or similar test results already exist in the drop-down menu (e.g., 212) for the visual icon (e.g., date icon 204) as described above. If the same or similar test results do not exist in the drop-down menu 212, then the name of the test report for this test from the dynamic population process will be added as a drop-down menu item entry (e.g., “mCTSIB” test 224 in drop-down menu 212) in the visual icon (e.g., date icon 204) and it will be linked to this test result record (step 324). The name of the test report for this test also will be added as a drop-down menu item entry if, in decision block 320, it is determined that, according to the report rules from dynamic population process, the results for the particular test are not to be combined with other similar or same test results in the session (refer to FIG. 11).

[0115] In decision block 322, if it is determined that the same or similar test results already exist in the drop-down menu (e.g., 212) for the visual icon (e.g., date icon 204), then additional internal data is added to an existing entry in the drop-down menu item (see step 326 in FIG. 12). In some embodiments, the text of the menu item can be changed per the dynamic population template rules (e.g., a parenthetical number may be placed next to the entry in the drop-down menu 212—see FIG. 9). Next, in decision block 328 of FIG. 12, it is determined whether there are any additional test results for this session record. If there are any additional test results for this session record, then the process reverts back to step 318 in FIG. 11, wherein an iteration through the test results that are in the session record is performed. If there are not any additional test results for this session record, then the process proceeds to decision block 330, wherein it is determined if there are any additional session records that are to be processed. If it is determined in decision block 330 that there are additional session records that require processing, then the process reverts back to step 306 in FIG. 10, wherein each session record is read. However, if it is determined at decision block 330 that there are not any additional session records that need to be processed, then the process proceeds to decision block 332.

[0116] Referring to decision block 332 in FIG. 12, it is next determined whether, according to the dynamic population templates and rules gathered, if there are global reports for the timeline bar 202. If there are global reports for the timeline bar 202, then, in step 334 of FIG. 13, those global report(s) are gathered and placed in the first timeline visual icon (e.g., patient information icon 210) as a set of drop-down menu icons with a unique representational symbol in the timeline item, and the process ends at 336. In contrast, if it is determined in decision block 332 that there are no global reports for the timeline bar 202, the process ends at step 336 in FIG. 13.

[0117] According to another aspect of the illustrative embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 of the measurement and testing system 100 is configured and arranged to generate a screen image 400 with a plurality of mode selection tabs 402, 406, 408 and a side bar menu 410 on the operator visual display device 130. When a user switches from a current mode of operation (e.g., patient data entry mode) to another mode of operation (e.g., assessment mode) by selecting one of mode selection tabs (e.g., 406) indicative of the another mode utilizing the user input device (e.g., keyboard 132 or mouse 134 by moving pointer 414 thereon), the data acquisition/data processing device 104 is configured to automatically displace the side bar menu 410 to an edge of the screen image 400. The displacement of the side bar menu 410 is a visual indicator of a system or process state change that is used to draw attention that a significant mode of operation has changed for the user that may otherwise happen without the user noticing it. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 15, the plurality of mode selection tabs 402, 406, 408 is disposed proximate to a top of the screen image 400 and the side bar menu 410 is disposed proximate to a lateral side of the screen image 400. When the data acquisition/data processing device 104 automatically displaces the side bar menu 410 to the edge of the operator visual display device 130, the side bar menu 410 is replaced by a new sidebar menu 412 (see FIG. 16) associated with the another mode (e.g., the assessment mode). When the data acquisition/processing device 104 automatically displaces the side bar menu 410 to the edge of the operator visual display device 130, an inner edge 410a (see FIG. 15) of the side bar menu 410 is gradually dragged towards an outer peripheral edge of the operator visual display device 130 in a continuous manner until the sidebar menu 410 is no longer visible to the user. The inner edge 410a of the side bar menu 410 remains generally parallel to the outer peripheral edge of the operator visual display device 130 as it dragged towards the outer peripheral edge thereof. Advantageously, the displacement of the side bar menu 410 off the output screen alerts the user of the measurement and testing system 100 that he or she is switching operational modes (i.e., switching the functional content of the software program). Otherwise, without the notification effect created by the displacement of the side bar menu 410, a user of the system 100 may not be readily unaware that he or she is switching modes.

[0118] Now, the specific functionality of the side bar menu displacement feature will be described in more detail. Initially, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 is programmed to take a graphical snapshot (e.g., a bitmap grab) of the screen image (e.g., screen image 400) on the operator visual display device 130 that is changing or switching contexts (i.e., when a user selects one of the tabs 402, 406, 408). The bitmap image is then placed into a top-level window container as the entire surface to be used. This top-level container (i.e., top-level meaning that it is above everything else) is displaced so as to be disposed almost exactly over top of where the source area is currently located, or was previously located. The operation mode is then changed, which results in the area that was made into a visual bitmap being erased and replaced with something else. Once this has occurred, the system notifies the animation routine to begin moving the bitmap image off the screen. In one embodiment, the graphical snapshot is animated so that it appears as if the side bar menu 410 is sliding off the output screen. For example, every 30 frames per second, the measurement and testing software program executed by the data acquisition/data processing device 104 moves the bitmap image across the output screen of the operator visual display device 130 and forces the area to redraw. After the animation has been completed (i.e., by the bitmap image moving completely off the screen), the bitmap and the top-level container are both discarded.

[0119] According to yet another aspect of the illustrative embodiment, the remote computing device 136, which is disposed at a first location, is specially programmed to generate one or more testing routines based upon input by a first system user. The data acquisition/data processing device 104 is configured to read the one or more testing routines generated by the remote computing device 136 and to integrate the one or more testing routines into the measurement and testing software program loaded thereon and executed thereby (i.e., dynamically populate the software program with new tests that are remotely generated). In other words, the one or more testing routines generated by the remote computing device 136 operate as an automatic plug-in to the measurement and testing software program (e.g., like a macro). The data acquisition/data processing device 104 of the measurement and testing system 100 is further configured to enable a second system user to utilize the one or more testing routines in the measurement and testing software program while data is acquired from a subject undergoing testing on the measurement assembly. Advantageously, this dynamic population feature of the measurement and testing software program allows the tests performed by the measurement and testing system 100 to be created and/or updated easily off-site, thereby obviating the need for the system end user to develop his or his own tests. Because the testing routines are typically written in a specific program code (e.g., HTML), and system end users are rarely trained software programmers, the dynamic population feature enables the measurement and testing software to be regularly updated without the need for system end users trained in software programming. Also, if end users of the measurement and testing software need to make only minor changes to the testing routines, they are able to change cosmetic features of test report output by utilizing a basic text editor, such as Microsoft® Notepad, for making changes to data labeling, and the like, in the program code.

[0120] Initially, the dynamic population feature of the measurement and testing software program reads a specific set of directories, and looks for a specific pattern of filenames (e.g., the software looks for HTML files under a specific set of directories). After which, the measurement and testing software program reads the content of the specific identified files, and looks for specific patterns of text. The patterns of text in the specific identified files inform the measurement and testing software program on the data acquisition/data processing device 104 how to organize the tests, the test reports, and the test outputs. For example, the first line of text in an exemplary HTML file may contain the following information: (i) the name of the test (e.g., Forward Lunge), (ii) the tab under which the test is to be located in the measurement and testing software program (e.g., Assessment), (iii) the grouping within the tab, if applicable (e.g., the “Training” tab includes groups, such as “Closed Chain”, “Mobility”, “Quick Training”, “Seated”, and “Weight Shifting”), and any predefined or custom options.

