Ergonomic motion and athletic activity monitoring and training system and method
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring an ergonomic motion, the system comprising:
- a. a means for capturing a video image of a person executing the ergonomic motion;
b. a means of processing the video image wherein a predetermined spatial region within the video image may be defined, the spatial region corresponding to a preferred execution area of the ergonomic motion;
c. a means of storing a the video image for a predetermined interval;
d. a means of comparing the video image stored in the means for storing for a predetermined interval to a real time video image; and
e. an alarm means, wherein when the ergonomic motion is executed within a limit of the spatial region the, alarm means is not actuated, and wherein when the ergonomic motion exceeds the limit of the spatial region, the alarm means is actuated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention includes a system for teaching and learning a preferred ergonomic motion. The system includes a video camera for capturing successive images of a person executing an ergonomic motion. The system includes a threshold definition system that allows a user to define a spatial region of the video image through which motion should or should not interfere. If the spatial region is interfered, the system actuates an alarm, thereby providing feedback so the user may alter the technique of the next attempted motion. In one preferred embodiment, the system is used in teaching a golfer to execute a preferred golf swing. The golfer adjusts the spatial region to define a space through which neither the golfer'"'"'s body nor club should pass. If the spatial region is intruded upon, an alarm is actuated. For example, the golfer may define the region such that if the club moves off plane during a swing, a tee removal system causes the ball to disappear. In this manner, the golfer is only able to hit the ball when the club stays on plane. The invention works with reverse logic as well, and may equally be applied to any number of ergonomic activities.
27 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring an ergonomic motion, the system comprising:
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a. a means for capturing a video image of a person executing the ergonomic motion;
b. a means of processing the video image wherein a predetermined spatial region within the video image may be defined, the spatial region corresponding to a preferred execution area of the ergonomic motion;
c. a means of storing a the video image for a predetermined interval;
d. a means of comparing the video image stored in the means for storing for a predetermined interval to a real time video image; and
e. an alarm means, wherein when the ergonomic motion is executed within a limit of the spatial region the, alarm means is not actuated, and wherein when the ergonomic motion exceeds the limit of the spatial region, the alarm means is actuated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for a person executing an athletic motion, for example a golf swing, the system comprising:
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a. a means for capturing a video image, the means being capable of capturing successive images of the person executing the athletic motion;
b. a means for processing the video image, wherein a predetermined spatial region within the video image may be defined, the spatial region corresponding to a preferred execution area of the athletic motion;
c. a means for comparing a current video image to a previous video image; and
d. an alarm means that is actuated when the means for comparing determines that the person has exceeded a limit of the predetermined spatial region. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for teaching a person to make an athletic motion, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a means for capturing a video image, the means being capable of capturing successive images of the person executing the athletic motion;
b. providing a means for processing the video image, such that a predetermined spatial region within the video image may be defined, the predetermined spatial region corresponding to a preferred space of execution of the athletic motion;
c. providing a means for comparing a current video image to a previous video image;
d. providing an alarm that is actuated when the means for comparing determines that the person has exceeded the predetermined spatial regions;
e. defining the predetermined spatial region to correspond with the athletic motion; and
f. making an athletic motion;
wherein if the athletic motion exceeds the spatial region during execution, the alarm is actuated.
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Specification