Footwork Training System and Method

• US 20080258921A1
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Schrock, Allan M., Woo, Helen
• Granted Patent: US 9,028,430 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1122 of movement trajectories
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• 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 2024/0081 Coaching or training aspects related to a group of users
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• 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 2244/22 : Dancing
• 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 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 6/00 : Mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping, gymnastics or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0015 : Dancing
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/361 : Recording/reproducing of accompaniment for use with an external source, e.g. karaoke systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/368 : displaying animated or moving pictures synchronized with the music or audio part
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/40 : Rhythm
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/091 : for performance evaluation, i.e. judging, grading or scoring the musical qualities or faithfulness of a performance, e.g. with respect to pitch, tempo or other timings of a reference performance
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/321 : Garment sensors, i.e. musical control means with trigger surfaces or joint angle sensors, worn as a garment by the player, e.g. bracelet, intelligent clothing vital parameter sensing G10H2220/371; wearable interfaces in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/336 : Control shoe or boot, i.e. sensor-equipped lower part of lower limb, e.g. shoe, toe ring, sock, ankle bracelet or leg control attachment garment sensors G10H2220/321; floor sensing devices, e.g. sensing mats G10H2220/341
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/395 : Acceleration sensing or accelerometer use, e.g. 3D movement computation by integration of accelerometer data, angle sensing with respect to the vertical, i.e. gravity sensing. conductor baton movement sensing G10H2220/206, angle sensing without reference to gravity G10H2220/391; player body joint angle sensing G10H2220/321

Abstract

A system and method for evaluating an activity includes an article of clothing provided with a sensor capable of detecting the impact of the article of clothing, such as a shoe, on a surface. A system receives and interprets the pattern of impacts made during the performance of the activity. The system compares these impacts with those of a target routine. Iterations of the same performance may be stored in the system so that ongoing progress may be measured. The system may be used to enhance class teaching, in the home, or for Internet competition. The activity may include dance, yoga, martial arts, or similar activities.

Claims

1. A system for evaluating a performance of an activity where a portion of a user'"'"'s body impacts a surface comprising:

an article of clothing sized and dimensioned to fit the portion of the user'"'"'s body;

a sensor attached to the article of clothing, the sensor being capable of detecting an impact of the article of clothing against the surface;

a processor connected to the sensor via a communication link;

a target impact pattern accessible by the processor; and

a display.

2. The system of claim 1, the article of clothing comprising an article of footwear.

3. The system of claim 2, the article of footwear being a shoe.

4. The system of claim 1, the article of clothing comprising a torso covering.

5. The system of claim 1, the article of clothing comprising a leg covering.

6. The system of claim 1, the article of clothing comprising a band.

7. The system of claim 1, the article of clothing comprising jewelry.

8. The system of claim 1, the communication link being a wireless connection.

9. The system of claim 1, the communication link being a wireline link.

10. The system of claim 1, the processor comprising a computer.

11. The system of claim 10, the display comprising a computer monitor or screen.

12. The system of claim 1, the processor comprising a portable electronic device.

13. The system of claim 12, the portable electronic device comprising a personal digital assistant.

14. The system of claim 12, the portable electronic device comprising an audio-visual player.

15. The system of claim 1, the processor comprising a video game console.

16. A method for evaluating an activity where a portion of a user'"'"'s body impacts a surface comprising the steps of:

(i) providing a target impact pattern to an evaluation system;

(ii) the user performing the activity wearing an article of clothing on the portion of the user'"'"'s body, the article of clothing incorporating a sensor capable of detecting a performance impact pattern generated by the user;

(iii) communicating the performance impact pattern to the evaluation system; and

(iv) comparing the performance impact pattern to the target impact pattern.

17. The method of claim 16, the article of clothing comprising an article of footwear.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein step (iii) comprises transmitting the performance impact pattern to the evaluation system via a wireless communication link.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein step (iii) comprises connecting the article of clothing to the evaluation system with a wireline communication link.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

(v) determining a performance metric based upon step (iv).

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of:

(vi) displaying a visual representation of the performance impact pattern and the performance metric.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of:

(vi) displaying the target impact pattern.

23. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

(v) storing the performance impact pattern.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

(vi) determining a first performance metric based upon step (iv);

(vii) repeating the activity at least once to generate a new performance pattern;

(viii) comparing the new performance pattern to the target pattern to determine a new performance metric; and

(x) comparing the new performance metric to the first performance metric to determine a progress metric.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:

(xi) displaying at least one of the performance pattern, the new performance pattern, the target pattern, the first performance metric, and the new performance metric.

26. The method of claim 16, the activity comprising a performance of at least one of a dance, a yoga posture, a boxing move, and a martial arts movement.

27. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps are performed in a class.

28. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps are performed in a home.

29. A system for evaluating a performance of an activity where a portion of a user'"'"'s body impacts a surface comprising:

a sensor attachable to the portion of the user'"'"'s body, the sensor being capable of detecting an impact of the portion of the user'"'"'s body against the surface;

a processor connected to the sensor via a communication link;

a memory module accessible by the processor;

a target impact pattern accessible by the processor; and

a display connected to the processor.

30. The system of claim 29, further comprising an input device.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the input device comprises an optical drive.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the input device comprises a magnetic drive.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the input device comprises a keypad.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein the input device comprises a microphone.

35. The system of claim 30, wherein the processor and the input device are disposed within a housing.

36. The system of claim 35, further comprising an external communications device connecting the processor to an external communications network.

37. The system of claim 36, the external communications device comprising a modem.

38. The system of claim 36, the external communications network comprising the Internet.

39. The system of claim 29, a first sensor positioned on the user and a second sensor positioned on a mat, wherein the mat is communicatively connected to the processor.

40. The system of claim 39, the mat incorporating a plurality of sensors.

41. The system of claim 39, the mat having multiple layers.

42. A method for comparing athletic performances of multiple users for activities where a portion of each user'"'"'s body impacts a surface, comprising the steps of:

(i) providing each user with a target impact pattern and a local evaluation system;

(ii) each user performing the activity wearing a sensor capable of detecting a performance impact pattern generated by the user;

(iii) communicating the performance impact pattern of each user to the user'"'"'s local evaluation system;

(iv) comparing the performance impact pattern to the target impact pattern to determine a user'"'"'s evaluation characteristics;

(v) communicating the evaluation characteristics for at least two users to a remote evaluation module via a communications network; and

(vi) comparing the evaluation characteristics received by the remote evaluation module.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the communications network comprises the Internet.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the remote evaluation module is accessible by each user via a website.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the remote evaluation module determines rankings of the users according to the evaluation characteristics received by the remote evaluation module.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the remote evaluation module updates the rankings of the users according to submissions of subsequent evaluation characteristics for the users.

47. The method of claim 42, the sensor being provided in an article of clothing.

48. The method of claim 47, the article of clothing comprising an article of footwear.

49. The method of claim 48, the article of footwear comprising a shoe.

50. The method of claim 42, wherein the athletic performance comprises a dance routine.