[0121] In accordance with this aspect of the illustrative embodiment, a flowchart illustrating the functionality of the dynamic population feature of the measurement and testing system 100 is set forth in FIG. 17. All of the steps described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 17 are carried out by the data acquisition/processing device 104. Referring to this figure, the procedure commences at 500, and in step 502, a list of files from a defined set of folders is gathered. For example, the testing software program looks for a specific file pattern (e.g., a specific extension) in a particular directory (e.g. a “Reports” directory) using a regular expression search routine (regex). After which, in step 504, each file is read and, at decision block 506, it is determined if the particular file contains report rules or a matching template definition pattern (e.g., with one or more key pairs). If the file does not contain a definition matching template pattern, the process proceeds to step 512, wherein it is determined if there are any more files. If the file does contain a definition matching template, the template information is processed from the file in step 508, which includes matching any key fields with stored database objects and caching off file identifiers for later matching and organization. The file identifiers (i.e., file names) are stored internally in the cache memory of the data acquisition/data processing device 104 so that the file identifiers do not have to be repeatedly read from a directory, thereby resulting in a performance advantage. As an example of how template information is processed from a file in step 508, suppose that the following three (3) files exist:

• • [0122] file #1: the test file:
  • [0123] <!TESTXML name=“Limits of Stability” type=“Assessment” testobject=“#LimitsOfStability”>
  • [0124] file #2: the report file:
  • [0125] <!REPORTXML name=“Limits of Stability” type=“Assessment”
  • [0126] testobject=“#LimitsOfStability” reportcombines=“*testobject*” reportcombinedtitle=“Limits of Stability”>
  • [0127] file #3: the patient screen file:
  • [0128] <!PATIENTTESTXML name=“Limits of Stability” type=“Assessment” testobject=“#LimitsOfStability”>
    In the above example, the “test file” (i.e., file #1) determines the content on the operator visual display device 130, the “report file” (i.e., file #2) determines how the results of the tests are presented to a user, while the “patient screen file” (i.e., file #3) determines the content on the subject visual display device 106. The entries ‘testobject=“#LimitsOfStability” ’ in the above files call up a subroutine for performing additional functionality (e.g., acting as a plug-in). In this example, a record with an associated record identifier (e.g., a number) is placed in a master database listing of tests, wherein the record indicates that the LimitsOfStability test is called “Limits of Stability” and is an “Assessment” type of test (as opposed to, for example, a “Training” or “Diagnostic” test. In other words, the “Limits of Stability” test would be entered under the “Assessments” tab 406 in FIG. 16. The record identifier in the master database listing of tests will then be used to locate the test file and test result processing code, as needed later on. The fields above, e.g., the name, type, test object, report title, and what the report combines, etc., are all stored in an internal object in the database. The end result being that there are three collections of data, which include: (i) a report collection, (ii) a test collection, and (iii) an optional patient screen collection. If the test does not have a matching patient screen, then it will default to using the existing test file (i.e., the patient screen will match the test screen on the operator visual display device 130). In addition, certain keywords such as “grouping” can be used to organize the tests into a visual collection of similar items, whereas keywords such as “package” and “series” can be used to define a predetermined series of tests that can be called up by the user by name. Also, tests that contain options, which may be set by a user, can additionally have an “option” keyword with additional text fields that determine the content of the options. Moreover, any other keywords can be processed by the system 100 as expansion needs arise.

[0129] In step 508, key fields (e.g., name=“Limits of Stability”, type=“Assessment”, and testobject=“#LimitsOfStability” in the above example) are matched with stored database objects using a heuristic routine that looks for loaded results from the file system, and scans the database for existing records matching the type and test object. If the type and test object are found, then the name in the database is updated (e.g., if needed, the test is renamed). Conversely, if the database does not contain the type and test object, the system searches for a matching name. If the matching name is found, for example, the stored test object and type is updated (e.g., if the functionality of the test changed). If the database does not contain the test object or the name, then this is presumed to be a new test and the records for this new test are added in the database. Also, once the database has been scanned, any tests that existed before in the database, but do not presently have any matching files, are marked as inactive (because the system can no longer process the tests or show reports for them, but this could be a transient problem that reinstalling the test will fix, so nothing is deleted). For example, the tests or reports could have been inadvertently deleted by a system user.

[0130] Then, referring again to FIG. 17, in step 510, each template result is sorted into an appropriate list (e.g., global reports, focused testing, test result reports, etc.). For example, a global report may contain general patient information that is not associated with any particular test. If the report type is “global”, then there is no test object assigned to this report, and it will be placed in the patient information icon (i.e., icon 210 in FIGS. 8 and 9). Next, at decision block 512, it is determined if there are any more files. If it is determined at step 512 that there are more files, then the process reverts back to step 504. If it is determined that there are no more files in step 512, the process ends at 514.

[0131] According to still another aspect of the illustrative embodiment, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 of the measurement and testing system 100 is configured and arranged to alert the user of the system when the one or more signals from the at least one transducer of the measurement assembly 102 are no longer detected by generating a quasi-instantaneous visual indicator on the operator visual display device 130. In general, in order to implement this feature, a specially programmed timing routine is incorporated in the force plate driver. If the specially programmed timing mechanism does not receive data from the force measurement assembly 102 in a predetermined amount of time, it will signal to the primary application program (i.e., a higher level software program) that the force measurement assembly 102 has been disconnected or has failed. In one embodiment, the predetermined amount of time ranges from approximately 100 milliseconds to approximately 3 seconds (or from 100 milliseconds to 3 seconds). The specially programmed timing routine is embodied in steps 704, 714, and 720 described below with respect to the flowchart of FIGS. 19 and 20. The high end of the range is intended to give a user of the measurement and testing system 100 enough time to reconnect the force measurement assembly 102 to the data acquisition/data processing device 104 (i.e., enough time to reconnect electrical cable 118).

[0132] Referring to FIG. 18, the manner in which the quasi-instantaneous visual indicator is displayed on the operator visual display device 130 will be explained. Preferably, the visual indicator displayed on the operator visual display device 130 comprises a change in a background color of a screen image 600. More particularly, the change in the background color of the screen image 600 comprises changing the top border 602 and the bottom border 604 of the screen image 600 from a first color to a second color. In FIG. 18, because this is a black-and-white image, the change in the color of the top and bottom border 602, 604 is indicated through the use of a hatching pattern (i.e., a diagonal hatching pattern). In one embodiment of the invention, the first color of the top and bottom border 602, 604 is dark blue, while the second color of the top and bottom border 602, 604 is bright red. Bright red is chosen for the second color because it readily attracts the attention of the user so that corrective measures may be immediately taken thereby.

[0133] In accordance with this aspect of the illustrative embodiment, a flowchart illustrating the functionality of the measurement assembly disconnect/failure alert feature of the measurement and testing system 100 is set forth in FIGS. 19 and 20. The process described herein assumes that the USB communication system has already been established with the measurement assembly 102 (i.e., force plate), in accordance with the hardware chipset provider's specifications. In general, this requires the opening of a USB connection and looking for specific device signatures. All of the steps described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 19 and 20 are carried out by the data acquisition/processing device 104. Referring to this figure, the procedure commences at 700, and in step 702, an attempt is made to read a block of data (i.e., transmitted in one or more signals) from the one or more measurement devices (i.e., one or more force transducers) of the force measurement assembly 102. After which, at decision block 704, it is determined whether the data is able to be read in a predetermined amount of time (e.g., a predetermined timeout of 100 milliseconds). If the data is able to be read in a predetermined amount of time, then, in step 706, the received data is decoded and a checksum analysis is performed. The checksum analysis is performed in order to ensure the integrity of the raw data from the force measurement assembly 102. For example, the checksum analysis may utilize a particular cyclic redundancy check (CRC), such as a CRC-16. Conversely, if the data is not able to be read in the predetermined time period, the bad or empty packet counter is incremented in step 714. A bad packet is indicative of a bad checksum, whereas an empty packet counter signifies the receipt of empty data.

[0134] After the checksum analysis is performed in step 706, at decision block 708, it is determined whether the decoded checksum is valid. If the decoded checksum is determined to be valid, the bad or empty packet counter is reset in step 710. Then, in step 712 of FIG. 20, the decoded data is passed up to the higher level processor (i.e., a high level software program, such as the measurement and testing software program, which is a type of data collection and analysis software program), and the process ends at step 718. However, if the decoded checksum is determined to be invalid in step 708, the data block is discarded and the bad or empty packet counter is incremented in step 716.

[0135] Referring again to FIG. 19, if the bad or empty packet counter has been incremented in either step 714 or 716, it is determined, in decision block 720 of FIG. 20, whether or not the bad or empty packet counter has reached the configured threshold (e.g., a predetermined number of packets of data). The predetermined number of packets of data can be set based upon the amount of noise that is tolerable in the system 100. The predetermined number of packets of data may also set in accordance with the type of measurement assembly (e.g., force measurement assembly 102) that is operatively coupled to the data acquisition/data processing device 104. For example, if a complex force measurement assembly 102 (e.g., having a large number of separate plates or measurement surfaces) is connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104, then a small predetermined number of packets may be set (e.g., 2 packets). In contrast, if a simpler force measurement assembly 102 is coupled to the data acquisition/data processing device 104, then a larger predetermined number of packets may be tolerable (e.g., 15 packets). If the bad or empty packet counter has not reached the configured threshold, the process ends at step 718. Otherwise, if the bad or empty packet counter has reached the configured threshold in step 720, the application and the other high-level processors (e.g., the measurement and testing software program) are signaled by an agreed-upon mechanism in step 722, which indicates that there is a problem with the force measurement assembly 102 and that it has probably either been disconnected or failed in some manner. After completing step 722, the process ends, and a condition is set to reset the USB subsystem at 725.

