Professionals Need Professional Tools Human Performance Measurement, Inc. Arlington, TX  USA

Concepts Instruments Software Techniques

The Model BEP VIII is a unique, modular system designed with the basic ability to measure the location of a single point in three dimensional space and track its location as it moves. Coupled with software to control data acquisition sequences and to process time series position data, this single instrument can be used to acquire hundreds of measures that characterize human structure and performance (see categories listed above). The unit is self-calibrating, requires no special set-up procedures, and is voice operated. It is a portable and much less costly alternatively to multiple camera systems often used in motion analysis. The BEP VIII system consists of: 1) HPM's proprietary "BEP for Windows" software that runs on a user-supplied "host computer" and allows the user to focus on the test subject, not the ancillary tasks of measurement; 2) a microcontroller-based sensing/interface/control unit (the BEP VIII Module) that interfaces to the host computer through a simple serial port connection; 3) a compact power supply; and 4) a step by step manual for easy set-up and with detailed instructions for each of the many measurements possible. The BEP VIII Module has a small footprint. Depending on the set of measures most frequently performed, it is placed either on the floor, clamped to the edge of a table, or mounted on a wall or ceiling. A low-force, spring loaded ribbon emerges from the module that is either attached to a stylus held by the examiner, a fixture (e.g., a weighted box), or the subject (e.g., at the wrist) for the selected procedure. Measures are selected from hierarchically organized menus. HPM's Auto-Protocol and Auto-Proceed features make it easy to rapidly acquire measures in pre-defined groups and obtain printed reports minutes later. Results are databased, allowing progress reports (i.e., illustrating change between any two test sessions) to be produced.