Method and system for athletic motion analysis and instruction

• US 10,456,676 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2018
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PG Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: K-Motion Interactive, Inc.
• Inventors: Bentley, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Seng Heng
• Application Number:
  US16/136,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20190015745A1
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1122 of movement trajectories
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1124 Determining motor skills
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1128 using image analysis A61B5/1127 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0015 Comparing movements or motion sequences with computerised simulations of movements or motion sequences, e.g. for generating an ideal template as reference to be achieved by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0636 3D visualisation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 : Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 : Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 : Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 : Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 : for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 : for golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 : Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3632 : Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 : Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 : characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 : comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 : Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 : involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 : Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/57 : Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 : using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 : Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 : being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1093 : using visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 : Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/64 : for computing dynamical parameters of game objects, e.g. motion determination or computation of frictional forces for a virtual car
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/646 : for calculating the trajectory of an object
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 : Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8011 : Ball
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports

Abstract

A system and method for analyzing and improving the performance of a body motion of an animal or human subject requires instrumenting a subject with inertial sensors, monitoring a body motion of interest, converting sensor data into motion data and animation, comparing the motion data with existing data for motion related performance parameters, providing a real-time, information rich, animation and data display of the results in color coded displays; and based on the results prescribing a training regime with exercises selected from a library of standardized exercises using standardized tools and training aids.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a processor of a computer-based motion analysis system, motion data representing a body motion associated with a body, from a plurality of body mountable inertial sensors in communication with the processor, each of the inertial sensors being mounted at a body segment of the body relating to the body motion, wherein each of the inertial sensors mounted at the body segment is mounted in front of or behind a respective body joint;

calibrating the inertial sensors for initial alignment and orientation of each respective body segment;

setting a range of motion limits for at least two body segments of the body motion;

monitoring the execution of the body motion with the motion analysis system;

collecting sensor data from the inertial sensors;

processing the sensor data so as to generate a graphical user interface configured to display an animation and motion data representing the body motion of the subject on a display screen,

comparing, by the processor, the generated motion data to existing motion data for the at least two body segments and signaling to the user in real time when the limits are exceeded; and

comparing, by the processor, the generated motion data to the existing motion data and calculating performance parameters related to the body motion;

wherein the at least two body segments comprise at least two of a head segment, a neck segment, a thorax segment, a shoulder segment, an arm segment, a hand segment, a pelvis segment, a leg segment, and a foot segment,

wherein the signaling is biofeedback to the user in the form of a tone or a color that differs between a successful execution of the body motion and an unsuccessful execution of the body motion,

wherein the successful execution of the body motion is determined when the generated motion data is within the range of motion limits and the unsuccessful execution of the body motion is determined when the second motion data is outside the range of motion limits, and

wherein the inertial sensors are attached to at least one body appliance.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one body appliance comprises at least one of a torso garment, a pelvis garment, an arm garment, a wrist garment, and a hand garment.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the torso garment is a vest having one of the inertial sensors attached thereto at a location corresponding to the user'"'"'s back above and between the user'"'"'s shoulder blades over the user'"'"'s spinal column.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the torso garment is a vest comprising a vest sensor pocket configured to accommodate one of the inertial sensors, the vest sensor pocket formed at a location corresponding to the user'"'"'s back above and between the user'"'"'s shoulder blades over the user'"'"'s spinal column.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the pelvis garment is a belt having one of the inertial sensors attached thereto at a location corresponding to a lower portion of the user'"'"'s back above the user'"'"'s hips.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the pelvis garment is a belt comprising a belt sensor pocket configured to accommodate one of the inertial sensors, the belt sensor pocket formed at a location corresponding to a lower portion of the user'"'"'s back above the user'"'"'s hips.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the arm garment is an arm band having one of the inertial sensors attached thereto at a location corresponding to the user'"'"'s arm between the user'"'"'s shoulder and elbow.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the arm garment is an arm band comprising an arm band sensor pocket configured to accommodate one of the inertial sensors, the arm band sensor pocket formed at a location corresponding to the user'"'"'s arm between the user'"'"'s shoulder and elbow.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the wrist garment is a wrist band having one of the inertial sensors attached thereto at a location corresponding to an upper side of the user'"'"'s wrist adjacent to the back of the user'"'"'s hand.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the wrist garment is a wrist band comprising a wrist band sensor pocket configured to accommodate one of the inertial sensors, the wrist band sensor pocket formed at a location corresponding to an upper side of the user'"'"'s wrist adjacent to the back of the user'"'"'s hand.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the hand garment is a glove having one of the inertial sensors attached thereto at a location corresponding to a back of the user'"'"'s hand.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the inertial sensor is clipped to the glove.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one body appliance comprises at least two of a torso garment, a pelvis garment, an arm garment, a wrist garment, and a hand garment:

wherein the torso garment comprises a torso garment sensor pocket configured to accommodate one of the inertial sensors, the torso garment sensor pocket formed at a location corresponding to the user'"'"'s back above and between the user'"'"'s shoulder blades over the user'"'"'s spinal column;

wherein the pelvis garment comprises a pelvis garment sensor pocket configured to accommodate one of the inertial sensors, the belt sensor pocket formed at a location corresponding to a lower portion of the user'"'"'s back above the user'"'"'s hips;

wherein the arm garment comprises an arm garment sensor pocket configured to accommodate one of the inertial sensors, the arm garment sensor pocket formed at a location corresponding to the user'"'"'s arm between the user'"'"'s shoulder and elbow;

wherein the wrist garment comprises a wrist garment sensor pocket configured to accommodate one of the inertial sensors, the wrist garment sensor pocket formed at a location corresponding to an upper side of the user'"'"'s wrist adjacent to the back of the user'"'"'s hand; and

wherein the hand garment is configured to accommodate one of the inertial sensors at a location corresponding to a back of the user'"'"'s hand.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one body appliance comprises at least two of a torso garment, a pelvis garment, an arm garment, a wrist garment, and a hand garment:

wherein one of the inertial sensors is attached to the torso garment at a location corresponding to the user'"'"'s back above and between the user'"'"'s shoulder blades over the user'"'"'s spinal column;

wherein one of the inertial sensors is attached to the pelvis garment at a location corresponding to a lower portion of the user'"'"'s back above the user'"'"'s hips;

wherein one of the inertial sensors is attached to the arm garment a location corresponding to the user'"'"'s arm between the user'"'"'s shoulder and elbow;

wherein one of the inertial sensors is attached to the wrist garment at a location corresponding to an upper side of the user'"'"'s wrist adjacent to the back of the user'"'"'s hand; and

wherein one of the inertial sensors is attached to the hand garment at a location corresponding to a back of the user'"'"'s hand.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the biofeedback signaling further comprises haptic biofeedback.