[0136] According to yet another aspect of the illustrative embodiment, referring to FIGS. 21-25, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 of the measurement and testing system 100 is configured and arranged to generate one or more subject global or progress reports (see e.g., the Forward Lunge Progress Report in FIG. 23) utilizing the output data acquired during one or more of the plurality of sessions, generate a subject information icon on the output screen of the visual display device, and assign the one or more subject global reports to the subject information icon. In this embodiment, the output data is arranged in a plurality of sessions, and output data that is acquired during the performance of a successive series of tests is arranged in a single session of the plurality of sessions. In general, the global/progress reports collect information (e.g., output data) from individual sessions and display the aggregate results in one overall report (e.g., the exemplary report illustrated in FIG. 23). As such, the information contained in a typical global/progress report is based upon output data collected on a plurality of different dates (i.e., the typical global/progress report spans across multiple days). While the global/progress reports may contain less detailed information than that which is available by accessing the reports for individual sessions themselves (i.e., by using the date icons of the timeline bar), the global/progress reports enable a system user to get an overall look at a particular subject's test performance over a period of time (e.g., over several days) without the need to laboriously click on each and every individual session in the date icons of the timeline bar. As such, the global/progress reports advantageously allow a system user to more quickly ascertain a subject's overall performance during a certain test by simply clicking on a single entry in a drop-down menu.

[0137] With particular reference to FIG. 21, it can be seen that the data acquisition/data processing device 104 of the measurement and testing system 100 is configured and arranged to generate a screen image 800 that includes a timeline bar 802 with a subject (patient) information icon 804 having a plurality of entries 808-816 arranged in a drop-down menu 806. Specifically, as shown in the exemplary screenshot of FIG. 21, the entries in the drop-down menu 806 include: (i) patient information 808 (e.g., background information regarding the patient, such as height, weight, home address, contact information, name of physician, etc.), (ii) a first global/progress report 810 for a mCTSIB test (i.e., mCTSIB Progress Report), (iii) a second global/progress report 812 for a rhythmic weight shift test (i.e., Rhythmic Weight Shift Progress), (iv) a third global/progress report 814 for a unilateral stance test (i.e., Unilateral Stance Progress), and (v) a fourth global/progress report 816 for a weight bearing squat test (i.e., Weight Bearing Squat Progress). As shown in FIG. 21, each of the plurality of subject global/progress reports in the drop-down menu 806 is vertically spaced apart from the other reports included therein.

[0138] Another exemplary screenshot 800′ is depicted in FIG. 22. Similar to the screenshot 800 illustrated in FIG. 21, the screenshot 800′ of FIG. 22 includes a timeline bar 802′ with a subject (patient) information icon 804 having a plurality of entries 808′ and 818-832 arranged in a drop-down menu 806′. The drop-down menu 806′ in the screenshot 800′ contains significantly more global/progress report entries 818-832 than that illustrated in the screenshot 800 of FIG. 21. Specifically, in addition to the patient information 808′, the drop-down menu 806′ includes the following entries: (i) a first global/progress report 818 for a forward lunge test (i.e., Forward Lunge Progress), (ii) a second global/progress report 820 for a mCTSIB test (i.e., mCTSIB Progress Report), (iii) a third global/progress report 822 for a rhythmic weight shift test (i.e., Rhythmic Weight Shift Progress), (iv) a fourth global/progress report 824 for a sit to stand test (i.e., Sit to Stand Progress), (v) a fifth global/progress report 826 for a step, quick turn test (i.e., Step, Quick Turn Progress), (vi) a sixth global/progress report 828 for a step up, over test (i.e., Step Up, Over Progress), (vii) a seventh global/progress report 830 for a tandem walk test (i.e., Tandem Walk Progress), and (viii) an eighth global/progress report 832 for a walk across test (i.e., Walk Across Progress).

[0139] Next, with reference to FIG. 23, the content of an exemplary global/progress report will be described. In FIG. 22, if a system user were to click on the “Forward Lunge Progress” entry 818 in the drop-down menu 806′, a report similar to that illustrated in FIG. 23 would be displayed on the screen. As shown in FIG. 23, the exemplary report 834 (i.e., the Forward Lunge Progress Report) contains a plurality of graphs 836-850 (i.e., eight (8) graphs arranged in four (4) rows and two (2) columns). Each of these graphs 836-850 includes output data that was acquired during a plurality of sessions on a plurality of days (e.g., February 26th, April 4th, April 11th, and April 12th). In each of the graphs 836-850, it can be seen that February 26th and April 4th are only listed once along the x-axis, while April 11th is listed twice, and April 12th is listed three times. This is because only a single session of the forward lunge test was performed on both February 26th and April 4th, while two sessions of the test were performed on April 11th, and three sessions of the test were performed on April 12th. The graphs disposed in the left-hand column of FIG. 23 include results for both the right and left legs of the subject or patient. The results for the right leg of the subject are differentiated from the results for the left leg of the subject by placement of a small circle 852 at the top of the bars pertaining to the right leg output results.

[0140] As illustrated by the exemplary report 834 of FIG. 23, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 is further configured and arranged to automatically alert a system user when one or more test results displayed in the one or more subject global reports are outside a predetermined range, below a normal value (e.g., below an average value for healthy subjects within a particular age group), or above a baseline value by generating a first visual indicator on the output screen of the visual display device. In general, the measurement and testing system 100 indicates that test results are outside a predetermined range, below a normal value, or above a baseline value by using a red color to display those results on the output screen of the visual display device. Although, because FIG. 23 is a black-and-white image, test results that are outside a predetermined range, below a normal value, or above a baseline value are indicated through the use of a first hatching pattern (i.e., a diagonal hatching pattern, to indicate those results that would appear in “red” on the output screen). For example, referring to graph 836 in FIG. 23 (entitled Distance (% Body Height)), it can be seen that all of the bars in this graph are denoted with the diagonal hatching pattern 854 to indicate that they are all below a normal value (i.e., 40%) indicated by the indicator line 856 extending generally horizontally across the graph 836 at the 40% value on the y-axis of the graph. The results displayed in the graph 836 indicate that the patient or subject performing the forward lunge test did not lunge forward the normal percentage distance for a person his or her age during any of the testing sessions. The 40% value (i.e., lunge distance as a percentage of body height), which is denoted using threshold line 856, represents the normal value for a person who is approximately the subject's same age (e.g., based on an average value for healthy subjects). As another example, referring to graph 844 in FIG. 23 (entitled Distance (% Difference)), it can be seen that all of the bars in this graph are denoted with the diagonal hatching pattern 854 to indicate that they are all outside a predetermined range or band (i.e., as indicated by the bounding lines 858, 860 extending generally horizontally across the graph 844). The results displayed in the graph 844 indicate that the patient or subject performing the forward lunge test had an abnormal percent difference in the distance achieved by his or her right leg as compared to his or her left leg for all of the testing sessions. The distance, expressed as a percent difference between the two legs, should have fallen within the band bounded by lines 858, 860 if the subject had results in the normal range. In general, it can be seen that the graphs 836-842 on the left-hand side of the report 834 are concerned with whether or not the patient or subject is above or below a single normal value, while the graphs 844-850 on the right-hand side of the report 834 are concerned with whether or not the patient or subject is within a normal percentage band of difference between the right and left legs. That is, each of the graphs 844-850 on the right-hand side of the report 834 focuses on the percentage difference between the two legs of the subject.

[0141] As also illustrated by the exemplary report 834 of FIG. 23, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 is additionally configured and arranged to automatically alert the user of the system when one or more test results displayed in the one or more subject global reports are within a predetermined range, above a normal value (e.g., above an average value for healthy subjects within a particular age group), or below a baseline value by generating a second visual indicator on the output screen of the visual display device, which is distinct from the first visual indicator. In general, the measurement and testing system 100 indicates that test results are within a predetermined range, above a normal value, or below a baseline value by using a green color to display those results on the output screen of the visual display device. Although, because FIG. 23 is a black-and-white image, test results that are within a predetermined range, above a normal value, or below a baseline value are indicated through the use of second and third hatching patterns (i.e., a criss-cross and horizontal line style hatching patterns, to indicate those results that would appear in “green” on the output screen). For example, referring to graph 838 in FIG. 23 (entitled Impact Index (% Body Weight)), it can be seen that the bars in this graph for the sessions occurring on February 26th and April 4th are denoted with a criss-cross style hatching pattern 862 (i.e., for the left foot of the subject) and a horizontal line style hatching pattern 863 (i.e., for the right foot of the subject) to indicate that they are all above a normal value (e.g., approximately 15%) indicated by the indicator line 864 extending generally horizontally across the graph 838 at the approximately 15% value on the y-axis of the graph. The results displayed in the graph 838 indicate that, on both February 26th and April 4th, the patient or subject performing the forward lunge test had an impact index that exceeded the normal value for a person who is approximately the subject's same age. As another example, referring to graph 840 in FIG. 23 (entitled Contact Time (sec)), it can be seen that the bars in this graph for the sessions occurring on February 26th and April 4th are denoted with the criss-cross style hatching pattern 862 (i.e., for the left foot of the subject) and the horizontal line style hatching pattern 863 (i.e., for the right foot of the subject) to indicate that they are below a baseline value (e.g., approximately 1.5 seconds) indicated by the indicator line 866 extending generally horizontally across the graph 840 at the approximately 1.5 second value on the y-axis of the graph. The results displayed in the graph 840 indicate that, on both February 26th and April 4th, the patient or subject performing the forward lunge test had a contact time that was below the baseline value for a person who is approximately the subject's same age. As yet another example, referring to graph 846 in FIG. 23 (entitled Impact Index (% Difference)), it can be seen that the bars in this graph for the sessions occurring on February 26th and April 4th are denoted with the criss-cross style hatching pattern 862 to indicate that they are both within a predetermined range or band (i.e., as indicated by the bounding lines 868, 870 extending generally horizontally across the graph 846). The results displayed in the graph 846 indicate that the patient or subject performing the forward lunge test had a normal percent difference in the impact index achieved by his or her right leg as compared to his or her left leg for the testing sessions performed on February 26th and April 4th. On these two days, the impact index, expressed as a percent difference between the two legs, fell within the normal band bounded by lines 868, 870 for results in a normal range.

