Method and system for athletic motion analysis and instruction

• US 10,463,958 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2018
• Issued: 11/05/2019
• 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:
  US16/165,668
• Publication Number:
  US 20190054376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 382 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 from a plurality of sensors in communication with the processor, the plurality of sensors comprising a plurality of inertial sensors attached at target areas of a body relating to a body motion, each of the target areas being in front of or behind a respective body joint, and a motion sensor coupled to a handheld movement object and configured to capture object motion data associated with movement of the handheld movement object;

determining, by the processor, a range of motion limits for more than one body segment of the body motion based upon calibrating the processor using first motion data received from the inertial sensors for initial alignment and orientation of each respective target area of the body;

receiving, by the processor, second motion data for the more than one body segment from the inertial sensors during execution of the body motion;

comparing, by the processor, the second motion data to the determined range of motion limits for the more than one body segment and signaling in real time when any of the limits exceeds the determined range of motion limits;

generating, by the processor, using the second motion data, a graphical user interface configured to display an animation of the user, the second motion data representing the execution of the body motion, and at least one of the object motion data and the values associated with the handheld movement object; and

determining, by the processor, one or more values associated with movement of the handheld movement object based on the object motion data,

wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display at least one of the object motion data and the values associated with movement of the handheld movement object,

wherein the more than one body segment comprises at least two of a head segment, a neck segment, a thorax segment, a shoulder segment, an upper arm segment, a forearm 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 second 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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld movement object comprises a golf club, a baseball bat, a hockey stick, a cricket bat, a lacrosse stick, a racket, a paddle, an oar, a spear, or a handheld tool.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display graphical or numerical parameters associated with a movement path of the handheld movement object based on the one or more values associated with movement of the handheld movement object.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more values associated with movement of the handheld movement object comprise information related to acceleration, angular momentum, or velocity of the handheld movement object.

5. The method of claim 1,

wherein the handheld movement object is a golf club,

wherein the one or move values are determined during a swing motion and used to define a swing plane of the golf club and the vertical angle that a golf club head of the golf club travels through at impact with a golf ball, and

wherein the processor is configured to calculate the forces on the golf ball and calculate a trajectory of the golf ball based on the one or more values.

6. The method of claim 1,

wherein the handheld movement object is a baseball bat,

wherein the one or move values are determined during a swing motion and used to define a swing plane of the baseball bat and the vertical angle that a barrel of the bat travels through at impact with a baseball, and

wherein the processor is configured to calculate the forces on the baseball and calculate a trajectory of the baseball based on the one or more values.

7. A system, comprising:

a non-wearable motion sensor configured to be coupled to a handheld movement object at a first location of the handheld movement object, the motion sensor configured to capture motion data associated with movement of the handheld movement object;

a wireless transmitter to transmit the motion data to a processor, the processor configured to process the motion data to determine one or more values associated with the movement and to translate the motion data or the values to correspond to a second location of the handheld movement object located away from the first location; and

a display unit to receive and graphically display at least one of the data and the one or more values,

wherein the processor is further configured to compare the motion data or the values corresponding to the second location of the handheld movement object to a predetermined threshold representing a successful movement of the handheld movement object, and signal to a user in real time when the motion data or the values corresponding to the second location are outside of the predetermined threshold, whereby the signal is biofeedback to the user that differs between a successful movement and an unsuccessful movement,

wherein the processor is further configured to;

receive motion data from an inertial sensor attached at a target area of a body relating to a body motion of the user that is associated with movement of the handheld object, the target area being in front of or behind a respective body joint;

determine a range of motion limits for the body segment of the body motion based upon calibration using first motion data received from the inertial sensor for initial alignment and orientation of each respective target area of the body;

receive second motion data for the body segment from the inertial sensor during execution of the body motion;

compare the second motion data to the determined range of motion limits for the body segment and signal to the user when any of the limits exceeds the determined range of motion limits;

generate, using the second motion data, a graphical user interface configured to display an animation of the user, the second motion data representing at least the execution of the body motion; and

wherein the signal 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, whereby the successful execution of the body motion is determined when the second 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.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the handheld movement object comprises a golf club, a baseball bat, a hockey stick, a cricket bat, a lacrosse stick, a racket, a paddle, an oar, a spear, or a handheld tool.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the display unit is configured to display graphical or numerical parameters associated with a movement path of the handheld movement object based on at least one of the object motion data and the values associated with movement of the handheld movement object.

