System and method for predicting athletic ability

• US 20080188353A1
• Filed: 02/22/2007
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smartsport LLC, Smartsports, LLC
• Original Assignee: Smartsport LLC
• Inventors: Scannell, Larry, Vitolo, Corrine
• Granted Patent: US 7,946,960 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• 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 5/224 Measuring muscular strength
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/14 Lacrosse
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• 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 24/0062 : 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 60/46 : Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing

Abstract

A system for predicting athletic ability is disclosed. The system includes at least one device for measuring at least a first athletic parameter and a second athletic parameter, and a computer for calculating a performance score based upon the first athletic parameter and the second athletic parameter. The performance score is predictive of athletic ability. Methods of predicting athletic ability based upon a plurality of athletic parameters are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for predicting athletic ability, the method comprising the acts of:

measuring a first athletic parameter;

measuring a second athletic parameter, wherein the second athletic parameter is different from the first athletic parameter; and

calculating a performance score based upon the first athletic parameter and the second athletic parameter, wherein the performance score is predictive of athletic ability.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the act of:

measuring a third athletic parameter; and

wherein the act of calculating a performance score is based upon the first athletic parameter, the second athletic parameter and the third athletic parameter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first athletic parameter is directed to movement of an athlete.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first athletic parameter is directed to movement of an object by an athlete.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of calculating a performance score includes weighing the first athletic parameter more than the second athletic parameter, such that the resulting performance score is affected more by the measurement of the first athletic parameter than the measurement of the second athletic parameter.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a first value is obtained during the step of measuring a first athletic parameter, a second value is obtained during the step of measuring a second athletic parameter, and wherein the act of calculating a performance score includes inputting the first and second values into a formula to generate the performance score.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the act of calculating a performance score includes weighing the first value more than the second value in the formula, such that the resulting performance score is affected more by the measurement of the first athletic parameter than the measurement of the second athletic parameter.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the act of:

selecting the formula for generating the performance score based upon at least the first and second athletic parameters.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein the first athletic parameter is a distance.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the first athletic parameter is an angle of rotation.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein the first athletic parameter is a velocity.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein the first athletic parameter is a time period.

13. The method of claim 4, wherein the first athletic parameter is a distance.

14. The method of claim 4, wherein the first athletic parameter is an angle of rotation.

15. The method of claim 4, wherein the first athletic parameter is a velocity.

16. The method of claim 4, wherein the first athletic parameter is a time period.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising the act of:

storing the performance score into a database.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the act of:

storing a plurality of performance scores for an athlete over a period of time which is representative of the change in athletic ability.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the act of:

storing a plurality of performance scores for a plurality of athletes to create a scouting report.

20. A system for predicting athletic ability, the system comprising:

at least one device for measuring at least a first athletic parameter and a second athletic parameter, wherein the second athletic parameter is different from the first athletic parameter; and

a computer for calculating a performance score based upon the first athletic parameter and the second athletic parameter, wherein the performance score is predictive of athletic ability.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the computer calculates a performance score based upon a first value obtained when measuring the first athletic parameter and a second value obtained when measuring the second athletic parameter;

and wherein the computer is constructed and arranged to input the first and second values into a formula to generate the performance score.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one device for measuring at least a first athletic parameter and a second athletic parameter includes a first device for measuring the first athletic parameter and a second device for measuring the second athletic parameter.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one device for measuring at least a first athletic parameter and a second athletic parameter includes a sensor.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one device for measuring at least a first athletic parameter and a second athletic parameter includes a radar device.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one device for measuring at least a first athletic parameter and a second athletic parameter includes a radio transmitter and a plurality of radio receivers.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one device for measuring at least a first athletic parameter and a second athletic parameter includes a video recorder.

27. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one device for measuring at least a first athletic parameter and a second athletic parameter includes a time measuring device.

28. The system of claim 20, wherein the first athletic parameter is directed to movement of an athlete.

29. The system of claim 20, wherein the first athletic parameter is directed to movement of an object by an athlete.

30. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one device is constructed and arranged to measure a third athletic parameter, that is different from both the first and second athletic parameter.