[0142] In accordance with this aspect of the illustrative embodiment, a flowchart illustrating the functionality of the global/progress reports feature of the measurement and testing system 100 is set forth in FIGS. 24 and 25. All of the steps described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 24 and 25 are carried out by the data acquisition/processing device 104. Referring to this figure, the procedure commences at 900, and in step 902, reports of a “Global” type are selected from a master list. In step 902, a list of files is dynamically built by the measurement and testing software program (e.g., when the program is started by a user). Beginning with step 904 in FIG. 24, each report from the list is processed by the data acquisition/processing device 104. Initially, at decision block 906, it is determined whether the particular report that is being processed requires a specific test result type or condition. If the particular report being processed does not require a specific test result type or condition, then, in step 912, the report is added to the subject (patient) information icon 804 in FIGS. 21 and 22. For example, referring to the screenshots of FIGS. 21 and 22, the Patient Information report 808, 808′ is always generated by the measurement and testing software program, and displayed under the subject (patient) information icon 804. As explained above, an exemplary Patient Information report 808, 808′ comprises background information regarding the patient, such as height, weight, home address, contact information, name of physician, etc. Because the Patient Information report 808, 808′ contains general information about the subject or patient that is not specific to any particular test, there is no need to apply a filter to this report. Conversely, if it is determined in decision block 906 that the particular report being processed does require a specific test result type to be present or a condition to be satisfied, then, in step 908, the requisite specific test type(s) or condition(s) are checked (i.e., conditions such as the data range, etc.). For example, a data range condition may stipulate that a particular report may only be displayed when test results exist for a predetermined date range (e.g., from May 4th to May 11th). Advantageously, the use of conditions allows the measurement and testing software program to filter the reports that are displayed under subject (patient) information icon 804.

[0143] Now, several exemplary conditions that are checked by the measurement and testing software program will be explained. Initially, each report file informs the system 100 of what it wants or needs. This starts out with a list of test GUIDs (e.g., BESS assessment test) that are grouped into the following lists, any or all of which can be empty or contain values: (i) Must Have List; (ii) Must Not Have List; (iii) Can Have List. In the Must Have List, the report is shown only if all of test GUIDs contained in this list exist in the overall list of test results that the subject or patient has performed. For example, suppose the report file comprises the following lines of code:

• • [0144] list=report:: mustHaveTheseGuids( )
  • [0145] if (list is not empty)
  • [0146] then
    • [0147] if (resultsTestGuids contains all values in list)
    • [0148] then
      • [0149] return true # this will indicate do show report
    • [0150] else
      • [0151] return false # this will indicate do not show report
        In the above example, if the file, entitled resultsTestGuids, contains all of the GUID values in the list, then the report will be shown. However, if the file, entitled resultsTestGuids, does not contain all of the GUID values in the list, then the report will not be shown. For example, for a particular report to be displayed, it may be required that results from both a Limits of Stability (LOS) test and a Forward Lunge test are available. In the Must Not Have List, the report is not shown if one or more of these test GUIDs contained in this list exist in the overall list of test results that the subject or patient has performed. For example, suppose the report file comprises the following lines of code:
  • [0152] list=report::mustNOThaveTheseGuids( )
  • [0153] if (list is not empty)
  • [0154] then
    • [0155] if (resultsTestGuids contains any value in list)
    • [0156] then
      • [0157] return false # this will indicate do not show report
        In the above example, if the file, entitled resultsTestGuids, contains any of the GUID values in the list, then the report will not be shown. However, if the file, entitled resultsTestGuids, does not contain any of the GUID values in the list, then the report will be shown. For example, for a particular report to be displayed, it may be required that results for a Limits of Stability (LOS) test are not contained within the same session as results for a Forward Lunge test. In the Can Have List, the report is shown only if one or more of these Test GUIDs exist in the list of test results that the subject or patient has performed. For example, suppose the report file comprises the following lines of code:
  • [0158] list=report::canHaveTheseGuids( )
  • [0159] if (list is not empty)
  • [0160] then
    • [0161] if (resultsTestGuids contains any values in list)
    • [0162] then
      • [0163] return true # this will indicate do show report
    • [0164] else
      • [0165] return false # this will indicate do not show report
  • [0166] return true # no list of anything, the report is always shown
    In the above example, if the file, entitled resultsTestGuids, contains any of the GUID values in the list, then the report will be shown. However, if the file, entitled resultsTestGuids, does not contain any of the GUID values in the list, then the report will not be shown. If the file does not contain a list of anything, then the report is always shown (e.g., the Patient Information report). As one example, the results from a Limits of Stability (LOS) test could be combined with the results from a Standing Stability test in a single report. Considering the three exemplary conditions described above, the Must Not Have List trumps the other two conditions.

[0167] In addition, the measurement and testing software program preferably has the following additional flags that determine how the above lists (i.e., conditions) are used: (i) tests must be in the same session, and (ii) tests must be in the same day. If it is true that the tests must be in the same session, then the abovedescribed three filtering lists (i.e., filtering conditions) are applied only to groups of test results that occur within the same session (a collection of test results that were performed logically together). For example, suppose that the above three rules state that both BESS and LOS are required (i.e., must-haves), then the report is only shown if both the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and Limits of Stability (LOS) test results are available in the same session. If the BESS test was done in one session, and the LOS test in another session, then the report is not available. If it is true that the tests must be in the same day, then the abovedescribed three filtering lists are applied only to groups of test results that occur within the same calendar day—this implies same session, but can be separate sessions in the same day. For example, suppose that the above three rules state that both BESS and LOS are required (i.e., must-haves), then the report is only shown if both BESS and LOS results are available in the same day. If BESS was done on one day, and LOS on another day, then the report is not available. If neither the Same Session or Same Day flags are set, then the abovedescribed three filtering lists are used without regard to the session or calendar day grouping. That is, the entire list of tests performed by the patient is used when examining each condition (i.e., each of the three lists).

[0168] In another alternative embodiment, the reports could be filtered in accordance with numerical values that are contained within the test results themselves. In this embodiment, a particular report could be displayed only when a subject's score for a particular test exceeds a certain predetermined value (e.g., when a subject's score is 50 or greater). Also, one or more reports could require two or more sessions of test results to exist before being displayed (e.g., results from BESS tests performed in two or more sessions). In addition, in some embodiments, the conditions described above could be combined with another (e.g., a particular report could only be displayed if test results for both a BESS test and Tandem Walk test exist but not those for a mCTSIB test.

[0169] Referring back to FIG. 24, at decision block 910, it is determined whether the condition is satisfied (i.e., one of the conditions described above). If the condition is satisfied, then, in step 912, the report is added to the subject (patient) information icon 804 in FIGS. 21 and 22. However, if the condition is not satisfied, then the process proceeds to step 914, wherein it is determined if there are additional reports from the list to process. If there are not additional reports from the list to process, the process ends at step 918 (see FIG. 25). However, if there are additional reports from the list to process, the process proceeds to step 916, wherein the data acquisition/processing device 104 continues to the next report from the list. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, after step 916, the process reverts back to step 904 in which the next report from the list is processed. It is to be understood that the procedure illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25 will continue in the manner described above until all of the reports from the list have been processed. Advantageously, as a result of the filtering process described above, the measurement and testing software program does not generate any empty global/progress reports (i.e., global/progress reports that do not contain any numerical test results).