10. The system of claim 7,

wherein the handheld movement object is a golf club, the golf club comprising a first end at which a handle is located and a second end at which a golf club head of the golf club is located, the second end corresponding to the second location,

wherein the one or move values are determined during a swing motion and used to define a swing plane of the golf club and the vertical angle that the golf club head travels through at impact with a golf ball, and

wherein the display unit graphically displays the swing plane of the golf club and the vertical angle that the golf club head travels through at impact with the golf ball.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to calculate the forces on the golf ball and calculate a trajectory of the golf ball based on the one or more values, and

wherein the calculated forces on the golf gall and the trajectory of the golf ball are displayed on the display unit.

12. The system of claim 7,

wherein the handheld movement object is a baseball bat, the baseball bat comprising a first end at which a handle is located and a second end at which a barrel of the baseball bat is located, the second end corresponding to the second location,

wherein the one or move values are determined during a swing motion and used to define a swing plane of the baseball bat and the vertical angle that the barrel travels through at impact with a baseball, and

wherein the display unit graphically displays the swing plane of the baseball bat and the vertical angle that the barrel travels through at impact with the baseball.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to calculate the forces on the baseball and calculate a trajectory of the baseball based on the one or more values, and

wherein the calculated forces on the baseball and the trajectory of the baseball are displayed on the display unit.

14. A system, comprising:

a non-wearable motion sensor configured to be coupled to a golf club at a first location of the golf club, the motion sensor configured to capture motion data associated with movement of the golf club;

a wireless transmitter to transmit the motion data to a processor, the processor configured to process the motion data to determine one or more values associated with the movement and to translate the motion data or the values to correspond to a second location of the golf club located away from the first location; and

a display unit to receive and graphically display at least one of the data and the one or more values,

wherein the golf club comprises a first end at which a handle is located and a second end at which a golf club head of the golf club is located, the second end corresponding to the second location,

wherein the one or move values are determined during a swing motion and used to define a swing plane of the golf club and the vertical angle that the golf club head travels through at impact with a golf ball, and

wherein the processor is configured to calculate the forces on the golf ball at impact and calculate a trajectory of the golf ball based on the one or more values, and

wherein the display unit graphically displays the swing plane of the golf club and the vertical angle that the golf club head travels through at impact with the golf ball, and displays the calculated forces on the golf gall and the trajectory of the golf ball,

wherein the processor is further configured to;

receive motion data from an inertial sensor attached at a target area of a body relating to a body motion of a user that is associated with movement of the golf club, the target area being in front of or behind a respective body joint;

determine a range of motion limits for the body segment of the body motion based upon calibration using first motion data received from the inertial sensor for initial alignment and orientation of each respective target area of the body;

receive second motion data for the body segment from the inertial sensor during execution of the body motion;

compare the second motion data to the determined range of motion limits for the body segment and signal to the user in real time when any of the limits exceeds the determined range of motion limits;

generate, using the second motion data, a graphical user interface configured to display an animation of the user, the second motion data representing at least the execution of the body motion; and

wherein the signal 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, whereby the successful execution of the body motion is determined when the second 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.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to compare the motion data or the values corresponding to the second location of the golf club to a predetermined threshold representing a successful movement of the golf club, and signal to a user when the motion data or the values corresponding to the second location are outside of the predetermined threshold, whereby the signal is biofeedback to the user that differs between a successful movement and an unsuccessful movement.