Motion capture system

• US 20100304931A1
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John F. Stumpf
• Original Assignee: John F. Stumpf
• Inventors: Stumpf, John F.
• Application Number:
  US12/802,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20100304931A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0242 with speed variation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/70 Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/78 Surface covering conditions, e.g. of a road surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• 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 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations

Abstract

A motion capture system includes at least four relatively positioned locating units defining an area; an RFID fiducial moving with a movable object within the vicinity of the defined area; the locating units receiving RF signals transmitted by the RFID fiducial; and a processing unit in communication with the locating units and the RFID fiducial, the processing unit transmitting RF signals to the RFID fiducial and receiving information from the locating units in response to the transmitted RF signals and determining a location of the RFID fiducial.

Claims

1. A motion capture system comprising:

at least four relatively positioned locating units defining an area;

an RFID fiducial moving with a movable object within the vicinity of said defined area;

said locating units receiving RF signals transmitted by said RFID fiducial; and

a processing unit in communication with said locating units and said RFID fiducial, said processing unit transmitting RF signals to said RFID fiducial and receiving information from said locating units in response to said transmitted RF signals and determining a location of said RFID fiducial.

2. The motion capture system of claim 1, further including an interactive device using said location of said RFID fiducial to control a function of said device.

3. The motion capture system of claim 1, further including an interactive online system wherein said location of said RFID fiducial controls said interactive online system.

4. The motion capture system of claim 1, wherein said location of said RFID fiducial is used for at least one of an entertainment purpose, an officiating purpose and an archival purpose.

5. The motion capture system of claim 1, wherein a location determination method is used to determine said location of said RFID fiducial.

6. The motion capture system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of RFID fiducials each associated with individualized cell codes.

7. The motion capture system of claim 1, wherein said RFID fiducial is formed with a portion of TMF.

8. The motion capture system of claim 7, wherein said RFID fiducial transmits sensory data within said RF signals.

9. The motion capture system of claim 6, wherein said RFID fiducials are sequentially scanned by said processing unit transmitting said individualized cell codes for each of said RFID fiducials.

10. The motion capture system of claim 9, wherein each of said sequentially scanned RFID fiducials are energized by said sequential scanning and conserve power by only transmitting RF signals when a corresponding transmitted individualized cell code is received.

11. The motion capture system of claim 1, further including means for energizing said RFID fiducials alternative to said RF signals transmitted from said processing unit.

12. The motion capture system of claim 1, further including a user of said motion capture system wherein said locating units and said processing unit are mobile with said user.

13. The motion capture system of claim 1, wherein calibration of said motion control system is performed by at least one of docking said locating units with said processing unit and contacting said RFID fiducial proximate to a reference point.

14. The motion control system of claim 1, wherein said motion control system is integrated with an audio/visual system.

15. An article for use with a motion capture system comprising an RFID fiducial and an article code;

said article code identifying said article and an individual cell code for said RFID fiducial.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein said article is mobilized with a user;

said user controlling an interactive device using said article.

17. The article of claim 15, wherein said RFID fiducial is formed with a portion of TMF and said RFID fiducial transmits RF signals encoding at least one of sensory data and location data.

18. A treadmill for use with a motion control system comprising:

an upper platform connected with at least two rollers;

at least one of said rollers driven by a motor;

said rollers supporting and driving a belt;

a gimbal assembly connecting said upper platform with a lower platform;

said belt and said gimbal assembly responsive to said motion control system whereby modifying at least one of roll, pitch, yaw and belt speed.

19. The treadmill of claim 18, further including a virtual reality system providing sensory association between said treadmill, said motion control system and a user of said treadmill.

20. The treadmill of claim 18, further including a portion of TMF sensing user contact with said treadmill.