[0170] According to still another aspect of the illustrative embodiment, referring to FIGS. 26-33, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 of the measurement and testing system 100 is configured and arranged to automatically filter the tests that are available in accordance with the type of measurement assembly or assemblies 102 that are connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104. In general, according to this aspect of the illustrative embodiment, the data acquisition and processing device 104 is configured and arranged to (i) assemble a list of tests that are capable of being performed utilizing the at least one measurement assembly 102; (ii) determine, for each of the tests in the list, whether the execution of each particular test in the list requires the use of a specific measurement assembly and/or requires that a predetermined condition be satisfied (i.e., requires the use of a specific measurement assembly, or that a predetermined condition be satisfied, or both the use of a specific measurement assembly and that a predetermined condition be satisfied); (iii) when it is determined that the execution of the particular test in the list requires the use of a specific measurement assembly and/or requires that a predetermined condition be satisfied, determine whether the at least one measurement assembly 102 comprises the specific measurement assembly that is required and/or whether the predetermined condition has been satisfied; and (iv) when it is determined that the at least one measurement assembly is the specific measurement assembly that is required and/or the predetermined condition has been satisfied, add the test name or icon for the particular test to a listing of available test names or icons that are displayed on the at least one visual display device 130 so that a system user is able to select the particular test. Advantageously, the measurement and testing software program loaded on, and executed by the data acquisition and processing device 104 automatically determines the test protocols that are available based on the type of measurement assembly 102 connected to the system 100.

[0171] Initially, referring to FIG. 26, it can be seen that the data acquisition/data processing device 104 of the measurement and testing system 100 is configured and arranged to generate a screen image 1000 that includes a plurality of mode selection tabs 1002, 1004, and 1006. When a user selects the Assessments tab 1004, a plurality of test icons 1008-1016 are displayed on the visual display device 130. As shown in the screenshot of FIG. 26, these test icons include a first icon 1008 for a Limits of Stability (LOS) test, a second icon 1010 for a Rhythmic Weight Shift test, a third icon 1012 for a Unilateral Stance test, a fourth icon 1014 for a Weight Bearing Squat test, and a fifth icon 1016 for a mCTSIB test. In order to execute a particular test, a user merely selects the appropriate test icon (e.g., by clicking on one of the icons 1008-1016). In the illustrative embodiment, when a first type of measurement assembly 102 is connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104, this group of tests is displayed. For example, the first type of measurement assembly 102 may comprise a dual force plate assembly having a particular footprint (e.g., a static dual force plate having a 18″×20″ overall footprint). The test icons 1008-1016 in FIG. 26 represent the tests that are capable of being effectively performed using the first type of measurement assembly 102. The tests that are not capable of being performed using the first type of measurement assembly 102 are filtered out by the measurement and testing software program so they are not displayed on the visual display device 130, and thus, are not available for selection by a system user when the first type of measurement assembly 102 is connected.

[0172] It is to be understood that certain tests can only be effectively performed using certain measurement assemblies 102. For example, a particular test may require a measurement assembly 102 that has a minimum footprint size (i.e., dimensional area). Thus, if a measurement assembly 102 having a footprint size that is smaller than the minimum footprint size is the only one connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104, the tests requiring the minimum footprint size would not be displayed on the visual display device 130. As another example, a particular test may require the measurement assembly to have dynamic functionality (e.g., the measurement assembly 102 comprises a force plate that is rotated, or translated, or both rotated and translated). Consequently, if a measurement assembly 102 which does not have the requisite dynamic functionality is the only one connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104, the tests requiring the dynamic functionality would not be displayed on the visual display device 130.

[0173] Another exemplary screenshot 1000′ is depicted in FIG. 27. Similar to the screenshot 1000 illustrated in FIG. 26, the screenshot 1000′ of FIG. 27 includes a plurality of mode selection tabs 1002, 1004, and 1006. However, when a user selects the Assessments tab 1004, a greater number of test icons 1008-1028 are displayed on the visual display device 130, as compared to that displayed in the screenshot of FIG. 26. As shown in the screenshot of FIG. 27, the test icons include an icon 1008 for a Limits of Stability (LOS) test, an icon 1010 for a Rhythmic Weight Shift test, an icon 1012 for a Unilateral Stance test, an icon 1014 for a Weight Bearing Squat test, an icon 1016 for a mCTSIB test, an icon 1018 for a Forward Lunge test, an icon 1020 for a Sit to Stand test, an icon 1022 for a Step, Quick Turn test, an icon 1024 for a Step Up, Over test, an icon 1026 for a Tandem Walk test, and an icon 1028 for a Walk Across test. As described above, in order to execute a particular test, a user merely selects the appropriate test icon (e.g., by clicking on one of the icons 1008-1028). In the illustrative embodiment, when a second type of measurement assembly 1402, 1404 (see FIGS. 36 and 37) is connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104, this group of tests is displayed. For example, the second type of measurement assembly 1402, 1404 may comprise a dual force plate assembly having an overall footprint that is larger than the first type of measurement assembly (e.g., a static dual force plate having 20″×60″ overall footprint). The test icons 1008-1028 in FIG. 27 represent the tests that are capable of being effectively performed using the second type of measurement assembly 1402, 1404. The tests that are not capable of being performed using the second type of measurement assembly 1402, 1404 are filtered out by the measurement and testing software program so they are not displayed on the visual display device 130, and thus, are not available for selection by a system user when the second type of measurement assembly 1402, 1404 is connected.

[0174] In FIG. 28, yet another exemplary screenshot 1000″ is shown Like the screenshots 1000, 1000′ illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27, the screenshot 1000″ of FIG. 28 includes a plurality of mode selection tabs 1002, 1004, and 1006. However, when a user selects the Assessments tab 1004, a different group of test icons 1008-1016 and 1030-1034 are displayed on the visual display device 130, as compared to that displayed in the screenshots of FIGS. 26 and 27. As shown in the screenshot of FIG. 28, the test icons include an icon 1008 for a Limits of Stability (LOS) test, an icon 1010 for a Rhythmic Weight Shift test, an icon 1012 for a Unilateral Stance test, an icon 1014 for a Weight Bearing Squat test, an icon 1016 for a mCTSIB test, an icon 1030 for an Adaption Test, an icon 1032 for a Motor Control Test, and an icon 1034 for a Sensory Organization Test (SOT). As explained above, in order to execute a particular test, a user merely selects the appropriate test icon (e.g., by clicking on one of the icons 1008-1016, 1030-1034). In the illustrative embodiment, when a third type of measurement assembly (e.g., a dynamic measurement assembly) is connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104, this group of tests is displayed. For example, the third type of measurement assembly may comprise a dynamic force plate assembly, wherein a dual force plate is capable of being rotated, translated, or both rotated and translated while a subject or patient is disposed thereon. The dynamic force plate assembly may have a dual force plate that has a footprint similar to the first type of measurement assembly 102 (e.g., a dual force plate having a 18″×20″ overall footprint). The test icons 1008-1016 and 1030-1034 in FIG. 28 represent the tests that are capable of being effectively performed using the third type of measurement assembly (i.e., the dynamic force measurement assembly). The tests that are not capable of being performed using the third type of measurement assembly are filtered out by the measurement and testing software program so they are not displayed on the visual display device 130, and thus, are not available for selection by a system user when the third type of measurement assembly is connected.

[0175] With reference to FIG. 29, still another exemplary screenshot 1000′″ is illustrated. Like the screenshots 1000, 1000′, 1000″ shown in FIGS. 26, 27, and 28, respectively, the screenshot 1000′″ of FIG. 29 includes a plurality of mode selection tabs 1002, 1004, and 1006. Although, when a user selects the Assessments tab 1004, a larger group of test icons 1008-1034 are displayed on the visual display device 130, as compared to that displayed in the screenshots of FIGS. 26-28. As shown in the screenshot of FIG. 29, the test icons include an icon 1008 for a Limits of Stability (LOS) test, an icon 1010 for a Rhythmic Weight Shift test, an icon 1012 for a Unilateral Stance test, an icon 1014 for a Weight Bearing Squat test, an icon 1016 for a mCTSIB test, an icon 1018 for a Forward Lunge test, an icon 1020 for a Sit to Stand test, an icon 1022 for a Step, Quick Turn test, an icon 1024 for a Step Up, Over test, an icon 1026 for a Tandem Walk test, and an icon 1028 for a Walk Across test, an icon 1030 for an Adaption Test, an icon 1032 for a Motor Control Test, and an icon 1034 for a Sensory Organization Test (SOT). As described above, in order to execute a particular test, a user merely selects the appropriate test icon (e.g., by clicking on one of the icons 1008-1034). In the illustrative embodiment, when both the second and third type of measurement assembly are connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104, this group of tests is displayed. In other words, the test icons 1008-1034 depicted in the screenshot of FIG. 29 are representative of the combined set of tests that are available when both the static dual force plate with a 20″×60″ overall footprint, and the dynamic force plate assembly, are both operatively coupled to the data acquisition/data processing device 104. The test icons 1008-1034 in FIG. 29 represent the tests that are capable of being effectively performed using at least one of the second and third types of measurement assemblies (i.e., at least one of the 20″×60″ static dual force plate 1402, 1404 and the dynamic force measurement assembly). The tests that are not capable of being performed using one of these two types of measurement assemblies are filtered out by the measurement and testing software program so they are not displayed on the visual display device 130, and thus, are not available for selection by a system user when these measurement assemblies are connected.

