Methods and systems for providing quantitative assessment and relaying of fighter performance

• US 20030181290A1
• Filed: 01/23/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John W. Black
• Original Assignee: John W. Black
• Inventors: Black, John W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,128,692 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/22 Ergometry; Measuring muscular strength or the force of a muscular blow exercising apparatus A63B21/00 ; measuring of work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/102 Boxing
• 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 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings

Abstract

The present invention features various systems and methods for assessing, measuring, quantifying, and/or relaying athlete performance information, and particularly performance information relating to fighters or boxers. More particularly, the present invention relates to utilizing such technology as modified ergometer based technology, optical sensor and motion analysis technology, accelerometers, and hydraulic meters for the measuring and/or improvement of the performance of fighters, for the facilitating of recruiting efforts, and/or for the enhancement of boxing matches.

Claims

1. An athlete performance evaluation device comprising:

an adjustable base support;

an upper assembly module associated with said adjustable base support, said upper assembly module comprising a resistance varying assembly, a control center, and relaying technology;

extension arms extending in opposing directions from said upper assembly module and outward toward a user, said extension arms moving in a resisted bi-directional manner to simulate straight-line punching of an athlete, wherein said athlete performance device functions to assess and quantify athlete performance characteristics and to relay athlete performance information to an intended beneficiary as desired.

2. The athlete performance evaluation device of claim 1, wherein said athlete performance characteristics are selected from the group consisting of the power, speed, agility, form, leverage transferring, endurance, conditioning, acceleration, timing, fatigue, consistence, mass, and bodily displacement of said athlete.

3. The athlete performance evaluation device of claim 1, wherein said athlete performance information pertains to the group of said athlete performance characteristics selected from the group consisting of the power, power curve, form, leverage transferring, conditioning, speed, agility, endurance, acceleration, timing, fatigue, consistence, mass, and bodily displacement of said athlete, and to various evaluation related information selected from the group consisting of baselines, performance over time, performance patterns, rates of increase, lead information, reaction information, time between moves, counter information, past versus present and other comparison information, and any other similar pertinent information.

4. An optical sensing athlete performance evaluation device comprising:

an optical sensing device for assessing athlete performance, said optical sensing device producing signals relating to various athlete performance characteristics;

a processing system for converting and quantifying said signals into a readable format to obtain athlete performance information; and

a relaying device for relaying said athlete performance information to an intended beneficiary.

5. The athlete performance evaluation device of claim 4, wherein said athlete performance characteristics are selected from the group consisting of the power, speed, agility, form, leverage transferring, endurance, conditioning, acceleration, timing, fatigue, consistence, mass, and bodily displacement of said athlete.

6. The athlete performance evaluation device of claim 4, wherein said athlete performance information pertains to the group of said athlete performance characteristics selected from the group consisting of the power, power curve, form, leverage transferring, conditioning, speed, agility, endurance, acceleration, timing, fatigue, consistence, mass, and bodily displacement of said athlete, and to various evaluation related information selected from the group consisting of baselines, performance over time, performance patterns, rates of increase, lead information, reaction information, time between moves, counter information, past versus present and other comparison information, and any other similar pertinent information.

7. An accelerometer based athlete performance evaluation device comprising:

an array of accelerometers for assessing athlete performance, said accelerometers produce signals that relate to various athlete performance characteristics;

a processing system for converting and quantifying said signals into a readable format to obtain athlete performance information; and

a relaying device for relaying said athlete performance information to an intended beneficiary.

8. The athlete performance evaluation device of claim 7, wherein said athlete performance characteristics are selected from the group consisting of the power, speed, agility, form, leverage transferring, endurance, conditioning, acceleration, timing, fatigue, consistence, mass, and bodily displacement of said athlete.

9. The athlete performance evaluation device of claim 7, wherein said athlete performance information pertains to the group of said athlete performance characteristics selected from the group consisting of the power, power curve, form, leverage transferring, conditioning, speed, agility, endurance, acceleration, timing, fatigue, consistence, mass, and bodily displacement of said athlete, and to various evaluation related information selected from the group consisting of baselines, performance over time, performance patterns, rates of increase, lead information, reaction information, time between moves, counter information past versus present and other comparison information, and any other similar pertinent information.

10. A method of providing quantitative assessment and relaying of athlete performance, said method comprising the steps of:

assessing athlete performance characteristics using an athlete performance evaluation device to obtain athlete performance information;

quantifying said athlete performance information; and

relaying said athlete performance information to an intended beneficiary using relaying technology.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of assessing athlete performance characteristics using an athlete performance evaluation device to obtain athlete performance information comprises using an ergometer-type athlete performance evaluation device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of assessing athlete performance characteristics using an athlete performance evaluation device to obtain athlete performance information comprises using an optical sensing athlete performance evaluation device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of assessing athlete performance characteristics using an athlete performance evaluation device to obtain athlete performance information comprises using an accelerometer athlete performance evaluation device.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of relaying comprises relaying said athlete performance information to a coach/trainer beneficiary.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of relaying comprises relaying said athlete performance information to a TV audience beneficiary.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of relaying comprises relaying said athlete performance information to an event audience beneficiary.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of relaying comprises relaying said athlete performance information across various computer networks, across various television networks, across various satellite networks, across a radio network, to a portable computer device, to a readout display on an evaluation device, and any other type capable of communicating said.

18. A method of providing information relating to the performance of athletes, said method comprising at least one of the steps of:

measuring the acceleration curves and speed of said athlete for improved performance of the boxer;

revealing patterns of speed and power of the boxer;

revealing power and execution patterns during the fight to make more competitive and exciting fights and to avoid mismatches of power and styles;

analyzing patterns of past fights against similar opponents to enable managers, matchmakers and promoters to pick organize fights in career planning; and

using measured performance information for training programs and for developing of a fight strategy.

19. A computer program product for implementing within a computer system a method for providing quantitative information relating to the performance of athletes, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium for providing computer program code means utilized to implement the method, wherein the computer program code means is comprised of executable code for implementing the steps for;

measuring the acceleration curves and speed of a boxer for improved performance of the boxer;

revealing patterns of speed and power of the boxer;

revealing power and execution patterns during the fight to make more competitive and exciting fights and to avoid mismatches of power and styles;

analyzing patterns of past fights against similar opponents to enable managers, matchmakers and promoters to pick organize fights in career planning; and

using measured performance information for training programs and for developing of a fight strategy.