[0176] When a measurement assembly (e.g., 102) is initially connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 reads the serial number from the firmware installed on the measurement assembly 102. If the serial number from the measurement assembly 102 is recognized by the data acquisition/data processing device 104, the measurement and testing software program automatically filters the tests that are displayed on the visual display device 130 in accordance with the type of device that is connected (e.g., if a particular serial number is already is associated with a 20″×60″ static dual force plate, and this is the only plate in the system 100, then the measurement and testing software program automatically filters out all of the tests that cannot be performed on this plate). However, if the serial number from the measurement assembly 102 is not recognized by the data acquisition/data processing device 104 (e.g., because this is the first time that the plate has ever been connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104), the data acquisition/data processing device 104 generates the pop-up window 1036 illustrated in FIG. 30. The pop-up window 1036 prompts the system user to manually select the type of measurement assembly 102 that is connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104 by clicking on the appropriate one of the plate icons 1038, 1040, or 1042, and then, by pressing the “OK” button 1044 to complete his or her selection. Alternatively, if the user inadvertently selected the incorrect icon 1038, 1040, or 1042, he or she can always revise the selection by pressing the “Cancel” button 1046. Once the user manually selects the type of measurement assembly 102 that is connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104 using the pop-up window 1036, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 equates the serial number of the connected device to the type of measurement assembly 102 that is operatively coupled to the data acquisition/data processing device 104 (e.g., Serial No. 67899882 is a 18″×20″ Essential force plate assembly because a user selected the Essential force plate icon 1040 in the pop-up window 1036). Once the serial number of the connected device has been equated to a particular type of measurement assembly 102, the pop-up window 1036 will not be subsequently displayed to the system user. Rather, after reading the recognized serial number from the firmware installed on the measurement assembly 102, the measurement and testing software program automatically filters the tests that are available for the connected device.

[0177] In another embodiment of the invention, rather than prompting the user to select the type of a newly connected device by displaying the pop-up window 1036, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 is specially programmed to automatically determine the type of the device by reading the force plate dimensional data from the firmware installed on the measurement assembly 102 (e.g., an 18″×20″ footprint of the force plate assembly is embedded in the firmware). In this alternative embodiment, after retrieving the dimensional data from the firmware of the plate, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 is further configured to equate the dimensional data with a particular plate type (e.g., the data acquisition/data processing device 104 references tabular data that equates this dimensional data with an Essential-type force plate). Thus, in this embodiment, it is not necessary for the user to manually identify the type of plate that has been connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104 when it is first utilized in the measurement and testing system 100.

[0178] Whenever two or more measurement assemblies 102 are connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104, and a particular test is capable of being performed on each of these measurement assemblies 102, a user is automatically prompted to select which measurement assembly 102 is to be used for the particular test before the test is started. Specifically, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 is configured and arranged to generate the pop-up window 1048 illustrated in FIG. 31, which requires a user to select the type of device (i.e., force plate) that he or she wishes to use for the test. Initially, the user selects the radio button that is next to the desired device (e.g., radio button 1050 for a Dynamic force plate assembly with a displaceable force plate or radio button 1052 for a Functional static force plate with a 20″×60″ overall footprint). After selecting the appropriate radio button 1050, 1052, the user then presses the “OK” button 1054 to complete his or her selection. Alternatively, if the user inadvertently selected the incorrect radio button 1050 or 1052, he or she can always revise the selection by pressing the “Cancel” button 1056. Once the user has selected the type of device that he or she wishes to utilize for performing the test, the user can then proceed with performing the desired test.

[0179] In accordance with this aspect of the illustrative embodiment, a flowchart illustrating the functionality of the device test filter feature of the measurement and testing system 100 is set forth in FIGS. 32 and 33. All of the steps described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 32 and 33 are carried out by the data acquisition/processing device 104. Referring initially to FIG. 32, the procedure commences at 1100, and in step 1102, device (i.e., measurement assembly 102) attachment or removal is detected during the startup of the measurement and testing software program. That is, the data acquisition/processing device 104 reads the serial number of the device (e.g., a known or recognized measurement assembly 102) that is connected from the firmware of the device. Next, in step 1104, a list of the available tests are assembled by the data acquisition/processing device 104 (e.g., by reading a database list or a list of test files). Beginning with step 1106 in FIG. 32, each test from the list is processed by the data acquisition/processing device 104. Initially, at decision block 1108, it is determined whether the particular test that is being processed requires a specific type of device (i.e., type of measurement assembly 102) and/or whether it requires a certain condition to be satisfied. If the particular test that is being processed does not require a specific type of device or a condition to be satisfied, then, in step 1114, the test icon is added to the visual display of available tests that the user may select (e.g., as illustrated under the Assessments tab 1004 in FIGS. 26-29). For example, referring to the screenshots of FIGS. 26-29, the Limits of Stability (LOS) test, the Rhythmic Weight Shift test, the Unilateral Stance test, and the Weight Bearing Squat test are always available regardless of the type of device that is connected to the data acquisition/processing device 104, and thus, are always displayed under the Assessments tab 1004 in FIGS. 26-29. As such, these tests do not require any type of filtering. Conversely, if it is determined in decision block 1108 that the particular test being processed does require a specific device type or a condition to be satisfied, then, in step 1110, the requisite device type is evaluated or the requisite condition(s) is checked (i.e., conditions such as the size of the force plate, device capabilities, etc.). For example, a particular test may require a force plate with a minimum footprint (i.e., a minimum plate surface area) so that the subject or patient has adequate room to perform the test protocol (e.g., Forward Lunge test or Step Up, Over test). As another example, a certain test may require that the device is capable of displacing the force plate surface with the patient or subject disposed thereon while the test is being executed (e.g., Adaption Test, Motor Control Test, or Sensory Organization Test (SOT)). Advantageously, the use of conditions allows the measurement and testing software program to automatically filter the tests that cannot be effectively performed with the device or devices (i.e., measurement assembly or assemblies 102) that are connected to the data acquisition/processing device 104.

[0180] Referring again to the flowchart in FIG. 32, at decision block 1112, it is determined whether the condition is satisfied (e.g., one of the exemplary conditions described above). If the condition is satisfied, then, in step 1114, the test icon is added to the visual display of available tests that the user may select (e.g., as illustrated under the Assessments tab 1004 in FIGS. 26-29). However, if the condition is not satisfied, then the process proceeds to step 1116, wherein it is determined if there are additional tests from the list to process. If there are not additional tests from the list to process, the process ends at step 1120. However, if there are additional tests from the list to process, the process proceeds to step 1118, wherein the data acquisition/processing device 104 continues to the next test from the list. As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, after step 1118, the process reverts back to step 1106 in which the next test from the list is processed. It is to be understood that the procedure illustrated in FIGS. 32 and 33 will continue in the manner described above until all of the tests from the list have been processed. Advantageously, as a result of the filtering process described above, the measurement and testing software program only permits a system user to select tests that can be effectively performed with the type of device (i.e., measurement assembly 102) that is connected to the data acquisition/processing device 104 (all other tests are filtered out by the abovedescribed process). Thus, inaccurate test results resulting from the use of an improper device are thereby automatically prevented by the measurement and testing system 100.

[0181] According to yet another aspect of the illustrative embodiment, referring to FIGS. 34-37, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 is configured and arranged to mathematically combine the output for a plurality of measurement assemblies 1402, 1404—see FIGS. 36 and 37 (e.g., for a plurality of force plates) so as to create a virtual measurement assembly (e.g., a virtual force plate). Also, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 is configured and arranged to automatically correct the local coordinate system of one of the measurement assemblies 102 (e.g., one of the plurality of force plates) in order to account for the actual orientation of the measurement assembly 102 (e.g., force plate) relative to the other measurement assembly 102 (e.g., force plate). For example, in one particular arrangement, two measurement assemblies 102 (e.g., force plates) are placed in an end-to-end arrangement, wherein one of the two force plates is rotated 180 degrees relative to the other of the two force plates.

[0182] In accordance with this aspect of the illustrative embodiment, a flowchart illustrating the functionality of the virtual measurement assembly feature of the measurement and testing system 100 is set forth in FIG. 34. All of the steps described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 34 are carried out by the data acquisition/processing device 104. Referring to FIG. 34, the procedure commences at 1200, and in step 1202, collected data from a plurality of measurement assemblies or devices 102 (e.g., a plurality of force plates) is processed by the data acquisition/processing device 104. In one exemplary embodiment, two measurement assemblies 102 (e.g., force plates) are used to collect data from a subject or patient disposed thereon. In this embodiment, after the data acquisition/data processing device 104 receives a plurality of voltage signals (i.e., a plurality of channels of data) from the two measurement assemblies 102, it initially transforms the signals into output force and moment components by multiplying the voltage signals by a calibration matrix. For example, the voltage output signals received from the first force plate assembly are transformed into the vertical force component F_ZL1 exerted on the left plate of the assembly by the left foot of the subject, the vertical force component F_ZR1 exerted on the right plate of the assembly by the right foot of the subject, the moment component about the x axis M_XL1 exerted on the left plate of the assembly by the left foot of the subject, the moment component about the x axis M_XR1 exerted on the right plate of the assembly by the right foot of the subject, the moment component about the y axis M_YL1 exerted on the left plate of the assembly by the left foot of the subject, and the moment component about the y axis M_YR1 exerted on the right plate of the assembly by the right foot of the subject. Similarly, the voltage output signals received from the second force plate assembly are transformed into the vertical force component F_ZL2 exerted on the left plate of the assembly by the left foot of the subject, the vertical force component F_ZR2 exerted on the right plate of the assembly by the right foot of the subject, the moment component about the x axis M_XL2 exerted on the left plate of the assembly by the left foot of the subject, the moment component about the x axis M_XR2 exerted on the right plate of the assembly by the right foot of the subject, the moment component about the y axis M_YL2 exerted on the left plate of the assembly by the left foot of the subject, and the moment component about the y axis M_YR2 exerted on the right plate of the assembly by the right foot of the subject.

[0183] Next, at decision block 1204, it is determined whether the current subject or patient test wants or requires the two measurement assemblies 102 (e.g., force plates) to be combined as one virtual measurement assembly (e.g., one virtual force plate). If the particular test that is being performed does not want or require the two measurement assemblies 102 (e.g., force plates) to be combined as one virtual measurement assembly, the resultant separate force and moment components (F_ZL1, F_ZR1, M_XL1, M_XR1, M_YL1, M_YR1, F_ZL2, F_ZR2, M_XL2, M_XR2, M_YL2, M_YR2) are returned in step 1210. It is noted that, prior to returning the final computed result in step 1210, the separate force and moment components (F_ZL1, F_ZR2, M_XL2, M_XR2, M_YL2, M_YR2) for the second, rotated measurement assembly 102 (e.g., second force plate) are corrected in order to account for the actual orientation of the measurement assembly 102 (e.g., force plate) relative to the other measurement assembly 102 (e.g., force plate), as described hereinafter.

[0184] Conversely, if it is determined in decision block 1204 that the particular test that is being performed does want or requires the two measurement assemblies 1402, 1404 (e.g., force plates) to be combined as one virtual measurement assembly (e.g., one virtual force plate), the output signals (i.e., channels) are summed from both of the measurement assemblies 1402, 1404 (e.g., force plates) into a synthetic channel in step 1206, using matrix rotation to correct for the actual orientation of the second, rotated measurement assembly 1404 (e.g., force plate).

[0185] Initially, with reference to FIG. 36, the corrections that are performed for the second, rotated force plate 1404 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 36, two force plates 1402, 1404 are arranged end-to-end so as to form one overall force measurement assembly 1400 (or one virtual force plate 1400). The first force plate 1402, which is typically the force plate disposed closest to the data acquisition/processing device 104 and the operator visual display device 130, is disposed in a standard, non-rotated position. However, the second force plate 1404, which is typically the force plate disposed furthest from the data acquisition/processing device 104 and the operator visual display device 130, is disposed in a non-standard, rotated position (i.e., the second force plate 1404 is rotated 180 degrees relative to the first force plate 1402). As a result of the rotated orientation of the second force plate 1404, the left and right vertical force components F_ZL2, F_ZR2 must be swapped, the left and right moment components about the x axis M_XL2, M_XR2 must be swapped, and the left and right moment components about the y axis M_YL2, M_YR2 must be swapped. Also, in order to account for the 180 degree rotation of the second force plate 1404, the sign of the left and right moment components about the x axis M_XL2, M_XR2 must be flipped (e.g., −1 becomes +1), and the sign of the left and right moment components about the y axis M_YL2, M_YR2 must be flipped (e.g., −1 becomes +1). This sign change in the moment components M_XL1, M_XR2, M_YL2, M_YR2 for the second force plate 1404 can be generally explained with reference to the following rotation matrix:

[0186] $\begin{array}{cc}R=\left[\begin{array}{cc}\cos \theta & -\sin \theta \\ \sin \theta & \cos \theta \end{array}\right]& \left(1\right)\end{array}$
In equation (1), when the angle θ is equal to 180 degrees, then the rotation matrix R is equal to:

[0187] $\begin{array}{cc}R=\left[\begin{array}{cc}-1& 0\\ 0& -1\end{array}\right]& \left(2\right)\end{array}$
Thus, when the original values of the moment components M_XL2, M_XR2, M_YL2, M_YR2 are multiplied by a similar rotation matrix, wherein angle θ is equal to 180 degrees, the sign of the moment component values must be flipped.

[0188] Now, the manner in which the output signals from the individual force plates 1402, 1404 are summed in order to obtain the overall output values for the single virtual force plate 1400 with left and right measurement surfaces 1406, 1408 will be described (see FIG. 36). As illustrated in FIG. 36, the origin of the absolute coordinates axes 1412, 1414, 1416 for the left measurement surface 1406 is disposed between the two force plates 1402, 1404, and is centered in a lateral direction on the virtual left plate surface. Similarly, as also illustrated in FIG. 36, the origin of the absolute coordinates axes 1418, 1420, 1422 for the right measurement surface 1408 is disposed between the two force plates 1402, 1404, and is centered in a lateral direction on the virtual right plate surface. Initially, the overall left and right vertical force components F_ZL—VP, F_ZR—VP for the virtual force plate 1400 are obtained as follows:
F_ZL—VP=F_ZL1+F_ZR2  (3)
F_ZR—VP=F_ZR1+F_ZL2  (4)

[0189] where:

• • [0190] F_ZL1: vertical force component exerted on the surface of the first force plate by the left foot of the subject;
  • [0191] F_ZR1: vertical force component exerted on the surface of the first force plate by the right foot of the subject;
  • [0192] F_ZL2: vertical force component exerted on the surface of the second force plate by the right foot of the subject (left and right force component values are switched for the second plate, i.e., plate signal for F_ZL2 actually measures F_ZR2); and
  • [0193] F_ZR2: vertical force component exerted on the surface of the second force plate by the left foot of the subject (left and right force component values are switched for the second plate, i.e., plate signal for F_ZR2 actually measures F_ZL2).
    The overall vertical force F_Z—VP for the virtual force plate 1400 can be obtained from the following summation equation:
    F_Z—VP=F_ZL—VP+F_ZR—VP  (5)
    When the left and right vertical force components F_ZL—VP, F_ZR—VP are summed in equation (5), the virtual force plate 1400 is considered to have a single measurement surface 1410 (see FIG. 37), without distinguishing between the vertical forces exerted by left and right legs of the subject or patient.

[0194] For the virtual force plate 1400, the overall left and right moment components about the x axis M_XL—VP, M_XR—VP are obtained from the following equations:
M_XL—VP=M_XL1+(F_ZL1·−d)+(M_XR2)+(F_ZR2·d)  (6)
M_XR—VP=M_XR1+(F_ZR1·−d)+(−M_XL2)+(F_ZL2·d)  (7)

[0195] where:

• • [0196] M_ZL1: moment component about the x-axis exerted on the surface of the first force plate by the left foot of the subject;
  • [0197] M_XR1: moment component about the x-axis exerted on the surface of the first force plate by the right foot of the subject;
  • [0198] M_XL2: moment component about the x-axis exerted on the surface of the second force plate by the right foot of the subject (left and right moment component values are switched for the second plate, i.e., plate signal for M_XL2 actually measures M_XR2);
  • [0199] M_XR2: moment component about the x-axis exerted on the surface of the second force plate by the left foot of the subject (left and right moment component values are switched for the second plate, i.e., plate signal for M_XR2 actually measures M_XL2); and
  • [0200] d: distance (e.g., in meters) equal to one-half the length of the first force plate or one-half the length of the second force plate (illustrated force plates 1402, 1404 are the same physical size—see FIG. 37).

[0201] In equations (6) and (7) above, the parenthetical terms containing the distance value d are required in order to correct for the shifted position of the coordinate axes of the virtual force plate surfaces. Because the virtual plate coordinate axes (i.e., left surface coordinates axes 1412, 1414, 1416 and right surface coordinate axes 1418, 1420, 1422—see FIG. 36) are located between the first and second plates, rather than in the middle of the respective first and second plates, the computed values for the moment components about the x-axis must adjusted accordingly. In particular, as shown in FIG. 36, the origin of the local coordinate axes 1424, 1426, 1428 for the left plate surface of the first force plate 1402 is disposed in the center thereof, while the origin of the local coordinate axes 1430, 1432, 1434 for the right plate surface of the first force plate 1402 is disposed in the center thereof. As discussed above, the second force plate 1404 is rotated 180 degrees relative to the first force plate 1402. Consequently, the physical left and right measurement surfaces of the second force plate 1404 are flipped relative to the first force plate 1402. Referring again to FIG. 36, the origin of the local coordinate axes 1436, 1438, 1440 for the left plate surface of the second force plate 1404 is disposed in the center thereof, while the origin of the local origin of the coordinate axes 1442, 1444, 1446 for the right plate surface of the second force plate 1404 is disposed in the center thereof. In order to correct for the 180 degree rotation of the second force plate 1404, the x and y axes (1436, 1438 and 1442, 1444) of the left and right measurement surfaces, respectively, must be rotated by the angle θ (i.e., 180 degrees) such that respective corrected x′ and y′ axes (1437, 1439 and 1443, 1445) are obtained. The parenthetical terms containing the distance value d in equations (6) and (7) transform the plate output values measured in accordance with the local coordinate systems of the left and right plate surfaces of each force plate 1402, 1404 into output values based upon the absolute left and right coordinate systems disposed between the two forces plates 1402, 1404 (see FIG. 36). The overall moment component about the x-axis M_X—VP for the virtual force plate 1400 can be obtained from the following summation equation:
M_X—VP=M_XL—VP+M_XR—VP  (8)
The overall moment component about the x-axis M_X—VP in equation (8) is defined relative to the absolute coordinate axes 1450, 1452, 1454 in FIG. 37. When the first force plate 1402 is treated as a separate, single measurement surface, the moments acting thereon are defined relative to the local coordinate axes 1456, 1458, 1460 in FIG. 37. Similarly, when the second force plate 1404 is treated as a separate, single measurement surface, the moments acting thereon are defined relative to the local coordinate axes 1462, 1464, 1466 in FIG. 37 (with the corrected, rotated coordinate axes 1463, 1465 shown using dashed lines).

[0202] For the virtual force plate 1400, the overall left and right moment components about the y axis M_YL—VP, M_YR—VP are obtained from the following equations:
M_YL—VP=M_YL1+(M_YR2)  (9)
M_YR—VP=M_YR1+(M_YL2)  (10)

[0203] where:

• • [0204] M_YL1: moment component about the y-axis exerted on the surface of the first force plate by the left foot of the subject;
  • [0205] M_YR1: moment component about the y-axis exerted on the surface of the first force plate by the right foot of the subject;
  • [0206] M_YL2: moment component about the y-axis exerted on the surface of the second force plate by the right foot of the subject (left and right moment component values are switched for the second plate, i.e., plate signal for M_YL2 actually measures M_YR2); and
  • [0207] M_YR2: moment component about the y-axis exerted on the surface of the second force plate by the left foot of the subject (left and right moment component values are switched for the second plate, i.e., plate signal for M_YR2 actually measures M_YL2).
    The overall moment component about the y-axis M_Y—VP for the virtual force plate 1400 can be obtained from the following summation equation:
    M_Y—VP=M_YL—VP+M_YR—VP  (11)
    Similar to that described above for equation (8), the overall moment component about the y-axis M_Y—VP in equation (11) is defined relative to the absolute coordinate axes 1450, 1452, 1454 in FIG. 37.

[0208] Once the overall vertical force and moment components F_Z—VP, M_X—VP, M_Y—VP are computed for the virtual force plate 1400, the center of pressure of the vertical force can be computed as follows:

[0209] $\begin{array}{cc}{x}_{\mathrm{P\_VP}}=\frac{-M_{\mathrm{Y\_VP}}}{F_{\mathrm{Z\_VP}}}& \left(12\right)\end{array}$

[0210] $\begin{array}{cc}{y}_{\mathrm{P\_VP}}=\frac{-M_{\mathrm{X\_VP}}}{F_{\mathrm{Z\_VP}}}& \left(13\right)\end{array}$

[0211] where:

• • [0212] x_P—VP, y_P—VP: coordinates of the point of application for the vertical force (i.e., center of pressure) on the virtual force plate.
    In addition, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 may also determine x and y values for the center-of-gravity (COG) of the subject or patient using the computed center of pressure (COP) values from equations (12) and (13). In one embodiment, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 converts the computed center of pressure (COP) to a center of gravity (COG) for the subject using a Butterworth filter. For example, in this embodiment, a second-order Butterworth filter with a 0.75 Hz cutoff frequency is used. In another embodiment, the center-of-gravity (COG) can be computed in the manner described in pending, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/015,535, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0213] Now, returning to the flowchart in FIG. 34, after the output signals (i.e., channels) from both measurement assemblies 1402, 1404 (e.g., force plates) are summed in step 1206, the number of recorded channels from multiple devices (e.g., multiple measurement assemblies 1402, 1404 in the form of force plates) are reduced to a single device (e.g., a single measurement assembly in the form of a virtual force plate) in step 1208. Once the final computed result (e.g., the overall vertical force and moment components F_Z—VP, M_X—VP, M_Y—Vp) is returned in step 1210, the process ends at step 1212.

[0214] In order to execute the calculations described above in equations (1)-(13), the data acquisition/data processing device 104 must be able to identify each of the two measurement assemblies 1402, 1404 that are connected thereto (i.e., the data acquisition/data processing device 104 must be able to distinguish the first force plate from the second force plate). If the data acquisition/data processing device 104 is not able to differentiate between the first and second force plates (e.g., because this is the first time that the first and second force plates have ever been connected to the data acquisition/data processing device 104), the data acquisition/data processing device 104 generates the pop-up window 1300 illustrated in FIG. 35. As diagrammatically indicated by the downwardly-directed arrow 1312, the pop-up window 1300 prompts the system user to manually select the force plate 1304 that is located furthest away from the operator computer system 1306 by standing on the surface of the force plate 1304. When the user stands on the surface of the force plate 1304, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 detects a positive weight in excess of a set value (e.g., 1 Newton) for a predetermined number of seconds (e.g., 2 seconds). After standing on the plate 1304, the user is then instructed to press the “OK” button 1308 to complete his or her selection, and confirm the proper plate order. Alternatively, if the user inadvertently selected the incorrect force plate (e.g., force plate 1302, which is closest to the operator computer system 1306), he or she can always revise the selection by pressing the “Cancel” button 1310. Once the user manually selects the force plate 1304 that is located furthest from the operator computer system 1306 using the pop-up window 1300, the data acquisition/data processing device 104 designates the force plates 1302, 1304 as the first and second force plates, respectively, for the purpose of the calculations described above in equations (1)-(13). Thus, because the second force plate 1304 is rotated 180 degrees relative to the designated standard orientation of the plate coordinate axes, the matrix rotation calculations explained above are performed on the output values from the second force plate 1304 in order to compensate for its rotated position. Once the furthest force plate 1304 has been configured as the second force plate 1304 by the data acquisition/data processing device 104 (e.g., by equating its serial number with the second force plate designation), the pop-up window 1300 will not be subsequently displayed to the system user when the system user utilizes the measurement and testing software program at a later date or time.

[0215] It is readily apparent that the embodiments of the measurement and testing system 100 described above offer numerous advantages and benefits. In one or more embodiments, the measurement and testing system 100 discussed herein employs inventive filtering techniques in order to create a single, easily understandable report from data acquired on a plurality of different dates, thereby facilitating the analysis of the data by a user of the system. Moreover, in one or more embodiments, the measurement and testing system 100 includes a data acquisition and processing device which is specially programmed to automatically regulate the availability of tests in accordance with the type of measurement assembly or assemblies that is being utilized in the measurement system by filtering the tests that cannot be executed properly on a particular measurement assembly or assemblies. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the measurement and testing system 100 has a data acquisition and processing device which is specially programmed to create one or more virtual measurement assemblies from a plurality of physical measurement assemblies that are operatively coupled thereto in different orientations, such that the system is capable of having a large measurement surface area, while still being readily portable.

[0216] Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is apparent that this invention can be embodied in many different forms and that many other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Moreover, while reference is made throughout this disclosure to, for example, “an illustrative embodiment”, “one embodiment” or a “further embodiment”, it is to be understood that some or all aspects of these various embodiments may be combined with another as part of an overall embodiment of the invention.

[0217] In addition, while exemplary embodiments have been described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the exemplary embodiments set forth above are merely illustrative in nature and should not be construed as to limit the claims in any manner. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents, and not, by the preceding description.